What is the best box blade on the market

[JimMc]

Not sure what the problem with AOL may be. I know I had to refresh a couple of times to access it the first time. But after that it has been OK. I'll check with the folks at the hosting service to see if they have any suggestions.

 

[Kodiak]

Jim:

Several months back in a conversation with Pieter he mentioned that First Choice was soon to be marketing a line of flail mowers. Is this soon to be a reality? If so could you please include some pictures and info on your web site.

 

[Inspector507]

Jim, I accessed it this morning without any problems at all.

 

[Buck]

Scott,

I bought a Woods GB65 and have been happy with it. It is very heavy duty. (See attachment) I am not worried at all about its robustness. I paid $550, delivered.

Is it better than a King Cutter? We'll I saw my first KK blade at TSC over the weekend and yes I'll say it is. And I doubt if anybody who put these blades side by side would disagree.

Now ask me, What would you buy today, with the knowledge you've gained over the last year.

My answer: The KK. It is cheaper, lighter and would suit my needs just fine.

Buck

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

I was looking at the woods web site and copied this from the Ganon specs.
specifications.
Would anyone care to explain to me the advantages of low back/versus high back...what are they talking about.
<font color=green>The reversable cutting edges,why/what are they for?
Scarifier bar operation manual/versu/hydraulic
Hinged, adjustable tailgate.
What does the hinged tailgate do?</font color=green>

Model H-120 low back H-220 low back H-320 low back H-420 low back
Working width 65 inches 72 inches 76 inches 80 inches
Overall width 65-3/4 inches 72-3/4 inches 77 inches 81 inches
Height 33-3/4 inches 33-3/4 inches 33-3/4 inches 33-3/4 inches
Length 34-3/4 inches 34-3/4 inches 34-3/4 inches 34-3/4 inches
Capacity 21.4 cubic feet 23.7 cubic feet 25.1 cubic feet 26.4 cubic feet
Endplate thickness 3/8 inch 3/8 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch
Approximate weight 829 lbs. 922 lbs. 959 lbs. 993 lbs.

Tractor HP 18 - 65 18 - 65 18 - 65 18 - 65
Tractor drive 2 wheel 2 wheel 2 wheel 2 wheel
3-point hitch Category I Category I Category I Category I, II

Cutting edge 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible
Number of cutting edges 2 2 2 2
Number of shanks 6, adjustable 8, adjustable 8, adjustable 8, adjustable
Scarifier bar operation manual manual manual manual
Hinged, adjustable tailgate
yes yes yes yes



Model HD-115 high back HD-215 high back HD-315 high back HD-415 high back
Working width 65 inches 72 inches 76 inches 80 inches
Overall width 65-3/4 inches 72-3/4 inches 77 inches 81 inches
Height 35-1/4 inches 35-1/4 inches 35-1/4 inches 35-1/4 inches
Length 35-1/2 inches 35-1/2 inches 35-1/2 inches 35-1/2 inches
Capacity 24.1 cubic feet 26.4 cubic feet 27.8 cubic feet 29.3 cubic feet
Endplate thickness 3/8 inch 3/8 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch
Approximate weight 880 lbs. 976 lbs. 1,001 lbs. 1,028 lbs.

Tractor HP 18 - 65 18 - 65 18 - 65 18 - 65
Tractor drive 2 wheel 2 wheel 2 wheel 2 wheel
3-point hitch Category I Category I Category I Category I, II

Cutting edge 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible 1/2x6 inches, reversible
Number of cutting edges 2 2 2 2
Number of shanks 8, adjustable 8, adjustable 8, adjustable 8, adjustable

Scarifier bar operation manual manual manual manual
Hinged, adjustable tailgate yes yes yes yes

<font color=green>I have a lot of roads on my property to maintain,a little over 2 1/2 miles to be exact,my JD 4400 has the R-1 tires and all 4 tires are loaded,I would like to eventually get a JD 4600 or JD 4700 and I want a box blade that would,be an adequate size box for my next tractor.What do you think?What are the advantages of a Ganon versus Wood or 1st choice,what about the John Deere Frontier scrapers?</font color=green>

 

[JRP]

Not sure how to make our questions blue.

Gannon is top of the line or about the best available. So is Land Prides top grade box.

advantages of low back/versus high back: This is the heigth of the moldboard (back end).
Low back lets you see the finished work easier or sooner. Visibility.
High back carriers more dirt and is haevier. Heavier cuts better.

The reversable cutting edges,why/what are they for? When the blad gets dull you can unbolt it and flip it over, exposing the new edge to the dirt. You will only need it if you use the box a bunch. Most cutting blades are reversible.

Hydraulic is fancy, more expensive, and uses up a remorte port.
Manual has a lever you operate. Much easier than getting of the tractor and moving each cutter down with a pin. Less maintenance than hydraulic. No cylinder to rust up, etc. Ge the manual one.

Hinged, adjustable tailgate: The hinged tailgate drags alon the dirt after you grade and smooths ou the bumpies. If you take a big bite it hinges up and allows the blade to really dig in. Some hinged rear blades allow you ti install bolts to prevent hinging, if you don't want to. The tailgate with a cutting edge allows you to cut when moving backwards, which is handy for pushing dirt up to a building.

Hope this helps. You are looking at top of the line equipment. Several steps above something TSC would sell. Real PRO quality. The blade I use for free is too light and we have to put concrete blocks on it. My tractor will handle a 78" 1000 pound blade. When I do buy one I will buy quality.

One thing to consider is that a hydraulic top link is very nice. More important than hydraulic scarifiers and more useful. Hydraulic tilt is also more important than hydraulic scarifier.

Best of luck, Look and Land Pride. The big city pro landscapers usually have Gannon on the back of a case tractor with FEL. Land prid3e also makes good top end boxes. Wish I could find a used one.

Jim Poux

 

[JRP]

Not sure how to make your questions blue.

Gannon is top of the line or about the best available. So is Land Prides top grade box.

advantages of low back/versus high back: This is the heigth of the moldboard (back end).
Low back lets you see the finished work easier or sooner. Visibility.
High back carriers more dirt and is haevier. Heavier cuts better.

The reversable cutting edges,why/what are they for? When the blad gets dull you can unbolt it and flip it over, exposing the new edge to the dirt. You will only need it if you use the box a bunch. Most cutting blades are reversible.

Hydraulic is fancy, more expensive, and uses up a remorte port.
Manual has a lever you operate. Much easier than getting of the tractor and moving each cutter down with a pin. Less maintenance than hydraulic. No cylinder to rust up, etc. Get the manual one.

Hinged, adjustable tailgate: The hinged tailgate drags along the dirt after you grade and smooths out the bumpies. If you take a big bite it hinges up and allows the blade to really dig in. Some hinged rear blades allow you ti install bolts to prevent hinging, if you don't want to. The tailgate with a cutting edge allows you to cut when moving backwards, which is handy for pushing dirt up to a building.

Hope this helps. You are looking at top of the line equipment. Several steps above something TSC would sell. Real PRO quality. The blade I use for free is too light and we have to put concrete blocks on it. My tractor will handle a 78" 1000 pound blade. When I do buy one I will buy quality.

One thing to consider is that a hydraulic top link is very nice. More important than hydraulic scarifiers and more useful. Hydraulic tilt is also more important than hydraulic scarifier.

Best of luck, Look and Land Pride. The big city pro landscapers usually have Gannon on the back of a case tractor with FEL. Land prid3e also makes good top end boxes. Wish I could find a used one.

Jim Poux

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

Jim,
I really,really,really appreciate your post.You explained a lot to me.I must apologize for that confusing post I made....but you explained a lot...A matter of fact I am going to print your post and use it for a reference.

Scott

 

[rockyridgefarm]

My vote goes for KW

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.keystonewheeler.com/boxblades.htm>http://www.keystonewheeler.com/boxblades.htm</A>

 

[Kub]

I like Woods products for their quality and really like this HB-72 for it's heft. I wouldn't say it's the best box blade but it will do the job. It fits my L3410GST perfectly but sometimes it is a little too much box scraper. I then have to use my 60hp M5030SUMDT but the wheel spread is over 7 ft. with the 16.9's and surely doesn't fit it perfectly.