HD box blade?

dustycoyote · Dec 25, 2022

Hi All,

Looking to buy a heavy duty box blade this coming spring. Seems like there are a lot of options out there.

Looking for a true HD model for a 52 HP compact tractor. Rear tires are 66" so im looking at 72" wide on the box blade. Trying to get the best cost on a really well built unit that I can.
So far it seems that the two best on paper are either the Woods BSM or the heavier duty model from Everything Attachments.

The EA model looks nice and well designed, and is obviously we'll reviewed, but I am thinking that it has benefited from a lot of online popularity and marketing. The woods is heavier overall, and I believe is made of a heavier gauge steel.

Just looking for any guidance between these two, or any suggestions for other brands.

Don't care about brand, just want good quality for as good a price as I can get.

Wolfy · Dec 25, 2022

I bought a used Land Pride box blade, I have been very happy with both its ruggedness and performance. The only issue I had was the pair of braces that go up to the top link pin were bent when I got it. I straightened them and added some horizontal bars and all has been well since.

Wolfy · Dec 25, 2022

I forget to add, I use it on my 25 and 26 hp Fords. The seller was using it on a 40 hp Ford. He told me several times he buried it and halted his tractor and did zero damage to the box blade.

scootr · Dec 25, 2022

My 52 hp MX came with a Landpride 72" Gannon with hydraulic rippers. It is a very strong unit that will last the life of the tractor.
I saw the same Landpride scraper box on the Kubota MX5400 at the dealership.

BobG_in_VA · Dec 25, 2022

No matter which you pick, if the "side Plates" aren't 1/2" thick, it ain't heavy duty...Mines 84" wide with 1/2 inch side plates, has Cat. 1 and 2 hitches. Couldn't ask for a better unit....BobG in VA

scootr · Dec 25, 2022

BobG_in_VA said:
No matter which you pick, if the "side Plates" aren't 1/2" thick, it ain't heavy duty...Mines 84" wide with 1/2 inch side plates, has Cat. 1 and 2 hitches. Couldn't ask for a better unit....BobG in VA

My Terex had 1/2 plate sides... That's not HD. It's mining equipment standards. There is nothing 3/8 plate sides can't handle that a 50-60hp tractor can deliver in my opinion. The added weight does help them dig in... but this is not always a good thing, like in smoothing a gravel drive. Again this is just my experience

BobG_in_VA · Dec 25, 2022

scootr said:
My Terex had 1/2 plate sides... That's not HD. It's mining equipment standards. There is nothing 3/8 plate sides can't handle that a 50-60hp tractor can deliver in my opinion. The added weight does help them dig in... but this is not always a good thing, like in smoothing a gravel drive. Again this is just my experience

Well, lets just agree to disagree, I actually did work in a rock quarry, and do know what mining equip really is...to me, 1/2" is HD, not mining standards.

scootr · Dec 25, 2022

BobG_in_VA said:
Well, lets just agree to disagree, I actually did work in a rock quarry, and do know what mining equip really is...to me, 1/2" is HD, not mining standards.

Fair enough - most of the people here do not use their tractor to move earth ( my reference to mining was because Terex primarily makes mining equipment) When Terex took over the old MF line (Fermec) due to anti-monopoly enforcement they made the skiploader SUPER duty. It had 1/2 and even 5/8 plate in it's general construction.
The 640 skiploader I owned and operated for 15 yrs was beyond heavy duty. It was an earth moving machine not a farm tractor.

AndyMA · Dec 25, 2022

On a tractor that size Id go with a 8 foot box blade. You'll find the 6 footer way too small. I have a 25 year old LandPride that ha served me well

Andy

WVH1977 · Dec 25, 2022

I would also look on craigslist and facebook marketplace for good used heavy-duty ones. I saw one a month ago that was the real deal heavy duty type like BobG is talking about. The guy lowered the price to 250 and it disappeared. I knew I should have bought it. I have a 72 inch regular duty box blade. I got it with my tractor and it is blue. Not sure what company but probably one of the big 3-point dealers. It works good and has held up but I have to add weight to it to really get any hard core grading done. I would make sure you get one that is at least 1000 pounds. Your 52HP tractor will handle it like it is not even back there.

big bubba · Dec 25, 2022

my 84" Land Pride w/retractable rippers (manual) has done an outstanding job, very hd. highly recommend hyd top link for the blade if you already don't have & have an extra rear valve for it.
not sure i'd go for an 8' blade on a tractor that size, but will let others advise you on that, happy hunting

oosik · Dec 25, 2022

I bought a 72" Bush Hog ROBB that weighs 725 pounds. I got this unit because one of it's "roll over options" is scarifiers. And the entire roll over options are non-hydraulic.

