Grading Size of Back Blade

scooterg · Dec 9, 2003

Hello to all
I don't have my new TC24D yet but my father gave me a back blade to use with it. What a great dad. The questions I have to all, is a 7' blade to big for my tractor? What is the recommended size for my tractor?
Thanks again for all the help
Scott

Solo · Dec 9, 2003

scott
I have a 6' blade on my TC18. It will bring the front end off the ground while going up hill, and I have almost 220 lbs. on the front. I would also think that a 7' blade would be too big to rotate 360 deg. while on the tractor.
It was free give it a try if it don't work cut it down.
Solo

KrisHansen · Dec 9, 2003

I know my 33D sometimes has a hard time with the 6 foot rake, i'd imagine that a blade can carry that much more material.. Thus would be that much harder to pull.

rambler · Dec 9, 2003

All depends what you intend to do with it. Will be great for angled pulls, will cover some width. Will be great for snow & light loose sand/gravel work. Will be too big if you plan to grade clay dirt to subsoil depths on an 8 hour a day basis. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

--->Paul

scooterg · Dec 9, 2003

I plan to use it mostly for snow, angle plowing.
Scott

Bob_Skurka · Dec 9, 2003

I have a TC24D with a 5' blade and I've stopped my tractor dead in its tracks when I've grabbed too many granite cobble stones.

I've also stopped it dead when I grabbed too much heavy clay.

Last week I was clearing some snow, I had the blade angled to the right about 30 degrees, it was also offset about 6" to the right so I could push the snow over. I was in 4" of heavy wet snow that was on top of a slush-ice base. The tractor blade did a great job for most of the work. I was PULLING the snow and I did notice that the blade would force the whole tractor to the left, that was probably because the tractor did NOT have chains on it and was driving on the snow/slush. It did bog down a few times when the snow got deep at the end of the driveway and even in low gear would not move.

By the way, I have about 100# of weight on the front of my tractor to hold down the front end. (EZ Weights in the front wheels)

I'd say the 5' blade is a good size for the TC24 about 90% of the time.

The 7' blade will probably move loose stuff and light stuff, but I think it would be much more like a boat anchor and just stop you dead in your tracks if you tried to do any heavy work.

scooterg · Dec 9, 2003

Thanks all for your input. Its great to have so much help at your fingertips.
Scott

PineRidge · Dec 9, 2003

Scott try the 7 foot blade since you don't have anything invested in it. If it acts like a boat anchor its an easy task for a cutting torch to remove 6 inches on each side. Presto, instant 6 foot blade.

AndyMA · Dec 9, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Scott try the 7 foot blade since you don't have anything invested in it. If it acts like a boat anchor its an easy task for a cutting torch to remove 6 inches on each side. Presto, instant 6 foot blade. )</font>

I agree with these comments. Much will depend on how heavy a blade it is. I suspect 7' blades can vary about 3 to 1 in weight depending on how heavy duty they are. You can probably pick up a light one, where as a heavy duty one will be too much weight for the tractor. As far as lenght be careful if you snag the end of the blade (on a rock or stump lets say) it will put a lot of leverage on the 3pt hitch and might bend something. A snag in the center won't have the angular leverage and will probably just stop the tractor. A few years back I bent the 3pt lower arms on a Ford 1710 snagging the end of an old heavy Dearborn blade. Also bent the blade.
If it were mine I would probably knock 6to 8" off each end.

Andy

SacandagaBrad · Dec 9, 2003

Scott,

I just bought a TC24D in October (you'll love the tractor!) from a family owned dealership. Started a debate between father and son over getting a 5' or 6' blade. I went with the 6' and am glad I did. The father/son team also finally agreed it should be OK, a TC18 and they would have sided with the 5' model. Your 7' should be heavier built and as others have said you can cut it down. I do think the full 7' is too much for a number of reasons already discussed. I like the ability to cover my tracks with the 6' for snow plowing and have also had no problems turning over a compacted gravel road for regrading, grabbing about 3" on a pass. These are small tractors, not bulldozers. You'll know when you grab too much.

Brad