ATTN: Heavy BOX BLADE Experts.....Give us your opinions please.

[MtnViewRanch]

Those braces wouldn't be needed for the lower end of the rated HP range. This particular box is going to be rated for up to a 180hp 4wd tractor or 220hp 2wd tractor so the support will be needed.
With a depth of 44", the braces shouldn't limit the performance whatsoever.

Come on man!! You want heavy, and now you want it lighter??
I know exactly what you're saying. Ted wanted to start with the Beast, which will be the heaviest model and then work his way back down to models that are more in line with the Gannon.
The market for the Beast is probably even less, but there is a market. It is aimed more for land clearing and grading behind very large tractors.

After this blade, he will make some "superboxes"(I like that name) that are more in line with the gannon with options like retractable shanks and hinged backs.


The Viper cutting edge by Valk will be the largest, heaviest cutting edge being used on any 3pt attachment according to the manufacturer.
He's probably going to offer this Box in 78,90,96,108 and 120" widths and the cost will depend on just how much labor is involved.

A couple of things, and I could be waaaaaay off, what do I know? :confused3:

I mentioned cutting weight to lower the obvious HUGE cost.

No one had mentioned building a unit for 100+ hp machines. Yes maybe it will need to be this massive for BIG tractors. Do you really think that any 100+ hp tractors will want anything less than 96"? Why would anything as small as 78" in width be used behind such a large machine?

Do you actually see any call at all for a 3pt hitch box blade for a 180hp tractor? I would think that if there was a need, there would be some already available. I suppose if you create a product, someone will buy it. :confused3:

Again, I don't know, have no idea, way out of the scope of anything that I have ever dealt with.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

The models with retractable shanks and floating tailgates will be lighter than the Beast and should provide quite a savings vs. the comparable Gannon or FFC.

This is just where he started, at the top end.
We don't know what the demand is. I guess we're 'bout to find out.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The models with retractable shanks and floating tailgates will be lighter than the Beast and should provide quite a savings vs. the comparable Gannon or FFC.

This is just where he started, at the top end.
We don't know what the demand is. I guess we're 'bout to find out.

One of those things of you don't know without asking.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Do you really think that any 100+ hp tractors will want anything less than 96"? Why would anything as small as 78" in width be used behind such a large machine?

The 78" probably wouldn't go on a 100+hp ag tractor, but there are industrial tractors with massive lift capacity that could use one.
A Woods/Gill SR25 in a 77" width was a very popular blade commonly used on the 545 Ford/New Holland industrial machines.

 

[Piston]

Here is THE BEAST so far.

The 96" is projected to weigh 1,900 pounds.
44" depth, 30" tall back.
Front tube is 6x6 3/8" tubing.
Category 2 and 3 Quick Attach Compatible Hitch.
Hitch and sides are 1/2" thick.
Mold boards consist of two 3/8" thick plates.
Cutting edges are 5/8"x8" viper blades...US made and largest in the industry.
Shanks are 1" thick x 4" wide and built in house. Weld on tips made from AR400

This blade will have fixed shanks. He will develop future models with retractable shanks and floating tailgate. He is starting with the biggest and baddest and will fill the gap later.
Here are some drawings. What do you think?

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=332942"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=332943"/>

I really think the hitch design should be "re evaluated", if for no other reason than it "looks" the same style as the medium duty units, whereas the heavy duty units all have the tower design.

I also think the hitch and sides should be upgraded to 5/8" steel rather than 1/2".

Unlike others, I don't see any advantage to removing the additional bracing you've designed, I say keep it. Yes, soil will get caught up there when you have a full box, but this is a dirt working tool and I prefer more support over less. You may be able to replace the support with heavy wall angle iron, and weld it so it forms a triangle shaped support longitudinally, so soil wouldn't get caught on the 45 degree angle.

I'm surprised to see some of you now claiming to take away some weight to cut costs???.? If anything, I think it could be a bit HEAVIER with thicker side plates and a better hitch design.

I do see a need for a floating tailgate with the ability to be fixed if preferred. Don't give up features because your rushing the design, take your time to design it right the first time.

Lastly (for now) one of the reasons I still don't consider EA implements in the same league as the real heavy duty equipment lines, is the awkward, over marketed naming system you guys use. It sounds more like your trying to use the fancy names to sell your equipment, rather than rely on the good quality, American made product with excellent customer support that you really are. I think you should drop the silly name game and rely on the good service and good products you already provide. You guys seem to be a top notch company, and when I see something like "severe extreme heavy duty" and "the beast" or a "super box" it just casts an image of a cheap, fly by night sales pitch that you see on late night television.
Come up with standard, professional sounding, models names and numbers and drop the marketing scam sounded names. You guys are beyond that now, your a professional company with a great business plan, but your product names don't make it look that way. That's one (maybe the ONLY) reason I don't consider anything you sell to be truly in the same league as the other well respected implement manufacturers.
Just my .02

 

[mikehaugen]

If I had a need fot a huge box blsde behind a 180hp tractot, I woild probably hire an articulated scraper. I wouldn't think that it would be needed often enough to justify owning, and if it was there are better purpose-built machines for it. But maybe rental companies? Either way though, it would be cool to see.

 

[EverythingAttachments]

It looks like the weight of a 96" Beast will be 2,096 pounds.

This blade will be capable of doing more than just moving dirt/grading such as shearing off 3-4" trees and clearing land.
The tractor that Ted is planning to test it with is a New Holland TL90 4wd/Cab/Loader tractor that has been turned up to 108hp.

He said he'll have some more pics over to me soon.

 

[Fordman1981]

It looks like the weight of a 96" Beast will be 2,096 pounds.

This blade will be capable of doing more than just moving dirt/grading such as shearing off 3-4" trees and clearing land.
The tractor that Ted is planning to test it with is a New Holland TL90 4wd/Cab/Loader tractor that has been turned up to 108hp.

He said he'll have some more pics over to me soon.

I see no less than 6 post from EA since I inquired about buying one if these blades. No reply to me at all. I thought the beast would be a good match for my 96 hp 4x4 tractor. Oh well if EA can't even manage a simple we'll get you pricing as soon as we can or a thank you for your interest they must not be very concerned about selling them.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

It's NO PROBLEM to engineer a basically indestructible unit. But once that is done, it has to be built at a cost point that people will buy.

The reinforcing ribs are making up for a lack of material. Yes dirt will just fall out and off. Now get that dirt moist and you have a HUGE box that is 1/2 full of dirt stuck in there and has to be shaken out every time you raise the box. NO fun when you are out grading and trying to get something done. :thumbdown:

 

[bcp]

A couple of comments were made about dirt getting stuck in the box when lifted.

What about having a slight slant to the side plates so the bottoms were farther apart than the tops?

/-----\

Bruce