Skid steer operators searching for a grader blade run into a mounting mismatch fast: most grader blades built for small machinery use a three-point linkage system for tractors, not the quick-attach plate a skid steer loader needs. This guide ranks the grading attachments in the Implements Direct range for 2026, flags which mount type each one uses, and tells you which blade actually earns its keep on a farm track or driveway.
- Novaquip 1500mm Cat1 grader blade suits compact tractors 20-35HP doing driveway work in 2026 — buy it.
- True skid steer loaders need a quick-attach plate; Implements Direct grader blades mount via three-point linkage — check your hitch first.
- Sierra 8ft box blade (SBB2400) fits 50-90HP tractors maintaining long farm tracks in 2026 — buy for big properties.
- A grader blade angles and offsets soil; a box blade contains and levels it — pick based on the job, not the name.
Why this matters
Searches for grader blade for skid steer usually come from two different buyers wearing the same label. One runs an actual skid steer loader with a universal quick-attach plate on the front. The other runs a compact tractor with a front-end loader and calls the whole rig a "skid steer" out of habit — a common mix-up on NZ lifestyle blocks in 2026.
That distinction matters because Implements Direct's grader blades and box blades mount on Category 1 three-point linkage, the same hitch system used for ploughs and flail mowers, not a skid steer's quick-attach plate. If you're grading a driveway with a tractor-mounted grader blade, you're in the right place. If you're running a true skid steer, confirm your loader's attachment interface before you buy anything in this range.
Once the mount type is sorted, the real decision is blade type: angled grader blade for cutting and pushing, or a box blade for levelling and finishing. Both jobs show up constantly on farm tracks, and the wrong pick means redoing the work.
How we ranked
Each attachment below is ranked on blade width, the tractor HP band it's built for, adjustment range (angle, tilt, offset), and how well it matches a specific grading task — driveway upkeep, farm track maintenance, or paddock levelling. Specs come from the current Implements Direct product listings for 2026. Nothing here is tested off-farm claims or third-party lab data — it's a straight read of what each blade is built to do and which tractor size it's rated for.
The ranked list
1. Novaquip Grader Blade 1500mm Tilt/Angle Cat1 — the compact tractor pick
This is a 1.5m grader blade built for compact tractors in the 20-35HP band, with adjustable angle and tilt and a 180-degree reversible design so it pushes or pulls without repositioning. Removable end plates let you swap between a scraping edge and a contained blade depending on the job.
For lifestyle block driveways and short farm tracks, this is the right size — wide enough to cover a single pass, light enough for a small tractor to carry without ballast. Buy it if your tractor sits in the 20-35HP range and your grading job is under 500 metres of track.
See the Novaquip 1500mm grader blade for full specs.
2. Sierra 6ft Grader Blade 1800mm Tilt Angle Offset — the adjustable all-rounder
Stepping up to 1.8m, the Sierra grader blade adds four angle positions, four tilt positions and six offset settings, built for Category 1 tractors from 28-45HP. That's a wider adjustment range than the Novaquip, which matters if you're grading uneven ground or need to work close to fence lines with the blade offset from the tractor's centreline.
It's a genuine all-rounder for mid-size compact tractors doing regular track work rather than a once-a-year driveway tidy-up. Buy if you're grading more than a few hundred metres a season and want the extra adjustment.
3. Sierra Box Blade 5ft (SCTBB1500) — the sub-compact alternative
At 1.5m wide, this box blade is built for sub-compact tractors in the 18-38HP band — a slightly lower HP floor than the Novaquip grader blade. Box blades trap material between the side plates instead of pushing it off to one side, which gives a flatter finish on loose gravel.
For a sub-compact tractor doing light track maintenance rather than heavy cutting, this is a fair substitute for a grader blade. Consider it if your tractor is under 20HP or your surface is loose gravel rather than compacted clay.
4. Sierra Box Blade 7ft (SBB2100) — the mid-size grading workhorse
The 2.1m Sierra box blade is built for land levelling, driveway grading and turf preparation on medium-duty compact tractors. It's a step up in width from the 5ft and 6ft models, which means fewer passes to cover the same length of track.
