Review/Thoughts on my new 6' LMC box blade.

[Sysop]

Just picked up a 6' box blade today. It is made by LMC out of Alabama, I've seen them mentioned here before on other threads. The build quality between the LMC and a Tractor Supply Company ContryLine 6' BB is about the same, although the paint may be slightly better on the TSC. The design is nearly identical, the main design difference is the LMC has a flat back and the TSC model has a slight angle to it to help the dirt roll in the box. Not exactly sure where LMC hides the weight, but their BB is also a good deal heavier than the TSC. I had came to the conclusion if I couldn't find a better deal locally than the TSC units, I was going to get one from everythingattachments (in my opinion EA is a much better BB than TSC for roughly the same cost). Where this LMC BB lacks in the features of the EA BBs, it makes up for it on weight at more than 500lbs which is heavier than EA's $720 and $840 72" models. Where it won my heart was the price at about a dollar per pound, I paid $550 tax included to a local dealer.

All I have had a chance to do is unload it from my truck, hang it on the three point, and smoothed over where I dug out a stump several months back on the way to the shed. At that task it performed perfectly. Once I start getting into some grading and breaking up compacted/undeveloped soil I'll post back as to how well it cuts and holds up.

 

[jenkinsph]

Building a curved back for the boxblade is more costly than a straight back is. The curved back is inherently stiffer too, how important all of this is on an economy unit is debatable. For small jobs you should be fine, just don't overwork or overload it. You can get lots of work done with a light boxblade and save some money, not everyone needs a heavy duty model.

 

[Sysop]

Agreed, but I predict I'll end up tearing this one up or being very impressed that it was unable to be tore up. I have LOTS of rocky soil to move around.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have uses the light boxblades in dirt but living in the mountains I felt better getting a Gannon. Might consider adding a little bracing if you have a welder or friend that does.

 

[Sysop]

Added a trailer hitch receiver to the boxblade. It was some old Reese bolt on the bumper POC that'd been laying around the shop for years. Bolted it on, welded all around it, added three braces to keep things stiff and square.

Just got to use it for the first time today to pull my dump trailer around. Seemed to do fine with a moderate load.

 

[jenkinsph]

Looks good but how has it worked out for dirt work?

 

[Sysop]

I've used it to pull topsoil into a pile from a 100x75 area. I then dug out a mostly clay and stone 'hump', partly with it. I'd set the teeth all the way down and drag and push material into piles to grab with the loader, some of the softer stuff was FEL only. I adjusted the top link to have about as aggressive of cut as possible pulling forward. Once I had the 'hump' graded out, I pulled the topsoil back over and reseeded. I moved about 16 ton of earth with it (conservatively). I plan on moving a total of about 200-250 tons of dirt starting as soon as I can get all the more urgent items taken care of. I'll provide more info as I go. As long as stuff isn't too wet and clingy it seems to do well. I also expected the finish to have taken more of a beating than it has. The factory finish seems very tough (much tougher than TSC implements).

 

[jenkinsph]

Sounds like it is working out for you.:thumbsup:

I just finished the bulk leveling of a small 2 acre field yesterday. Started with the lower left corner being 16" low and the upper right being24" high with a depression through the lower middle. Figured I moved about 1600 to 1800 yards of mostly sandy loam soil.

That little field about kicked my butt as it took three days to do the bulk move and rough spread.

 

[weathda]

Nice blade! I picked up one of their 8' HD blades couple of years ago. I live close enough to their manufacturing yard that I just picked it up there. For the money, they're hard to beat.

 

[Sysop]

jenkinsph: Seems to be working out fine. I'll be sure to post more thoughts once I get into the heavy moving. I have some like you are explaining, a mild offset across a larger area that needs leveled. Most of what I'll be doing is leveling smaller mounds and humps.

weathda: Agreed on the value, dollar per pound it was the best I could come up with... I like your weight attachment, was that part of the 8' blade or did you add it?