Box blade for BX2230

[allthumbs23]

I am looking for a 48" box blade for my BX2230. I have lots of nasty clay. Can anyone tell me what the difference between these two King Kutter blades is? The orange one is a BB-48-XB for $549, and the yellow is a BB-48 for $599. Both are more than I want to spend, but finding a used one has been impossible. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

View attachment 462992View attachment 462993

I am looking for a 48" box blade for my BX2230. I have lots of nasty clay. Can anyone tell me what the difference between these two King Kutter blades is? The orange one is a BB-48-XB for $549, and the yellow is a BB-48 for $599. Both are more than I want to spend, but finding a used one has been impossible. Thanks for any suggestions.

The orange unit has 3 rippers, the yellow unit has 4 rippers and clevis type hitch. The yellow unit is much stronger at the hitch.

 

[bcp]

The XB series has a Cat 0 hitch, or a narrower than standard Cat 1 hitch measurement, to fit some of the early sub-compact tractors.

Bruce

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Have you tried Land Pride from dealer? I have a LP BB1248 weighs 316 lbs. I haven't hurt it yet. 3 years ago $500.
Looks like the orange xb has 3 shanks not adjustable but flips up, 295 lbs. 12in. self-cleaning moldboard, Category 1 subcompact tractor hitch with Category 0 spacing
The yellow has 4 adjustable shanks, 377 lbs, 20in. specially formed self-cleaning moldboard, Category 1

For $50 I would go yellow if my machine could handle it.

 

[4Kings]

The XB has a shorter moldboard. You'll get greater lift height with the XB vs the other

 

[allthumbs23]

I ended up calling direct to King Kutter Corp. He (Lonnie) told me the XB was designed for sub compact tractors . Years ago one of the company "higher ups" had a BX when they first came out and they designed this XB units specifically for these tractors - he said XB is BX reversed and that was intentional, as well as the matching orange paint. Apparently the XB models are made for an easier hook up due to height and weight limits of the smaller sub compacts like the BX. Interesting conversation we had. Thanks

 

[bcp]

From:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200311197_200311197

Modified Category 1 subcompact attachment
Cat 1 pin — Cat 0 spacing

Bruce

 

[allthumbs23]

I like the idea of the orange model made more for my tractor, but am concerned whether it is heavy duty enough. On the other hand, I don't want some monstrosity that is way more than I need, that I can barely get any clearance with.

 

[bcp]

I'm not sure what the BX2230 hitch will do, but the BX2360 can attach to a full-sized Cat 1 implement, but can't lift it as high as a larger Cat 1 tractor.

It allows me to use common quick hitches and readily available new and used Cat 1 implements. In the 5 years or so since I got the BX, I don't think I have seen even one used implement with the Cat 0 or limited Cat 1 hitch size.

Bruce

 

[allthumbs23]

I believe they are essentially the same tractor.
On the orange one, it looks like the teeth flip up out of the way, but I wonder if you can set the depth?

 

[Henro]

I would probably go with the yellow one. Four teeth rather than three, and easily adjustable. Weighs more, and weight is important. I always have concrete blocks on top of mine...which is a 60 inch I use on the back of my B2910. I think I have had it on the back of my BX2200 but don't remember for sure.

The more important issue is getting your HP to the ground. My BX will spin its wheels rather than put the HP to the ground sometimes. When using my 72" landscape rake, the BX will stop moving (with wheels spinning) if I try to rake up hill, but my larger tractor with the same rake on it will move up the same slope with the rake engaged without any problem.

My guess is that whichever box blade you buy you will run into the same operating issues, whatever they might turn out to be. So why not buy the better of the two, which in my estimation is the yellow one...

Bill

 

[bcp]

Lots of information in this post, and in others around it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...int-hitch-really-post1221938.html#post1221938

Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

I like the idea of the orange model made more for my tractor, but am concerned whether it is heavy duty enough.

BX tractors are great machines but probably not that great pulling a Box Blade.

