Grading Tractor specified box blade

andrewimbrogno · Nov 25, 2004

My manual says to use a 42" box blade...thats seems rather small. Its says i can have a 60" rear blade though. First i thought it was a weight restriction thing...which it may still be. but there is a 48" box blade thats is within all weight restrictions. Could it just be because there are lighter materails available today. This manual was written in the late 70's. What do you guys think. Should i get the 48" box blade. I was considering the larger rear blade...but i dont think it suits my needs. I will be leveling out ground that isn't loose prior to me driving over it, so a boxblade is the best solution.
Another thing is that do they even make boxblades that small anymore? the smallest i can find is a 48" but to be honest i haven't look very hard

RodgerF · Nov 26, 2004

Andrew,

It's probably more so the amount of material being dragged by the box than the weight of the implement. You'll probably be ok with the 48", that's what I plan to get. IIRC your tractor is 2-wheel drive so traction may be an issue.

I currently have a 6' Bush Hog brand rear blade I bought for my TC30 mounted on the B6100D. The blade weights 290 lbs and the little 'Bota picks it up a carrys it just fine. I even pushed some dirt around with it to see how it would work. Seemed to do ok. I'm going to use it as a snowplow rig. I just have to remember not to push it too hard.

I haven't looked to hard either but if you do find a 42" box blade let us know.

Rodger

sneaky_pete · Nov 26, 2004

I doubt there is much difference in 6" more of box blade. My B7400 easily pulls a really heavy Gannon 48" box blade, and it is only 16 hp, barely more than your B6100. If I'm really digging in with the scarifiers (which I rarely need to use in my sandy soil) then I have to put it in 4wd low range, which sounds like it isn't an option for you, but even if your soil is hard I bet you could scrape it with multiple shallow passes.

Do you have some check chains? I have found them to be a necessity to cut to a consistent depth on my tractor (without position control).

Pete

andrewimbrogno · Nov 26, 2004

Yah i was worried about not having 4 wheel drive. I do have tire chains i plain on having on when i use the boxblade. My current check chains...well i have 1 of them but i was going to order a set off of ebay i found. But i know i'll need those so thats not a big issue. Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on talking to my local dealer about getting a boxblade, and if they do indeed make a 42". If not i think the 48" will be ok.

Andrew

btolle · Nov 26, 2004

Kubota may be the only one who makes a 42" BB.

I have been pulling a 48" behind the old 8N and the B7100 with no problems. The only trouble I have ever had was with spinning the tires. When that happens I just raise the BB a bit and it gets moving again.

Bill Tolle

Henro · Nov 26, 2004

How wide are the rear tires?

In my mind that is the important consideration. I want a box blade that is wider than my rear tires, but not much more on a small tractor.

I would not buy a 42", regardless of what the manual says, if my rear wheels were wider than that.

If you get a 48 inch, you can always compensate when the going get tough, by taking a smaller biter, changing the angle of the cutting edge or whatever...

I really do think you want a box that is wider than the rear tires though...at least I do. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

andrewimbrogno · Nov 26, 2004

Thats what i think. I'll just go with the 48 and if its too much than just use smaller bites. Well thanks for all the help guys. Once again this forum has helped a great deal