Offset Attachment Adapter

[MasseyWV]

Recently I was thinking about work I need to do to my driveway using my box blade when I began to think of how nice it would be if I could somehow offset my box blade by about a foot to either side so I could more easily scrape the sides of the road without getting the tractor too close to the edge of the road.

Then it occurred to me that something like an offset attachment adapter (for lack of a better description) would be just the thing to do exactly what I need without having to purchase another attachment. I don't know if such an offset adapter even exists, but it seems to me that it's at least within the realm of possibility. Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

 

[DKCDKC]

An even better idea would be an offset adapter capable of also transferring PTO a bit to the side... I would love to be able to use my rotary cutter a bit to one side to allow cutting along roads. But I have never seen such an animal. You can get the full hydraulic cutters as used by road maintenance crews, but they are prohibitively expensive. Just a little offset would be good.

 

[MasseyWV]

An even better idea would be an offset adapter capable of also transferring PTO a bit to the side... I would love to be able to use my rotary cutter a bit to one side to allow cutting along roads. But I have never seen such an animal. You can get the full hydraulic cutters as used by road maintenance crews, but they are prohibitively expensive. Just a little offset would be good.

After some additional searching, done after creating my initial post, I found the following patent for an offset adapter which seems to do exactly what you described. I thought that if an offset adapter had ever existed that someone would have surely patented it, and I quickly discovered that they had done precisely that. The only problem (in my case) is that the design (shown below) doesn't seem like it would be strong enough to withstand the stresses generated by a 6 foot box blade.

Patent US4195860 - Offset adapter - Google Patents

 

[PILOON]

After some additional searching, done after creating my initial post, I found the following patent for an offset adapter which seems to do exactly what you described. I thought that if an offset adapter had ever existed that someone would have surely patented it, and I quickly discovered that they had done precisely that. The only problem (in my case) is that the design (shown below) doesn't seem like it would be strong enough to withstand the stresses generated by a 6 foot box blade.

Patent US4195860 - Offset adapter - Google Patents

That would work with a mower but with a rear blade, box or regular, you would soon find yourself being spun around, at least on most cuts.
On a heavy tractor with light cuts it might work but efficiency would suffer.

 

[MasseyWV]

That would work with a mower but with a rear blade, box or regular, you would soon find yourself being spun around, at least on most cuts.
On a heavy tractor with light cuts it might work but efficiency would suffer.

Offset scraper blades do exist so I was thinking that something similar could be done with a box blade. Aside from the box blade having rippers and side skirts to contain material, there really isn't much difference between it and a scraper blade. As long as one took it easy and didn't try to use the box blade to it's maximum potential, I fail to see why it couldn't be done.

In my case, I need to dress the very edge of the road where it meets the ditch line, but would like to reduce the risk of having one of the tractor tires dropping down into the ditch, which has become somewhat deep in places. Referring to the image below, the shoulder (about a foot wide) is the area which I need to grade because it has become elevated in relation to the rest of the road and is preventing water from draining properly.

 

[schmism]

Aside from the box blade having rippers and side skirts to contain material, there really isn't much difference between it and a scraper blade.

THe rear angle of the box blade's blade is significantly more sharp much more ) to it than any normal rear blade. THe other significant difference is most non-inexpensive rear blades are designed to offset, and tilt as well as rotate in order to do the job you specifically want to do.

I mean you COULD modify a rock to use as hammer, but a hammer is so much better at being a hammer than a rock... makes you wonder why you just dont use the hammer to start with.

 

[MasseyWV]

THe rear angle of the box blade's blade is significantly more sharp much more ) to it than any normal rear blade. THe other significant difference is most non-inexpensive rear blades are designed to offset, and tilt as well as rotate in order to do the job you specifically want to do.

I realize the curvature of the cutting edge of a box blade is significantly sharper than that of a typical scraper blade and that many of the higher quality scraper blades are specifically designed to do the task at hand. Why buy another implement that has to be changed to a single specific task that *could be* accomplished with the box blade, and without the need to change implements? The box blade is such a versatile tool as it is, so what is wrong with considering the possibility of adapting it to make it even better?

I mean you COULD modify a rock to use as hammer, but a hammer is so much better at being a hammer than a rock... makes you wonder why you just dont use the hammer to start with.

One could modify many things to use as a hammer, which remained basically unchanged until someone got the idea to create an attachment for a completely unrelated tool (air compressor) to make an air hammer, leading to many other inventions such as air-nailers. Or maybe the air-nailer actually came first, but that's not the point...

Just because something has always been used a certain way, does not mean it cannot be improved upon with a little creative imagination and perhaps even a little experimentation.

 

[Piston]

I agree that some sort of "offset adapter" could be very useful in some situations. It would be nice to have the ability to use when needed.
Personally, I would love to have an offset for my rotary cutter to avoid driving over some of the rather large saplings I mow down once in a while. I found a BH 307 for sale used locally, which had the ability to offset (it was a tow behind model) but realized it's a little too big for my tractor to handle.

