Kubota front blades for dirt work?

[Verticaltrx]

I'm interested in possibly getting a 60" Kubota front blade for my B3200 to do some light dirt work and leveling with. I build barns, sheds, riding arenas, etc and using a rear blade for leveling the site and spreading gravel gets old pretty quick (8hrs a day looking over your shoulder isn't fun).

I do realize that it's not a bulldozer and probably wouldn't even touch unbroken ground, but for moving loose dirt and gravel I think it would work well. I'm sure it would also get plenty of use in the winter moving snow.

Some questions for those with Kubota front blades:

How hard are they to take on and off? Can they be used with a loader frame mounted on the tractor? Does the blade frame stay on the tractor?

How do they work for dirt work? Will it peel off top soil or do any 'digging'? (I know that also depends on the tractor)

Pics would also be great from anyone that has a setup like that, including the mounting system.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KennyV]

I hope you get a chance to use one before you buy one..
They are not a handy attachment... (unless in snow, there they are great)
That has to be the main reason you do not see a lot of front blades mounted on anything
with the exception of pushing ice or snow they are miserable to use... You will look forward to using a rear blade after using a front blade...

 

[PHILIP8N]

Never used it on dirt. Used it on mulch once. Awesome in snow! On my tractor, there is a full length frame under the tractor. Mounts with drawbar, two pins mid, and two pins front, with brackets that bolt on and stay on tractor. You can remove blade by itself and leave sub-frame on. Takes about 10 minutes to mount or dismount subframe. Not sure if you can have subframe and loader on at same time. I will test later this fall. Philip.

 

[Verticaltrx]

I hope you get a chance to use one before you buy one..
They are not a handy attachment... (unless in snow, there they are great)
That has to be the main reason you do not see a lot of front blades mounted on anything
with the exception of pushing ice or snow they are miserable to use... You will look forward to using a rear blade after using a front blade...

Could you elaborate? I just don't see how this could be true.

Benefits I can see with a front blade vs rear:
-All hydraulic control
-narrower width for better penetration
-down force for better penetration
-much better visibility
-ability to lay a better grade since your tractor tires are on a smooth surface that you just graded vs pulling a rear blade where the tires go up and down over the terrain leaving an uneven grade
-can be used in conjunction with another implement on the 3pt (such as a box blade)

Never used it on dirt. Used it on mulch once. Awesome in snow? On my tractor, there is a full length frame under the tractor. Mounts with drawbar, two pins mid, and two pins front, with brackets that bolt on and stay on tractor. You can remove blade by itself and leave sub-frame on. Takes about 10 minutes to mount or dismount subframe. Not sure if you can have subframe and loader on at same time. I will test later this fall. Philip.

Thanks for the pics. I believe the B-series subframe is a little different, but I can confirm this until I hear from someone with a B-series blade.

 

[Toolguy]

I think a front blade will work fine for the use you have described. I have used a front blade on my JD318 and before that a JD14 for moving diveway stones and loose dirt. The trick is to have the blade angled. It helps prevent the blade from making woop-de-doos which happens when the blade digs in and then is lifted back up. By having the blade angled it doesn't dig in as much and the angled blade stays more level to the ground. This works equally as well on a rear blade. Skid shoes are a must, IMO. They will also prevent the blade from digging too much. You need a dozer or a tracked skid steer if you want to do fine grading with the blade straight. A wheeled tractor will just follow the dips made by the blade and make them worse as you go along. It is very doable to get a nice smooth surface if you use the angled blade method.

I have a used Meyer snowplow for a truck that I am someday going to attach to my B3030. Right now I use the rear blade and the loader to move dirt and snow. I think the front blade will be better in snow. For the last 5 years though, the FEL-RB combo does the job. Good luck.

 

[funwithahoe]

I have the exact set-up you are looking at - B3200 with quick connect and 72 inch Kubota blade.

For the b3200 it is a midmount subframe which stays on all the time. The quick connect framework is very easy to put on. Once the quick connect is on the plow attaches extremely easily. If everything was right there you could probably attach the whole thing in a few miinutes and definitely less than 10.

Haven't used it for loose dirt yet but it sounds like your expectations of the plow are appropriate - The blade is very heavy but the "lock-out" for pushing dirt (so the springs don't actuate) looks a little weak - I wouldn't expect it to do a lot of digging (which you aren't).

My only real suggestion would be that if you are spending lots of 8 hour days on it maybe a tracked loader (hired) might be a better solution.

Not sure why the other poster was so negative (then again people love to rip on the 3200 anyways) but it sounds like you have very realistic expecation and you would probably be happy.

Oh - The loader sub-frame stays on - I think you would have to remove the quick-hitch to put the actual loader on.

Let me know if you need anything else.

 

[KennyV]

Oh I was not trying to be "totally" negative... I think a front blade is a great way to go in the snow...

I have done the type of finish grading he is talking about... front blade on a wheeled machine is not a handy tool in dirt...
The absolute best for me was my Cat motor grader or track loader...
For small spaces a skid steer using a back drag up front...
But then, he may find things different. That's why I said I sure hope he gets a chance to try it before he buys it...
KennyV

 

[funwithahoe]

Oh I was not trying to be "totally" negative... I think a front blade is a great way to go in the snow...

I have done the type of finish grading he is talking about... front blade on a wheeled machine is not a handy tool in dirt...
The absolute best for me was my Cat motor grader or track loader...
For small spaces a skid steer using a back drag up front...
But then, he may find things different. That's why I said I sure hope he gets a chance to try it before he buys it...
KennyV

Oh - that is absolutely true - You don't want to use this blade for finish grading beyond a tiny spot - The OP sounds like he is well versed on equipment. I bought my plow sight unseen and was surprised at how heavy it is!

It should work alright to spead some loose mulch/rock/dirt around but won't touch a "tracked" machine for finish grading. I bought mine for snow removal and consider the ability to do a little more a free bonus - If you have a bigger job then bring in a tracked machine for sure! Someone else posted a pearl i have taken with me - "If it is taking a long time or it is hard, you are using the wrong tool!"

oh - and don't take me too seriously - for goodness sakes my name is "Fun With a Hoe"

 

[Verticaltrx]

IDK, I do pretty good grading using a wheeled machine. I do cheat a little though:

With the laser level it takes a lot of the skill out of it. Just go slow and follow the level and it turns out great. I got this 54' round pen graded to within 3/4" of spec in about 45min. Of course the actual excavating to get to that point took a lot longer (about a day and a half).

I do know the value of having the right tool for the job, I have an account at RSC and rent equipment as needed. Around here it cost $785 a day to rent a JD 450 dozer, which is way over kill to grade out a little arena or a spot for a small pole barn. Sure I could be done in a 1/4 the time, but that's money out of my pocket for something I don't really need. I own equipment that I use 90% of the time, and rent equipment for jobs as required the other 10%. This fall I will be cleaning up 2 acres of brush land and will rent a dozer for that.

Thanks for all the replies, keep the info coming.

 

[jlwukasch]

Where can I find a Kubota front blade??