Cat GB 124 vs. Burchland LGX Laser Grader: Which Skid Steer Blade Is Right for You?

If you're in the market for a skid steer grading blade - whether for purchase or rental - you've probably come across these two names: the Cat GB 124 Grade Blade and the Burchland LGX Laser Grader Blade. Here at 4K, these are the two main blade attachments we carry, and we get asked all the time which one is better. The honest answer? It depends on your job.

Both blades can be outfitted with Trimble, Topcon, and Leica machine control and laser systems with full automatics, and neither one requires high-flow hydraulics. But how they're engineered - and the types of work they excel at - is where things get interesting.

The Core Problem: Stability and Smoothness

Early skid steer blade attachments had a real issue with stability and smoothness, especially when running laser and GPS machine control systems. Cat and Burchland each solved this problem differently, and understanding that design choice is the key to picking the right blade for your application.

Cat GB 124 Grade Blade

Cat's solution was straightforward: add two stabilizing wheels up front. This fixed the smoothness and stability issues, and it integrates well with Cat skid steers - particularly with their hydraulics and joystick controls alongside Trimble Machine Control. Finishing kits are easy to install and come in at a lower price point, making the GB 124 a popular choice for operators already in the Cat ecosystem.

Weight: 2,059 lbs
Price advantage: $10,000–$15,000 less than the Burchland LGX

Where It Shines

The GB 124 performs best when the grade is already somewhat smooth and you're doing finish work - coming in for final passes on a surface that's close to grade.

Known Limitations

• The front wheels can get in the way in tight areas, particularly around parking lot stalls and when pushing piles
• Compatibility is limited with non-Cat machines - John Deere, Kubota, and other manufacturers have caused connection issues in our experience
• Not ideal for starting on rougher terrain or cutting harder material

Burchland LGX Laser Grader Blade

Burchland took a fundamentally different approach. Instead of wheels, they designed a skid plate shoe that rides along the finish grade, with the blade moving independently from it. This decoupling solves both the smoothness and stability problems without adding wheels to the equation.

It's a six-way dozer-style blade equipped with 12-inch travel lift cylinders that raise and lower the blade separately from the skid plate - so you can get your cut or fill without sacrificing surface quality. The wings also fold back a full 270 degrees, compared to roughly 180 degrees on the GB 124, allowing for deeper cuts and better performance in more aggressive applications.

Weight: 3,200 lbs

Where It Shines

• Tighter work areas where wheel clearance is a concern
• Moving material and making larger, deeper cuts
• Compatible with all skid steer manufacturers - Cat, John Deere, Kubota, and beyond - with no compatibility headaches

Known Limitations

• Heavier by about 1,000 lbs
• Higher price point

Side-by-Side Summary

Which One Should You Choose?

Go with the Cat GB 124 if you're running Cat equipment, working primarily on finish grading, and want a lighter, lower-cost option that integrates cleanly with your existing controls.

Go with the Burchland LGX if you need a blade that works across different machine brands, handles rougher terrain and larger cuts, or you're operating in tighter spaces where wheels would get in the way.

Ready to Talk Options?

We stock both blades along with skid steers, GPS systems, and laser control packages. Whether you're looking at a short-term rental, long-term rental, or outright purchase - and whichever brand of machine control you prefer - we can put together a custom quote for your specific setup.

Visit our site for pricing or give us a call and we'll walk you through the options.