Made in China box blade

wotalota · Jul 18, 2012

Stay calm just asking. I'm doing some french drain type field drainage and have got to where have filled back in about 100 foot. After driving over the trench to pack it down to fill in the voids, using the bucket to spread the leftover spoils and back drag its coming out pretty lumpy. There some tough chunks of sod that are winding up near the surface which doesn't help and now it is packed down the back dragging isn't having much of an impression. Lots and lots of rocks to deal with of course some seem so big I think I'll leave them be for now. So been reading here about box blades, with a BX24 a 4' seems to be the most suitable size. I'll have about 800' plus some general leveling to take out the big sink holes in the hillside and make it a bit safer. I am not looking for something that will last a lifetime investment here. While waiting for something old cheap and decent to appear on Craigslist been looking at the online sites but not much local and home delivery shipping has been estimated from $89 to one on ebay pushing around $400 most seem to be around $200. I haven't called the local dealers yet.

A long winded introduction to asking a question. Agri Supply shipping would be about $100 and they have a made in China 4' box blade for $380. I got off the phone with them but they couldn't say anything much about any of their box blades other than read off the web site but I did learn the weight. They have a 4' Kodiak for $427 at 290lbs compared to the unamed Chinese product for $380 at 348 lbs. This seems like a substantial weight compared to the "good" brand 4 footers.

Has anyone who is local to a ASC location had a look at this model or got one?

Thanks
Tom

malwayne55 · Jul 18, 2012

I have the 5 ft Chinese product from Agri (1 yr old) and it's working-out fine for me. I haven't put it thru any major tests but I don't have any complaints to-date. If necessary I go slower and when applicable, may not use all the rippers at once. I also did the price/weight comparison with Kodiak before buying and made a decision based on anticipated usage and economics.

EverythingAttachments · Jul 19, 2012

Our United box blades are currently on sale and are a MUCH better blade for the money. The 4' blade weighs 318 pounds, has a clevis hitch with a welded a-frame(not bolted) and is made in the USA!!! You'll find them here on our website. These ship free to a commercial address or supporting freight terminal within 1,000 miles of Newton, NC. We have several sizes on sale, currently in stock and should leave here the same day or next day.

MESSMAKER · Jul 19, 2012

I have a United box blade and it has proven to be great. I would get it, if price is close.
A tiller is a great tool for finishing off a backfilled drain line. It will bust up all the clods and let you use loader bucket to finish. If you have one available, it will work.

rd_macgregor · Jul 19, 2012

The clevis pin setup on the United is a significant improvement over a regular projecting pin. If you ever use the box blade where it could get hung/jolted by hitting sizeable rocks or roots, the pin supported at just one end will just bend right away. However, it isn't a big job for a welder to convert to the clevis setup (as I had done to my Woods box blade).
BOB

wotalota · Jul 19, 2012

The United might be the better constructed, with the China model being a bit heavier. After shipping to a home address in NH its about $626 vs $480. I was thinking to keep it below $500. There is a good looking substantial Landpride BB2560 for $475 on the Vermont Craigslist right now but at 5' and about 470lbs I think it is too big for me.
The tiller suggestion is interesting. I do have a small walk behind that might be worth a try, it would save a bunch. Would need to see if my back and dental fillings hold up, it doesn't bring up too many rocks or is so deep it reaches the fabric cover.

Thanks folks.

meledward23 · Jul 19, 2012

Bucket Rake? I mean what you are trying to do if I understand is break up the lumps and get rocks to the surface. I have never used one but The Ratchet Rake, 52 in. - 1125015 | Tractor Supply Company certainly seems like it would do what you are after. which is disrupt the the stuff that wont pack down, get is out of the way so you can continue to pack the trench smooth and level with surrounding turf.

A thought.

EverythingAttachments · Jul 19, 2012

Unfortunately, the freight carriers do charge an $80 fee if the order goes to a residence/farm/ranch/church/etc. as long as you can offload the product. To avoid that, many people get permission to have their order shipped to a local business or pick it up at the nearest freight terminal for no charge.

MESSMAKER · Jul 19, 2012

You are not running a high HP ,heavy machine. You will probably be OK with the China unit. Just make sure it has a hardened cutting edge and not just an edge turned under.

Scooby074 · Jul 19, 2012

If your ground is hard, you need weight. My advice is to get the heaviest one you can afford.

I added several hundred pounds to my Woods BSE4 Heritage BB in order to make it in any way effective. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/249062-adding-weight-underweight-box-blade.html