Grading GC2300 box blade question

artman67 · Sep 6, 2006

I was wondering if someone could help steer me in the right direction. I'm looking into getting a rear blade or a box blade and I'm not sure what size to get. I have read the specs based on horse power but I'd like someone with some experience to give me some advice as I've only had my tractor a few months and am by no means an expert.

I have turf tires, not AG tires. I will be doing medium duty landscaping on my property - spreading loam, levelling some rough spots etc... I was wondering if anyone has any advice that they'd be willling to share with me. Thanks in advance.

Mike5252 · Sep 6, 2006

I don't have a GC2300, but extensively researched this question a few months ago. Opinions are all over the board (and of course it depends largely on precisely what you need to do with) but the consensus seems to be that a good box blade is a little more versatile than a rear blade.

However, if you plan to be using it for snow removal or grading a gravel driveway, a rear blade will probably work best.

I have a 5000 series cub cadet (about the same size as a GC2300). For that size tractor you'll definitely want a 48". I believe a 54" or 60" may be a little big for a sub compact.

I use my box blade for rear ballast when I'm doing loader work as well, so got what would be considered a medium duty (a lands pride BB1548 I believe it was). It weighs in around 425lbs. There are also heavy duty blades that weight in over 500 lbs in a 48" size. I originally thought that was what I wanted, but when I saw one in person decided that might be overkill.

Midwest Equipment also makes a box blade that seems to be highly regarded in several posts in the implement/attachment section of this site.

Hope that helps.

artman67 · Sep 7, 2006

Thanks! I was looking in the 48" to 60" range and have received conflicting information. I chalked it up to what the dealer had in stock at the time. I just wanted to run the question by some knowledgable folks before I made the purchase. Thanks again Mike

darchetti · Sep 7, 2006

I have a 48” King Kutter XB box blade on my GC2310. It works great. That being said I also have a King Kutter XB Rake that I tend to use a whole lot more. Tractor is light and with turf tires you may have some issues with box blade. I find that the rake does a great job of spreading top soil and removing small roots, rocks, and brush. Just my two cents

Good Luck

DMW · Sep 7, 2006

I use a 48" MF540 boxblade with mine, bought it with the tractor to take advantage of the financing rates.
The 48" boxblade is more than enough width unless your scaping sand. It will still bring the tractor to a complete stop if the angle of the boxblade is too aggressive(tilted too far forward), but it has little problem with a full box of material. The scarifiers make breaking up hard surfaces very easy. Sometimes the boxblade will just bounce around unable to bite into the ground. Lowering the scarifers allows for easy breakup of material. In my use this has been the big plus with the boxblade. I spent 12 years using a rear blade on my gravel driveway using a much bigger tractor and always had to fill in the potholes again after the next heavy rainfall. The boxblade w/scarifiers means I can do it just twice a year now. There is a huge difference.
The 48" is narrow enough that it will fit into the width of the FEL and cover the tracks of the tractor., and makes a good counterbalance. I never take mine off until it's time to mount the snowblower.
In my experience a rear blade hasn't been needed, the boxblade with scarifiers and FEL can take care pretty much everything.

darchetti · Sep 7, 2006

DMW
I see a snow blower in the background of you pic. Is it a 3pt model? How do you like it? $$$? I have about a 700 foot paved driveway and I am torn between plow and snow blower. I know not related to thread but I had to ask.

DMW · Sep 7, 2006

Agro-Trend 48", 3ph. $1100 cdn.(excluding taxes) 16 months ago. Not sure if it was a good price, my wife bought it for me. 3 passes of the driveway does it. A 60" would have still required 3 passes to do the driveway. I have included a picture of the tractor with the blower. It extends out a lot farther then the boxblade, lever effect even when on the ground made steering difficult. I don't think the front blowers have this problem but cost a lot more $$s. I could have just put a couple cement blocks in the bucket but instead got the front tires foam filled. Each front tire now weighs 64.5 pounds. The extra weight made a noticable difference in steering control. I was also paranoid about scrap metal in the ground (the farm is over 150 yrs old) ,old fencing and discarded parts everywhere!
After 3 shear pins I finally learned to engage the PTO at idle. No heavy snowfalls last winter, 6 inches of powder was the most. It has no problem with it or the wettest slush, it blew it all.
I have used both a front blade and rear blower in the past on other tractors and have a preference for the blower. The sides of the driveway stay lower and collect less drifting snow, and having a gravel driveway the blower leaves a lot more stone in place. There was always a 1/2 to 1 inch of snow left, but the sun would melt it quickly. If you get a lot of blowing snow the blower is better IMO. I am surrounded on 2 sides by sod fields, and an open field on another. The drifting can be worse then the actual snowfall.

artman67 · Sep 11, 2006

Thanks guys as usual you provided the information I was looking for. You all posted great informatin. Looks like I'll be shopping for a 48" BB!

Your help is much appreciated!

Art

weesa20 · Sep 11, 2006

I think you will be best served by a 48" box blade for landscaping and gravel work. If you will be plowing snow or moving alot of material or needing to set up windrows, a 60" back blade will work. I don not run the back blade on my GC but my father's JD 2210 pushes it without difficulty and the GC is at least as capable as the 2210. I do have a 48" box blade and I wouldn't go any larger as it will stop the GC when set too aggressively when grading.

W

loulblades · Sep 14, 2006

I have also been looking at a box blade to add to my arsenal. Currently I have a 60" rear blade and I have been able to do some serious damage with it. Before I purchased the front mount snowblower, I used it to assist cleaning up the snow when using the FEL (with the top tilted forward so it wouldn't dig into the driveway). The box blade would be great for smoothing areas after tilling (I think).

One of the things I have noticed about having one of these tractors is how often I think " Gee, I wish I had..." (or something like that). I am sure that all first time tractor owners think the same and I also wonder how many tractors I would have to own before I had everything I wanted or I could do all I could dream up (probably not enough tractors available).

Anyway, sorry for ramblin' but one of my current thoughts is a tilting rear blade. I have done some research on this (not very extensive) and have found blades that tilt a few degrees but not as much as I would like. Ideally this would be a power tilt which would require a second hyd. control unit beacause it would be in use when the FEL was on.

OK, enough dreamin' for now but if anyone knows of something like this, please let me know.