Old back blade - reborn...

[BukitCase]

I've had this old 6' back blade for nearly 40 years, both tractors it got used on are gone ALMOST that long - with the newer crop of (old) tractors, I put HF quick hitches on both, plus a couple spares for later mods involving the Case backhoe; one with a swivel for the hoe end, other to be adapted to the QA for the loader (still in sloooow process) -

But for today, I have a ditching job that runs alongside one of my 5 containers, within maybe 18" of (and parallel to) the container - this, in order to protect the corner supports from water soaking in and causing them to settle too much...

Anyway, said back blade was built long before QH's existed (at least around here), and there was NO WAY the top hook of a QH would clear the piece of angle that braces the top tower - so part of that angle needed to go, after getting replaced with NON-interfering things -

I forgot to get a pic of the BEFORE, you'll have to use your imagination to see the extra 3-1/2" of angle that USED TO BE between the toplink verticals, sorry...

Basically I just welded two pieces of 1/4"x2" flat bar in a vee shape, (enlarge the first and fourth pic to see) running from the part of the angle BEHIND the tower, out to the two SIDE braces of the tower - once that was done, I cut out the interference part - The piece you see BELOW the toplink holes is 1/2"x2" FB I welded in there decades ago - it just seemed flimsy without it.

'Nuff blather, here's the pics (including one of my smaller mig (MM211) on its all-terrain cart) ...Steve



Oh, and I offset the blade one notch (about 12" ) so it'll reach past the left rear tire while angled, (not really a mod, the holes were already there ) so I can pull all the swarf away from the drainage ditch without running over it first with the tires - one hole off of "square" lets the blade extend 14" past the tires.

Ultimately there'll be black visqueen draped over the container supports, with the edge down into the ditch a ways, and the containers (two, side by side) resting on those supports. should keep water away from the supports; dry clay doesn't settle near as much :thumbsup:

This is (or SHOULD be) actually part of my Container weld shop thread, found here, for those who are terminally bored
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-weld-shop-build-61.html?highlight=floor+plan

(See, I haven't COMPLETELY lost it yet; now all I hafta do is figger out what "IT" is )

 

[Thomas]

Well done. :thumbsup:

 

[BukitCase]

Thanks Thomas; one of today's "intentions" is to get some primer shot on the "newly rustable" parts, then hopefully fire up the older "walk-in-front-of" trencher (recent CL find)

It isn't real fast, but GUIDING it is still bucket-loads easier than doing it's job the hard way (especially in "summer clay", AKA "rock") ... Steve

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

Good job..

The 6' back blade we got was 9/10 wore out when we got it. With a little work it is still likely 9/10 wore out, but several years of good use older, and good for a number of more years use. Still very useful for the price.

Did I mention it was incredibly cheap ??

 

[Alan W.]

My blade also had a brace coming up in the way. I cut it back and used a piece of angle as a tie in. This allows me to use my quick hitch. And yes one of these days Im gonna paint it. Youll have to forgive the welds, with the nerve damage I shake like I have Parkinsons.

 

[BukitCase]

Alan, yours looks like the exact same blade I have. I think I like your fix maybe better than mine, but 1 - I didn't think about doing it that way, and 2 - I'm out of heavier angle but had plenty of 1/4x2 flat ("Run whatcha brung", old hotrodder mantra)

'bout the only think I'll probably use mine for (kinda light weight and short) is filling in several ditches I still need to do for various things. I moved the blade over to a different set of holes so it'll work at a slight angle and still stick out about 14" past one tire so I can pull the spoils further away from a ditch, so the light weight should be fine.

Later, if I end up doing what I THINK I will, I may mod the blade mount to make it faster/easier to offset FURTHER to EITHER side - EA used to offer a light duty blade I "borrowed" a pic from, should make shifting sideways a 15 second job instead of a 20 MINUTE job... Steve



I'm thinking fairly heavy angle for that mod, extended to about 6" from each end - should stiffen the blade, add a bit more weight for better cutting, allow easier/further adjustment, and make it easier for me to get too enthused and make a pretzel out of it

 

[Alan W.]

Alan, yours looks like the exact same blade I have. I think I like your fix maybe better than mine, but 1 - I didn't think about doing it that way, and 2 - I'm out of heavier angle but had plenty of 1/4x2 flat ("Run whatcha brung", old hotrodder mantra)

'bout the only think I'll probably use mine for (kinda light weight and short) is filling in several ditches I still need to do for various things. I moved the blade over to a different set of holes so it'll work at a slight angle and still stick out about 14" past one tire so I can pull the spoils further away from a ditch, so the light weight should be fine.

Later, if I end up doing what I THINK I will, I may mod the blade mount to make it faster/easier to offset FURTHER to EITHER side - EA used to offer a light duty blade I "borrowed" a pic from, should make shifting sideways a 15 second job instead of a 20 MINUTE job... Steve

View attachment 617995

I'm thinking fairly heavy angle for that mod, extended to about 6" from each end - should stiffen the blade, add a bit more weight for better cutting, allow easier/further adjustment, and make it easier for me to get too enthused and make a pretzel out of it

The blade in the pic has the side offset adjustment like mine has. Its not easy I usually employ a small chain come-along to move it. Mine is 7 foot and has a tilt adjustment also.
I have also been contemplating adding some bracing to stiffen it up and add weight.

 

[BukitCase]

Wow, from your pic it looks like both blades came from the same factory; they might have, but yours obviously got a few more "options" if they did -

Good to know that slider isn't quite as easy as the pic makes it look, I was envisioning just carrying a battery impact on the tractor and adjusting on the fly. Oh well, better to know what to expect BEFORE you start a project, thanks for that... Steve