Using hydraulic scarifiers on a box blade without hooking it up.

[jcims]

Found what appears to be a good deal on a Frontier heavy duty box blade with hydraulic scarifiers. (I'm primarily after the weight, 6' box weighs 800#)

I will have one rear remote, but it will mostly be doing duty with the HTL. Since I will only use the scarifiers occasionally, i'm wondering if it would be OK to just hook up the BB if i need to move the scarifiers, then disconnect them once it's in the new position.

Eventually i'll get a second rear remote, but i'm blowing through cash like a politician and would rather put it on hold for now.

I'm sure the scarifiers will tend to stay, i'm just not sure if i would be abusing the system by using it this way.

Thanks!

 

[gwdixon]

Since I will only use the scarifiers occasionally, i'm wondering if it would be OK to just hook up the BB if i need to move the scarifiers, then disconnect them once it's in the new position.

It is not real clear what you are intending to do from this sentence. A guess is that you want to hook up the remote, move the scarifiers, unhook, and then use the remote otherwise.

The hydraulic cylinder will not hold the scarifiers up if it is not connected - at least not for long. Securing them with heavy duty wire, or some other method, in the up position will work.

In the down position there should be a locking lever to keep them in the down position.

I don't envy you wrestling with the scarifiers. That second remote is going to look good real soon. But the cost of them is ridiculous as you know.

 

[jcims]

It is not real clear what you are intending to do from this sentence. A guess is that you want to hook up the remote, move the scarifiers, unhook, and then use the remote otherwise.

That's exactly what i had in mind. I imagine my hydraulic toplink will be a permanent resident on the back of the tractor, and will be job #1 for the remote that i am having installed.

My thought was that if i actually wanted to use the scarifiers (which would be a minority of the time), i could drop it to the ground (?), disconnect the htl from the remote, connect the scarifier cylinder to the remote, and adjust. The thing I was thinking would keep it 'locked' is the quick disconnect acting like a check valve on each side of the cylinder. If that were the case, i could reconnect the HTL and be on my way.

Certainly not as fast as having the second remote going, but probably about as fast as adjusting six pinned scarifiers. I just like the 800lbs, and the price seems to be good ($450). The HTL will be a CCM pedigree with the double piloted check valves.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

While that sounds like a very nice BB, I think that it is actually just a tad big for your tractor. That's not to say that you could not use it, just that you won't be pulling a full load up any steep hills. I'm pretty sure that with the QD's on the end of the hose that the hydraulic will indeed stay where ever you set it. I have a 66" heavy duty BB for my Mahindra 3215 and it is about all it wants when going up hill. My tractor is ballasted to about 5000lbs. I would go ahead and buy the BB, but keep in mind that you may not be able to use it to it's full capacity depending on your conditions. :thumbsup:

 

[jcims]

While that sounds like a very nice BB, I think that it is actually just a tad big for your tractor.

Thanks (again) MtnView...I was wondering the same thing. I borrowed the neighbors box blade, which is on the other end of the spectrum, and it just kind of skips along the driveway.

Problem with this one is it's an hour's drive away. Just left a message with the seller asking what he's pulling it with currently.

 

[jcims]

Good thing I called, it takes a Cat II hitch! Thanks again.

Still sounds like a good deal for anyone that can use it. $.50/lb is rarely a bad price for anything made of steel. It's in the Dayton, OH craigslist.

 

[Ford tractor]

Good thing I called, it takes a Cat II hitch! Thanks again.

Still sounds like a good deal for anyone that can use it. $.50/lb is rarely a bad price for anything made of steel. It's in the Dayton, OH craigslist.

You do know that they make Cat 1 pins, right? Will take about 10 bucks and 10 minutes to convert the lower arms. Will need a bushing for the upper arm attach, but that's still no big deal. I'd still get it and you'll be happier than with a light one that bends up like a Uri Geller spoon first time you catch a rock or root..

 

[Gittyup]

Run! Quick! Get that box! It's a steal at $450! The CAT2 is no big deal. Easy convert.

 

[gwdixon]

Run! Quick! Get that box! It's a steal at $450! The CAT2 is no big deal. Easy convert.

Usually Cat 2 box blades use a clevis-type lower arm hitch rather than pins that can be changed out.

It is a decent price for what it is however.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

jcims, if you decide to get the BB, either check to be sure that the lower arms on your tractor will go wide enough (35-38 inches wide) or be prepared to alter the BB hitch in some way. It is a very good price, might want to get it regardless and if it doesn't work for you, you could sell it. Just a thought.