60" 66" or 72" box blade?

[mbosma]

Hi All,

I'm new to this and would like some advice. I've recently acquired a Kubota L3130 (manual transmission) and need to maintain a 1/3 mile gravel drive. It has many pot holes and some drainage issues need addressed eventually. A box blade seems to be the best tool for the job. I don't know how big I should go.

60" seems too small, but might be easier to operate for a newbie. It also won't tax the tractor too much, so I won't worry about breaking stuff. Biggest downside is it's not wide enough to cover the tracks.
66" seems to be about right. Not too big, not too small.
72" might be too much for the 31 HP to handle. May be too much weight and break links or where the blade connects.

So, my gut tells me to look for a 66". Am I correct, or should I consider larger/smaller?

One other consideration - there is a 60" fairly new on craigslist for 1/2 the price of a new one. Should I snag it NOW and smile? $325 seems like a great deal.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[GreenWannabe]

The general consensus here seems to be that you would want it to be at least the width of your rear tires, outside to outside. Since the 60" unit would not cover your tracks, I would say to bypass this one. Good luck in your search.

 

[nybirdman]

Buy the 60",it's a good buy.Not being quite the width of the tractor is not huge.When I had my L3130 the dealer sized all my implements to 60".I have a 72" behind a L4240 and when she digs it's a pull.

 

[8N Ren]

The general consensus here seems to be that you would want it to be at least the width of your rear tires, outside to outside. Since the 60" unit would not cover your tracks, I would say to bypass this one. Good luck in your search.

I agree, measure your tractor at the rear wheels outside to outside and go from there.

 

[mbosma]

Outside to outside the rear wheels are 71". Tread touches ground around 66" I think.

 

[8N Ren]

If it was me I'd go for the 72" bb.
I went with that and ya it's a bit big but I'm glad I did.
What's your HP?

 

[mbosma]

31 HP Kubota with manual transmission. I'm also wondering if the King Kutter on Craigslist is even worth it. Only weighs 450-500 lbs.

 

[8N Ren]

Go 72" you won't regret it, mine weighs 480 lbs. The old 8N moves it around just fine unless you have it full, then she really snorts.

 

[mbosma]

Another issue I have is a pretty steep culvert the road goes over. It's about a 5' drop off the edge of the gravel that needs graded. I don't want to get close.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Another issue I have is a pretty steep culvert the road goes over. It's about a 5' drop off the edge of the gravel that needs graded. I don't want to get close.

That's a good reason to get the bigger one. Your tractor will probably object if you take too big a bite with it. But you can learn to take less aggressive bites and simply make a few more passes. Safety first.

 

[mbosma]

Just went and visited my dealer at lunch for the first time. He strongly recommended a grading scraper. Showed me some videos and it looks like the cats meow.

Anyone tried one of these?
GS15 Series Grading Scrapers | Land Pride

 

[Jim Nelson]

They are nice but pricey, if you go with the box blade I would recommend the 72" and top & tilt. The wider units are really easier for a beginner and in just a short time you will figure out how to use the hydraulic top unit to limit the bite you are taking and ease spreading what you have in the box for fill areas and the tilt is invaluable for addressing your drainage issues. I pull a homemade 72" with my B7800 or B 7510 but I've had a lot of time with one.I got this homemade unit with a B7100 I got from a landscaper several years ago and used it with that tractor,a B7200,& now with the 2 tractors I have now. You have plenty of tractor just take it easy.

 

[mbosma]

I figured a top & tilt kit and installing 2 remotes would run me around $2500 (have not quoted just saw online somewhere). I agree though, if I had the top and tilt controls already it would make the choice a lot easier. Since I don't it's a lot more expensive than the grader scraper. Right now I'm also planning to get a regular rear grader blade to push snow and use to grade ditches as needed.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I have a L3130 and a 72" hinged and fixed boxblade. It pulls it great in FWD. I have had it loaded with gravel and dirt spilling over the back and you can tell its full but the tractor does not seem to be taxed very much.

I am not sure the weight or make of the hinged back boxblade but the fixed back is a KK.

I do have R1 tires, not sure if you have R4 or R1.

 

[mbosma]

Just pulled the trigger on a new Land Pride grader scraper and rear blade. Should be in next week. I'll let you all know what I think after I get some seat time.

 

[8N Ren]

LOL what was the point of all the questions then? I hear those things are pricey but do a good job. Was there a large price difference between that and a BB?

 

[mbosma]

Sorry I didn't even know what a grader scraper was until lunch today. The main reason to get the tractor was to make the driveway as nice as possible. I think the box blade would have worked, but the grader scraper looks like it will be quicker and do a nicer finishing job - especially for someone like me without any patience or experience with a BB

Yes, the grader scraper was about $400 more than the box blade new.

 

[8N Ren]

Just messin' with ya.
Not bad I thought it would have been more money than that.
Have fun with it and post back with some pics, I'm interested to see before and after if you can.

 

[jeff9366]

If you buy a Box Blade narrower than your rear tires, you cannot pull more than one or two loads out of the same spot, because tractor tires will not fit in the incipient trench.

Buy a least as wide as outside width of your rear tires; buy HEAVY.

If your budget is ample, consider a Rollover Box Blade.



For 1/3 mile gravel driveway I would buy a Land Plane rather than a Box Blade.

1. recovers gravel

2. faster

3. Much shorter learning curve, relative to Box Blade.

LAND PLANE LINK:

https://www.google.com/search?clien...tractorbynet.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl

 

[davrow]

I have the Land Pride grading scraper in 72". I was surprised when it came that it is 77" wide. The 72" refers to the blades inside - the skids it slides on are in addition to that. It is simply huge! :thumbsup: Just barely fits through the garage door opening. 3" clearance.

I get to use it for the 1st time this weekend if the schedule holds up.

Also have an A&B Eagleline 65" Rollover Box blade on order, so I'll be able to compare them someday.