BOX BLADE BUILD?

   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #1  

workinallthetime

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,130
Location
Tulsa, ok
Tractor
L45 TLB, ZD326P
Has anyone built their own box blade on here? For the cost of what your getting now days, it sure seems a guy could slap one together for 1/4 of the cost.
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #2  
Kind of, i had mine made by a AG implement manufacturer.

Well, in reality it was private person.
The boss of the AG company allows his people to start their own initiatives using the materials and equipment of his company at cost so he doesnt loose his good people when business comes back.

So this guy knows how to build blades and ploughs and ... for big AG tractors and that kinda reflects in my boxblade.

I dont have the sort of equipment to handle 10, 15 and 20 mm metal pieces in an appropriate way. (besides the occasional thing)

So i figured they were more efficient, better quality and knowing what they were doing so should build something better at lower cost.

more here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/146726-custom-made-boxblade.html#post1693393


I could have done it myself but just calculating the metal parts and having them cut to size (you dont want to attack these plates with your handheld grinder) would already have cost me more than what i paid now.


So , if you have the time and tools why not? But as economy is low it is a great time to make deals and get proffesional fabricated things for less.

:)
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #3  
Cost = materials?

or...

Cost = materials+Time?

Another consideration, which is different from person to person, is the user's definition of "slap one together". My slap would be about 20-30 hrs. What's your slap?

I bought my 6' used BB for $300. Couldn't build one for that by my system!

I think a great project would be a rolling or sliding dump scraper, of which I've seen one done here. That would be one fun slap!
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #4  
I built mine as I could not find even a conventional box here. But I really liked the versatility of a roll-over. I could not see myself liking getting on and off to raise and lower the scarifiers and I do not yet have rear remotes to make on hydraulic so a roll over seemed the best way to go. What is most important for your point is that I used all hand tools and nothing special. I only cheated once and had the main blade bent at a shop that has a big brake.

I felt that I had a need and set out to do it. It was not so hard, but it did take some time. I chronicled the build here on TBN. The link is in my signature. I had fun doing it and would do it again if I had a need. I have modified the top-link connection so that it fit my quick hitch that I made. That information is in the QH link below.

I definitely paid far less than the equivalent blade would cost in the States, but I also had the satisfaction of doing it myself.

Mike
 

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   / BOX BLADE BUILD?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
20 TO 30 HOURS!!!!:eek:
once the peices where laying in front of you i can see myself spending maybe 2-3 hours at the most welding and cleaning up.
I would "borrow" the measurments from another box blade, and purchase the "teeth". At this point its just an idea, probably just drop the 450 and buy one
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #6  
Yea I do not think that I spent that amount of time in the original build. And I had to make the teeth too. Well all told I probably did have 20 hours, maybe.

Mike
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #7  
20 TO 30 HOURS!!!!:eek:
once the peices where laying in front of you i can see myself spending maybe 2-3 hours at the most welding and cleaning up.
I would "borrow" the measurments from another box blade, and purchase the "teeth". At this point its just an idea, probably just drop the 450 and buy one

I'd probably spend 5 hrs designing it. I'd then spend about 5 nights x 2.5 hrs then a day on a weekend. That adds up to about 25 hrs.

It'd have hyd scarifiers, cutting edges and be 6' wide. It would be heavy, straight and true. Dimensionally, it'd be perfect. It would have a nice shiny finish. And a beer holder.

Remember, I wouldn't be production oriented, I'd be ticknerin' and having fun!
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #8  
It pays to shop around too..

Got my 5' box blade with 2" hitchball on it for only $150. The owner owns horse stable and got a bigger one by 1 ft so he sold it cheap.. Listing was on Craig's List..

Also found a 4' Wood RM-59 finished mower for $150. The seller didn't think it was any good and require some serious works. I took my chance and turned out it only needed greasing and runs great!

Got 6' Howse bushhog for $150 too but it was on eBay... Seller thought gearbox was bad and warned I would need to invest few hundred dollars on new one.. turned out that it took some hammering to get it turning and a little gear oil (90W) to run smoothly. I grinded the blade to sharp and it slices anything in its path that is up to 6" in diameter.

So it wouldn't hurt to shop around for used blade.. as someone pointed out economy is bad someone will be desperate for cash and is a good time to drive a good bargain.. check craig's list or ebay or local trader magazine.. some good deal is out there!
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #10  
20 TO 30 HOURS!!!!:eek:
once the peices where laying in front of you i can see myself spending maybe 2-3 hours at the most welding and cleaning up.
I would "borrow" the measurments from another box blade, and purchase the "teeth". At this point its just an idea, probably just drop the 450 and buy one

Its funny you bring this up because i want to do the same for my bx24. I have the material and time at work, so its a no brainer for me. I just have to get all the measurements and ideas together....
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #11  
20 TO 30 HOURS!!!!:eek:
once the peices where laying in front of you i can see myself spending maybe 2-3 hours at the most welding and cleaning up.
I would "borrow" the measurments from another box blade, and purchase the "teeth". At this point its just an idea, probably just drop the 450 and buy one

ditto that.. measure up an 'expensive' model.. let their engineers do al the work.. then buzz it together yourself.

soundguy
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD?
  • Thread Starter
#12  
build problem solved, found a new one for 290.00, some local mfg making them.
I will post pics when i get it, and modify if needed
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD? #14  
I got a KingKutterXB 48'' boxblade for $425 and it has never let me down. Now how many 14 year olds have their own tractor implements and are saving for a new tractor. When I get enough money, ill start posting to see what is best price and durrability range. 20-30 hp.
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD?
  • Thread Starter
#15  
OK got the 290.00 box blade, the low cost of the unit is very visable, but being a boxblade im not that worried about it.

here is what i noticed in the different price ranges.
#1 front bolt on cutting edge / rear just a peice of metal welded and painted (push side)
#2 teeth, the one i got has 2 piece teeth, the "cutting edge" is a pressed on piece
#3 3 point hook up bars and supports, mine does have the average strap pieces running to the back, thick material. some have a large plate on each side that is solid from top to bottom and to the back
#4 pins that hold the teeth, mine are small but the teeth holes are much larger.

I will post pics as soon as my wife gives my dang memory stick back,

The rest of my post on here will be how i beef up the cheep box blade to add weight and strength. The cost was 290.00 and i figure i will spend about 50-100 in steel to add weight and girth to the thing.

oh and by the way yesterday was the first time i had my BH off, quick and easy even holding the directions in my hand doing it, lol
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD?
  • Thread Starter
#16  
2 pieces 3/8" plate 18 x 24 $41.50
1 piece 1/4" x 5 x 10 free. ( shop needed a 5 foot piece)
that will add aprox 150lbs to unit

I will weld the 3/8 plate to the sides and the 1/4 strap to the back, this will also make a good point to mount a ball for a trailer
 
   / BOX BLADE BUILD?
  • Thread Starter
#17  
ForDad003.jpg


as you can see the metal was thin

and here is the "bulk up" on the unit, but i have not welded the back plate in yet

For20Dad200011.jpg
 

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