Frontier Box Blades

[jhortonvt]

I am shopping a Box Blade for my 4310, and I've gotten the following info from one of the JD dealers I called.

He said the 20 series Box Blades (ie the 5' box blade with the model # BB2060) are made by 'Worksaver' vs the 10 series (BB1060) which are made by 'Woods'.

For one reason or another JD is using Worksaver in addition to Woods as a supplier.

The issue here is he said Worksaver's BB is not quite as nice as Woods BB. Although he didn't bash Worksaver's BB he apparently felt it was worth mentioning.

My dealer has suggested the 5 1/2 footer is plenty for me as the width of my track on my 4310 is 5'. So I'm looking at the 5 1/2 footer, and the spec differences are small but I thought the notables were:

BB1065
welded mast
5x5x3/16 beam -not reinforced
notched 2 position shanks
517#

BB2065
bolt on mast
4x4x1/4 beam -reinforced
3 position shanks w/holes
500#

Heres a link to the JD Specs on the Box Blades: John Deere Box Blades

One other odd thing is it doesn't seem to be that Worksaver just painted their 6 1/2 foot BB green; as the weight is substantially different (418# for the Worksaver brand vs. 500# for the 'worksaver supplied' Frontier). The number of shanks is different also (4 vs 5). So if this story is true it seems Worksaver has built them to JD specs-which inspires a little confidence. Here's a link to Worksaver Worksaver Box Blades

So my ?'s are:

Does anybody have any first hand knowledge of the two Frontier models?

How about what the specs show, is the BB2065 as good on paper as the BB1065?

He gave me a pretty good price on the BB2065 (5 1/2 footer) - $665
Is it wide enough or should I really push for the 6 footer?

 

[jcmseven]

I cannot comment on the Worksaver supplied Frontier BB, but my 1060 Woods made BB is nice and well built. I would go with that manufacturer. My 1060 is just wider than my tire width, which I wanted as I have some tight areas to negotiate. The 72" BB is just too big for a mid frame 4310. It would pull it if one graded dry or lightweight material, but with gravel or heavier density (or damp/ wet) material, I think the 4310 would struggle. The 1065 is the perfect size for these machines. I personally would go with the 1065 Woods made BB (for Frontier). I also had a plate welded to the support arms to cover the rear 1/3 of the box on top (see the 48" X series BB). The plate keeps the material "rolling" while scraping and does not allow overflow over the top with these straight edged box blades. It works really well.

John M

 

[Wesdor]

I have a KK 72" BB on my 4310. Have used one since December when I got the tractor and haven't noticed that it is too big. I paid $438 at TSC.

I like the weight as balast for my 300CX FEL, but have also done some leveling work where I had some bulldozing done 3 weeks ago.

Perhpas John is correct and when I go to leveling gravel, I will find I have too much blade, but so far that hasn't been my experience.

 

[creeper]

I recently looked at a BB1065, was quoted a price of $575 It was made by woods and seemed to be heavy duty. It was also cheaper than an actual woods bb from local woods dealers.I would go with the 10 series

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I went with the Frontier BB1172 (Woods) because it was built much heavier (628# spec I believe), AND it has a floating tailgate which will allow it to cut in much deeper if desired. Presently, mine is in the woods and inaccessible due to the spring thaw /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but I hope to use it again soon...

The 72" may be a bit wide for the HP of the 4310, but you always have A range...

 

[jhortonvt]

Creeper,

$575 for the BB1065...

That sounds like an amazing price. I've gotten quotes as high as $850 for the 5.5 foot. As I said my dealer gave me a price of $665, and said they retail for $850, so I was pretty pleased with that disocunt. Maybe I should dicker a little with him, as I am also buying the Imatch at the same time.

 

[creeper]

That was the price on a written 30 day quote.I called another dealer and he was $650. I was surprised at the price bcause I was also looking for a cheap landscape rake, but liked the quality of frontier and for a LR1072 it was $500 compared to $420 for the cheaper ones I am not a regular at this dealer I guess the guy just cut a little slack. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have the 2060 behind a 4410, and I am quite happy with it. Looking at the two units side by side, it wasn't hard for me to cough up a few more bucks for the 20 series. If you have any tight areas at all, I would not go very much wider than your tractor. I am comfortable in knowing that if I missed the stump -- building corner -- sidewalk -- tree -- wife's rose bush -- etc. with the tractor, then I will miss it with the BB.

 

[RandyK]

Jeff, If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your 2060? I have a quote on a 2072 for $750, does that seem like a good price? The dealer has a 2084 also. I have a JD 4500 (39 hp), it's about 6 feet wide. I can't decide between the 6 or 7 footer.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I am out of town on business, Randy, but will be happy to look it up for you Monday when I get home. It was part of my package price, but it is itemized on the bill. If I forget to check this thread Monday afternoon, PM me or add a reminder to the thread so it bounces to the top.

I took the 60 inch home with my 4410 and ran around with it for a few days. It was quite apparent that I could handle more blade, even when digging deep. I called the dealer and talked about trading for the 6 footer. He agreed, since the paper work wasn't done (my backhoe was being shipped in). The next day, I worked up close to the house with the box blade and decided I was perfectly happy with the 60 inch -- which just covers the wheels of my 4410.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Get the heavier 72". I have a 72" Monroe Tuffline and it weighs about #550. I wish it weighed a bit more. The tractor manages it just fine. If I need more traction, just fill the FEL with a load and put it in 4WD.

 

[jeffinsgf]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jeff, If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for your 2060? I have a quote on a 2072 for $750, does that seem like a good price? The dealer has a 2084 also. I have a JD 4500 (39 hp), it's about 6 feet wide. I can't decide between the 6 or 7 footer. )</font>

As part of my package, the BB2060 was $510.00.

 

[jhortonvt]

I checked the Frontier BB2065 (5 1/2 footer) out on the lot again before going inside and it looked pretty darn rugged. Very thick side plates and a pretty beefy (and reinforced) cross bar. My dealer gave me a 'lowest' price of $650 so I pulled the trigger. I've seen better prices here but I'm pleased- he said they retail for about $900.

Took her home and leveled a pretty good length of windrow in our field, worked like a charm-even for a beginner.

I always feel a little more comfortable going into these purchases after being enlightened by the TBN gurus. Thanks!

 

[Trippy]

I would not go over 6.5 foot on your BB. The heavier model will help with cutting hard ground. Once the box starts to fill you have more cutting power but you also need more power for pulling it. You may find that you power out or can not get enough traction at that point. If you have any challenging task and are working with lighter equipment you sure wish for the weight.

I find buying it built heavier will make it last longer for my jobs. I have added weight for things I found to be too light but that doesn't always work out cost wise. My time welding + material cost = higher price then buying up graded equipment.

So my thoughts are buy the heavier BB, keeping the width down to just past the rear tires. You could get by with a 84" if your needs are not to demanding. I would get a heavy BB that goes just past the rear tires over buying a lighter 84" for same monies.

Trippy