What box blade are you using with your B2650?

[Clover13]

So I spoke with another dealer yesterday to get their ideas on my use/tractor fit. He had me a little concerned about ground engaging work with the B2650, considering it maybe not enough HP. But I am in sand base and gravel drive, which is hard packed but certainly very diggable. He was speaking in terms of where he was at, which was a lot of rock, shale, clay, etc.

Most say go with the heaviest box blade you can get...so I had my eye on the LP BB2560 which weighs in at 471 lbs

LP says the following in specs:

Working widths
12 Series: 48", 54", 60", 66", 72" Widths
15 Series: 60", 66" & 72"
25 Series: 60", 66", 72", 84" & 96"

HP Range
12 Series: 17-30 HP
15 Series: 17-40 HP
25 Series: 25-55 HP

BB1260: 346 lbs
BB1560: 428 lbs
BB2560: 471 lbs


Then I was thinking of other loader work, moving a lot of fallen dead wood and cleanup with a grapple and will moving that all around be too demanding for the B2650?

Man, I'm all confused again...I was locked into that B2650...now I'm back looking at Ls.

 

[dirtydeed]

I picked up an EA extreme duty 60" box blade for mine (in kubota orange) from these guys...

https://www.everythingattachments.com/Box-Blade-Box-Scraper-For-Compact-Tractors-p/eta-xd-cbb.htm

They are a heavily built unit probably more comparable to the heavy duty LP models. Excellent quality at reasonable prices and free shipping. Check them out, they have lots of videos as well on you tube.

Just remember that many of the smaller L's use a very similar loader...They won't really lift more than the large B. They do however, offer more weight.

 

[Clover13]

I picked up an EA extreme duty 60" box blade for mine (in kubota orange) from these guys...

https://www.everythingattachments.com/Box-Blade-Box-Scraper-For-Compact-Tractors-p/eta-xd-cbb.htm

They are a heavily built unit probably more comparable to the heavy duty LP models. Excellent quality at reasonable prices and free shipping. Check them out, they have lots of videos as well on you tube.

Just remember that many of the smaller L's use a very similar loader...They won't really lift more than the large B. They do however, offer more weight.

OK, per the link that one is 385 lbs, so heavier than the BB1260 but less than the BB1560. Any issues getting bogged down at all using it? What type of soil/ground?

I think the dealers thought process was a matter of HP and weight with the L series not getting "bogged down" like the B "might". I wouldn't think 200lbs more on the 3PT would matter (especially since the ballast box is 500lbs + 100lbs of it's own weight)...but you're also not dragging the ballast box into ground.

 

[PaulL]

I did the numbers here: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37655 The L2501 isn't that much more capable and on some metrics like ground clearance, actually less capable. The only thing it clearly has going for it is raw weight. But, for me, I'd rather a lighter tractor and add ballast - then it can be heavy when I want it to be and light when I want it to be.

I do see some clear suggestion that the L2501 HP might be better than the B2650 - it's rated at very low RPM, and although nobody's saying it, I get some idea that it's actually making more than they claim. So the numbers aren't everything. But I would have thought a B2650 has more than enough HP and weight for what you describe doing, and it's a nicer tractor.

 

[Clover13]

I did the numbers here: http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37655 The L2501 isn't that much more capable and on some metrics like ground clearance, actually less capable. The only thing it clearly has going for it is raw weight. But, for me, I'd rather a lighter tractor and add ballast - then it can be heavy when I want it to be and light when I want it to be.

I do see some clear suggestion that the L2501 HP might be better than the B2650 - it's rated at very low RPM, and although nobody's saying it, I get some idea that it's actually making more than they claim. So the numbers aren't everything. But I would have thought a B2650 has more than enough HP and weight for what you describe doing, and it's a nicer tractor.

The B is definitely a nicer tractor, and agree 100% on the weight flexibility. I can add the box blade for ballast when working FEL, and remove it all for when I want to mow. Going with the L takes mowing out of the equation for my 3/4 acre due to weight, and I'd be even more concerned driving on the lawn with it in general.

Just the last thing I want to wind up doing is getting a B and finding it doesn't do what I need it to well or at all. I'll need to watch more videos and try to figure out what guys are using with theirs implement wise.

 

[dirtydeed]

OK, per the link that one is 385 lbs, so heavier than the BB1260 but less than the BB1560. Any issues getting bogged down at all using it? What type of soil/ground?

I think the dealers thought process was a matter of HP and weight with the L series not getting "bogged down" like the B "might". I wouldn't think 200lbs more on the 3PT would matter (especially since the ballast box is 500lbs + 100lbs of it's own weight)...but you're also not dragging the ballast box into ground.

It would be helpful if maybe you indicated what you are trying to do with a new machine. maybe some here could better guide you in what to look for.

