Box Scraper Sizing a box blade for my JD2040?

[dntfxr]

Hi folks! I have a good bit of dirt to move around prepping our house pad and yard. I'd like to go with a 6' bb to move as much volume as possible but my tractor is 2wd. Would a medium duty 6'er around 700lbs be a good match for my tractor?

On the other hand I also have the little kubota 7100 4wd. I could just get a smaller bb for it but I'd like to get as big as I can handle efficiently, for whichever tractor. Opinions?
Thanks

 

[jshwhite]

I don't think you'd have any problems with a 6 footer. I used to run a 6ft box blade on a 2wd Ford 3600 (approx the same hp). It was no problem at all. When pulling (going forwards), I think the bb tends to pull down on the rear wheels and actually give more traction. It's amazing how much dirt/rock you can drag. It didn't have as much traction pushing backwards though.

I run it with a 4wd Kubota 37hp now and have the same results - can really pull a lot but not so great pushing backwards.

Hope that helps

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks jshwhite, that was very helpful. I went ahead and picked up a 6'er with 3/8" sides. Looks nice and heavy duty. I'm about to go try it out right now, I'll try to snap a pic. Thx again

 

[dntfxr]

Well I got to go play with it some before dark this evening. I've never really used a box blade much before but wow, you are spot on, it flat out moves some earth quick! It definitely puts the weight on the rear tires too, the more full it gets the more traction I had. I was actually considering buying a small dozer before this but that definitely won't be necessary for this job. I think in 2 or 3 days max I can have my hills moved to the house pad area no problem. Thanks again for the response! Heres some pics of the area we just had cleared and the box blade hooked up to the JD. Some show the hoe at work the other day.

 

[jshwhite]

Nice! Glad it worked out well for you. I think you'll find a box blade a really handy implement. I have a FEL, but still use the bb a lot. If you need to work some really hard ground, just drop those teeth down a notch and it'll really rip the dirt. Just make a couple passes with teeth down, then pull them up and scape the dirt off. Really nice for maintaining a long driveway too.

Thanks for the pics!

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with your Modern box blade. I'm impressed with the quality of their construction and really like that they're galvanized.

 

[jenkinsph]

dntfxr,
I think that is the perfect size and weight for your tractor. Let us know how the project goes.

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to get back out and work it some more. I was really amazed at how quick I cut over a foot off of a pretty big hill. Lots of times I was dragging double the volume of the box itself, dirt actually touching the back of my rear tires. And traction was never a problem, it would pick the front end up if I let it! I do have a long drive to maintain too so I know it will be handy with that for years to come. The quality of constuction is real impressive too- all galvanized, 3/8" thick sides and generally heavy construction. I think they're made down in Beaumont too, good ol USA!

It's still a little wet out there but I'm hoping to get some more done before that rain sets in tonight. I may start a project thread and keep it updated, though it will probably be a couple years before we get the house done.

 

[dntfxr]

I got back out this evening and made more progress in moving the dirt. I did manage to break my new toy though. : (

I snagged a root or something but I'm surprised at how easy the ripper broke. Are these things made to break away or is this one possibly defective? I'll contact the dealer where I got it from and see what they say about a replacement.
Also I got a pic from my view on the Deere.

 

[jshwhite]

Seems to me like it might be defective. I'm pretty tough on mine and have never broken a ripper. Several times I have taken out small trees by just getting over top of it, snagging it, and yanking it out. I did some work for a friend recently clearing some ground in the woods. I ripped out a lot of roots and even small tree stumps by snagging them with the rippers. I was pretty brutal on it and managed to bend one sideways, but never broke anything.

Just my experience, but I think I would check with the dealer/manufacture.

 

[dntfxr]

Just an update, I took the broke ripper back to the dealer and he was surprised to see it broke. He swapped me a brand new one no questions asked. That's good business. He said the rep was coming tomorrow and would def want it to take with him back to HQ. I have to give a plug to P&M hardware in West Monroe, they are great to deal with too.
Now back to digging!

 

[dntfxr]

Well I broke 2 more. I'm really hoping there are updated parts, it kinda seems like a poor design... Either that or it is designed to break really easily. I'm off to my dealer to see what he recommends.

 

[new jersey mike]

I see it is a modern ag product attachment, maybe they do not build to a standard as other attachment Mfg's.

It makes me think of the titanic and the problem with the metal and how it was mixed. I guess they can be cutting corners and using a cheap metal mix?

I bought a NH BB 6ft last year but have not had a chance to use it yet. I plan on starting this spring and the projects will range from leveling around a pond, filling an old buried barn that is now collapsing and then larger regrading of old log skids. I know I will have to take it slow on the roads because of the shale and amount of rock in the ground. I suspect I will break a tip(s) but hopefully not the whole scarifier.

 

[Haoleguy]

dntfxr - Very surprised that you're able to break the tines. When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325. How fast are you going when you hit these roots? BTW that's a nice looking box blade.....Gary

 

[MtnViewRanch]

dntfxr - Very surprised that you're able to break the tines. When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325. How fast are you going when you hit these roots? BTW that's a nice looking box blade.....Gary

Your Gannon has forged steel shanks, his are probably cast. HUGE difference in price. There is a good reason why a Gannon cost so much. The shanks and teeth alone cost as much as some entire box blades.

 

[the6shooter]

I am very supprised that the rippers broke like that, modern makes one of the best Boxblades, I also have modern products and never had that problem. this could be a production problem with their source, for steel. I have owned others but I am all modern ag. now...
david

 

[dntfxr]

Yeah I am really surprised too. They are around 3/4" thick and around 3" wide. They arent even set in the lowest position when they break. I mostly use 3rd or 4th gear, not real fast. I noticed on their website that there are replacement rippers with the notches on the back edge of the ripper instead of the front. That seems like an improvement because they all break right in the notch, at least then it would be on the back edge instead of the front. I noticed some replacements are designated "HT", heat treated I bet. Anyway I emailed Modern and they were very quick with a response but he said to contact my dealer. So I'll be bugging them again Monday. At this point if I could just pay for upgraded parts I'd do it just to avoid downtime. I'm down to 4 rippers an the performance is reduced for sure. I just had my grade shot on my lot and I've got around another 4 feet of dirt to add on the pad! Lots more pulls!

To be fair there are some small chunks left in the ground but I'm not raw dogging it by any means. As thick as the steel is on these things surprisingly the tractor barely lugs before they let go.

 

[dntfxr]

I did find some replacements if all else fails. I'm not sure if they will be much better quality though?BOX BLADE SHANK 17.52'' LONG, 3 SLOT - Agri Supply

 

[jshwhite]

dntfxr - When my Gannon BB hits something it either rips what it hit or stops me dead in my tracks on a JD5325.

Yep, I've almost been thrown out of the seat a few times when they hit something that wouldn't move. Seems like I can break anything except the rippers. I am really surprised they broke. Let us know how it works out.

 

[dntfxr]

Just an update guys. My dealer is great, I brought the two broke ones in and he replaced them again, no problem. He said we'll keep replacing them as long as they keep breaking. In my spare time I forge knives, and I think it's a heat treat issue from looking at the open grain. I think they were hardened but not tempered. I considered tempering them in my oven for a long soak, to see if they'd at least bend before they break, but I'll just let Modern sort that out... The box blade itself is much heavier duty than most on the market, so I'm thinking they probably just got a bad batch of outsourced shanks.

Worst case scenario, I'll forge new ones from 5160 and then know what I've got! ; )