Is a 7' box blade too big?

[gregfender]

I've got a JD 1070 FWD and I'm looking to get a box blade. I am certain it can handle a 6' with no problem at all. With 39hp can I reasonably expect to handle a 7'?

 

[johnrex62]

As I understand the general rule of thumb is 1 foot per 5HP at drawbar or PTO.

With 39 engine HP you should have at least 35 at the PTO and that is adequate for a 7 foot blade.

 

[Mousefield]

I think you normally want to get a box blade that covers the width of your rear tires. I use a 6 foot boxblade on my Kioti CK35 and that's pushing it. When full and going up a bit of an incline I have to put it into 4WD. I really should be using a 5 foot for the width of my tractor.

 

[JB4310]

I have a 5ft for my 32HP seems to be a good fit.

For you, depends on if you want to dig more or level more. If you want to dig deep swales the 7 foot would be to wide IMO. If you just want to dress up a driveway or other area the wider one would be better.

JB.

 

[radman1]

I have a 5' gannon, 6' kubota (made by gannon) and 7' gannon box blades. (Don't ask me why I have 3.) I use them on my Toolcat 5610 (56 hp) and JD 4520 (60 hp). I have used some of them in the past on Case-IH DX29 (29hp) and JD 3720 (44 hp), Kubota 3710 (37 hp) and JD 5300 (utility tractor with 50 hp). All had MFWD. The 7' was a nice match to the JD 5300 which had more size and weight. The 7' is usually too much for the current TC and JD 4520 but I use them if I have too. I can not pull a full box of dirt with the TC or JD 4520 and the scarifers at much depth are more difficult to control and pull.

Your JD 1070 will be overmatched in most conditions with a 7' box blade. Sure you can use it, but a 6' with less wieght will be easier to handle and in moderate to tough conditions will easily make your 1070 spin in its tracks in 4wd. Even my 5' box blade can easily stop my 5700 lb Toolcat with the scarifers down and hard soil.

 

[LD1]

HP dont mean squat for a boxblade.

Its all about TRACTION.

And that is mostly determined by two things, weight and tires.

AG tires are a huge benefit. If you have R4's, its going to be tough.

And a FEL is also a plus. Because it adds a bunch of weight. Loaded tires are also a plus for the same reason.

But like already mentioned, even a 5' blade could stop you dead if you try to take too much.

Measure your real wheel outside width, if a 6' will cover, I'd go for that. If not, get the 7 but just understand that you may not be able to get too agressive with it.

 

[gregfender]

Thanks for the advice...I'm pretty hefty with a FEL and loaded R1's, however, the area I am going to be working on for a barn site is pretty rocky and I am going to be taking good size chunks out. Sounds like the 6' is looking more and more like the right match-up.

 

[some zilch]

my l4400 can pull a loaded 7ft box blade without much sweat. i was kind of surprised, it can bury itself and i keep right on going

 

[Bigturk]

I use a 6 foot boxblade on my 40 hp Kioti and full of gravel it is a good pull. Wider is not always better as often I like to angle my BB sideways to leave a crown in the center of the roadway, making a pass down each side. A heavy 6 foot would be my recommendation.

 

[JB4310]

HP dont mean squat for a boxblade.

Its all about TRACTION.

I was waiting for someone to mention that, and of course it's true, but using the HP rating gives a good idea of the size of the machine and what could be expected of it.

JB.

 

[LD1]

I was waiting for someone to mention that, and of course it's true, but using the HP rating gives a good idea of the size of the machine and what could be expected of it.

JB.

That used to be the case, but in this day in age of SCUT's and CUT's, HP is NOT the best thing to look at.

Just a very FEW examples

Kubota L3400...34HP...2600lbs
Kioti DK35........35HP...3600lbs

Kubota B3200...32HP...1700lbs
Kubota L3240...32HP...3200bs

BIG difference in pulling ability. And in the case of the B3200 and L3240 with 1500lbs difference, if you add a loader and filled tires, that probabally gets closer to a 2k difference.

WEIGHT is what matters. NOT HP. But yes, HP gets you a ballpark Idea.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Something that gets forgotten quite a bit is the weight of the box blade. You say that you think that you want a 7 footer. Are you looking at a 500lb unit that costs $500 or are you looking at a 1600lb unit that costs $3500. Your tractor will not pull the 1600lb unit except for ideal (easy)conditions. My feeling is that you should always be able to pull an implement in whatever your average worst conditions may be. There is always a condition that will stop you, but if you can get through most of the worst ones then that is the size that you should consider.

I would think a 6 foot box that weighs about 800lbs or a little more would be good for you.

Just my opinion.

 

[crazyal]

Are there any rental places close by? Maybe you could rent one. If your ground is rocky I would think a 6' might be better. I would think the soil is going to make a big difference as to what you can pull. Around here rocks are everywhere. Just when you think you've got them all more pop out of nowhere, some are large.

I was originally going to get a BB but got converted to a grading scraper. I rented a BB and found out I really don't have to move much dirt, more smoothing it out. While given a little time I could have gotten good with the BB but my neighbor has a home made 3 moldboard drag that just needed a couple of passes and with no real learning or effort the road looked great. If it wasn't for the fact that you can't crown the road with it I would just use it.

 

[jenkinsph]

Something that gets forgotten quite a bit is the weight of the box blade. You say that you think that you want a 7 footer. Are you looking at a 500lb unit that costs $500 or are you looking at a 1600lb unit that costs $3500. Your tractor will not pull the 1600lb unit except for ideal (easy)conditions. My feeling is that you should always be able to pull an implement in whatever your average worst conditions may be. There is always a condition that will stop you, but if you can get through most of the worst ones then that is the size that you should consider.

I would think a 6 foot box that weighs about 800lbs or a little more would be good for you.

Just my opinion.

I agree with Brian, a heavy duty 6' would be correct and should cover your tires with a couple of inches on each side.