The BB model I got only has 4 scarifiers. I have heavy clay and my ground is really wet. I think you can bog anything down in the right conditions but I wouldn't be worried about it since you can simply take a bit smaller bite.

I specifically needed a lighter weight machine because of my soil conditions and don't need to worry about ballast...the backhoe takes care of that. I just think that EA builds some nice heavy duty attachments at a reasonable price.

 

[Clover13]

It would be helpful if maybe you indicated what you are trying to do with a new machine. maybe some here could better guide you in what to look for.

The BB model I got only has 4 scarifiers. I have heavy clay and my ground is really wet. I think you can bog anything down in the right conditions but I wouldn't be worried about it since you can simply take a bit smaller bite.

I specifically needed a lighter weight machine because of my soil conditions and don't need to worry about ballast...the backhoe takes care of that. I just think that EA builds some nice heavy duty attachments at a reasonable price.

Agree, you can anchor a tractor by digging in too much with any box.

I've read a lot of good things about the EA implements. I guess what I was getting at (if costs were equal) given many say get the heaviest box blade you can, is there any reason to not get a 500# model over a 300# model (assuming the same cutting width)?

Task wise, I created a topic on it not long ago, and feedback from members and from my local dealer were the 2650 would be a good fit. The other dealer I just talked to threw me through a loop though bringing up the ground engaging work, which is what prompted this topic...just to get an idea if anyone has had any trouble where they felt limited by their 2650 and if so what they were doing.

 

[eipo]

Ive got a county line 5' box blade I use behind my 2650. Manufacturer says it weighs 395#.

I haven't had any issues using it for grading soil, asphalt, sand... and ripping up ground to re-work. I can load it full enough to have material spill over the back. Gotta use the front axle for that, though.

ETA: Ive also used it to pull roots and stumps... Not large ones, but roots and stumps none the less. Its also just enough rear ballast, including the loaded tires, to keep the back planted while running out of hydraulic capacity at the loader picking up logs to place onto my cutting station.

 

[Clover13]

Any concerns going with either the BB1560 @ 428 lbs or the BB2560 @ 471 lbs for the additional weight?

 

[pauly]

My .02, I have a B2650 and use the LP 1560 BB. No issues with either.

 

[PaulL]

I'd say the dealer threw a curve ball because you told him you might want to do ground engaging work. If you're pulling a plow then I think an L would be a better machine. But my impression is that you're 90% doing tasks that a B would do better, and the last 10% a B will do OK, maybe a bit slower or with smaller bites. If you get an L there'll be things you can't do any more, and that seems like a bigger problem.

 

[eipo]

Any concerns going with either the BB1560 @ 428 lbs or the BB2560 @ 471 lbs for the additional weight?

Is the BB going to be part of the package with the tractor?

 

[Clover13]

I'd say the dealer threw a curve ball because you told him you might want to do ground engaging work. If you're pulling a plow then I think an L would be a better machine. But my impression is that you're 90% doing tasks that a B would do better, and the last 10% a B will do OK, maybe a bit slower or with smaller bites. If you get an L there'll be things you can't do any more, and that seems like a bigger problem.

Yes I think that’s the gist of it. My gut tells me the 2650 will be the best bet. Also forgot to mention the dealer indicated the 3350 is likely getting the same emissions setup as the L series next year.

Is the BB going to be part of the package with the tractor?

They are pricing one in and it will count toward the current implement discount. I was originally priced with the bb1260 but thinking of definitely going heavier because I’d like to use it as ballast too.

My .02, I have a B2650 and use the LP 1560 BB. No issues with either.

Cool that makes my minimum the 1560!

 

[eipo]

They are pricing one in and it will count toward the current implement discount. I was originally priced with the bb1260 but thinking of definitely going heavier because I’d like to use it as ballast too.

OK. I was going to suggest saving your money and getting one from the local farm store. There isn't a lot of difference between them for the money.

But the cost is already being offset by the implement discount...

 

[Freeheeler]

Any concerns going with either the BB1560 @ 428 lbs or the BB2560 @ 471 lbs for the additional weight?

That weight difference doesn't matter at all. It's gonna get filled with hundreds of pounds of dirt/gravel as you drag it. Usually the reason to go with the heavier box is that it means it it built with thicker metal plates and such. Thicker metal means better wear/longevity. Unless you are using the box commercially on a regular basis, you're not going to wear out the slightly lighter box in a lifetime. Personally, I'm looking at the heavier duty grade boxes because they have a better attachment vs the pin type that can bend/break on the lighter models.

 

[SAITCHO]

With my B26TLB I have the LP 1560 box blade. I use it on my half a mile dirt road. With my rear tires filled and my Trygg chains on I can overfill that box easy once stuff gets soften up.