To offset the box blade, I would think you could rather easily fabricate an adapter yourself, using two quick hitch setups (cheapo's that northern tool sells). Put one quick hitch on the 3 pt hitch, then you could weld the other quick hitch to some steel bars that connect the two, in a sideways fashion. I don't know if that makes sense, but it makes sense in my mind. :laughing:

 

[JoeL4330]

I believe there are hydraulic-adjust-offset flail mowers ...copy their mechanics?

 

[davcog]

Seems to me you'd have to anchor the outside corner of the offset box blade somewhere on middle of the tractor. This would reduce the risk of bending whatever bar it was attached to and pivoting the tractor when the blade filled. Also agree with other posts that efficiency would be reduced.:2cents:

 

[8n Bruce]

Hi Would it not be safer to make a removable plate on the rear of the right side to allow gravel to fall on edge of lane , keeping the scraper pulling even & not twist you into the ditch. JMHO The offset would be great for mowing though.

 

[MasseyWV]

Hi Would it not be safer to make a removable plate on the rear of the right side to allow gravel to fall on edge of lane , keeping the scraper pulling even & not twist you into the ditch. JMHO The offset would be great for mowing though.

In my case, having the side skirt in place is actually desirable because it would help to prevent gravel from going into the ditch line. The box blade would be slightly tilted so only a small portion of it's cutting edge would be in contact with the shoulder of the road, forcing material to build up within the box blade and gradually spilling out onto the traveled portion of the road surface.

One would definitely have to be very careful not to try and take too big of a bite, or they would risk having the box blade effectively act as an anchor, thus twisting the tractor into the ditch. This risk could be mitigated by keeping the box blade tilted and the top link adjusted (longer) so that the cutting edge just barely cuts the surface.

 

[Xfaxman]

One would definitely have to be very careful not to try and take too big of a bite, or they would risk having the box blade effectively act as an anchor, thus twisting the tractor into the ditch. This risk could be mitigated by keeping the box blade tilted and the top link adjusted (longer) so that the cutting edge just barely cuts the surface.

Have you considered getting a wider box blade? Just go 2' wider than what you have now.

I found an 8' on craigslist for $350 (because it was bent), straightened it out, and use it a lot.

 

[MasseyWV]

With all these attachment sellers and manufacturers who frequent TBN, you'd think one of them would chime in. Regardless, I have a few ideas that I'm tempted to create virtual 3d models of, and if that works out I may even locate someone who is willing to build me a prototype. Many people may think I'm nuts, but I strongly believe it's a good idea that merits further exploration.

Have you considered getting a wider box blade? Just go 2' wider than what you have now.

I found an 8' on craigslist for $350 (because it was bent), straightened it out, and use it a lot.

One could get a wider box blade, but my 6 foot box blade is the perfect width for my Massey 135 tractor 99% of the time. Plus, buying another implement would negate the benefits of having an offset adapter, especially if it were adjustable. Besides, if I were to buy another implement I would simply buy an adjustable offset scraper blade.

 

[creekbend]

[/COLOR]
Have you considered getting a wider box blade? Just go 2' wider than what you have now.

I found an 8' on craigslist for $350 (because it was bent), straightened it out, and use it a lot.

I was going to make the same suggestion, but I was too late. I just happened upon this thread. Besy wishes Massey WV.

 

[bcp]

You may gain enough offset to be useful by adjusting your lower link stabilizers to swing the arms as far as possible to one side.

Or:

Make a frame like this skid steer 3-point adapter, but make the top attachment slide like the bottom ones.

 

[Xfaxman]

I think it is a good idea, I was responding to your request for "thoughts or suggestions".

AEBI put one on their front 3 point, for mowers.

 

[MasseyWV]

Make a frame like this skid steer 3-point adapter, but make the top attachment slide like the bottom ones.

View attachment 302971

AEBI put one on their front 3 point, for mowers.

View attachment 302973

These are very similar to what I was thinking. One could make a sturdy frame with two parts that slid on or against each other with the ability to lock them together. All one would have to to is unlock the frame slide mechanism, then raise the three point hitch and give the implement a good kick to slide it into a new position. Alternatively, some sort of mechanical or hydraulic slide movement mechanism could be used.

The second image closely resembles an idea I was playing with in my mind. BTW: That tractor (???) looks like it would be one handy little machine to have around the house.

 

[Xfaxman]

The second image closely resembles an idea I was playing with in my mind. BTW: That tractor (???) looks like it would be one handy little machine to have around the house.

Saw it on eBay, never heard of it before. Made in Switzerland, 4WD and 4 wheel steer, like my Toolcat 5610.

They make some big ones also. Aebi Tractors front rear implement carrier steep slopes land care

Keep us posted on your OAA.