Rear Blade: Yes or No??? - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

**Dougster** · 07-01-2009, 11:08 AM

I'd previously mentioned how the current TSC 15% off coupon was burning a hole in my pocket (and also in my brain)... http://machineunderground.com/24491-post82.html

But I don't see anything that makes sense to use it on before it expires with the possible exception of a 6' rear blade for the Red Beast.

These coupons don't come along very often (once a year maybe?) so I tend to take them seriously when they do. And Lord knows that the poor old Dougster™ needs all the good bargains he can find.

But a rear blade has always been a bit confusing for me. Other than that some folks use them for dirt/gravel roads, trenching and snow removal (none of which I need), I am at a loss to come up with a good commercial use for one that a box blade couldn't handle better.

I did have a couple of gravel parking lot opportunities for which a rear blade could have made a difference... but those now seem to have been isolated, coincidental inquiries. Such a "parking lot refurb" call may never come again.

I have also thought long and hard about adding gauge wheels to a rear blade for more precise grading/leveling than I can achieve with a box blade or other tool... but the jury is still out on that idea.

The lower weight of a rear blade concerns me and makes me wonder if such an idea would ever work.

So what do folks out there think? Can a rear blade be a useful commercial tool? Or will a box blade almost always be the preferred tool? With the TSC coupon, price is practically a non-factor (it's about half a day's revenue). I am frankly more concerned about storage space than cost. But I still need more justification than just the coupon and bargain price to bring home another 3-point tool from TSC to further clog up the yard around Dougster Manor.

Dougster™

**PaulChristenson** · 07-01-2009, 12:57 PM

Save your money...

**Dougster** · 07-01-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

A NO vote Save your money

Oh ye of mucho megabuck wealth but few written words...

... is there any other reasoning here other than the

???

Dougster™

MtnViewRanch · 07-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

I'd previously mentioned how the current TSC 15% off coupon was burning a hole in my pocket
But I don't see anything that makes sense to use it on before it expires with the possible exception of a 6' rear blade for the Red Beast.

These coupons don't come along very often (once a year maybe?) so I tend to take them seriously when they do. And Lord knows that the poor old Dougster™ needs all the good bargains he can find.

But a rear blade has always been a bit confusing for me. Other than that some folks use them for dirt/gravel roads, trenching and snow removal (none of which I need), I am at a loss to come up with a good commercial use for one that a box blade couldn't handle better.

I did have a couple of gravel parking lot opportunities for which a rear blade could have made a difference...
I have also thought long and hard about adding gauge wheels to a rear blade for more precise grading/leveling than I can achieve with a box blade or other tool... but the jury is still out on that idea.

The lower weight of a rear blade concerns me and makes me wonder if such an idea would ever work.

So what do folks out there think? Can a rear blade be a useful commercial tool? Or will a box blade almost always be the preferred tool? With the TSC coupon, price is practically a non-factor (it's about half a day's revenue). I am frankly more concerned about storage space than cost. But I still need more justification than just the coupon and bargain price to bring home another 3-point tool from TSC to further clog up the yard around Dougster Manor.

Dougster™

Still recovering from the unexpected loss of the neighbor ya know.

Anyway,(sniff, sniff) if you can get one of these (picture) for 15% off, well it would just be hard to pass up.

These rear blades can work wonders on cleaning out roadside gutters and are very good at grading also once you get the hang of them. Very good at shaping-crowning a road bed. Much better than a box blade in my opinion. Remember, you work with a moving load vs a fixed load with a box blade, much easier and faster if you ask me, but each has their intended purpose. Oh, the one pictured is about 1140 lbs, I suppose you could weld some posts on it and add some weight if you really thought that it was necessary.

If you make enough in a 1/2 days work to purchase on of these (pictured) rear blades, then buddy your days of being poor are over in my book.

Now if your local TSC only carries the stuff that all the other TSC's carry, well save your money. If by chance they have a heavy duty one available, then that might be ok, but absolutely forget the light duty stuff. Might as well be the rake that you bought.

**Dougster** · 07-01-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnViewRanch

Still recovering from the unexpected loss of the neighbor ya know.

Anyway,(sniff, sniff) if you can get one of these (picture) for 15% off, well it would just be hard to pass up.

These rear blades can work wonders on cleaning out roadside gutters and are very good at grading also once you get the hang of them. Very good at shaping-crowning a road bed. Much better than a box blade in my opinion. Remember, you work with a moving load vs a fixed load with a box blade, much easier and faster if you ask me, but each has their intended purpose. Oh, the one pictured is about 1140 lbs, I suppose you could weld some posts on it and add some weight if you really thought that it was necessary.

If you make enough in a 1/2 days work to purchase on of these (pictured) rear blades, then buddy your days of being poor are over in my book.

Now if your local TSC only carries the stuff that all the other TSC's carry, well save your money. If by chance they have a heavy duty one available, then that might be ok, but absolutely forget the light duty stuff. Might as well be the rake that you bought.

Holy Geesus Brian!!!

That is the rear blade from HELL!!!

Don't think I've ever seen one so nice (or heavy) before.

That one must have cost more than my whole tractor!!!

