which box blade for 3520?

[jason6]

which box blade should i get for my 3520 with R4 tires? i have very rocky land i need to clear so i was thinking a 5'. Right now im between the Everything Attachments Xtreme Duty (Everything Attachments XTreme Duty 60" Box Blade For Utility Tractors With 30-70 HP) for $750 or the CountyLine from TSC (CountyLine® Box Blade, 5 ft. - Tractor Supply Online Store) for $642.

Iknow there have been mucho threads on box blades but the consensus was to get the heaviest duty you could afford. However in this case the heavier duty blade seems to be the EA, but go figure- its lighter in weight than the Countyline!!! The countyline is 440# and the EA is 417#. All things equal i just assume save $100 and not have to wait for it or fool with shipping, however from what i can figure that solid bar supporting the blade on the EA is a stronger design..... but obviously more weight is more steel....

what do you folks think??

 

[RDrancher]

Jason, be sure to get one with a hinged tailgate rear blade. You'll be happier with the performance in rocky soil. I don't know the specs on your tractor, but you want a BB wide enough to cover your tracks.

 

[jason6]

Jason, be sure to get one with a hinged tailgate rear blade. You'll be happier with the performance in rocky soil. I don't know the specs on your tractor, but you want a BB wide enough to cover your tracks.

my tractor has 37HP and tractordata says my wheelbase is 68".... so crap.... i guess im due for a 6'?? i did see some posts before by somone with a 3 series tractor like mine that 65" was better choice for rocky new england soil......



what hinged blade would you recommend?? the hinged blades appear to be tougher to find.....

thanks!!

 

[RDrancher]

my tractor has 37HP and tractordata says my wheelbase is 68".... so crap.... i guess im due for a 6'?? i did see some posts before by somone with a 3 series tractor like mine that 65" was better choice for rocky new england soil......



what hinged blade would you recommend?? the hinged blades appear to be tougher to find.....

thanks!!

I would go with a 6' BB myself. I used a Bush Hog MBX72 (660LBS w/ tailgate) behind my 35 hp tractor commercially for over 2000 hours. Broke a lot of scarifier tips and bent a few shanks, but no other damage to it. Now I use a 72" Gannon BB that weighs in at 1100 lbs. It works a lot better than the BH.

If you have a Dirt Dog dealer in your area, they are the manufacturer of Bush Hog BB's.

 

[fordmantpw]

my tractor has 37HP and tractordata says my wheelbase is 68".... so crap.... i guess im due for a 6'?? i did see some posts before by somone with a 3 series tractor like mine that 65" was better choice for rocky new england soil......

The wheelbase isn't the width, that is the distance from center of the front axle to center of the rear axle. You want to look at width, or track width of the rear.

 

[jason6]

The wheelbase isn't the width, that is the distance from center of the front axle to center of the rear axle. You want to look at width, or track width of the rear.

oh! well i pulled out my tape measure and the tractor is about 56" wide..... so would a 60" be better for me then??

I would go with a 6' BB myself. I used a Bush Hog MBX72 (660LBS w/ tailgate) behind my 35 hp tractor commercially for over 2000 hours. Broke a lot of scarifier tips and bent a few shanks, but no other damage to it. Now I use a 72" Gannon BB that weighs in at 1100 lbs. It works a lot better than the BH.

If you have a Dirt Dog dealer in your area, they are the manufacturer of Bush Hog BB's.

I have one DD dealer within 25 miles and he quoted me 1160+tax for a mbx60 and 1375+tax for an mbx72. is that good?

 

[fordmantpw]

oh! well i pulled out my tape measure and the tractor is about 56" wide..... so would a 60" be better for me then??




I have one DD dealer within 25 miles and he quoted me 1160+tax for a mbx60 and 1375+tax for an mbx72. is that good?

Sorry, I'm fairly new to "real" tractors, so I can't help much with your other questions.

 

[greg_g]

Stick with a 60". Even with front wheel assist, those R4s can't give you enough all around traction to get the full benefit of a 72". But value advice has to come from someone in your area. In my experience, Northeast prices can be significantly higher than here in the mid-South.

//greg//

 

[RDrancher]

Stick with a 60". Even with front wheel assist, those R4s can't give you enough all around traction to get the full benefit of a 72". But value advice has to come from someone in your area. In my experience, Northeast prices can be significantly higher than here in the mid-South.

