will this rear blade work for my 1715?

[gunner76]

going to pick my new 1715 up tomorrow and I'm planning on running over to TSC to pick up a couple goodies beforehand. I'm thinking of getting one of the CountyLine 5ft grader blades and was wondering if this model will work good with my tractor? It's the yellow one with SKU #213000599.

I'm also thinking of picking up a CountyLine CarryAll and then putting a 35gal drum of water on it as ballast when I use the FEL.

























































































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Product price $299.99




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SKU #213000599

 

[AxleHub]

Gunner,

Regarding using water barrel of water as weight ballast. I bought a 40 gallon sprayer for my gc1715. It's a great sprayer and is more beneficial than I would have guessed in several uses. However, for ballast it is more treacherous because water shifts and moves. I suppose if you filled it completely to the top so the water could not shift in any way it would work. But sand or metal or concrete is much more predictable.

 

[gunner76]

Gunner,

Regarding using water barrel of water as weight ballast. I bought a 40 gallon sprayer for my gc1715. It's a great sprayer and is more beneficial than I would have guessed in several uses. However, for ballast it is more treacherous because water shifts and moves. I suppose if you filled it completely to the top so the water could not shift in any way it would work. But sand or metal or concrete is much more predictable.

That is a good point. Actually, between the slab of slate and all the cinder blocks I have I probably won't need to use a drum with water.

 

[BusyBacres]

As far as pulling the blade the tractor should easily handle it. We have an older blade that was 'in the family ' and our 1720 handles it like a champ. The biggest thing is just making sure it has enough clearance when in the up position.

 

[rider7767]

I just loaded the rear tires and I have had no problems. I dropped them off at CO-OP and picked them up that afternoon. It keeps the weight on the ground and not on the bearings. I live on flat ground here, so your needs may be greater.

 

[gunner76]

I just loaded the rear tires and I have had no problems. I dropped them off at CO-OP and picked them up that afternoon. It keeps the weight on the ground and not on the bearings. I live on flat ground here, so your needs may be greater.

If I didn't use the tractor for mowing I'd fill the rear tires but I want to keep the weight down for the mowing season.

 

[rider7767]

If I didn't use the tractor for mowing I'd fill the rear tires but I want to keep the weight down for the mowing season.

I understand. My yard is flat and it still cuts if I am no careful.

 

[AxleHub]

If I didn't use the tractor for mowing I'd fill the rear tires but I want to keep the weight down for the mowing season.

Slot depends on wetness 's tires. I have my tires filled and even on idehills or steep slopes the turf is not effected with my turf tires and that's with weight on 3 pt too. But I don't have the fell on when cutting grass.

Even mildly damp grass is fine. But sharp turns at fast speeds are an issue on zero turns an tractors both.

But ag tires is another whole can of worms.

 

[gunner76]

Slot depends on wetness 's tires. I have my tires filled and even on idehills or steep slopes the turf is not effected with my turf tires and that's with weight on 3 pt too. But I don't have the fell on when cutting grass.

Even mildly damp grass is fine. But sharp turns at fast speeds are an issue on zero turns an tractors both.

But ag tires is another whole can of worms.

How much weight do you gain with filled rear tires(I assume you don't fill the fronts)? I don't plan on mowing with the FEL on since the tractor is going to be clumsy enough with out it due to my small lawn. My lawn is flat and I don't mow when it's wet.
I'm in the process of building a ballast box that was going to weight around 400lbs(I don't see how a guy could get enough in the small bucket to need more than that?)but maybe I should fill my tires and reduce the weight on the ballast box to take some of the stress off the rear axle/bearings?

ETA. I did buy the 5ft blade and it worked really good the little bit I played with it. I made sure to inspect it really well before buying it so I didn't get one that had the blade hub welded crooked like some had complained about on the County Line models.

 

[AxleHub]

Gunner,

If you use windshield washer or RV fluid you'll get about 8 lbs per gallon and if you use rimguard you'll get 11.+ lbs per gallon. I'd guess my filled rears add about 150 lbs to my tractor ballast.

Now the secret to ballast from the rear end is your fel is a longer lever from your front axle and it's a much higher and moving lever. So consider that a bucket of rocks is hundredS of pounds and a pallet of something on a set of forks can easily hold 600 to 800 pounds of payload plus implement weight. . . Your front leverage can be significant even on flat land.

Personal opinion. . I like weight (above and beyond filled rears) positioned in the back that I can easily and quickly add or reduce. I might have 400 pounds on my 3 pt. but more likely I have from 75 pounds to 250. I think it's silly to have big weight on back when you don't need it . . . But then comes the times when you do need it. And I have steep hills and side slopes - you want weight low low low to the ground LOL

Just my humble opinion.