price of a box blade

[jwk]

I'm new to tractors, so bear with me. In the process of pricing tractors, I'm also pricing some implements. For a 5' box blade, I've got prices at $300, $385, and $500. The $300 ones are BB5 (whatever that is). The $500 is a Modern brand. I don't know why the pricing difference is so huge, or if they are overcharging, or what. What are the different types of box blades? What would make one cost more than another? Are these prices reasonable? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I want to add to your question what about the box blades I see on ebay for starting bids of $229.99
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11755&item=7503021685&rd=1
I keep seeing these on there and wondering.
Are these any good or just cheap made toys.

My neighbor has a real heavy duty looking box blade.
I'm trying to get him to sell it to me since he don't use it.

Pooh Bear

 

[SCB]

<font color="red"> I don't know why the pricing difference is so huge </font>

generally speaking,
quality demands a higher price. The thickness of the metal used. the overall quality of welds. the finish of the product.
weight should also be a concern when purchasing. The more weight the better it will dig in. Although some guys just add weight to the bb with cement blocks or whatever they can find to work.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I suspect you mean that it's BB15 and however many inches, ex:
BB15-48 which is probably made by Midwest who also makes boxblades for Kioti. The BB15-X is standard duty, the BB20-X is a heavier duty model. I have no idea which duty the Modern is, but look at them to see if the metal is thicker, better constructed, etc.
You want to get a box that has ripper teeth that can be raised or lowered and has a blade at the rear inside, and one on the rear outside. This way you can dig just about any soil, and even push soil back into difficult areas.
The pricing on all steel products has gone up a lot in the last 6 months so those starting prices are about right for a BB15. I paid just over $300 for a BB15-48" about a year ago, and it's been very sturdy, is holding up well with lots of heavy use.
I've heard good things about Modern, but don't know them I suspect you will get by fine with a BB15-X in whatever width you need, depends on what size tractor you get. John

 

[jwnge]

Hi Pooh. I actually bought one of the Homier 5 ft. box blades at one of their tool sales for $199. It seems to be very much like the kingkutter FleetFarm sells brand and quite a bit less expensive. I would say it is heavy duty enough for all but the hardest use.

 

[kybota]

That design and color looks a lot like the one my tractor dealer sold me for $425 with my tractor package discount when I bought my tractor. He assured me that it was "real heavy duty", but he did not have one on the lot so he had to order one in. Thus was my trust in my dealer shattered.

When he delivered it with the tractor about a week later, I was very, very dissatisfied. I was a newby to tractor ownership, but had seen enough box blades to know that it was the among lightest box blades made. I have seen the one I had, a six foot model, for sale locally elsewhere for $299. The local TSC has heavier blades for $100 less than I paid. My local John Deere dealer had one for $25 less than I paid that was a massively constructed thing compared to the one my dealer shipped to me.

Unfortunately, because I need to put it to work the day it was delivered, and my non-confrontational disposition, I kept the light weight one.

In addition to thinner mold boards and lighter three point frame, the rippers aren't mounted in a tube frame like a real heavy duty BB would be. It would take a lot less force to twist the metal or welds off with this design.

To top it off he delivered it with the rippers bolted on instead of pinned on. When I pointed it out to the delivery man and said I sure don't want to have to carry a wrench around (and in a difficult place to reach at that) for every time I want to drop the rippers, he said they would give me some pins if I would pick them up.

I spent over $19,000 on a tractor and implements, and he suckered me over a stupid box blade. I did not dicker him down $1 from his original offer. It made me feel very unappreciated. I've bought a tiller, a bush hog, a plow and sub-soiler since then, and I haven't bothered to shop his lot. That is how a dealer can screw up his relationship with his customers.

This is also why I have found it extremely difficult to order merchandise sight unseen. I hate that type of rude surprise.


Edit: This was in reply to Pooh_Bear's linked image, which upon further scrutiny, appears to have the scarifiers mounted in a tube frame, so it may be even heavier duty than the one I received.

 

[sweettractors]

I live in Ky also. If you dont mind my asking? What city was that dealer located in? I will know who he is from that.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New Dixon ZTR Lawn Mowers at Competitive Prices*

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I called the local co-op today and asked about a box blade.
5 foot box blade was $356 and they would have to order it.
Seems like a lot of money for something so non mechanical.
It's just a big hunk of welded up steel. Why so much $$$.

Neighbor has one said he would take $275 for it.
I would have to measure it to be sure but it mite be a 6 footer.
But it is missing the scarifiers for it. Otherwise it looks real heavy duty.

I was hoping to find a used one a lot cheaper than that.
Still looking.

Pooh Bear

 

[kybota]

Referring back to my non-confrontational style, I won't mention names or places. They may be perfectly fine dealers.

But they tweaked me the wrong way in this instance and made me skeptical. No big deal really. Of course, I'm a few hours short of my 50 hour service, so I'll find out more about them soon.