Box Blade Choices

[Mark_in_NH]

I am sure most of you are getting sick of answering this question, but I will ask it anyway. I have decided that I want to remove my sub frame backhoe when it is not needed and know that i want and need to replace tha rear counter weight that it provided me.
I could construct or buy a weight box, but common sense and yankee frugality tells me to have a rear weight that servers a multiple purpose. So, I am thinking box blade or a rear blade, in the 6' range for my JD 950, 27 HP. to be replaced someday with a TC35D.
What have all of you found th be the better choice of the two, for general grading use and for it's counter weight abilitys ?
In the area of Box Blades, I am aware of the most common design that I seem to see everywhere, but I stumbled accross this design in the recent copy of the "Equipment Today" magazine. It is made by a company called Roadrunner at www.roadrunner.com. (Photo Attached ) It's design is interesting and I have sent for there FREE video. The one downside I can see is it's length compared to a normal box blade would make it less manuverable in tight quarters.
Any ideas, advice or suggestion would be most appreciated.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Here is another picture of it from there website, being used.
I know nothing yet about it's weight or cost.

 

[MikePA]

Are you sure about that URL?

 

[mikim]

I've seen those and think they'd be great for grading / smoothing a drive - but seems limited to just that - I do a lot more heavy stuff with my box blade so this just wouldn't do.
mike

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Mike, Try it this way, this was copied right from there website.
http://www.roadrunnerblade.com/index.html

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.roadrunnerblade.com/index.html/>Roadrunner</A>

 

[Mark_in_NH]

mikim, I rather like the design of this in the respect that it appears very easy to modify if one wanted to increase the weight. But I do have to agree with you. Although I have Never used a box blade, I can see from there designs that a regular style would be more versatile.
Other then smoothing my own driveway and possibly a little light work on some of the dirt roads in the development that I do work for. I don't really know what all I would want / need one for at this stage in my life / business.
Please keep the reply's comming, my ears and eyes are open and in need of an education. "Feed Me"

 

[Knight9]

Hi Mark,

There is a product available in our area supplied by <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.conterraindustries.com/>Conterra</A> that is very similiar to the roadrunner product. They always show at our Farm fair here and I stood and watched their video for a while. Pretty nice looking product....pretty $$$$ too!!!

If money was no object...../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Kevin

 

[MarkV]

Mark,
The Roadrunner has been mentioned in the past on the forum and is designed to grade and pull gravel back to the surface in the process. I also remember it being pretty pricey. A box blade has the ability to hold dirt----in the box----and release it where you want. This allows you to cut down the high points and fill the low points as you work a piece of ground. The other advantage to the traditional box blade is the scarifiers that let you break up harder soil to make it workable. The general consensus is to buy the heaviest one you can afford. This not only makes for durability but also the extra weight makes the box blade more affective at cutting the surface. You may want to consider a 5’ model for your size tractor. When a box is full of soil or stone it can get pretty heavy to pull. A search for box blades will give you tons of reading.

Let us know what you think of the video when it comes in.

MarkV

 

[gerard]

I have a 5ft for 27 hp and think 6ft would be too much. Wouldn't hurt anything but would wind up spinning your tires when pulling with a full box. Tough call between a box and blade - both can do things the other can't. Blade is much better for moving snow since you can angle and windrow. Box is better for leveling and filling because stuff doesn't spill out sides and you can have scarifiers. I have both and do use both of them. Clear as mud?? oh, sorry, you wanted an answer!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Kevin, I will take a look at the Conterra site you mentioned for the educational value. Thank you.

Mark and Gerard, thak you for your input as well.
I am assuming form your recomendations of a 5' model that it is not necessary to have one wide enough to cover the tire tracks as is recomended with other implements. So I will definatly open my mind to a smaller size, i can always sell it or trade it in when I move up to the TC35D.
Today I looked at a used Landpride LR1572 landscape rake w/ no tilt, just angle, at my local NH dealer for $400 w/ no guage wheels. I really don't believe that a landscape rake is what I want for my purpose at this stage, so I believe I will pass on it.
It is still a toss up between the box or a blade, but I think I am leaning more toward a box for my first 3 PH implement.
Thank you all for your input, I will let you know what the video is like when it arrives.
please keep the information coming. I am learning, slow but sure.

