Offset Back Blade Opinions

[Jimmy Joe]

I have a seven foot Bush Hog, it is built pretty sturdy. One of the things I really like the off set for is in the spring when the snow is melting I can pull the snow banks back onto the road from the lawn. Most of the gravel the plow pushed on comes with it, saves a lot of raking.

 

[DIRTROAD]

This one:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/private-party-ads/188331-6-scrape-blade.html

It will do 360 degrees also.

 

[Compact1]

Just for those looking, any rear blade up to 120" wide that can not swing 360* is on the lower end of the quality scale. A good rear blade setup will have a longer boom to accommodate the wider blade so that the blade is able to be swung 360* while mounted to the tractor 3pt hitch.

Cool. I didn't realize that.

In that case, I would be happier with a 7' blade.

 

[TRR]

Has anyone used a blade with a tailwheel? Any thoughts or comments? I'm looking to add a tailwheel to mine - I have difficulty controlling the blade height with the 3pt hitch. This should make it perform more like a road grader.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

There are a few guys here that have them and are happy with the performance. Hopefully one of them will see this and comment for you.

 

[HellBender]

I know it's an old thread but I wanted to comment on a slider type offset/tilt blade I just borrowed from my nieghbor. I was concerned about duribilty of the sliding offset design but it was so convenient for my use. I had to clean out a 300' silt filled diversion ditch that runs through my lawn. The sliding/tilt feature allowed me to set the blade exactly as I needed. The ditch had so many variations from years of runoff. Being able to set the offset to allow the cutting edge to run either just behind my tire or set out 6"-12" made a world of difference in getting the results I want. I would constantly change offset/tilt so my tractor could ride on the best track to get the smoothest run possible with minimal gouging and humps. Anyone who has used a rear blade knows that as your front and rear tires go up and down the blade leaves an unlevel result. I would highly recomended the sliding offset feature. I was overlooking this design for a stronger design when shopping for a blade but it is now my most important feature to consider! I'm lucky that my neighbor has one.

 

[rScotty]

I know it's an old thread but I wanted to comment on a slider type offset/tilt blade I just borrowed from my neighbor. I was concerned about durability of the sliding offset design but it was so convenient for my use. .........

It might be an old thread, but lots of good info here. I've never used a slider type offset blade. There are older ones and I see them at sales now and then - does anyone even make them anymore? Those old ones are often heavily built. My buddy uses one on his 35 hp tractor and just as you say there are some advantages. It's definitely more work to adjust the offset than the pivoting type, but his moves dirt very well when the blade is slid to the side. I hadn't thought about it being because the distance from the rear of the tractor staying constant with a slider, but it sure makes sense. I've got two different pivoting blades and one has a much longer beam and carries the blade farther back from the tractor. It's also the one that works better when offset.

Two more thoughts: The end caps are great on the blade with the longer beam. I often just use one side. They don't do as much when used on the blade with the shorter beam. And I've never used a trailing wheel but someday hope to. It sure makes sense for roadwork.
enjoy!
rScotty

 

[bcp]

Here's one. The same two bolts adjust the sliding blade and the tilt.

Bruce

 

[RealJimbo]

Looks all neat and shiney. Too bad it would look like a pretzel in anything other than sand

 

[HellBender]

Yep. Lots of good info so that's why I didn't start a new one. They do look weak but don't over look the easy flexibility it gives you. Especially for a small tractor like mine. It gave me another advantage to help compensate for the limited lift of my SCUT. With it offset it to one side and the short side angled down towards the rear tire it allowed me to traverse the ditch. For larger tractors this design is less important but for a SCUT it has its advantages.