New (To Me) Box Blade

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 17, 2013

I've been looking for a heavy duty box blade to serve the dual purpose of grading/moving dirt AND acting as ballast for my FEL and grapple. I found a used Gannon 72" model with hydraulic scarifiers at a local used equipment dealer. This thing is a beast. It looks very similar to the current Gannon model #72LB, which Woods says weights 1,002 pounds. The model # on this one is H-220-LR. (I have no idea what the 220 signifies.)

Unfortunately, I haven't put it to use yet. The hydraulic hoses are somewhat boogered up, so I'm gonna take them off and get some new ones made for it.

I used a chain on my grapple to lift it out of my trailer. I'm glad I had the Rhino mower on the back for ballast. Forgot to take any pics of that.

Anyway, here are the obligatory pics. It's not real pretty, but it's structurally sound and should get the job done. There's ain't much to go wrong with one of these.

TomSeller · Nov 17, 2013

Very nice find. I only have manual scarifiers. I am jealous.

whis · Nov 18, 2013

best blade made

DKCDKC · Nov 18, 2013

I have manual scarifiers as well, but rarely use them in driveway maintenance. But used is the way to go. Basic implements like a BB are a real bargain used, if you can find them. All my implements are used and all work just fine... And for a lot less money.

jenkinsph · Nov 18, 2013

Looks to be in good shape, nice box blade

TomSeller · Nov 19, 2013

DKCDKC said:
I have manual scarifiers as well, but rarely use them in driveway maintenance. But used is the way to go. Basic implements like a BB are a real bargain used, if you can find them. All my implements are used and all work just fine... And for a lot less money.

Right. On things like box blades that haven't really changed much at all, I buy used and save a ton of money. I save the new purchases for newer technology that isn't very available in the used market.

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 20, 2013

Thanks for the comments. I took the hoses off yesterday and took them to NAPA and got new ones made up. They are good hoses, but NAPA is really proud of their hydraulic hose.

TripleR · Nov 20, 2013

That is a very nice box scraper, I looked for one for years and finally gave up and bought a Land Pride HR3584. If I run into one like that used, I will still buy it for another tractor, very good buy.

geezer32095 · Nov 20, 2013

NiiiiiiCE wish I haddem gettin too old for manuals butt too poor/cheep for hydros..

Guesseral · Nov 20, 2013

I would like to convert my BB to hydraulic scarffers also but I just haven't got around to it yet. Mine is a little light so any thing like that would help. Every time someone posts pictures of theirs I am there looking for ideas you know like yours but yours is a totally different design so not a lot of help. I can't remember who it was but everyone seemed to call him the king of BB, and he had made his own Hydraulic setup but he must have been some kind of an engineer because he had gear boxes and shafts it was impressive but way beyond what I could do. Oh sorry I started rambling again I hate it when I do that!:laughing:

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 20, 2013

Well, if I can ever take any pics or measurements for you or anything, let me know.

If you design your own, there's one thing you might want to copy from the Gannon. On the Gannon, the cylinder is fully retracted when the scarifiers are down. I've seen some hydraulic ones where the cylinder extends to put the scarifiers down, which seems to me would put a lot of pressure on the cylinder. I don't know much about hydraulics, but it seems like the Gannon design would put less stress on the cylinder and seals.

jenkinsph · Nov 20, 2013

Pappy if you notice when the scarifiers are fully down it latches in place. This takes most of the load off of the rest of the linkage and cylinder.

MtnViewRanch · Nov 20, 2013

Guesseral said:
I would like to convert my BB to hydraulic scarffers also but I just haven't got around to it yet. Mine is a little light so any thing like that would help. Every time someone posts pictures of theirs I am there looking for ideas you know like yours but yours is a totally different design so not a lot of help. I can't remember who it was but everyone seemed to call him the king of BB, and he had made his own Hydraulic setup but he must have been some kind of an engineer because he had gear boxes and shafts it was impressive but way beyond what I could do. Oh sorry I started rambling again I hate it when I do that!:laughing:

3RR is the who you are thinking about. A GREAT guy. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Poopdeck Pappy · Nov 20, 2013

jenkinsph said:
Pappy if you notice when the scarifiers are fully down it latches in place. This takes most of the load off of the rest of the linkage and cylinder.

Well, there ya' go. You are right, of course. :duh:

Guesseral · Nov 21, 2013

Poopdeck Pappy said:
Well, if I can ever take any pics or measurements for you or anything, let me know.

If you design your own, there's one thing you might want to copy from the Gannon. On the Gannon, the cylinder is fully retracted when the scarifiers are down. I've seen some hydraulic ones where the cylinder extends to put the scarifiers down, which seems to me would put a lot of pressure on the cylinder. I don't know much about hydraulics, but it seems like the Gannon design would put less stress on the cylinder and seals.

I like it when the cylinder is fully retracted when the scarifiers are up, because that is how the unit would be stored when out of use and the cylinder rod would be fully contained within hydraulic oil so it don't rust!

TripleR · Nov 21, 2013

MtnViewRanch - 3RRL is the who you are thinking about. A GREAT guy.

Looks like it runs in the family.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/118499-my-very-own-grapples.html

Guesseral · Nov 21, 2013

TripleR said:
Looks like it runs in the family.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/118499-my-very-own-grapples.html

Well that was before my time on TBN, really impressive. I just hate it when someone knows what they are doing it makes me feel so inferior!

TripleR · Nov 21, 2013

Guesseral said:
Well that was before my time on TBN, really impressive. I just hate it when someone knows what they are doing it makes me feel so inferior!

I sure know the feeling, I have had other members like MtnViewRanch, ovrszd, hodge and 4shorts fabricate stuff for me, simply amazes me. I can do my own maintenance and that's about it.

geezer32095 · Nov 21, 2013

HHmmmmmmm on second look that is a real tractor too. the BB would prolly pick my tractor up instead of vice versa LOL

PhysAssist · Nov 26, 2013

Hi Pappy,

Welcome to the Gannon family!

Our RO-BB is your BB's little brother. Gannons sure are well built beasts, aren't they!

Yours looks just great on your big tractor, remember minor cosmetic details just don't matter.

Good luck with the hydraulics and happy tractoring!
Thomas