RIght size for box blade?

[txhutch]

I'm planning to buy a BB this weekend -- is it OK if it is not wider than my rear wheel base width? I'm looking at a 6' blade; tractor is 75" wide.

In general, what's a good rule of thumb for box blade width? As big as the tractor can handle? As much as my wallet can handle?

 

[jeff9366]

General guide is BB 6" wider than measured width of rear tires. If BB narrower and several pulls are made in the same aisle, IN THEORY, the rear wheels are on two shelves and the BB ceases having all its weight bearing on the ground. In practice, rear wheels will crush shelf to a certain extent, loaded rear tires will crush more; also BB moves around some, widening cut a tad.

If you are buying new buy a little wider than your MEASURED rear wheel width. BBs come in 6" width increments.

There is NO down pressure on the Three Point Hitch. Your BB will cut primarily in relation to its weight PER UNIT OF WIDTH, not total weight. Buy as heavy per unit of width as you can afford.

Rollover Box Blades are significantly heavier than standard BBs. ROBBs function especially well where tractor does not have rear hydraulic ports.

 

[txhutch]

General guide is BB 6" wider than measured width of rear tires. If BB narrower and several pulls are made in the same aisle, IN THEORY, the rear wheels are on a shelf and the BB ceases having all its weight bearing on the ground. In practice, rear wheels will crush shelf to a certain extent, loaded rear tires will crush more; also BB moves around some, widening cut a tad.

If you are buying new buy a little wider than your MEASURED rear wheel width. BBs come in 6" width increments.

There is NO down pressure on the Three Point Hitch. Your BB will cut primarily in relation to its weight PER UNIT OF WIDTH, not total weight. Buy as heavy per unit of width as you can afford.

Rollover Box Blades are significantly heavier than standard BBs. ROBBs function especially well where tractor does not have rear remote hydraulic ports.

Very helpful, Jeff. Thank you. I've much to learn, and I'm grateful for your (and other members') patience!

 

[jeff9366]

Please add your LOCATION to your T-B-N PROFILE. Approximate location is fine: Central Florida, Texas Panhandle, Finger Lakes, NY, etc.

I find it difficult, sometimes impossible, to post solid information without knowing where the OP will operate the tractor.

Here are my reasons for wanting OP location.

ALTIITUDE - Tractors lose 3% of engine power output for every 1,000' altitude increase, over 1,500' Sometimes twenty posts will be made advising on tractor horsepower, then we find OP is a 6,500 feet altitude and is considering a low power, naturally aspirated tractor.

WEATHER - ESPECIALLY SNOW - Blowing snow and mowing are the two tasks that require considerable engine power. If we know an OP is in Buffalo, NY rather than Key West, FL snow needs are apparent.

WEATHER - Large swathes of the country have a continental climate, four seasons, with great temperature variations between winters and summers.
Areas near the coast have varying maritime climates.

PRICING - Tractor and implement pricing and dealer service pricing varies a great deal. Lowest prices are usually in the south. Prices along the west coast and in the northeast are usually highest.

Some states exempt agriculture and forestry equipment from state sales taxes. Florida is one example of liberal ag sales tax exemptions.

IMPLEMENTS - Availability of implements brands are regional, not national. ie: CountyLine, Rural King, etc.

SOIL AND GROWING SEASON - Whether game food plots or market crops, soil and length of growing season(s) is important. Soil type influences tire selection.

USED TRACTORS - When the OP posts a location, OP is often referred to good used tractors nearby or provided local tractor listings from Craig's List, eBay, TractorHouse, Machinery Pete or other sites.