How well does the Box Blade work

MossRoad · Mar 17, 2015

Also remember these PT425s are not pulling machines like conventional ag tractors. It only weighs 1500# or so. When you pull a box blade backwards it will want to pull the rears off the ground, putting more weight on the front tires, adding to the traction. This is a good thing. If you spread the weight of 1500# onto 4 tires, you get about 375# per tire. Easier for one of them to break loose. If you get it up on two wheels, you get #750 on each tire, making them harder to break loose.

One of you guys mentioned weights on the rear. I'm sure that would help. You'll find a balance (literally) between what works best for you.

You could also add weight to the box blade itself, or attempt to put down-pressure on it with the FEL arms out of the float position.

Not having a box blade for mine, I'm only guessing. I did have a box on my old IH2500b, but that was an 8000# tractor/loader designed for pulling.

SpringHollow · Mar 19, 2015

Box blade works moderately well on mine but my tractor is heavier. But no way near as well as one works on a traditional tractor.

You could use a mini hoe attachment to dig up around pot holes and then level. You could also add a receiver to a PT attachment plate and attach a scarifier (or two) to it like some have and rip up and down the driveway a few times before using the box blade. Or make a mini land plane/grader with the ability to add teeth.

Ken

Ken

jfischer · Mar 19, 2015

Ken, that is what I ended up doing, is I bought the Mini Hoe. Figured I could use it for other projects so wouldn't be a waste, and since I have a couple of other styles of buckets, can use them to fill all back in.
Jeff

KentT · Apr 3, 2015

I'm using a KK 48" boxblade from Tractor Supply with a QA plate added on my PT 425. IMO, it is a much better/heavier duty blade than the one from Tazewell, and cost less. It has adjustable rippers with replaceable teeth, which the PT one does not.

IMO, PTs aren't ideal for boxblades because of the lack of wheelmotor torque and the fact that you can't adjust one side up or down individually to assist in crowning a gravel road or in cutting a gentle swale. Conversely, some aspects with a PT are absolutely great, such as being using the bucket curl to get the equivalent on a power top link on a traditional tractor. This is great for tilting the rippers down to quickly rip something loose the curling the box back down to drag it off. You can also put hydraulic down pressure on it, which other tractors can't - they rely on VERY heavy boxblades whose own weight determine their cutting capability.

You also likely find yourself pushing with it much more than you'd typically do with a normal tractor. It provides all the bulldozer that you wheelmotors will push, without concern over breaking or bending 3pt hitch arms...

jfischer · Apr 4, 2015

I think if I do go for a Box Blade, I will try to go for one of the KK ones, or something that I can find used, and weld it to a plate, as I don't think I will be using it that much.

I can see that after the day or so of my first use on the machine that I kind of wish it had a slower speed in digging, seems it is real slow, or all of a sudden it is moving fast. I know it is just me, and going to take some seat time to get used to all.

It will be something to add to the collection of things in the future, if I can find one at a good price.

pajoube · Apr 12, 2015

I have the 425 factory box blade and love it. My use is for soil, not hard pack drive way. I have put the teeth down a few times to breakup hard pack soil which worked well. It was faster and easier to leave teen up and put the potatoes digger onto break up the soil.
PJ

MossRoad · Apr 12, 2015

Thanks PJ!

jfischer · Apr 13, 2015

PT, Thanks for your replies, I passed on getting the stock PT Box Blade and went with a mini hoe at the time. I figured I would get more use out of it, and to this point I think over half the time running the machine has been with the Mini Hoe on it.

I have been digging out, and moving things out of a storage hole I didn't even know were in there. Really having a blast with it.

farm23 · Apr 14, 2015

I have a 1430 with the factory box blade and the mini hoe. I find both very useful. The box blade keep a 1/4 mile drive in shape and the mini hoe is used around the farm. I put a fixed thumb on the hoe and have never taken it off. For me it adds to the utility of the hoe.

Enjoy,

joshlee · Apr 14, 2015

Well Jeff, I will be getting a box blade and a 4 in 1 bucket in a week or two. I'll let ya know how it works on our stone lane. How are you making out with the armrest on your PT?

jfischer said:
PT, Thanks for your replies, I passed on getting the stock PT Box Blade and went with a mini hoe at the time. I figured I would get more use out of it, and to this point I think over half the time running the machine has been with the Mini Hoe on it.

I have been digging out, and moving things out of a storage hole I didn't even know were in there. Really having a blast with it.