Buying Advice GC2400 rear blade

[Kal130]

Ok guys, what kind of rear blades are you using on the GC series. 4'-5'-6'? How big will it handle? How big is to big to be handy? What should one be shopping for? Any features that are important? I doubt the 5hp/ft rule applies to these like tillers and rotary cutters. What do you use them for other than snow? What application would these be used for with dirt and would a box blade be better?

 

[bakerg]

I got both box blade and back blade, found box blade works great moving snow. My back blade was 6' but I cut it down to 5' when I bought my GC2400. Works great but I probably could have kept it at 6' and it would have worked fine. The ends of the blade were wore down and I cut them off just to even the blade out.

 

[bp fick]

I got a 5' KK type at TSC, on sale, and with coupon, for something like $280.
One of the best buys I've made, frankly.

It's heavy. It's steel. It works. Turn the cutting blade over too in 10 years.
The 5' allowed me to spin the blade around, while on the 3 pt without hitting. To me, that is key. If I cannot spin it, it's too long.

 

[Kal130]

I got both box blade and back blade, found box blade works great moving snow. My back blade was 6' but I cut it down to 5' when I bought my GC2400. Works great but I probably could have kept it at 6' and it would have worked fine. The ends of the blade were wore down and I cut them off just to even the blade out.

I've been moving snow with a 4' box blade as well, seems to work quite nicely. Wonder if regular blade would work better or not. Also wonder if more width would help or harm. BB seems taller, wonder if snow would be more prone to pushing over top of regular blade???

 

[Kal130]

I got a 5' KK type at TSC, on sale, and with coupon, for something like $280.
One of the best buys I've made, frankly.

It's heavy. It's steel. It works. Turn the cutting blade over too in 10 years.
The 5' allowed me to spin the blade around, while on the 3 pt without hitting. To me, that is key. If I cannot spin it, it's too long.

Good point, exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for.

 

[75H2]

Rear scraper blade. I run a woods RBC 60. If you get a Woods make sure you get the line designed for the SCUT tractors. I made the mistake 1st time around. The standard RB 60 is STOUT. But, overkill for this sized unit. Also can't get the lift height or blade angle correct with a sub compact. I used a friends 48 inch box blade. He could only run it with the rippers up, or removed. He had an un balasted JD. I could pull it with the rippers down. The difference is traction ie. weight. I have a loader (he didn't) and I run wheel weights, he didn't. Like you will certainly hear you'll run out of traction before power.

In summary, buy the attachments sized properly for your unit.

 

[Gio]

The GC is a great machine and I am not sure of your situation (how much snow, length of drive, etc) But.....


Don't count on a using your back blade as your primary snow weapon. Unless you have a dead flat paved hard surface the back blade is better for clean up and light 2-3 inch stuff.

I have a GC with the Massey 4ft blade and it will dead stop the tractor when it loads up with heavy stuff on my hilly 1/4 mile.

Save up for a front blower or go slow and steady with the FEL, clean up with the blade.

Had my first winter "figuring things out" this year and it was not fun. 3-4ft drifts kept me home from work and my neighbor bailed me out with his Monster Deere more then once.

I have my dealer looking into a trade-up. The 1643 may do the trick next year.

 

[bakerg]

I got a 5' KK type at TSC, on sale, and with coupon, for something like $280.
One of the best buys I've made, frankly.

It's heavy. It's steel. It works. Turn the cutting blade over too in 10 years.
The 5' allowed me to spin the blade around, while on the 3 pt without hitting. To me, that is key. If I cannot spin it, it's too long.

Before I cut my blade down to 5', I was still able to turn blade around when it was 6'. If you run blade on an angle, the shorter the blade the less it will stick out pass the wheels. This could be a good or bad thing depending how you look at it.:confused2:

 

[Kal130]

The GC is a great machine and I am not sure of your situation (how much snow, length of drive, etc) But.....

Don't count on a using your back blade as your primary snow weapon. Unless you have a dead flat paved hard surface the back blade is better for clean up and light 2-3 inch stuff.

I have a GC with the Massey 4ft blade and it will dead stop the tractor when it loads up with heavy stuff on my hilly 1/4 mile.

Save up for a front blower or go slow and steady with the FEL, clean up with the blade.

Had my first winter "figuring things out" this year and it was not fun. 3-4ft drifts kept me home from work and my neighbor bailed me out with his Monster Deere more then once.

I have my dealer looking into a trade-up. The 1643 may do the trick next year.

I have read about you exploits at snow removal on here. I'm thinking 1643 is going to be good for you. I, so far, have cleared
Snow 3 times with my GC, loader + box blade. Honestly, I have a smile from ear to ear while doing it. Guess I was wondering if a rear blade would outperform the BB. Farm auction season is starting around here in a couple of weeks and I was figuring I would run across a blade at one of those. I like the option of cutting it down, that probably gives me several more options.

As far as a blower, I was offered a "free" one when I purchased the machine. Took the 1k cash discount instead. Usually don't get enough snow around here to use a tractor to clear, let alone tripping over a blower all year. Would love to get enough snow to justify one though. I also have 4 kids who LOVE snow piles. Blower woulda been a tragedy. Lol

 

[Gio]

Kal, I am "Snow Challenged" for sure. Be happy you are in a more humane climate.

Don't get me wrong, the GC is an awesome machine. It if wasn't for the crazy wind patterns around my house it would do just fine.

All the best