//greg//

Maybe someone can explain it to me, but is this 37hp JD somehow less powerful than my 35hp NH? I don't get it.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Maybe someone can explain it to me, but is this 37hp JD somehow less powerful than my 35hp NH? I don't get it.

Weight is the answer here.

There is a picture some where that shows a steam tractor in the early 1900s pulling a 40 bottom plow. :shocked: It's engine was rated at 14hp. Torque and weight with the needed traction got the job done. :thumbsup:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

For the OP, a ROBB is ideal for your size of tractor.

Just my :2cents:

Forgot to add that a 60"-66" unit would be the best fit IMO.

 

[jason6]

For the OP, a ROBB is ideal for your size of tractor.

Just my :2cents:

what brand(s)? How much am i looking at? Would a roll over be better for real rocky ground than a floating gate?

Thanks!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

what brand(s)? How much am i looking at? Would a roll over be better for real rocky ground than a floating gate?

Thanks!

Bush Hog and Dirt Dog are the same unit and Eagleline builds a little heavier unit. Those are your choices for new units. Because of the design of the ROBB, there is NO rear mould board to even worry about. I can't help you out on costs. I don't know, I am sure that they are more $$$ than any of the std type box blades. But then it is safe to say IMO anyway that when it comes to NEW implements, you usually get what you pay for.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[GreenWannabe]

The only new rollover box scrapers available now are the Bush Hog RO series (made by Dirt Dog, so available as the Dirt Dog RO series as well) and the A&B Eagle Line BLR series. Bush Hog and Dirt Dog dealers are easy to find on their respective websites, but Eagle Line is sold through distributors. You would have to contact them directly to find the distributor in your area, then contact the distributor to find a local dealer.

Woods used to make them in both their Gill brand and Gannon, but discontinued them two or three years ago. Land Pride also had one, discontinued around 2005 or so. Used ones are difficult to find, but turn up once in a while.

I just bought a NOS Bush Hog RO720 (6 footer) at a good price from Ken Sweet at Sweet Tractors, an advertiser here, for my 36 pto hp tractor (45 engine hp). I think he had one left. HTH.

 

[GreenWannabe]

Well, I see Brian replied to you while I was working on my reply. In answer to the cost question, here in Alabama I had quotes for new ranging from $1700 to $2400, depending on the dealer. I did find the Bush Hog at New & Used Farming Tools & Equipment | Tractor Equipment, Farm Implements & More for local pickup in KY for $1395, and the Dirt Dog at Dirt Dog Rollover Series Box Blade for $1333. Shipping made both of them right at $1500 here. This was for a six foot blade.

 

[jason6]

I just bought a NOS Bush Hog RO720 (6 footer) at a good price from Ken Sweet at Sweet Tractors, an advertiser here, for my 36 pto hp tractor (45 engine hp). I think he had one left. HTH.

Do you think i'd be better off with a 72" in new england rather than a 60'?? Theres a whole lot of rocks in the dirt on my property.

Also, does it worry you at all that the RO is rated for max 45hp in 4wd? Thats what i dont get.. the MBX is rated for 55hp 4wd. If the RO is a better design why is it weaker and more expensive no less?

And i'm pretty surprised everyone is recommending dirt dog and no recommendations for a land pride or woods or anything big brand....

 

[jason6]

and i dont see any of the MBX's or RO's on sweet's website :\

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Do you think i'd be better off with a 72" in new england rather than a 60'?? Theres a whole lot of rocks in the dirt on my property.

Also, does it worry you at all that the RO is rated for max 45hp in 4wd? Thats what i dont get.. the MBX is rated for 55hp 4wd. If the RO is a better design why is it weaker and more expensive no less?

And i'm pretty surprised everyone is recommending dirt dog and no recommendations for a land pride or woods or anything big brand....

The manufacturers that have been recommended are the ONLY guys that still make the ROBBs. If you can find a Gannon-Woods or a Land Pride buy it.


Good luck.

 

[jason6]

So the Dirt Dog is 1150 for the 6' and 1250 for the 6.5' with a whopping $310 shipping to a terminal.

Is that really the route i should go? I was originally just planning on spending 600-700 bucks.... so this would be more than double. Would it be that much more effective?

Thanks!

 

[jason6]

for what its worth my local dealer gave me prices of 2200 and 2400!!!!