where to add receiver tube to box blade?

[2manyrocks]

I have this 67" wide box blade that is actually one of my most often used attachments due to having to maintain a steep gravel driveway. I don't want to mess the blade up, but I would like to add a hitch so I can pull my 16" utility trailer in the field without having to remove the box blade if that is possible.

I was thinking of cutting an opening in the blade to mount this 2" receiver tube. If I cut the green area, the receiver tube will sit on top of the 4" cross member on the front of the blade. If I cut the red area, the receiver tube can be made to sit flush to the front cross member. However, that puts the cut in the area where there is a bend in the blade that rolls the gravel back down when the blade is in use.

How should I do this or is there a better way?

 

[alexinPA]

Why can't you weld an extra plate on top of crossmembers and receiver tube on top? No need to cut op[enings anywhere

 

[Have tractor did travel]

I did the same thing as what you are considering. I cut the hole for the coupler too high, out of concern for dealing with the curvature of the blade. When using, I have to use a drop coupler in order to raise the box blade enough so it does not encounter earth. Were I doing it again, I'd mount the receiver lower on the box blade, so the box blade would be higher when in use towing a trailer.

 

[2manyrocks]

Why can't you weld an extra plate on top of crossmembers and receiver tube on top? No need to cut op[enings anywhere

I failed to mention that the reason for not going over the top is I have a wooden box insert that fits on the top of the box blade that I used to carry chains, a pole saw, etc.

Another way I could do this is to take one of my bolt on pintle hitches, drill four holes, and bolt a pintle hitch receiver to the blade. However, I also use the rear blade sometimes to push brush piles a bit tighter so I'd like for the hitch to be easily removed by pulling a pin instead of being bolted on.

I'm not committed to doing this any particular way so all ideas and comments are welcome.

 

[WranglerX]

I failed to mention that the reason for not going over the top is I have a wooden box insert that fits on the top of the box blade that I used to carry chains, a pole saw, etc.

Another way I could do this is to take one of my bolt on pintle hitches, drill four holes, and bolt a pintle hitch receiver to the blade. However, I also use the rear blade sometimes to push brush piles a bit tighter so I'd like for the hitch to be easily removed by pulling a pin instead of being bolted on.

I'm not committed to doing this any particular way so all ideas and comments are welcome.

By "pintle hitch receiver" do you mean one of these?

I would go with bolt on approach as it put receiver at lower height, and does not protrude with end in back of box to fill with dirt.... As for removing bolt on receiver when pushing brush....WHY?.... It not going to be damaged by the brush, and the brush does not really care...

 

[2manyrocks]

What I have is a bolt on pintle hitch with ball similar to this. Amazon.com

I added a wooden carrier to the top of the box blade to carry chains, gas, oil, pole saw, sometimes an extra chain saw like this.

My intention is to pile some small trees on my 16' trailer with the grapple and then pull the whole thing to a gully where I'll put the trees. This should reduce the number of trips back and forth.

 

[2manyrocks]

Based on your suggestions, I bolted this hitch down lower on the flat part of the blade. I forgot I had this hitch until WranglerX mentioned using a bolt on version.

In case anyone is curious, the two wooden vertical uprights on the wooden box are where I wrap my chains.

 

[YogiBear79]

By "pintle hitch receiver" do you mean one of these?


View attachment 814398


I would go with bolt on approach as it put receiver at lower height, and does not protrude with end in back of box to fill with dirt.... As for removing bolt on receiver when pushing brush....WHY?.... It not going to be damaged by the brush, and the brush does not really care...

That's exactly what i used.