GC17XX series and box blades

cglaser104 · Jun 4, 2019

I was fortunate enough to score a 48" Kodiak SD Cat1 box blade (now ownee by Paladin) from an auction for a local dealership that sold Cub cadet and Mahindra tractors. It doesn't appear used much if at all but looks like it's obviously been weathered and sitting outside.

I tossed it on my GC1710 and took a could passes on my gravel driveway while set at level between front and back cutting edges. What really stuck out to me wasn't that I didn't have the power to drag it...it was that I didn't have the traction once the box was full of gravel. I ran at about 1400rpm, low gear and then was forced to use 4wd to have the grip to pull. I have R4 tires for reference. I originally was going to buy an Everything Attachments 54" land shark subcompact box blade and I'm glad I didn't. Not only did I pay a fraction for a blade with similar construction (cat 1 pins instead of clevis hookup, and 3 rippers vs 4 being the difference) but I fell into what I feel was the right size for this unit. Just wanted to share for those of you who might be considering similar circumstances.

Rocko · Jun 5, 2019

Back in March I purchased a 4 ft. Box Blade.
Got several prices from local dealers, anywhere from 700 to over 1000.
For the heck of it I called an Agway dealer, said he had 3 of them he had been sitting on and would give me a "deal" on it because it was weathered.
I drove down and he said 500 plus tax...so I took it.
I'm happy with it, seems well made and is a good size for my GC1710

cglaser104 · Jun 5, 2019

Rocko said:
Back in March I purchased a 4 ft. Box Blade.
Got several prices from local dealers, anywhere from 700 to over 1000.
For the heck of it I called an Agway dealer, said he had 3 of them he had been sitting on and would give me a "deal" on it because it was weathered.
I drove down and he said 500 plus tax...so I took it.
I'm happy with it, seems well made and is a good size for my GC1710

Yours is the same as mine!! That's a Kodiak/Paladin 4' SD Box blade. I agree that it's a good fit for the GC tractor. Mine was new/unused but very weathered from sitting at the dealership outside as well. Picked it up for $350 at auction.

Scut 4 Big Bucks · Jul 18, 2019

I've got a 5'er for my GC1715. This attachment is one of my favorites. I get some good washouts from heavy rains in my gravel driveway, and the box blade gets it back into shape in a hurry. I use 4X4 low gear, and it rarely gets bogged down. Cuts and fills the gravel to like new condition in a short time.

cglaser104 · Jul 18, 2019

Scut 4 Big Bucks said:
I've got a 5'er for my GC1715. This attachment is one of my favorites. I get some good washouts from heavy rains in my gravel driveway, and the box blade gets it back into shape in a hurry. I use 4X4 low gear, and it rarely gets bogged down. Cuts and fills the gravel to like new condition in a short time.

I've been absolutely thrilled with the work I can do with my box blade. In low 4x4 I still lose traction pulled a box load of rock or broken up clay but it's not for lack of power. I'm sure if I filled the tires I could go bigger

cdaigle430 · Jul 24, 2019

I have the 4 foot county line box blade and yes I always ran out of traction before HP. Its a learning curve but once you learn how to use it you will never go without a box blade again.

Nacademus · Jul 24, 2019

I've got a Rural King 48" box blade. It's the heavier 48" they sell, I believe. I love that thing. Definitely run out if traction sometimes when it's full of limestone. With a little finesse, it's never a real problem.

I just wish my rippers were height adjustable. They only have one bolt and no adjustment holes. They rip well enough, though. I've only used it on gravel so far. It ripped some hard packed 304 stone on my other driveway that was solid like cement.