Box blade

[HK45]

I have a CT450 what's the best size box blade to get? I was looking at 6 or 7 footers thanks

 

[SSdoxie]

The outside tire width with R4 GP is 70 1/2". A 6' blade won't give you any blade outside the tires to work with, I would go with a 7'.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Partially depends on how heavy a box blade you get. If you want it to work good and be able to handle it, you should look at something either 72"or 78" wide that weighs around 1000lbs.

 

[/pine]

Partially depends on how heavy a box blade you get. If you want it to work good and be able to handle it, you should look at something either 72"or 78" wide that weighs around 1000lbs.

Not to argue the point of weight but in some instances (IMO) too heavy of a BB could be detrimental...

For instance the recent thread about using a BB on just sand...My experience is that if there is nothing in the strata (like underlying rocks) that tend to lift the blade up and over them a lighter BB will work well but with rocky or very hard-pan strata the heavier the blade the better...
My 5' BB which only weighs about 300#'s works great on softer, finer material but is frustrating to use where there is underlying rocks etc...

One other factor is connecting to the 3PH...I can fudge my BB around to make it very easy to hook up...something I could never do with a much heavier blade...

again just my opinion and experience

 

[trktrman]

Not to argue the point of weight but in some instances (IMO) too heavy of a BB could be detrimental...

For instance the recent thread about using a BB on just sand...My experience is that if there is nothing in the strata (like underlying rocks) that tend to lift the blade up and over them a lighter BB will work well but with rocky or very hard-pan strata the heavier the blade the better...
My 5' BB which only weighs about 300#'s works great on softer, finer material but is frustrating to use where there is underlying rocks etc...

One other factor is connecting to the 3PH...I can fudge my BB around to make it very easy to hook up...something I could never do with a much heavier blade...

again just my opinion and experience

I agree that heavier is not always better. Technique and proper set-up has a lot to do with it and the sand thread is a perfect example as /pine said. That also explains why a hinged back would do much more harm than good.
As the old saying goes; It's not about how heavy it is, it's how you use it.........or somethin like that!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I suppose that you guys have light weight boxes? If you had a heavy box, then you would know first hand that the only advantages that a light weight box has, is the purchase price, and the ease of attaching to the 3pt.

I believe the OP in the sand thread to be a novice and just does not yet understand how to operate his tractor. He should be able to set his cutting depth at 1/2". If the tractor won't pull that, then there are other problems. Without more info in that thread, we are all just guessing on what he needs to do.

As far as HK45, if he were to get a 500lb box, he would not work the tractor to it's potential and there is a good chance that the box could get mangled. And yet at the other end, if he gets a 1400lb 7 foot box, he will not be able to use that box to it's capacity in more difficult conditions. It is a trade off for sure on what implement is best for overall use.

I think that a too light of duty implement is a mistake, the implement has to be constantly watched so that you don't damage the implement. To big & heavy and you have paid for an implement that you can't make full use of. My belief is to get the the maximum size & weight implement that the tractor can make full use of 99% of the time. That way you don't need to be concerned about damaging the implement, it will take what ever the tractor can do and yet you have an implement that is able to work the tractor to it's capabilities.

Just my :2cents:

 

[milkman636]

Partially depends on how heavy a box blade you get. If you want it to work good and be able to handle it, you should look at something either 72"or 78" wide that weighs around 1000lbs.

Agreed! I traded a 635# 72" box blade for an older one that weighs at least 200# more. I couldn't be happier with that trade. It work much better for me any time I use it.

 

[HK45]

Who makes them that heavy? My dealer, everything attachments and another local has them but they are only around 700-800

 

[DT86]

Who makes them that heavy? My dealer, everything attachments and another local has them but they are only around 700-800

I'm wondering the same thing, or why they need to be that heavy in the first place.

I have a 8' Bush Hog (same as Dirt Dog) MBX96, it only weighs 790#'s. It has done everything I needed it to do behind my 95 HP Kubota. It is even strong enough to bog the tractor down in four wheel drive with out breaking anything.

I bought it to do the initial grade work on a new 1/2 mile of farm road, and couldn't have been happier with how well it worked. There are places I took down 6' of red clay hill tops and spread it in the low spots. A dozer would have been faster, but the box blade was cheaper.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I'm wondering the same thing, or why they need to be that heavy in the first place.

I have a 8' Bush Hog (same as Dirt Dog) MBX96, it only weighs 790#'s. It has done everything I needed it to do behind my 95 HP Kubota. It is even strong enough to bog the tractor down in four wheel drive with out breaking anything.

I bought it to do the initial grade work on a new 1/2 mile of farm road, and couldn't have been happier with how well it worked. There are places I took down 6' of red clay hill tops and spread it in the low spots. A dozer would have been faster, but the box blade was cheaper.

Well, if you are happy with your current BB, that's great. :thumbsup: You would be thrilled to have one of these. That other 500lbs make all the difference in the world.

Land Pride has an HR3584 series that weighs in at 1119lbs. Many others out there too. It's not that the lighter units don't work, just that the heavier ones just work better.

Just my :2cents: