Why Doesn't Deere Sell Boxblades?

glennmac · Feb 21, 2002

Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

John Deere is the historical and international uber-institution of tractordom. The have the most products, the most attachments, the most features, the fattest product catalogs, and the most sophisticated website.

John Deere offers just about every product you have ever heard of, and many you never have heard of, for every agricultural application from bushes and lawns to monster farms and ranches.

Yet there is a conspicous absence in the mighty John Deere product armamentarium, an abyss, a vacuum, a void: There is no John Deere boxblade.

Why?

rdln · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I have one its a 50A about 12 years old, I would post a picture if I could.
the model designation makes no sense, it is niether 50inches nor 5 feet wide it is a 6 foot model non-rollover, fixed back blade

bigpete · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I just enrolled in a night class at the local community college to learn what half those words meant. Seriously, though, I suppose they only make the implements that are high profit margin and give them an edge against the "larger" competition. There are sure a lot of companies that can make box blades, middle busters, 3PH sprayers, PTO broadcasters, etc. I am honestly surprised that they still offer rear 3PH grader blades. I'm sure they outsource quite a bit of the work on non-proprietary (how's that for a $0.50 word) attachments. Landpride, Befco, Worksaver, etc., etc., specialize in these areas and will always be less expensive and probably as high-quality attachements as Deere ever would. I don't think Deere minds selling those pints and quarts of expensive green enamel for the color sensitive, truly loyal.

Regards,

RobS · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I thought there was a boxblade in the new "frontier" line /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

Glenn,

Is part of the criteria... "it must say John Deere on it?"... or will this suffice...? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

blurrybill · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

John,

You seem to be the resident expert on things related to JD -- How 'bout a comment or two on Frontier implements compared with Landpride and others? Am I right in recalling that Frontier is made by Woods? Thanks.

Bill

gator · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I like Steve have a JD 50 BB.Mine is 5' with 2 fixed rear blades and 5 manual scarifer teeth.Don't know how old it is, but the only wear is rust,the metal is still like new.The thing is overbuilt,bet the only way I could hurt it would be to take a torch to it.By looks, the frontier blade JMIII posted a picture probably weighs as much as two of my scarifer teeth do.I'll bet my JD boxblade will be around for me to pass on to my grandkids!

bgott · Feb 21, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

http://www.johndeere.com/NR/rdonlyres/00008cb4xjixvomb.pdf

The specs for the 210LE landscape loader list a box blade as available. They consider a box blade construction equipment rather than agriculture. JD's website is screwing up so I couldn't get the specs on attachments. I also noticed that the landscape loader comes with lift, pitch and tilt cylinders on the three point, top and tilt, standard.

JTD · Feb 22, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I have the Frontier 6 ft boxblade and the 6 ft rotary cutter #613 w/ slip clutch. Both work well so far. JD dealer confirmed Woods as the manuf. I'd like the boxblade a little better if I didn't have to flip the scarifiers upside down (w/ teeth forward) when I don't want them. Lately I leave them in the higher (less protruding) position. Dealer talked me out of buying an MX6 cutter (4700HST).

RobS · Feb 22, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I'm curious why the dealer talked you out of the MX6? I've got a 513 and it's pretty disappointing. Very light duty. If I had known, I'd have gone for an MX series /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Hillbilly · Feb 22, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I had the same grievance with my 513,the best thing I can suggest is do like I did,go to your local welder and mark out some 3/8" stock to match the sides and back of the cutter and weld to the cutter reinforce this area on the cutter.Now if you have a cutting torch and can weld the only thing you would have any $$$ is the 3/8" stock.Mine is vastly superior to what it was after I 1st bought it.I think the gearbox is adequate,its just the thin metal they use to build these things.

JTD · Feb 22, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

Dealer was concerned about the weight on the 3PH with the MX6 even though the brochures showed it as on option. Thought about it and decided to go with the lighter unit. Being new to tractors & equipment, didn't have a strong enough reason to go with the MX6 (plus spend the $1000 extra). I like Hillbilly's solution of welding stronger plates to stiffen the sides. Hope he posts a picture. I don't have enough time w/ the cutter to say I made a wrong decision now but time will tell.

beenthere · Feb 22, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

JTD
I have the JD 513 Rotary CUtter, and reinforced the rear of the deck with some square tubing. This fix keeps the thin steel from bending, which happens mostly when backing up and plowing into dirt, etc. Doing it before it bends is a lot less work than having to bend the steel back straight.
I took the picture with some snow on the deck, hoping the square tubing would show better.

JTD · Feb 23, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

Thanks for the pic. I'll take a look at mine today. I'm keeping my equipment at my neighbor's until my house & shop is built. He does heavy equipment & welding work, etc so modifying it should be easy.

markcg2000 · Feb 23, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I've got the 513 behind my 790, too. I think the weight of the unit is a big factor. Sure, the 3PH is supposed to be able to lift more than the 513, but I was amazed at how light my front end felt when I first got the cutter. Soon as I'd finished the first mowing, I went to the dealer and picked up 4 of those front-end weights (~20Kg each, I think). Now its fine, but a heavier unit would make me nervous. Besides, I don't cut down much in the way of saplings... just knoking down the grass/weeds on a couple acres behind my barn.

smilingreen · Feb 24, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

Hillbilly,
Can you post a pic of your modified 513? I have a 513 and, knock on wood, haven't had any problems, as of yet. But I plan on getting some heavy usage out of it this summer, since I am biting the bullet, and starting my own lawn & field maint. company at the end of this week.

Anonymous Poster · Feb 27, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

I wish that I had read a post like yours before using my 513 for the first time. Backed into a rock hiding in the grass. You are right - it is easy to bend but a bear to straighten.

bgott · Mar 3, 2002

Re: Why Doesn\'t Deere Sell Boxblades?

When I first read this I went to Deere's website to see what I could find. For some reason my computer couldn't deal with the construction attachments pdf file, so after some back and forth with Deere technical support I had them send me a hard copy. One thing about John Deere, they're on-line and technical and literature support beats the s%#t out of NH and Kubota! Anyway, they sent me, in about three days, a publication called " Construction Equipment - Attachment & Custom Engineering Guide". This catalog is basically a line art guide to what's available, it doesn't list sizes or weights of anything. It shows that JD does offer box scrapers. I don't know if they paint them JD green or yellow. I would imagine that they have the scraper made for them as a lot of implements seem to be contracted out. I bet the reason you don't see any JD branded box scrapers is that they are twice the price of an aftermarket scraper. I don't know that for sure, but I notice a lot of people avoid JD attachments due to the price.

It would be worth the time to order one of these catalogs, the range of attachments is amazing! A lot of the stuff is for heavy dozers and excavators but a lot of it, if not available for our smaller tractors, would be worth having built locally. A great idea book!