Hinged Box Blade vs Non Hinged

[johnk]

I was going to pick up a box blade for my new tractor and I was wondering if anyone has experience in using both the hinged and non hinged? What are the advantages to the hinged and drawbacks if any. TSC has the 6 foot regular LD for 459.73 and the med Duty Hinged for $645.58. I think there is about a 175# difference. I was just wondering the advantage of the hinged. Thanks...

 

[john_bud]

Hinged gives you more options. With it unbolted and swinging, it will dig deeper and faster. This is one of the most important things a box can do, and this makes it 2x more effective than a fix rear blade box.

The extra weight is also a big plus in all aspects of use and in longevity.

Both work, one just works better.

jb

 

[Theowegian]

I have both. I generally prefer the hinged box blade. It seems to dig better.

 

[PineRidge]

I can't compare the two as I have always had the swinging box, currently a Land Pride. I can tell you that it digs very aggressively, which is what I wanted in a box-blade.

 

[John_Mc]

The only downside I've seen to hinged box blades is that some do not have a provision for locking the hinged blade in place. There are some applications where being able to fix the rear blade in position is an advantage (smoothing or evenly spreading a box full of material for example). Using a hinged blade can be a bit touchier as far as getting the toplink set right... in situtations where you don't want a really agressive dig, the fixed rear blade can be a bit more forgiving (since it does tend to be less aggressive)... but this is something you can overcome with a bit of experience (a hydraulic toplink works wonders as well).

If the hinged blade is able to be locked in the down position, you've got the best of both worlds.

 

[johnk]

I'll have to see if the KKutter can be locked in place. I actually thought they all were lockable. They are special order from TSC so I'll have to look into them.

John

 

[John_Mc]

I'll have to see if the KKutter can be locked in place. I actually thought they all were lockable. They are special order from TSC so I'll have to look into them.

I know someone makes one that doesn't lock, because I've seen one. The owner had just bought it, and was trying to figure out how to add a locking mechanism.

John Mc

 

[johnk]

I'm just curious as to how well the ones that don't lock level the ground. I know they will dig deeper faster, but how well will they level after you have the ground dug up. Has anyone had experience with both kinds. Non-locking and Lockable??? Thanks.........

 

[npaden]

I'll have to see if the KKutter can be locked in place. I actually thought they all were lockable. They are special order from TSC so I'll have to look into them.

John

The King Kutter hinged box blade does not have a locking rear blade. It is a floating hinge.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Theowegian]

My Landpride blade is floating. It does not lock.

 

[John_Mc]

I'm just curious as to how well the ones that don't lock level the ground. I know they will dig deeper faster, but how well will they level after you have the ground dug up. Has anyone had experience with both kinds. Non-locking and Lockable??? Thanks.........

When backing up, it should smooth just as well as a fixed blade. When going forward, I would imagine it takes a much more exacting touch on the 3 pt hitch height and toplink adjustments to get things smoothed well. However, even with a fixed rear blade on my boxblade, I find I get my best results for smoothing when running in reverse anyway...

John Mc

 

[johnk]

Thanks John Mc,
Thats the reply I have been waiting to hear reports on. The leveling issue. I have used a fixed Box Scraper blade but was looking to buy the heavier Deeper Diggin Hinged model as long as it will still smooth things out...

John