Tractor Sizing Box Blade Size for 7304

[777777]

Hi there,

Have a Cub 7304. Weight ( w\o loader is 1728#'s ) so with loader add say another 1500#'s. Tractor is 30 HP, hydro. I don't bother removing the loader so it stays on all the time.
Tractor width is 4'.

Looking at box blades with scarifers. Would a 5' ( 60" )be too big ? Dealer also has a 54" as well as a 48". Leaning towards the 60" but do not want to overwhelm the tractor.
Any thoughts ?

Thanks
Tom

 

[knute_m]

I've got a Mahindra 2015 4WD which is only 20 hp. I have absolutely no problem pulling a 60-inch box scraper full of gravel up a steep driveway. I've not had any problem ripping roots out of the ground either.

You should be be just fine with a 5-footer.

Knute

 

[OhioGuy]

Hey Tom,
I have an older Ford 1220, 20HP, 4WD. I bought a King Kutter 5 footer. It's never seemed too big, and you have 10 HP on me.

I read that some guys suggested 5 foot being too big for 20 HP, I guess it just depends what your doing and maybe the soil type you're working with.

I've used mine for spreading gravel and leveling turf for various purposes, it's awesome.

It takes some practice on the raising and lowering for leveling, but with a little time on the seat, it might become your favorite tool.

Curt

 

[777777]

Hi Guys,

Thank you gentlemen. Reassured me.
Just been pushing snow around with it so far and finding it light in the rear so was going to load the tires and buy a box blade. One of the blades I was looking at was a used Landpride which according to the dealer is around 500#s. Figured that the box blade and loaded tires would help out for snow and other loader work I have as soon as it gets nice.

Tires would be loaded with Calcium Chloride and I had a concern about it rotting out the rims. Both the dealer and the tire guy who does it told me that as long as the rim is completely covered, there won't be a problem as rims will only rust out if air gets to the mixture. Tire guy told me not to even bother with a tube as he will make sure the Calcium covers the rim entirely and I wouldn't have any worries unless I got a leak. Quoted price was pretty reasonable so probably going to go for it.

Any thoughts on what I was told ?

Again, thanks for your invaluable assistance.

Tom

 

[Outlander]

Eventually the CC will get your rim. I have been around many tractors since WW2 and when those tires are loaded with CC the clock is ticking......Sooner or later there WILL be a leak.

 

[777777]

Hi Outlander,

No, I am not fond of the idea of CC either but I figure I need more weight in the back even with a box blade on it and up here, because of the cold, there aren't other options mentioned.

If I knew of an enviromentally safe anti freeze that wouldn't knock off the neighborhood animals, I would go that way but don't know of anything else that I could put in the wheels.

Have a great weekend.

Tom

 

[Outlander]

If this is a long term tractor I would sure look at wheel weights as opposed to CalC. I would probably question whether the loaded tires would make a huge difference pushing snow anyway.. 4 link ladder chains with ice cleats are the answer there. My little CC 7205 will push through about any snow with those. Put them on all 4 and it's like a tracked vehicle. 20HP, 2000lb and it never spins. It's better than my 4000lb Allis with chains. If your plowing with a loader that's maybe a problem. The bucket fills and there is too much weight out front. You need to get the snow pushed away from your machine. Get yourself a 5' or 6' ATV blade and mount it to your loader. I have that setup and it works great. Cheap too! I think that 5' box blade would be no problem. Any trouble just use 4x4 and let the weight of the loader and the front wheels pull you through. Loaded tires are NOT a panacea. They can get you in trouble in so many ways. I remember when I was a kid and Dad had to get a dozer to pull his tractor out of the mud. The loaded tires just ground into the muck like a saw through wood right up to the axles. Then there is the cost of tire repair when things go sour and they will! Great if your a dealer I guess! Over the years I have found that traction is quite often a matter of experience and some careful thought rather than weight and power. Give your machine a chance. Don't blow a bunch of money assuming it won't do something.

 

[777777]

Hi Outlander,

Thanks for the advice. Will hold off on loading the tires for now and get the 5' box blade and see how it goes.

How did you attach an ATV blade to your loader. That sounds real interesting ?

Need a back blade too but curious about your setup. Would love to push snow around blade on the front without tossing a ton of money at it.

Thanks again

Tom

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Hi Outlander,

No, I am not fond of the idea of CC either but I figure I need more weight in the back even with a box blade on it and up here, because of the cold, there aren't other options mentioned.

If I knew of an enviromentally safe anti freeze that wouldn't knock off the neighborhood animals, I would go that way but don't know of anything else that I could put in the wheels.

Have a great weekend.

Tom

What about the pink RV antifreeze. I use it every year to winterize my motor home. It can't be toxic because I fill the freshwater system with it.
It runs about $3/gallon on sale.

Bob B.

 

[driver444]

Alot of people use winshield washer fluid for loading tires too.

Also, I'm with KNUTE. My 2015 handles a 5 foot box blade pretty well. Would have no problem at all with AG tires. I have r-4s. I also usually pick up a big scoop of dirt in the bucket for front weight too.