Best 54" Box Blade....?

[bigpete]

Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Maybe I'm too lazy to search, or maybe I'm just being smart by going to the experts first....

Who make the best HD 54" box blade? No fancy rollover models. Just looking for total weight, guage of steel, most/best-designed scarifiers, etc. Most dealers, including mine, do not stock them and say they are truly a "special order."

Okay, now I asked and now I'll start my web search. Hopefully you guys will beat me to a list of a few models. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RonC]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

There are several out there as you probably know. You have to decide the severity of use, the price. I bought mine used for $100.00. Mine is medium duty and I have run it through the ringer so to speak. I am sure if you search through the archives you will find some pretty useful infomation. Best of luck.

 

[Rimmer]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

I know next to nothing about BBs and have little experience, but why should that stop me... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I'm quite impressed by my new Midwest Series 20 box blade, with 3/8" end plates. This is a "standard duty" model, and they also make a Series 30 "heavy duty" model with 1/2" end plates. The 20 comes in 48" and 60" and 72", the 30 starts at 60" and goes up from there.

(They also make a Series 15 for subcompacts, but I'm using a BB20-48 on my BX23. Weighs 400 pounds and works great!)

Might be worth checking out for comparison purposes:

Midwest Brand Box Blades.

 

[bigpete]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Thanks, guys. Good points and suggestions (I do need to re-do my TBN search).

The big qualifier in my question is the 54" width of the box blade. So far, the only major manufacturer/distributor that I can find is Land Pride. They are top notch and may have the best box blade this size, but I'm looking for a few comparables.

I have a 60" United/Leinbach (380 pounds, 5 scarifiers) on back-order, but cannot help but think the 54" width is the perfect width for my 4110.

 

[B2400]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

I have a King Kutter 60" BB that I pull behind a B2400 Kubota( 24hp, 18pto) and it seems to work pretty well. I do have to use low range but I'm able to fill the box and still move it without an enormous amount of strain. With all five teeth dropped to full depth it will stop the tractor cold if I encounter any roots /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif! I don't use it as hard as some( moving rocks etc...) but it definetly meets my needs. Tomorrow my father-in-law is going to try it behind his new 4115 and I will try to give you some impressions from that. The unit was purchased last year from the local TSC store for $285 new.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Here are going to be some of the toughest ones. Check out these box scrapers.

The best box scraper is the one with a hydraulic top link. Rat...

 

[bigpete]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Thanks, B2400. My dealer loaned me a 60" standard duty Leinbach box that I am using and I don't have any problems for what I have done--mostly light work. My United on back-order is more heavy duty and heavier and I don't expect any problems for most applications. I'm just looking for the best fit, especially since I'm still waiting for the original order. My rear stance is exactly 53" so the 54" would be the cat's meow, as long as it still is as heavy and heavily-built as the United. The box blade hangs off the back for ballast for about 75-80% of its life. Getting a HD box blade as heavy as possible is about the same incremental increase in cost as buying a standard duty box blade and adding a ballast box..... I would think the 60" box would be a perfect fit for the B2400 or 4115.

 

[bigpete]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

_RaT_, I think I could take up my asphault drive with one of those babies. However, I'm not sure I could afford to replace the drive after paying for the scraper. I bookmarked it, though.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif What's your guess as far as price? $2,500+

 

[bigpete]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Here we go...thanks for the lead, _RaT_

Gannon Industrial Scraper--Manual

I've alway heard about the Gannon line/brand, but don't hear much about them around here. Anybody own or use one? Ballpark costs?

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

For that size, I would say $1600 or so. I have a 72". Weight, about 1100lbs. It stabalizes the tractor beautifully. Bare in mind, the rippers are typically much tougher then what you get with many scrapers. I still snap mine, but it takes a lot more effort. Just remember, the hydraulic top link is the real key to successful boxscraping.

 

[mhalla]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

<font color="green">Pete, I checked my bookmarks from when I was looking at 54" box blades. Here is what I found.

Mike

http://www.cammond.com/boxscrapers.htm
http://www.gearmore.com/ranch%20pdfs/bxscrpr.pdf
http://www.modernusa.com/ModManuf/Attachments/scraper.html
http://www.sunrisetractor.com/newproducts/scoopscrape.html


</font>

 

[sl3uth]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

I can vouch for the quality and strength of the modern implements mentioned in a link above (modernusa.com).

Sam

 

[LAGEORGE]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

I own a Gearmore 54 inch GBS/R series box scraper in black not yellow and can tell you it is commercial, construction whatever the best in quality is. I have owned 2 of the same model and have done lots of grading and I am so happy my dealer sold me the Gearmore unit. It is bulletproof and very heavy. I guess that is what you get from buying your tractor from a construction-oriented dealer. I believe it was not all that expensive just hard to get if you are not on the west coast.

George

I have attached a picture from the website. I will try to get a picture of mine and post it.

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

George since it looks to me like you have a lever to drop your rippers you could get real creative and use a hydraulic motor to do it from the seat. That would be a rather unique box blade in my opinion.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

I have a 72" Gearmore with hydraulic rippers. The only weak spot is in the 1.5" pin that locks the rippers down. If you loose a drop of fluid in the ripper cylinder, it releases the pin and disengages the rippers. I often hit the valve and repressure the cylinder every few minutes or so. The geometry of the Gearmore is superb and it's cutting ability is great. It is less expensive then Gannon for not to much in compromise. If you can get a Gearmore, it's a good way to go. I think they are packaged under other names as well.

 

[B2400]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Ran the 5ft BB behind the 4115 today and came to the conclusion that it's a little to big. Didn't put the rippers down and we could still stop the tractor scraping some wet clay.Still moved a lot of dirt and got a good start on the job. I think your on the right track with a 54" and possibly a 48" if your really going to take deep cuts.

 

[PineRidge]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Rat do you mind my asking what you had to give for the 72" hydraulic Gearmore box blade?

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

$1600 plus shipping which I think was about $200

 

[LAGEORGE]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

Mike, I almost purchased the version with the hydraulic rippers but am glad I did not. I rarely use them as it is and it really is not a big thing to get off and lower them with the handle. I did have a problem with the long handle getting stuck under the fenders. Turns out the handle was to long when getting crazy with the TNT. Dealer did fix it and the fender the handle was gut to prevent future problems. As RAT said it is a very fine unit and it gets my vote for next best box blade with the best being the Woods/Gannon unit.
I have attached a picture of the hydraulic Gearmore unit.

George

 

[KiotiJohn]

Re: Best 54\" Box Blade....?

LAGEORGE, I've been meaning to ask you, "What's up with your photo?" Sure looks weird. Are you in a test pattern, from a different planet, or what? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif thanks, John