 

[John_Mc]

Mark -

I may not be as expert as others on this forum, but I'd have to disagree with the recommendation to go with a 5 ft box blade. I do think it is important to cover your tracks with the box. The key is traction. You need Ag tires or R4's. Turfs will spin too easily in all but ideal conditions (chains would probably help. Filled rear tires or rear wheel weights are a good idea (the weight of the box blade doesn't help traction when thebox is dragging on the ground).

I have a 6 ft box blade that I pull behind a NH TC33D (33 HP, approx 2500# tractor plus filled R4 rear tires). I use it to maintain 1300 ft of gravel road, and have put in a couple of drainage swales, and regraded some ground near my house site. The only time I've had traction problems is when it's probably too wet to be out there any way. The 5 ft box will definitely be too small when you move up to the TC35.

John_Mc

 

[RJohnson]

Mark
Here is another site you may wish to visit that gives more information on a GradeMaster type of implement <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ellisequipment.com/grademaster.html>http://www.ellisequipment.com/grademaster.html</A> It is very similiar to the Roadrunner picture.
I believe they are actually made down here in Forney, Texas

Randy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The most common reason for wanting a rear blade more than a box blade is the fact that you can side-cast with it. For example, angle the blade and push the snow to the side of your driveway. At the same price tier, rear blades are generally lighter than box blades, and stick out much further in back.

A standard box blade with scarifiers makes a pretty good complement to a front loader because the box can loosen hard dirt so you can scoop it with the loader.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

John,
Thank you for your input. My JD 950 is running turf tires and they are the Galaxy style which are fairly narrow and I don't believe that they are filled. They were on it last spring when I bought it. So !! Traction may well be an interesting question I will have to consider.
My JD 950 with the rear wheels at their outer most position is approximatly 74" wide, so even a 6' would just about cover the tire tracks. If the 6' may be a problem traction wise then the 7' is definatly out of the question, except for maybe the TC35D.
I was trying to out think the future with one purchase. At this stage, with this tractor, I may not be able to do that. I may have to buy the equipment that this tractor will handle and worry about the TC35D and it's implements when that time comes.

 

[gator]

Mark,
All the adds I've seen for that type of blade said it was mainly designed with the multiple blades for removing and helping prevent the washboard ripples in roads.The adds said this type did better than regular box blades for washboard.I first had a rear blade on my tractor, then bought a JD BB and haven't put my rear blade on since.My BB weighs maybe 200 lbs more than my rear blade.Like you and the others have said, I always keep it on my tractor for ballast, and usually don't plan on using it at times, but usually end up using it anyway.The BB is definately my most used attachment. Just my opinion.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Thank you one and all for your input and advice. Is anybody aware of a website for Gannon box blades ?
I have searched high and low and I find lots of referance to Gannon blades, buy I can't seem to find there website. Maybe they don't have one.
I am trying to locate Gannon dealers near my home area.

 

[John_Mc]

Gannon is made by Woods: http:// www.woodsonline.com

I believe Gannon is the top of the Woods line for Box Scrapers.

John_Mc

 

[gerard]

I need to clarify my earlier post - When you said 27 hp I assumed based on that size that your wheels would be covered by a 5 ft box. (My 2500DT is about 27 hp and even with the wheels at their widest I can cover my tracks with a 5 footer). It IS preferable to be able to cover your tracks and you probably can use a 6 footer. (I use a 7foot blade med duty with no problem even though the tractor is rated for a 6 footer)

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I am just courious. If I am scraping my gravel driveway with a box or a blade, and have pickups and cars going in and out at least ten times a day. Why do I need to cover my tractor tracks when I scrape?

 

[ewoss3]

for driveway repair you don't need to cover tracks but if you do any finish grading in your yard it looks really bad to have a nice smooth center with ag tracks on either side