blade size

Moon · Dec 3, 2002

I'm wanting to get a blade before winter sets in. I need a 6 way ....plus offset sounds like a good idea (as i learned from an earlier post). I saw a brush hog blade today. I believe it was 8ft. Extra nice. Looked HD but I didn't see a model number so that i could confirm. But, it did cause me to wonder, could my L3010 handle a 8 foot blade? My tractor width is 6'. Even at an angle the 8 foot one would extend past my wheels by 6 inches or so. However, for tilting to dig a trench this extra length could be an advantage. Anyone know of disadvantages of getting a blade 2' wider than my tractor? It will fit okay on the roads / paths i want to grade, and extra length for trenching is a major plus for me. I really liked the heavy duty look of this blade in particular. I'd guess it weighs over 500lbs! Thanks for your thoughts on this.
moon

Inspector507 · Dec 3, 2002

moon,
Look at Jim's equipment <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.midwestequipment.net>Midwest</A>
Looks very nice to me, I've seen them all.

Jerry

deepsnow · Dec 3, 2002

Moon,
I have an 8ft blade on a NH TC25D (~55" wide). Basic unit limited to adjusting blade angle only & adjusting telescopic arm of 3pt to change blade pitch. So spinning the blade around 180 degrees requires removal from the 3pt. I need ~2inches more clearance.

Kodiak · Dec 3, 2002

I use a 7' blade on my New Holland TC29. Have tried an 8' blade but found that when angled and a good bite that it wanted to steer the tractor oppisite of the blade. If your worried about getting a blade big enough to be able to ditch with it off one side or the other of the tractor. Just get one that the moldboard traverses left or right from center, such as the 22 series from Midwest in the above link, and that will give you enough reach.

Phred · Dec 3, 2002

Moon,

That might be a bit large.

As the other guys pointed out the ability to turn it around while having it mounted would be the plus of a smaller blade.

Also do you have four wheel drive?
The 9' blade I use can drag the 4wd 70hp tractor I use to a halt with a very heavy load of dirt/rock.
So if the blade is to big you may have traction problems.

Can you rent a used one and try it out? Even if its a size smaller it would give you an idea of what you could expect.

Fred

Moon · Dec 4, 2002

Thanks all. Doing further reseach I see that many of the blades also rate the hp needed. It appears most 8 footers are rated more in the 50 - 70 hp range. My little 30hp would probably have trouble with pulling a full blades worth ...so no advantage to dragin a bigger blade around than you can work. I really was impressed with the big ole brush hog brand blade. It was sitting next to smaller KK single action blades. BIG difference. I actually went to the dealers to buy a KK 7' 6way blade, but none were to be found. I've now checked out most of the sites; so my next step is to visit some of my other dealers around. I'd really like to go the First choice route ...at least give em a chance, but the dealers listed never carry any first choice stock ...and sure weren't anxious to order something for me.

gerard · Dec 4, 2002

If it's an 8 footer I think it has to be a heavy duty - Haven't seen any light or med duty baldes bigger than 7 foot. Spinning the balde is the only thing I can think of that would concern me in getting an 8 footer. I use a 7 with a 27 hp and wouldn't want anything smaller but I can spin the blade while still connected to the tractor which I do fairly regularly when snowplowing.