Grader Blade 5Ft or 6Ft

[PBinWA]

I've got a 26HP 4WD Tractor with a 60 Inch FEL. Should I get a 60 Inch Blade or a 72 Inch Blade? The Blade would be for snow in the winter and dirt in the summer. I assume that once you angle the blade you lose some width so you should go with a bigger blade.

Any problems with a blade that big? What's the TBN wisdom on this?

 

[bills47172]

I used a 8FT behind a 30 hp 4x4 for snow with no problems should do ok for light dirt work (I prefer a box for dirt)

 

[Todd_C]

I have a 30 hp tractor with a fel and have 6' Linebach rear blade that is rated for 50 hp. My tractor doesn't strain at all to move dirt and gravel. I would recommend at least a 6' blade. There are times when I'm grading the raod that I wish I had a 7' blade. The bottom line is buy a blade that will not bend when the blade catches on a stump or rock.

 

[Bob_Young]

If my recollection of the cosine table is right, 0.866 times the blade length will give you the cut width for a 30 degree blade angle. 0.707 times blade length will give you the cut for a 45 degree blade angle.

I pull a 7' Woods blade angled 30 degrees behind an L4300 and get a 6' cut. The L4300 is about 62" wide, so I have about 5" hanging out past the wheels on each side. Not a problem as long as I don't forget about it.

Skid shoes are a nice option when moving snow. They help keep the blade from digging in and tearing up the driveway surface.
Bob

 

[PBinWA]

Wow - I never would have thought of using math!

; )

I'm looking to plow snow on an ashphalt driveway so the skid shoes is a good point. I was looking at a cheap KingKutter Blade so I'll have to see if skid shoes are available or how hard it would be to make my own.

I think I saw something about putting a pvc pipe along the blade edge to keep it from wrecking the asphalt.

For the dirt work the blade would just be used to level and smooth the surface after the box blade has done the heavy work.

Thanks again for the tips.

 

[GoodGuy]

I have a JD4210 which is 28hp and pull a Frontier #RB1084 which is 7'. No problem providing the ground isn't mush. Works great in snow as well. I would recommend this although it would be great to have power angle /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Henro]

Freds and I posted some pictures HERE of how we put gage wheels on our rear blades. Mine is a cheap KK and I am pretty satisfied with it.

From what I can see they are a great addition and I would think maybe better than skid shoes, if you are concerned with scratch marks on your asphalt...