6' blade on a BX25

[Chugbug]

Is anyone using a 6' blade on a BX25 (has Pat's quick connect on 3ph)?? I will only be using it for back dragging my driveway and any snow we might get. I won't be using the cutting edge but a very rare occasions, maybe cutting down the center hump in the drive way (drive way is 1/3 of a mile long), otherwise I'll be using the back of the blade 95% of the time. Also is there enough room behind the tractor to spin the blade from the cutting edge to the back edge? Thanks!

 

[Grandad4]

Pretty big blade for that tractor. Many BX owners use 60" rear blades with success; I have a 48" blade that is good enough for any snow on our small driveway. Wouldn't take much ground contact or very much material in front of a 72" blade to stop a BX. Better choice is a used 5 ft blade; they are generally easy to find and fairly cheap.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would think a 4 foot blade would be about all a BX could handle unless it was very lightly built.

 

[Texasmark]

Problem with a blade on a small tractor is the weight of the resistance vs the weight of the tractor. Having tried to use a blade on a small tractor years ago, only having 2wd, I couldn't keep the tractor going in a straight line and couldn't get traction to suit any load of any size.

4wd may solve that problem but probably not if you get into something heavy. A cubic yard isn't all that big and it weighs around 3-4000# If your tractor weighs 2000# (with loader) I'd be surprised.

I'd pass.

 

[bcp]

I think it would work fine operated backwards most of the time. I use my 5ft blade that way, and can't see how 6 inches on each end would be any problem. You are simply smoothing things, not cutting or dragging.

If you operate it turned forward, angled, and cutting, you WILL have a steering problem.

Only a trial or some good measuring will let you know about tire interference when rotating the blade.

Bruce

 

[Chugbug]

My main goal is to use to back drag our gravel driveway which is over 1800' long by 16' wide and maybe a snow or two. Don't think I'll ever use the cutting edge but if so it will be on snow(we very rarely see anything over 4"). I've used my neighbor's 6 foot blade but it was always off set so swinging it was easy. It handled everything I needed, I just didn't know if anyone was using a 6' and if it could be turned without hitting anything.

 

[atsah]

I use a 5ft blade on my GC and it works fine.. it’s not too much for it to pull and you can angle it and still cover your wheels, 6ft is a stretch on a SCUT.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have a 60" LP that works pretty good behind my BX. Never tried it fully loaded on a heavy pull. I did not buy it for that use. I always cast the spoils to the side and eliminate the heavy pull. They are no and excavator behind a SCUT or intended to be. I find it a lot better for some things than a BB. I use it primarily got the rippers now.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Hey Chug,

I bought a used 72in Rankin and wrestled with it on the back of my BX. I knew it was too big but the price was right. Did a lot of work with it (grading a road/trail across and down a steep slope on my property). Actually move a lot of dirt with it but was fighting it all along.

Finally got smart and cut it down (using a plasma cutter) lopping off 4.5in on each side making it 63in wide. World of difference! Went from tail wagging the dog to something far more forgiving and easier to control and drag. I would have cut 6in off each side but the removable hard edge has carriage bolts that I didn't want to lose on the ends. My recommendation is do NOT go for a 6ft blade on a BX. I have 2in wheel spacers on the rears making it about 48in max width. A 60in balde will clear the rears easy.... BTW I highly recommend wheel spacers. Especially if you are working on a slope or uneven ground! My :2cents:

Here is a pic what what I was dealing with. Sorry the blade isn't on but you can see the trail I was carving. BH on to tear out a stump in the path.

 

[fried1765]

Hey Chug,

I bought a used 72in Rankin and wrestled with it on the back of my BX. I knew it was too big but the price was right. Did a lot of work with it (grading a road/trail across and down a steep slope on my property). Actually move a lot of dirt with it but was fighting it all along.

Finally got smart and cut it down (using a plasma cutter) lopping off 4.5in on each side making it 63in wide. World of difference! Went from tail wagging the dog to something far more forgiving and easier to control and drag. I would have cut 6in off each side but the removable hard edge has carriage bolts that I didn't want to lose on the ends. My recommendation is do NOT go for a 6ft blade on a BX. I have 2in wheel spacers on the rears making it about 48in max width. A 60in balde will clear the rears easy.... BTW I highly recommend wheel spacers. Especially if you are working on a slope or uneven ground! My :2cents:

Here is a pic what what I was dealing with. Sorry the blade isn't on but you can see the trail I was carving. BH on to tear out a stump in the path.

View attachment 564591

That looks more like it should be dozer work rather than small tractor/loader work.

 

[trihounds]

I bought one used for my old BX and sold it after a few uses, including back dragging light snow. Not worth the trouble as it was too big and pulled the tractor sideways. Sold it for a bit more than I paid for it, though so it was worth the experiment.

 

[/pine]

Companies like 'Bushhog' etc make attachments specifically designed for compact and subcompact tractors...what do they recommend for a BX25?

 

[Code54]

Have to agree with the other guys, too large. In snow is the worse, it makes the rear end want to come around.

 

[Jonmad]

My 60” works great on my BX2380 but I’ve only used it for snow. Can’t swing it around without taking it off though. I’ve always used it turned to one side or the other.

 

[Chugbug]

That was my question is being able to turn the blade without removing it
I do have Pat's quick connect system which adds several inches. I know when we do have snow I always back drag with the blade angled at its fullest and never had a problem. I also leave an inch or two on the road not to disturb the gravel.

 

[atsah]

I can turn mine because I have a quick hitch, it gives me another maybe 5 inches..

 

[Jstpssng]

That looks more like it should be dozer work rather than small tractor/loader work.

I broke the aftermarket loader arms on my L275 doing a lot less than that. I was trying to reclaim the gravel screenings from a road into my field.
Now I don't dare try it with my new tractor, I've been picking away at it with the backhoe until I can get somebody in with a dozer to work it up right.

 

[Henro]

I have a rake and back blade, both 6’, that I generally use on my larger tractor, but I do use them on my BX2200 occasionally.

Initially I could not swing them around, but there was room to drill new holes in the BX lift arms for the 3PH, to get a bit more lift, and after doing this I am now able to swing them around without issues.

For what it is worth...

Bill