Opinion on box blade size?

[JRP]

I need an opinion on box blade size and price:

Tractor is a Kubota M6800 with a rear tire width of about 76".

Kubota suggests a box about 84" wide. A Gannon would be about $2,200.

I found a used 72" Kubota B7576A box blade (made by Gannon) for about $900. It is missing several scarrifiers.

Two questions:
For that much difference in price, about same quality, and the smaller capacity should I get the Kubota and play with it, and if it satisfies my needs use it?

What would you guess the resale of the used Kubota would be? I can paint it to look about like new.

 

[normde2001]

WOW!!!! They're sure proud of those Gannon/Kubota's. Unless you are extremely wealthy, I would just go to Tractor Supply, or almost anywhere else, and get a 6' King Kutter, or almost anything else, for $329.99, ( just priced 5 minutes ago in Ga.). I don't believe you will see that much, if any, difference in using it. I personally use a 5 footer called A.T.L.A.S. that I bought new for $224, and it's great.

 

[gerard]

You are better off being able to cover your tracks so in your case the 7 footer would be the way to go. Also when you go that big your no longer in the "compact" market and the implements are pretty heavy duty so you pay accordingly. If you have the M6800 I assume you have hydraulic remotes out the back. One thing I would LOVE when boing box blade work would be a hydraulic top link and hydraulic scarifiers. Would make thing s alot easier being able to make fine adjustments "on the fly" . I'm in a situation now where I'm removing an island from my pond and built an earth bridge to get to it. I need the scarifiers to rip the earth loose then have to drag it across the bridge so I can get it with the loader. It would be much easier to not have the teeth down when going across the bridge but that's not an option /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif. Course I don't have any remotes so I guess I'm just wishful thinkin'......

 

[ScottAR]

I agree, I've played the "little attachment behind bigger tractor" game before, its a giant pain. Trimming close to buildings/fences/trees/anything else is immpossible.

Heh, Heh, Reminds me of a story my dad told me about my uncle. My uncle borrowed a blade that fit a ford 2000, (25hp??) and then borrowed my grandfather's 830 case (75-80hp??) He put the little blade on the big tractor and pulled the the frame of the blade apart.

 

[JRP]

Well, I think my tractor would rip apart a light duty box. With almost 70 hp and 4WD it would save thime with an implement made to utilize the power and that is 1000 pounds, heavy enough to actually cut well.

The money already spent on hydraulics will allow me to use the hydraulic scarifier. Have a home made hydraulic yop link now. wow! what a difference.

I forgot about how the extra width will allow close to a building. Good point.

 

[EdK]

I went with a <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.monroetufline.com/>Monroe-Tufline</A> as the TBN research I did appeared to give the brand best "bang for the buck" status among the users with larger CUT or utility machines. I called them up and together we decided upon the TB284 (84", manual scarifiers). Note that the width covers the tracks on the M6800. Upgraded to 1/2" thick end plates on the box for strength and bringing the weight to about 900#. I'd have to check my receipts to be more exact but the total price was right about in line with the used Gannon you mentioned looking at.

After using it for a couple of months in rocky New England soil I would say I'm pretty happy with it except to note the scarifiers do bend when hooking up with large rocks. I don't know how other brands deal with this (shear mechanism, etc.) but I can say from experience that 68HP of 4WD Kubota will turn them into pretzels!

The weight of the blade is very noticeable as I do not find it bouncing along the surface but rather biting in - and this is without scarifiers. This weekend I moved about 1000-1200 yards of earth with this blade.

 

[JRP]

Thanks for the post Ed. Good to see you posting.

I have been looking at an 80" blade. Do you use your rear tires all the way in? My trailer is 84" inside dimension. No room for the 84" blade.

I priced aLA1162 at $6800 with bucket. It seemed like a lot. Is this about right?

 

[EdK]

I think my tires are also set at 76" but I'm not really sure - I'd have to check. The 84" box blade extends about 4" on each side so that sounds about right. I have no real nead to trailer my machine with the blade attached so I didn't give 80" vs 84" any real thought. I was certain I wanted to go over 72" but definitely not wanting to go as large as 96".

That price sounds a little bit high although it has been discussed on TBN before that loaders purchased down the road tend to run a bit higher.

 

[JRP]

Thanks for all the good info on box blades. I ended up getting a Gannon 76" that covers the tire tracks and has hydraulic teeth. Weighs anout 1100 pounds, which is good counterbalance for my loader.. Great box. I can move about a yard of dirt in 45 seconds. I bought it in town for 20% less than the Houston dealer price.