Except in really soft dirt, you need 100 pounds minimum of weight per foot of Box Blade width to be effective.

For "nasty clay" 125 pounds per foot would be preferable.

In lieu a Box Blade, consider a Piranha Tooth Bar for your bucket. For some, not all, jobs a good Tooth Bar on your bucket will be superior to a too-light Box Blade. A Piranha will cut moist clay easily.

I suggest you post the tasks you intend for your Box Blade for comments and implement alternatives.


PIRANHA VIDEO: piranha tooth bar - YouTube

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Here's my pick.
US Made including Made in USA Ripper Shanks and Cutting Edges.

The 48" Land Shark Box Blade is currently only $559 and the 60" is only $599.
Free shipping to a staffed commercial business or nearest supporting freight terminal within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC.
Travis

 

[allthumbs23]

BX tractors are great machines but probably not that great pulling a Box Blade.

Except in really soft dirt, you need 100 pounds minimum of weight per foot of Box Blade width to be effective.

For "nasty clay" 125 pounds per foot would be preferable.

I would do most excavating in slightly moist soil as I realize how tough clay is. I work in a job with access to steel easily, so adding weight would be pretty easy. I assume that is what you are suggesting? The piranha bar is nice, but I also want to use the box blade for my gravel drive. Not sure how they do in snow?

I want to use the blade to do some landscaping and leveling where we added trenches in the yard last year for some drain tile, and to level out some dirt bike trails.

 

[allthumbs23]

Here's my pick.
US Made including Made in USA Ripper Shanks and Cutting Edges.

The 48" Land Shark Box Blade is currently only $559 and the 60" is only $599.
Free shipping to a staffed commercial business or nearest supporting freight terminal within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC.
Travis

View attachment 463000

Travis - That looks nice. What is the height of the moldboard? I want to make sure I get decent lift/clearance. Thanks

 

[Grandad4]

The BX2230 is rated for 680 lbs on the 3 pt at 24" and easily lifts my 48" BB. A really full box is a quite a load for it to pull, but it does good work grading and leveling. For small jobs and touch-up grading, the BX is easier to use than my larger equipment, even though it lacks position control. Bar tires help a lot when pulling a BB; I found the turfs couldn't pull very well. The turfs have been sitting unused ever since. If anyone wants a good deal on a virtually new set of BX rims and turf tires, send me a PM.

Box blade really isn't the best tool for snow. The box quickly fills up and the load must be dropped when you're going forward while pushing material going backward isn't a great plan... if you hit something it can really damage the tractor. Used mine for snow a few times but found a small scraper blade that is much better because it can windrow the snow to the side.

 

[allthumbs23]

Unfortunate as I have turf tires on mine. I dont plan on doing major excavating with it however. Geez, maybe a simple back blade as bcp pointed to with the piranha teeth may be the way to go

 

[EverythingAttachments]

Travis - That looks nice. What is the height of the moldboard? I want to make sure I get decent lift/clearance. Thanks

Thanks.
The moldboard height is right at 16".
We will be adding more detailed specifications soon.
Travis

Here is the product video:

 

[Grandad4]

Maybe others will relate their own experiences but here's mine. The front bucket can do a fair job of lifting, carrying and digging - a toothbar helps - but I never had great success trying to level out surfaces with it. By backgrading with it you can smooth loose soil nicely but it wants to follow the surface, not level it. Don't have a Piranha bar but expect it would help with scratching the soil loose.
That left me with the predicament that the box blade is much better for dirt work while the scraper blade does well with snow and light grading of loose material such as gravel.

Checking Craigs list in our area frequently turns up old 5 ft scraper blades at pretty cheap prices. A bit big for the BX - esp with turfers - but workable. Seldom see used 48" box blades though. If I had to get one new item - instead of a Piranha or tooth bar, but that's just me - I'd go for the box and look for a deal on a used scraper when there was a spare $100 on hand.