My virgin soil is HARD. To get any work done - I first hit it with the scarifiers. Then I can move into the box blade option.

Without scarifiers I would need a standard box blade in the 1200 pound category.

With any land engagement implement - weight is your friend. Particularly if breaking virgin soil.

BTW - my rear tires are 80" - outside to outside. The 72" ROBB works just fine - being slightly narrower.

nyone · Dec 27, 2022

I bought an older Hawse brand box blade. I used it behind a 60hp ford to a 19hp kubota. Anything heavy in the Lb category is what I would look for. Meaning I would get the one with the heavyweight weight.

If your buying new I would look for a cat 2 box blade. Generaly there built alot better and the cheaper brands arnt really going to offer anything cat 2.

ovrszd · Dec 27, 2022

big bubba said:
my 84" Land Pride w/retractable rippers (manual) has done an outstanding job, very hd. highly recommend hyd top link for the blade if you already don't have & have an extra rear valve for it.
not sure i'd go for an 8' blade on a tractor that size, but will let others advise you on that, happy hunting

I bought a used older Land Pride w/retractable rippers (manual). I converted it to hydraulic. I'm guessing it's weight at 950lbs. I use a hyd top link and hyd side link. What a combination. Great weight. Tough as a boot. I'll never wear it out or break it. I've stopped my 95hp 10K lb tractor dead in it's tracks with the rippers down. I paid $1,000 for it. Best implement bargain I've purchased.

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Skagit · Dec 27, 2022

Just make sure whatever you buy has the rippers mounted to the back of the cross tube instead of slotted through it. That's pretty much Woods or EA.

I have the Woods BSM84, 1/2" steel side plates, slightly heavier than the EA, it was cheaper, and it was in stock too. I use it on a 62hp tractor and no regrets.

I had a bad experience with EA so I have a hard time recommending them even though some of the stuff they make is really nice and/or unique to the market.

Cougsfan · Dec 27, 2022

I have a Woods BMS72 that I have used for years and am very happy with it. I agree that heavier is better. But with that said, for normal usage having an adjustable top and side links are probably a better place to spend your money than overkilling on weight.

big bubba · Dec 27, 2022

ovrszd said:
I bought a used older Land Pride w/retractable rippers (manual). I converted it to hydraulic. I'm guessing it's weight at 950lbs. I use a hyd top link and hyd side link. What a combination. Great weight. Tough as a boot. I'll never wear it out or break it. I've stopped my 95hp 10K lb tractor dead in it's tracks with the rippers down. I paid $1,000 for it. Best implement bargain I've purchased.

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about what i paid new for mine yrs back. didn't realize the hyd convert was possible, good move. yeah, guessed the wt @ 900+. i like my 7' width rather than having blade extending over the rears with an 8' that would invariably snag a post, tree or rock. more maneuverable too, definitely a keeper
imho hyd top link is only way to go for soil engagement

in re: to OP, i feel an 8' blade would be too much drag on a 50hp tractor, not enough tractor weight. loading rears might help, regards

Yander · Dec 27, 2022

Frontier makes a good box blade that your not going to tear up with your tractor.

EverythingAttachments · Dec 28, 2022

Make it a WICKED Box Blade!

At Everything Attachments, we take everything intended for our customer's tractors seriously, and our experience with box blades goes wayy back in time. You see, prior to ever making, or even thinking about making an EA box blade, Ted used many other box blades, spanning from his childhood up through his adult years, in which he used, tore up, fixed, and sold about every brand in existence. Knowing how to use an attachment, and knowing how the attachment should perform under a large variety of circumstances is very important when designing the best attachment. Besides knowing how the overall design should be laid out, knowing the best materials and structural features, along with what material to use where, is very crucial. Because of all his experience, Ted has created a very impressive lineup of box blades, so we can recommend the BEST box blade for small, subcompact tractors, up to 150+ horsepower machines.
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