Box Blade for Bobcat

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I did a bunch of digging and just couldn't bring myself to pay the kind of money folks want for a 72" box blade for a skid steer.I finished a box blade for the bobcat last weekend and put it right to work. I designed it myself based on others that I have seen, materials included:- 4x8 1/4" plate (plenty left over)- 2.5"x2.5" 1/4" wall square tube- 2"x1/4" angle- old leaf springs for scarfing teeth- spare bolts to hold the teeth on- pre-fabricated universal mount plateI used my Hobart LX235 for all the welds (1/8 and 5/32 7018).  Used a victor OA torch for all the cutsand to head the skids to bend them up in the front.Total materials cost was about $300.  I could have made the mount plate, but I was running out of time (my wife wanted to see some dirt and gravel move) and had it laying around.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Looks nice, how did you bend the "cutting edge" forward? Or did you weld it in? Did you use a hardened cutting edge?I love projects built with stuff "lying around". Not everybody is made of money...JasonXMT 350 MPA Dynasty 280DXSuitcase 8RC / OptimaSpoolmatic 30AThermco Ar / C02 mixerAssorted O/A gear
Reply:Originally Posted by BCRDLooks nice, how did you bend the "cutting edge" forward? Or did you weld it in? Did you use a hardened cutting edge?I love projects built with stuff "lying around". Not everybody is made of money...Jason
Reply:You can always add a bolt on cutting edge. They are easy to change and will add ridgity to the blade.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Looks like it does the job. How are the scarfing tines holding up? Your homemade tines appear to only be pinned at the top, allowing them to bend back. Maybe a second piece of square tube a couple inches below the other would support the tines better? I can't really tell but are the tines straight? Tines normally are a shallow L shape. This rips better. You might be able to heat up the tines and bend them into a better shape.I reality, some good tines would likely be worth your money.+1 for the bolt on cutting edge.Last edited by forhire; 06-02-2011 at 08:58 PM.
Reply:The tines are placed edge forward and are about 1.5" wide.  The aren't flexing back, but I have sheared a bolt once already (Virginia clay is like concrete in this heat). I like the idea of "real" tines - will have to wait for the budget to recover a bit before I can add to this one.The cutting edge hasn't deformed yet, I have some heavy work ahead this weekend that will tell me whether it was a good idea though.  Moving it from the little 743 to the 773 - will ee what 30% more power does to things...Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:probably not that much more power. More lift yes. not much more power. Add some grouser tracks than youll tear some shil up.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:think about a bolt on hard edge made of some ar500 or similar. its not that expensive and would last many times longer than the mild steel
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopprobably not that much more power. More lift yes. not much more power. Add some grouser tracks than youll tear some shil up.
Reply:Most tractors here in Texas use water in the tires for the weight.Michael White
Reply:Yup we have a 773 with tracks. They dig and push like crazy. Just put a set on our 60 hp deere skid pushes like crazier. Nothing better than trying out a project except getting done and its in one piece.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer