Grading What size blade?

[Tractor Dr.]

I'm in the market for a used back blade, primarily for plowing snow and the occasional need for moving around dirt. I have a Kubota L3130 w/ 32HP and around 70" wide. Should I go with a 72" blade or an 84" blade? Anyone know of a good website or other where I can find something used?

TD
Lancaster, PA

 

[jbrumberg]

TD:

I would go with the 84" blade. It does not appear that you will be pushing/pulling a lot of really heavy material and with the 84" blade you can still angle the blade for windrow purposes and still clear your rear tire width. Jay

 

[design]

TD:
I had a Grand L2900. "An earier version of the L3010 and then the L3130". I had a 84" blade and it worked like a charm. I wish I had purchased a blade that had both "yaw" (rotate) and "roll"(pivot) functions. A fixed blade is of less value when moving dirt and snow.

-design

 

[txdon]

84". The more pivot points the better. Try to be able to offset the blade to either side along with the tilting the ends up or down and forward and back. If you get the smaller one the only time you will cover your tracks is when the blade is not tilted (one end forward and one end back). Also the heavier the better for dirt.

Photo: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/projects/77350d1179660011-above-ground-pool-install-pool2.jpg

 

[Toolguy]

Try to find a quality blade like a Landpride or Woods. Those babies will really dig in. Something about the design I quess. You get what you pay for. Any good blade will angle. Tilt is an added feature that is handy to have. By leaving the adjusting pin out the blade will be free to twist and follow the contour of a driveway and not dig in on the ends such as when plowing snow. And definitely get at least an 84" blade. I think a 92" may be even better. When the blade is angled for pushing snow off to the side of a driveway some of the snow will fall back onto where you have just plowed. If the blade is not wide enough, the next time you plow you will have to drive on the previous snowbank to get it over far enough. Otherwise the driveway will get narrower each time you plow. Your tractor should not have a problem with a 92" blade in snow.