Probably weighs more too!!!

And let's please clarify: I was talking about a light-duty TSC unit for $250 after coupon or a KK heavy-duty unit for $400 after coupon. And I was referring to half a day's revenue (for the $250 light-duty TSC) when I actually have work. And lately, that has not been very often.

It rained here the entire month of June.

Still, we are not talking megabucks... even for me. And knowing my luck, I will probably need it 2 days after the coupon expires. That's how it always works with me.

Dougster™

p.s., Sorry to hear about your neighbor. I know how close you were.

-d

MtnViewRanch · 07-01-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

a KK heavy-duty unit for $400 after coupon.

Dougster™

Doug, if you can swing it, that KK unit might be the unit for you. Put a hydraulic on it for angling the blade and you might be set.

I myself would not be without one. Not that I use it all the time, but it sure is nice to have when that is the implement of choice.

Edster · 07-02-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougster

Holy Geesus Brian!!!

That is the rear blade from HELL!!!

Don't think I've ever seen one so nice (or heavy) before.

That one must have cost more than my whole tractor!!!

Probably weighs more too!!!

And let's please clarify: I was talking about a light-duty TSC unit for $250 after coupon or a KK heavy-duty unit for $400 after coupon. And I was referring to half a day's revenue (for the $250 light-duty TSC) when I actually have work. And lately, that has not been very often.

It rained here the entire month of June.

Still, we are not talking megabucks... even for me. And knowing my luck, I will probably need it 2 days after the coupon expires. That's how it always works with me.

Dougster™

p.s., Sorry to hear about your neighbor. I know how close you were.

-d

I'm with Paul. SAVE YOUR MONEY. What happened the last time you bought something from Tractor supply, (hint hint --- the landscape rake) I don't believe that the one at Tractor supply is heavy enough for what you want to do. Clarification: Heavy enough: Sturdy/not cheaply built--also weight comes into the picture.

I say again----SAVE YOUR MONEY

**gunmaker** · 07-02-2009, 08:25 AM

I join the rumbles of the 'save your cash' crowd. I've a back blade with both 60" and 84" blades, tilt and turn. It stays right where I put it after I brought it home three years ago, I've never had the need to use it. Other implements always worked as well or were on the machine. If you can't state the need, skip it.

**Dougster** · 07-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnViewRanch

Doug, if you can swing it, that KK unit might be the unit for you. Put a hydraulic on it for angling the blade and you might be set.

I myself would not be without one. Not that I use it all the time, but it sure is nice to have when that is the implement of choice.

The KK unit is a whole lot nicer and heavier (although not even close to yours!). But $400 is a lot more than $250. The TSC unit would be a "throw away"... probably good for one parking lot job, maybe.

All depends on what I'd do to reinforce it and increase its weight. But that was my thinking: Buy the cheapy TSC to have it here just in case... or buy the KK, add the gauge wheels... and pray that my improved grading/leveling concept works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

I'm with Paul. SAVE YOUR MONEY. What happened the last time you bought something from Tractor supply, (hint hint --- the landscape rake) I don't believe that the one at Tractor supply is heavy enough for what you want to do. Clarification: Heavy enough: Sturdy/not cheaply built--also weight comes into the picture.
I say again----SAVE YOUR MONEY

ouch, Ouch, OUCH!!!

Let's first clarify that the defective TSC landscape rake was a very early purchase before I had any idea of the horribly flawed design or the importance of a high-quality landscape rake (w/gauge wheels) to the biz. The TSC rear blade does not share the defective C-channel design of the TSC landscape rake. I'll admit that the top link tower isn't very impressive, especially compared to the KK or Brian's, but it could be reinforced before I break it. The KK is a lot stronger and heavier for that extra $150.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunmaker

I join the rumbles of the 'save your cash' crowd. I've a back blade with both 60" and 84" blades, tilt and turn. It stays right where I put it after I brought it home three years ago, I've never had the need to use it. Other implements always worked as well or were on the machine. If you can't state the need, skip it.

Thanks GM. That's good, credible testimony against buying one... and not based solely on "save your money" thinking.

The way my luck works, if I buy one, I will never need it. (Examples: KMW 78" bucket, stump bucket, el crappo Chinese wood chipper, etc.). It will just clog up my already clogged yard and give the GF something else to paint as it rusts away.

On the other hand, if I don't buy one during this nifty coupon sale, it is practically guaranteed that I will need it (Example: Ed K's bargain Harley rake and about a dozen other assorted machines that got away... some about which I still cry at night).

Decision day is today. The coupon ends soon and the GF's vacation starts tomorrow. After today, everything "biz" comes to a screeching halt for the next 11 days.

Dougster™

**Dougster** · 07-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Not that the pix prove much by themselves... but here are the two "candidates":

King Kutter (heavy-duty)...

And TSC (light-duty)...

Turns out that the KK would have to be ordered. None are in stock anywhere in New England; however, I was told I would still get the 15%/$50 max discount so long as I prepaid.

The KK is also supposed to have a "tilt" feature (according to the TSC salesman), although I can't tell if it does or doesn't from the pix.

Dougster™