Replacement Blade for JD 54" Front Blade

BethesdaEC · Nov 29, 2011

I purchased a 54" front blade when I purchased my tractor and I did not realize how ridiculously small it was. Has anybody found a replacement 72" blade that is bolt on compatible with the JD 54" front blade.

There is one guy making one, but at $1600 plus shipping it is over the top expensive.

The 12 Gauge XL for JD Quick hitch

beenthere · Nov 30, 2011

I don't think your tractor would be able to lift that blade in the link. That is a heavy duty truck blade.

I'd suggest visiting a local shop that handles steel fabrication and ask about getting a blade made to the size you want.
I made a wing plow for my JD 4300 and needed a blade made. The material and the bending came to $100. A front blade would be the same height (width) both ends, so would be simpler than the wing blade that was 12" one end and 24" on the other end 8 1/2' length.
This shop made trailers of all sizes and many other custom projects as well. Hope this helps.

Check through the search as some members have extended the width of their snow blades for additional width.

I went to a Western 7' plow and built a hitch to mount on the front. It works great!
A used Western or Meyer plow may be found, and there are some light duty plows around.

grsthegreat · Nov 30, 2011

They can also weld on some extensions to the blade...

High Compression · Nov 30, 2011

Back when I had one, I made wings for mine that made it 6' wide and then I added the wing and had a 10' swath.

beenthere · Nov 30, 2011

High Compression

Nice mod and fab job.

Now, can we get some real pics to look at?

Sure would like to see what you've done, if that is possible. Or is there a link to a thread already?

BethesdaEC · Nov 30, 2011

beenthere said:
I don't think your tractor would be able to lift that blade in the link. That is a heavy duty truck blade.

It is only a 72" blade and it is made specifically for the JD quick hitch. They show this thing mounted on some much smaller X series tractors.

Dutch445 · Nov 30, 2011

it does make an X585 look small huh?

BethesdaEC · Nov 30, 2011

Dutch445 said:
it does make an X585 look small huh?

I doubt that the X series will be able to push much with it, but the 2520 is a much more substantial tractor and I have weight and chains. The most frustrating thing with the 54 blade for me is my circular driveway. When I turn, the wheels are outside of the cleared path so they start to ride up on the snow and now the blade is not level so less snow is being cleared on the inside of the turn so now it start riding up even more. I end up doing a lot maneuvering instead clearing the circle in 2 or 3 rotations.

The 2520 is 51 inches wide so it does not take much of an angle for the blade to get narrower that the tractor.

Dutch445 · Nov 30, 2011

i think you'd have a beast of a snow machine with that
blade on a 2520 with chains and a little weight!

BethesdaEC · Nov 30, 2011

Dutch445 said:
i think you'd have a beast of a snow machine with that
blade on a 2520 with chains and a little weight!

Agreed, except I am not going to pay $1800 for a blade. The entire front blade with hydraulics and hoses from JD at retail is less than what they are asking for just a blade.

beenthere · Nov 30, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
It is only a 72" blade and it is made specifically for the JD quick hitch. They show this thing mounted on some much smaller X series tractors.

Oops! Missed that, and was going by pic alone. Too sleepy, I guess.

But think you can do better building your own, or have some mods made to the one you have.

BethesdaEC · Nov 30, 2011

beenthere said:
Oops! Missed that, and was going by pic alone. Too sleepy, I guess.

But think you can do better building your own, or have some mods made to the one you have.

In a couple of years I might have the time to fabricate my own but right now I am spending every waking moment either working, fixing my old house or cleaning up my neglected property. I was hoping to find a reasonable prefab solution.

Gizmo2 · Nov 30, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
In a couple of years I might have the time to fabricate my own but right now I am spending every waking moment either working, fixing my old house or cleaning up my neglected property. I was hoping to find a reasonable prefab solution.

<---You could buy this baby now and adapt it to your tractor.

BethesdaEC · Nov 30, 2011

Gizmo2 said:
<---You could buy this baby now and adapt it to your tractor.

You selling that baby?

Gizmo2 · Nov 30, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
You selling that baby?

Not trying very hard but yes. Some links that may show it off better.
Only the Blade and "A" frame. I reused the other parts for my new blade.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/171129-how-much-my-snow-blade.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/126827-2320-snow-blade-almost-done.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/127626-snow-plow-now-done.html

BethesdaEC · Dec 1, 2011

I was hoping that there might be a cheaper solution out there for a decent affordable replacement blade. Well I bit the bullet and ordered the Arthur Randall blade and got a free rubber edge throw into the deal. Unfortunately they are currently back ordered 7 weeks.

I was considering adapting or building my own, but I just have too many other pressing issue to deal with around my property and we are going to add several hundred feet of driveway next year for a detached garage so that 54 is going seem even smaller.

I will report back after I get a chance to use it.

Gizmo2 · Dec 1, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
I was hoping that there might be a cheaper solution out there for a decent affordable replacement blade. Well I bit the bullet and ordered the Arthur Randall blade and got a free rubber edge throw into the deal. Unfortunately they are currently back ordered 7 weeks.

I was considering adapting or building my own, but I just have too many other pressing issue to deal with around my property and we are going to add several hundred feet of driveway next year for a detached garage so that 54 is going seem even smaller.

I will report back after I get a chance to use it.

Well I don't know about the blade you bought but I will say you did the right thing. Adapting a blade IS ALWAYS more work than it appears. Good lookin out.

BethesdaEC · Dec 1, 2011

Gizmo2 said:
Well I don't know about the blade you bought but I will say you did the right thing. Adapting a blade IS ALWAYS more work than it appears. Good lookin out.

I have done some fabrication in in my day and it can become a black hole for time and money very quickly.

Gizmo2 · Dec 1, 2011

BethesdaEC said:
I have done some fabrication in in my day and it can become a black hole for time and money very quickly.

Yep, more cases than not.

tooldad8712 · Jan 8, 2012

I'm sure the AR corp has done their research. I too am looking at that blade. However fortunately I have an in-law that owns his own metal fab business. This spring I plan on taking him pics of that blade, taking my 54 blade to him and seeing if he can fab me something up in the $500 range. He then could sell them for $1000 and turn a profit.

I was thinking something along lines of 21" tall, keep it below the lights. also would help with overall weight. I too am just wanting width, but the more width, the more snow rolls and added height will help.

However also running a truck plow, if you go slower the snow rolls off the side, the added height is most advantageous with speed, which a tractor does not have a lot of, therefore, width is all that is needed to be added.