This is the size most lifestyle block owners with a longer driveway or several hundred metres of internal track end up buying in 2026, once the smaller blades feel too slow. Buy if width matters more to you than fine adjustment.
5. Sierra Box Blade 8ft (SBB2400) — the big-property finisher
This is the largest blade in the range: 2.4m wide, built for tractors from 50-90HP, with eight height-adjustable ripper shanks up front to break up compacted material before the blade levels it. That ripper count is double what the smaller box blades carry, which is the real reason it's rated for bigger tractors — breaking hard-packed track surface takes more draft.
For farms with long internal roading or a genuine grading job rather than driveway tidying, this is the blade that actually finishes the work in one or two passes instead of five. Buy if your tractor clears 50HP and your tracks run into the hundreds of metres.
Check current stock on the Sierra 8ft box blade.
Comparison table
| Attachment | Blade width | Tractor HP | Mount type | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novaquip Grader Blade 1500mm | 1.5m | 20-35HP | 3-point linkage Cat1 | Driveways, short tracks | Buy |
| Sierra 6ft Grader Blade 1800mm | 1.8m | 28-45HP | 3-point linkage Cat1 | Regular track grading | Buy |
| Sierra Box Blade 5ft (SCTBB1500) | 1.5m | 18-38HP | 3-point linkage | Sub-compact, loose gravel | Consider |
| Sierra Box Blade 7ft (SBB2100) | 2.1m | Medium-duty tractors | 3-point linkage | Longer driveways | Buy |
| Sierra Box Blade 8ft (SBB2400) | 2.4m | 50-90HP | 3-point linkage | Long farm tracks | Buy |
Where to buy
- Confirm the hitch before you order. Every attachment above is a Category 1 three-point linkage fit — measure your tractor's lower link pins against the Cat pin size guide rather than guessing from tractor model.
- Match blade width to tractor HP, not the other way round. A 2.4m box blade on a 35HP tractor will stall on hard-packed clay; a 1.5m blade on a 90HP tractor is a wasted pass.
- Buy from a supplier that ships NZ-wide. Freight on a grading attachment this size adds up fast if it's coming from a single regional dealer.
FAQ
What's the best grader blade for a skid steer loader?
A true skid steer loader needs a quick-attach plate, not the three-point linkage grader blades Implements Direct sells. If you also run a compact tractor, the Novaquip 1500mm Cat1 grader blade covers the 20-35HP band in 2026.
Can I fit a three-point linkage grader blade to a skid steer?
Not without matching the exact mounting geometry, which a standard three-point linkage blade doesn't have. Confirm your loader's attachment plate before buying any grading implement.
Is a box blade better than a grader blade for a farm driveway?
A box blade contains material between side plates for a flatter finish; a grader blade angles material off to one side. Loose gravel driveways generally do better with a box blade, hard tracks with a grader blade.
How much does a grader blade cost in NZ in 2026?
Prices in the Implements Direct range run from NZ$1,495 for the Novaquip 1500mm grader blade to NZ$3,295 for the Sierra 8ft box blade. Width and HP rating drive most of the price difference.
What HP tractor do I need for a grader blade?
It depends on blade width: 20-35HP suits a 1.5m grader blade, 28-45HP suits a 1.8m blade, and 50-90HP is needed for an 8ft (2.4m) box blade. Check the specific model's rated HP range before buying.
How wide should my grading attachment be?
Match width to your tractor's HP and the length of track you're grading. A wider blade covers more ground per pass but needs more horsepower to pull through compacted material.
What's the difference between a grader blade and a box blade?
A grader blade is a straight edge that angles, tilts and offsets to cut and push material. A box blade adds side plates and ripper shanks to break up and contain material for a level finish.
One last thing
The HP spread across this range is wider than most buyers expect: the smallest grader blade is rated from 20HP while the largest box blade needs 50-90HP — nearly a 3x jump for what looks like the same category of attachment. Check the rated HP band before you buy, not just the blade width, or you'll end up with a blade your tractor can't pull through hard-packed track surface.