Dozer blade on a JD 3-series? Am I crazy?

Colgate2004 · Mar 31, 2017

Hi all,

I'm about to buy a JD 3025E, and I'm likely going to get it with an extra front hydraulic remote. I have some light soil grading to do, and having a tilt-able blade on front would make my life much easier.

I know the 3025 is pretty short on horses, but for the light surface soil shaping I have in mind I have to imagine it'd be able to handle it.

As far as I can tell I'd need to first get a JD-to-skid steer adapter for the FEL (easy, I'm planning on doing that anyway), then get a 6-way dozer blade (I'd be fine with a small one, 48" or so... the areas I need to grade aren't large and I'm in no hurry). Even if I couldn't use all the six ways of the dozer blade with my hydraulics I'd be happy with just the tilt.

Thoughts? Am I crazy? Have folks done this before?

jeff9366 · Mar 31, 2017

Operating a blade on the FEL of a light 3025E would require you to be ultra cautious as an operator. I would call W.R. Long and discuss suitability of Deere 3032E for a front blade. FELs are engineered to LIFT, not PUSH. I think Long will discourage you. FEL blade shift weight forward, off the rear tires, reducing tractor traction.
W.R. LONG: Front Blade

Tractors are designed to move dirt with implements mounted on the Three Point Hitch. That is why small tractors have large diameter rear wheels.
Why not a Rear/Angle blade on the Three Point Hitch? Have two rear hydraulic remotes installed for changing the angle and tilting the blade. Angle/Rear blade weight is partially transferred to the tractor, through the Three Point Hitch, improving traction.

I speculate there are 500 Rear/Angle blades sold for dirt work, for every 1 FEL blade.

4570Man · Mar 31, 2017

I know it wouldn't work around here but if your soil is sandy it might work. Why not just use a box blade?

Colgate2004 · Mar 31, 2017

The other thing I was considering was a rear blade (box blade or something similar) with a top & tilt setup so I could tilt the blade as needed, but the top & tilt setup looked like it would cost as much as the entire dozer blade!

Speaking of which, other than the JD dealer, and other than cobbling together some Frankenrig out of a random hydraulic cylinder I find somewhere, some hoses, and welding stuff together, where would one look for a top & tilt setup at a more reasonable price than the dealer would sell me?

Many thanks gents.

jeff9366 · Mar 31, 2017

Tell us what quote you have from the dealer.

Dealers know they have to be competitive with options OR LOSE THE ENTIRE TRACTOR SALE.

Adding remotes later may cost more than ordering them with the tractor 'cause they have you then, and you are having so much fun you fuss less about price.

Colgate2004 · Apr 1, 2017

I haven't gotten a written quote from the dealer including the remotes. I guess I should probably do that, huh?

bigtiller · Apr 1, 2017

I put a homemade 5' blade on the front of my JD 455 garden tractor and it worked ok but with some limitations. Keeping in mind how easy things can get bent up. Loose pile of soil or gravel is ok but with small bites. I always loosened things up with the tiller first. I would go slow and listen/feel the hydrostatic transmission to tell me when enough is enough.

So, yes I think you can do it but just be cautious, go slow and if you have one, use a tiller or a subsoiler.