Which Box Blade to buy based on Tractor Size and HP

[jcri]

My first thought/question would be: What do you mean by "yard finish grading work"? specifically in the context of would you be using the rippers down or keeping them up and using the blade cutting edge?

I have been working on removing a lot of field stone and aside from the craters left behind I plan on doing some grading to smooth pasture areas that I mow and also doing some grading work to correct some water run-off/drainage issues that I have.

 

[BukitCase]

Here's one in your state
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/farm-equipment/for-sale/25006049/woods-84hxd
Used, but looks nearly new. Asking $3500 (did I mention these ain't cheep?) - I bought mine about 14 years ago, forgot to mention it had NO RIPPERS, bought those extra locally for about $200.

Still, the gannon that size weighs nearly TWICE what the EA one you showed. You might wanna call that place, maybe they'll deal some. Looks like about a 280 mile trip, only other used ones I found on a quick search were in Oregon and Minnesota, probably not cheap to truck freight... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Same place also has a Rhino HB84 - that one has the hinged tail gate, that model weighs around 1200#. They want $2800 for that one, hydraulic rippers and the tail gate would make it a better deal IME. The other Gannon does NOT appear to have the hinged gate; trust me when I say that once you've HAD that option, you wouldn't be happy WITHOUT it... Steve

 

[jjp8182]

That definitely sounds like enough work to be using something on the 3pt rather than the FEL especially if you're working on a tight timeline.

While I don't have experience with any of the following they're manufacturer's I've considered buying from myself:

MonroeTufline, and King Kutter might be options for box blades/rear blades (Monroe Tufline also has a line of wheeled box scrapers which may be of interest/use), alternatively a "small" (1.5-3 yard) dirt pan by Hoelcsher or Durabilt might work as well if there's room to maneuver a pulled implement.

Of course depending on the rental market in your area, it may also be possible to rent either/both implements (potentially without having to rent a tractor as well) --- or even rent a stand-alone piece of equipment that could do the job (e.g. skid steer with a harley rake, or even a bulldozer), and with larger equipment it may also be possible to have it delivered/picked up as well. From past experiences I've seen that it's possible (around here at least) to rent some really heavy/capable equipment for a week for less than some new/used 3pt implements cost. Just another option for solving the near term problems that might make buying something to handle the long term maintenance cheaper/easier.

 

[FTG-05]

Thanks a lot everyone for the responses and great information. I called Everything Attachments today to order the Xtreme Duty 6 way 7' scrape blade and a 7' box blade and unfortunately the guy told me that they were backed up at least 2 1/2 months before they would be able to get to me. I need something a whole lot sooner than that. Does anyone have a suggestion on another manufacturer/brand that is good quality? I would have loved to buy from EA, but I need the blades sooner rather than later.

I would order the grader blade from EA right now (except I would get the 8') and then buy a used BB. Make sure it's +100/ft and wider than your tractor.

Good luck!