48" Blade Box for BX23

[2Bad4u]

Many people here have recommended getting a BB for an upcoming BX2370 purchase versus getting a ballast box. The rear ballast is needed for the FEL and front mounted snow blower. Having a BB for maintaining a 1 acre property, garden, and driveway would also be very useful.

Considering the Land Pride BB0548 or the BB1248 - also readily available in Canada.
http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/lit/lit_bb05.pdf

Questions:
1. Which one would you recommend - why?
2. Assume either one would work fine on a BX2370?
3. Perhaps a 54" vs. 48" BB?
4. Other box blades I should be considering?

BX2370 Specifications:
Tractor width: 44.5"
Tractor weight: 1,410 lbs.
Loader lift capacity @ max height: 518 lbs.
Hydraulic lift capacity @ 24" behind pin: 680 lbs.

Being a tractor newbie I would appreciate you sharing your comments and experiences.

Thanks in advance!

-- Bill --

EDIT: Title is incorrect - should have read BX2370.

 

[kcender]

Hey Bill,just a small point but I think you are getting a BX2370 which is different than a BX23.There is a BX23 which is the older version of the BX25D and comes with a backhoe.Just ignore this if I am wrong

 

[2Bad4u]

I can not change the title but I updated my post. Thanks.

-- Bill --

 

[jeff9366]

BB1248 It is Cat 1, rather than Cat 0 and heavier. There is hydraulic LIFT on the 3-Pt. Hitch, but drop and implement ground engagement is effected by GRAVITY only. You need as much implement weight as your tractor will pull in order cut into the dirt and peel off layers.

Just check with Land Pride to be sure your BX2370 will lift the BB1248 high enough to clear the pulled dirt the times you deposit it in a mound. I am 90% sure it will.

I pull a 630 pound Rollover Box Blade behind my 33-hp/1,900 pound/4-WD BX3300SU, which has 59" tire width.

Also, you want 3-Pt. counterbalance to approximate lift capacity of your FEL.

My B3300SU bucket lift is 750 - 1,100 pounds.

As the Box Blade sticks out a little, the cantilever effect makes it effectively somewhat heavier.

 

[2Bad4u]

BB1248 It is Cat 1, rather than Cat 0 and heavier. There is hydraulic LIFT on the 3-Pt. Hitch, but drop and implement ground engagement is effected by GRAVITY only. You need as much implement weight as your tractor will pull in order cut into the dirt and peel off layers.

Just check with Land Pride to be sure your BX2370 will lift the BB1248 high enough to clear the pulled dirt the times you deposit it in a mound. I am 90% sure it will.

I pull a 630 pound Rollover Box Blade behind my 33-hp/1,900 pound/4-WD BX3300SU, which has 59" tire width.

Also, you want 3-Pt. counterbalance to approximate lift capacity of your FEL.

My B3300SU bucket lift is 750 - 1,100 pounds.

As the Box Blade sticks out a little, the cantilever effect makes it effectively somewhat heavier.

BX2370 Specifications:
Tractor width: 44.5"
Tractor weight: 1,410 lbs.
Loader lift capacity @ max height: 518 lbs.
Hydraulic lift capacity @ 24" behind pin: 680 lbs.

Given that the LP BB1248 weighs 316 lbs. and the above tractor specifications, it appears that I may have to add some additional weight to the BB when lifting heavy loads. Perhaps use bags of salt or free weights during those times.

Thanks for your post.

-- Bill --

 

[gwdixon]

Box blades are quite useful and should be an implement on hand for the various uses they are able to perform.

That said, they are not well suited for ballast. They are usually wider than the tractor by just a bit but enough to make backing and turning in tight spaces a nightmare. They are not heavy enough for a proper counterweight. However, some people use them for such and swear by them.

A better solution, besides making your own, would be to buy a "carry all", put a 2x6 floor on it, and stack bags of sand, salt, concrete, or pier blocks on it. It would be much more compact and heavier (1000 lb. capacity). But I know I'm spending your money.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/countylinereg%3B-carry-all-category-1-quick-hitch-compatible

Do a search on TBN for "ballast" and you will find lots of information and creative ideas for making a counterweight. It doesn't have to be expensive.

 

[TroyR57]

I vote Box Blade, and the heaver one. The 1248.

 

[Shett]

I run a LandPride 1260 box blade which is 60" wide on my BX25. No problems pulling it with tractor except when it gets too full, and then I just raise it a little to proceed. Of the two you're looking at, I would go with the 1248. It's basically the 48" version of the one I have, and the thing is built like a tank. As others said, better to have more weight than not enough.

Note: While I run a 60", my soil is mostly sandy/rocky soil. If I were in heavy clay soil I may not be as successful pulling the wider box and probably would step down to the 48" box.

 

[longshot47]

If more weight [heavier 3/8 steel] is advantageous, and I believe it is, you might want to checkout Landpride's '15' series boxblade. I pull a 1548 with a B7610, which has proven to be an effective combination.
I think the box weighs in at 400 lbs.

 

[radioman]

The BX can handle both - but the 1548 is 316 lbs and the other is 277lbs. Its all in the metal thickness. 3/8 vs 1/2. For traction uses without the box blade on the 1548 is obviously better, but when doing grading, the extra weight can be a pain depending on the type of soil/rocks you are grading with. once the BB is on the ground, it will want to dig in more with heaver one, the only advantage with this is tough surfaces that just dont wanna break up and easier to feather going up/down. If you are just simply smoothing out soft driveway, the 3/8 metal is just fine and give you more power to go. However if you are the type who tends to abuse or dont realize what you have done till its too late, get the heavier one --- like me :ashamed: .