Help Selecting a Tractor for my Gannon HSD 72" with hydraulic rippers

[CCSRentals]

First I would ask you to post a picture of your box blade hitch from the front. Just to clarify the hitch you have, as most of these box blades have a clevis hitch that fits both cat 1 and cat 2 hitches. This is important because John Deere and a lot of other manufacturers do not offer the hydrostatic transmissions in a cat 2 hitch.

I use a Deere 4520 cab tractor with R4 tires triple wheel weights 60hp and the ehydro transmission with good results. Mine is a 2009 and in that year the hp was increased across the model series, so the 2008 and older will have less power. When checking out tractors this is good to be aware of.

I have a Frontier BB1284 box blade made by Gannon very similar to yours but with the hinged tailgate and is 7' wide. I have many hours of seat time using mine for grading fields and other work. I would venture to say a similar tractor would work well with your 6' box blade. I would suggest a tractor of at least 50hp and would prefer a little larger which allows higher ground speeds. When you are grading acres instead of a short driveway travel speed becomes an issue.

Other important considerations would be to get a top and tilt hydraulic hitch (needs two sets of hydraulics) plus one set of hydraulics for the rippers. Would also recommend the optional telescopic links if you need to change implements often. These clevis hitch implements are a bear to change without telescopic links or the quick hitches.

Below are pictures of my tractor and box blade and pictures of some small fields I have used this on.

In the second picture if you look at the hitch you will notice I am connected to the inside hitch clevis on each side this is for cat 1, if you connect to the outer clevis set that is for cat 2.

Jenkins, question on your 2009 JD 4720. When looking on TractorData, I see the note about increased engine power in 2009, but when looking at the data it looks like only PTO power changed from 2009 on, the engine HP remains at 66HP. Since I'm using this tractor to pull/push and not for implements (using the PTO) don't you think a 2008 and older would be just fine for the box blade?

 

[CCSRentals]

Jenkins, question on your 2009 JD 4720. When looking on TractorData, I see the note about increased engine power in 2009, but when looking at the data it looks like only PTO power changed from 2009 on, the engine HP remains at 66HP. Since I'm using this tractor to pull/push and not for implements (using the PTO) don't you think a 2008 and older would be just fine for the box blade?

Oops, Jenkins, I just realized yours is a JD 4520 not a JD 4720. I do see the difference in the 4520 HP for the 2009 and on.......

 

[jenkinsph]

About the wide horsepower range suggest by the manufacturers, that is a rough guide of what would be considered "appropriate sized tractors". Weight and horsepower are both important in my opinion. You need enough draft and or weight to pull the box blade or you will be constantly slipping the tires. You also need enough horse power to pull it fast enough to get the job done.

A 50 to 66hp compact tractor that weighs about 6000 lbs. will do a good job with your box blade. A 40 hp. 6000 lb. tractor will also pull the same box blade but will be much slower. When blading acres of ground the travel speeds become more important.

 

[Piston]

I have a question for you... Have you used your 420 backhoe loader yet? If so, have you used it on your new property? And if so, have you tried grading with it yet?

I'm asking because your machine weighs in the neighborhood of 18,000-20,000 pounds. You have a 4 in 1 bucket on the front which works really well for pushing dirt. It's not meant to push and grade like a dozer is, but you can be certain it will work more dirt faster than a 6,000-8,000 pound tractor with a 6' box blade on it.

You already have a wonderful machine, and compared to what it can do, you'll be disappointed with a tractor.

The only ability your missing with the backhoe loader, is the ability to tilt the bucket side to side to establish grade angle. There are ways around this however.

I have a JD 410 backhoe loader with only 2wd, and I have a 45hp tractor that weighs about 6,000-6,500 pounds, and a very comparable box blade to yours. My tractor/box blade combo doesn't hold a candle to the amount of work my backhoe loader (without 4 in 1) can do.

My advice is this, put the box blade on a pallet somewhere to keep it off the ground, hold off on your tractor purchase, do all your rough grading and major earth work with that beautiful piece of iron you have, and then when your ready to do finish work and smooth grading then start looking for a nice JD 4720 compact like Jenkins and enjoy playing around.

(I'm envious of that 420 by the way).

 

[Piston]

Help Selecting a Tractor for my Gannon HSD 72" with hydraulic rippers

By the way, I hope my post didn't come off in a rude manner, I mean it very respectfully, and you quite possibly have thousands of hours in that backhoe and just want another toy, or have other reasons for not using it, so please forgive me if it sounded rude in any way.

And another thing, that photo of your land in Idaho! Good lord man, that it most beautiful scenic photo! Absolutely stunning property!


(Edit: I know I didn't answer your original question, but regarding your box blade, there is no reason you need a Category 2 hitch to use it. You can use that box blade on any cat 1 hitch tractor, you may just need to spend 12 dollars on different pins and bushings.

 

[roadhunter]

I have a similar box blade on my tractor and I really think you will like a heavy tractor for a heavy blade like that. My tractor weighs somewhere in the 12,000 pound range with foamed tires and it feels about right as that size blade was what came on this machine from the factory. IT also has factory Top and Tilt which is nice as the handles are in line with the 3 point lift and auxiliary output. The bigger deal will be the drive style of the tractor. A hydrostatic would be ideal for perfect control. Standard clutch style would be useless IMO.

Seems like that size blade is popular among skip loader tractors which weight 10,000+ and likely have downforce in the 3 point (Cat 2) to take advantage of the blade and rippers. Top and Tilt are mandatory for getting the most out of a blade like this.

 

[CCSRentals]

What about tires? Do you think turf tires are better because they will be grading (with the box blade)?

 

[CCSRentals]

Or do you need the more aggressive tread to bite into the soil (since I will be dragging a pretty aggressive box blade)?

 

[motownbrowne]

I'm sorry, but just to clarify:

You bought a brand new box blade for a tractor because you know that sometimes they are hard to get.

You don't own a tractor.

You want to buy a tractor, basically for the sole purpose of using the box blade.

You're considering a specific brand new John Deere model because it has a category 2 hitch and they are giving low interest rates currently.



Honestly, I have a couple of used cars you might be interested in...




Okay, wise-@$$ery aside, you need any tractor with a category 2 three point hitch that is narrower than your blade. Honestly, if the box blade is all you will need it for, go buy the heaviest cheapest old tractor you can find. Heck, 2wd is just fine. Any tire will work. Go buy a used John Deere, international, or Ford and get to work.

You don't need to buy a brand new tractor to run a box blade.

Happy hunting.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Sticking with John deere look at the 5000 series. Used I'd consider either a 5400, 5410 or 5420. Should have plenty of weight and power for your box blade. I pull a 72" with a new holland TN65 and it handles it fine