Rolling (?) box blade??

hunt4570 · Jun 4, 2015

I forget if this is what the guy called it, or rotating, tumbling.. something... anyway..

Its like a box blade, but it can rotate to 3 positions, blade in rear like any box blade, teeth down (no blade on ground just teeth), and blade in front for more of a finish grading (I guess anyway).

I'm going to be needing a box blade here in the future somewhere and saw this.. seemed like a good idea but just not sure. Anyone with any experience with one of these things.. or the correct name maybe? Or is this thing just another gadget that didnt pan out?

MtnViewRanch · Jun 4, 2015

hunt4570 said:
I forget if this is what the guy called it, or rotating, tumbling.. something... anyway..

Its like a box blade, but it can rotate to 3 positions, blade in rear like any box blade, teeth down (no blade on ground just teeth), and blade in front for more of a finish grading (I guess anyway).

I'm going to be needing a box blade here in the future somewhere and saw this.. seemed like a good idea but just not sure. Anyone with any experience with one of these things.. or the correct name maybe? Or is this thing just another gadget that didnt pan out?

Well, if you mean a gadget that Gannon built for 60 years, than yes it just ended up not working out.

I happen to have 3 of them, a 36", a 65" and an 81".

Gannon-Woods discontinued them when they shut down the facility in California in 2007 I think it was, maybe 2008. Anyway, here are the units that I currently recommend. They are a bit heavier than the Dirt Dog & Bush Hog units.

Oh, they are called a roll over box blade, or ROBB for short.

ovrszd · Jun 4, 2015

Very descriptive pictures Brian

MtnViewRanch · Jun 4, 2015

ovrszd said:
Very descriptive pictures Brian

While these are not a box blade with hydraulic actuated rippers, they are a very good alternative at about $1500-$2000 less.

hunt4570 · Jun 4, 2015

MtnViewRanch said:
Well, if you mean a gadget that Gannon built for 60 years, than yes it just ended up not working out. I happen to have 3 of them, a 36", a 65" and an 81".

Gannon-Woods discontinued them when they shut down the facility in California in 2007 I think it was, maybe 2008. Anyway, here are the units that I currently recommend. They are a bit heavier than the Dirt Dog & Bush Hog units.

Oh, they are called a roll over box blade, or ROBB for short.

Well seeing that you have 3 of them, I'm guessing you like them! Good alternative over a regular box blade then?
Neither of your links showed a price, this guy has 3 or 4 used ones and I think he was wanting about $900 for a 6 footer... does that seem reasonable?

MtnViewRanch · Jun 4, 2015

hunt4570 said:
Well seeing that you have 3 of them, I'm guessing you like them! Good alternative over a regular box blade then?
Neither of your links showed a price, this guy has 3 or 4 used ones and I think he was wanting about $900 for a 6 footer... does that seem reasonable?

A couple of things that make them in my opinion better than a std box blade. You can change the use of the ROBB without ever getting off of the tractor and the rippers of the 65"& 81" units can go into the ground 10". To the best of my knowledge, no other box blade, not even the hydraulic actuated boxes will put the rippers that far in the ground. The top link really does not ever need to be adjusted once you have it set. With all the std, hyd included have to have the top link constantly adjusted, so you best have a hydraulic top link or you will be getting on-off the tractor a lot.

STD boxes have to have the rippers dropped down one at a time. A lot of people set them for shallow digging and tilt the box back and forth to engage and disengage the rippers. While this sort of works, it alters the correct angle that the rippers go into the ground and do not really work properly.

Before very many people, (even pros) had aux hydraulics at the rear of their tractors, about every professional had a ROBB for their tractor. At the time, it was simply the best thing available. Once rear aux hydraulics became a bit more common, most of the pros went with the newest hyd actuated rippers and top & tilt sets.

I can't help you with pricing other than probably in the $2000 arena. These guys like to sell through dealers, but I know that Eagleline will sell direct if no dealer is close by.

If you can find a good one that needs nothing, then yes $900 would be a good price IMO. If the cutting edges are warn out, or rippers need to be replaced, that stuff in quality parts add up very quick and all of a sudden that deal was no deal at all.

hunt4570 · Jun 4, 2015

MtnViewRanch said:
A couple of things that make them in my opinion better than a std box blade. You can change the use of the ROBB without ever getting off of the tractor and the rippers of the 65"& 81" units can go into the ground 10". To the best of my knowledge, no other box blade, not even the hydraulic actuated boxes will put the rippers that far in the ground. The top link really does not ever need to be adjusted once you have it set. With all the std, hyd included have to have the top link constantly adjusted, so you best have a hydraulic top link or you will be getting on-off the tractor a lot.

STD boxes have to have the rippers dropped down one at a time. A lot of people set them for shallow digging and tilt the box back and forth to engage and disengage the rippers. While this sort of works, it alters the correct angle that the rippers go into the ground and do not really work properly.

Before very many people, (even pros) had aux hydraulics at the rear of their tractors, about every professional had a ROBB for their tractor. At the time, it was simply the best thing available. Once rear aux hydraulics became a bit more common, most of the pros went with the newest hyd actuated rippers and top & tilt sets.

I can't help you with pricing other than probably in the $2000 arena. These guys like to sell through dealers, but I know that Eagleline will sell direct if no dealer is close by.

If you can find a good one that needs nothing, then yes $900 would be a good price IMO. If the cutting edges are warn out, or rippers need to be replaced, that stuff in quality parts add up very quick and all of a sudden that deal was no deal at all.

Thanks, I'll remember this when the time comes..

lomita · Jun 5, 2015

I purchased this ROBB recently for a good price. added the two missing rippers...........still a good buy.

Because it's about 50+ years in age and well used it still performs well.

I don't believe I would buy new as they are pricey. If you can find a used one go for it.

hunt4570 · Jun 5, 2015

lomita said:
View attachment 428344

I purchased this ROBB recently for a good price. added the two missing rippers...........still a good buy.

Because it's about 50+ years in age and well used it still performs well.

I don't believe I would buy new as they are pricey. If you can find a used one go for it.

Might I ask what you paid? I'm trying to figure out just what a good deal is on one of these. Thanks.