How big a rear blade can I effectively use with my B7510 (21HP)? The dealer says 60" (Landpride RBT1560) or else I may run out of power, but I think 72" will give me more options for ditching and snow removal with an angled blade.
What is the easiest way to add weight for digging the ditch and leveling the road?
Are the side plates on the rear blade effective and worth the cost and effort?
You need enough blade width that the blade edges extend past the tire track width when the blade is swiveled as far as you want. If not the rear tires will be riding on the unplowed area when you're working in reverse such as snow moving.
If you want work non level areas out father from the tire edges such as a road edge or part way into a ditch, look for a blade that allows side shift and tilt. Some have multiple positions, some are infinitely adjustable, but any of them will allow far more adjustment than you can get with just the 3PT.
You control the depth of cut and hence the power needed by blade tilt with the top link and/or the 3PT position control. You shouldn't be, and likely won't be doing deep earth moving with an open blade anyway. It's a back blade on a small tractor, not a dozer If you want to do heavier earth moving and easier leveling look at a box blade instead. It just won't be very useful for snow.
If you want to do heavier earth moving and easier leveling look at a box blade instead. It just won't be very useful for snow.