Box Scraper Should I get a 60" or 72" Box Blade?

[clarksvilleal]

I have a Kubota B2910, 30 HP (22 at PTO). I need a good grading tool, and the Box Blade seems to be the grading tool of choice among many on this forum.

This box blade would not be for driveway maintenance, rather mainly for general grading and leveling chores, including creating shallow drainage swales.

Would a 60" box be more suitable or a 72", both in terms of my tractor HP, but also when I want to use it to create the swales? I worry that the wider box might be a liability for this particular task. And I wonder whether the 72" scraper would be too much for my Kubota B2910 to handle.

Also - a supplier in my area is advertising new Woods BSS60 60" scraper for $820, and the Woods BSS72 72" scraper for $865. Are those good prices? And given the small difference in price, the BSS72, if my tractor can handle it and if I can cut swales with it, would seem to be a much better buy. Never having used one I need some guidance before shelling out hundreds of bucks for a good one.

 

[Steve C]

I have a Kubota B2910, 30 HP (22 at PTO). I need a good grading tool, and the Box Blade seems to be the grading tool of choice among many on this forum.

This box blade would not be for driveway maintenance, rather mainly for general grading and leveling chores, including creating shallow drainage swales.

Would a 60" box be more suitable or a 72", both in terms of my tractor HP, but also when I want to use it to create the swales? I worry that the wider box might be a liability for this particular task. And I wonder whether the 72" scraper would be too much for my Kubota B2910 to handle.

Also - a supplier in my area is advertising new Woods BSS60 60" scraper for $820, and the Woods BSS72 72" scraper for $865. Are those good prices? And given the small difference in price, the BSS72, if my tractor can handle it and if I can cut swales with it, would seem to be a much better buy. Never having used one I need some guidance before shelling out hundreds of bucks for a good one.

I think the 60" would be a good match for your tractor. I am pulling a 60" with my little 2425, and you have a much better tractor than I do.

I do have to put it 4 wheel drive every once in a while if I completely fill it to overflowing. I have ag tires, so I think it helps with the traction a little. This is a link to a link to my latest box blade project.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...tout-inexpensive-box-scraper.html#post1797801

 

[JDGreenGrass]

For swales I would recommend the blade.

I am working on a drainage path now and I am using a 6' blade on a 24hp tractor. Works great for working both sides of the "swale" and I am getting a fairly smooth finish with the blade. I do finish the ground off with the rake but the blade will go as shallow or as deep as you wish. Your 3pt. hitch should have an adjustable so that you can work it at angles as well, though the Woods scraper probably has an angle blade.

I can't comment on the box blade. I have a gravel driveway that will be getting some attention in the next year. I think I can rebuild my driveway with the blade and the bucket and the rake.

If you get the box blade let us know how it turns out for you.

Also, I would suspect 7' attachments would "fit" your tractor nicely. My tractor is 54's wide and both my blade and rake are 6' wide. (72"s)

How wide is your tractor.??

 

[clarksvilleal]

For swales I would recommend the blade.

I am working on a drainage path now and I am using a 6' blade on a 24hp tractor. Works great for working both sides of the "swale" and I am getting a fairly smooth finish with the blade. I do finish the ground off with the rake but the blade will go as shallow or as deep as you wish. Your 3pt. hitch should have an adjustable so that you can work it at angles as well, though the Woods scraper probably has an angle blade.

I can't comment on the box blade. I have a gravel driveway that will be getting some attention in the next year. I think I can rebuild my driveway with the blade and the bucket and the rake.

If you get the box blade let us know how it turns out for you.

Also, I would suspect 7' attachments would "fit" your tractor nicely. My tractor is 54's wide and both my blade and rake are 6' wide. (72"s)

How wide is your tractor.??

The tractor is about 55" wide at the rear wheels, outside edge to outside edge. I have turf tires with good tread, reasonably aggressive for turf tires, and 4WD.

 

[dex3361]

Go with the boxblade not much wider than your wheel width or regular blade a foot wider than your wheel width so when you angle it it still covers your wheel width. A box blade has the ability to break up ground with the rippers and can be a bit more aggressive. I have both and they each have their uses.

 

[Steve C]

I have a Kubota B2910, 30 HP (22 at PTO). I need a good grading tool, and the Box Blade seems to be the grading tool of choice among many on this forum.

This box blade would not be for driveway maintenance, rather mainly for general grading and leveling chores, including creating shallow drainage swales.

Would a 60" box be more suitable or a 72", both in terms of my tractor HP, but also when I want to use it to create the swales? I worry that the wider box might be a liability for this particular task. And I wonder whether the 72" scraper would be too much for my Kubota B2910 to handle.

Also - a supplier in my area is advertising new Woods BSS60 60" scraper for $820, and the Woods BSS72 72" scraper for $865. Are those good prices? And given the small difference in price, the BSS72, if my tractor can handle it and if I can cut swales with it, would seem to be a much better buy. Never having used one I need some guidance before shelling out hundreds of bucks for a good one.

If you are tearing up sod the box blade is by far the best tool for the job. You can drop the rakers, rip out the sod, drag it to where you want it. Raise them up and get the profile you want then go back to your sod pile and scrape it back on top. Run it over a couple of time to pack it down and you are done. I am very pleased with the amount of material I can move with my 5 foot box blade.

 

[Carykong]

Woods products are expensive and well built. You can find a 5' boxblade at half the price you quote for a Woods. The boxblades under $450 are lighter duty but plenty strong for a tractor under 30hp.

 

[Leon Wittner]

My L2800 does fine pulling the 72". Buying one that is wider than your tractor tire width makes it easier to get close to object without scraping your rear tires and covers your tire tracks.

 

[clarksvilleal]

Woods products are expensive and well built. You can find a 5' boxblade at half the price you quote for a Woods. The boxblades under $450 are lighter duty but plenty strong for a tractor under 30hp.

Thanks for the input, Cary.

I learned that I can now get the 60" Woods BSS60 blade for $725. That's still higher than $450, of course. I want something that will last longer than me, and I've heard that extra weight of a heavier-duty box blade is desirable. The BSS60 is 514 lbs. But I'll have to give it some thought as to whether it's worth the difference.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

A 60" blade isn't wide enough.

As stated, if you angle the blade it will not cover your tracks.

A 60" Box Blade just barely covers your tracks.

IMO, you will be happier with at least 72" attachments.