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Snow removal with back blade

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thisldoofarm
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12 Upstate NY
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2005-09-05          115953


When removing snow from driveways with a (presumably) angled back blade, is it best to go forward or in reverse. Also, is it best to have the blade forward, or reversed? Thanks. Snow coming...
B7800




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funchy
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 128 north eastern corner of Maryland
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2005-09-05          115957


I did it with a rear blade on my bx23. I had problems with the one corner of the blade being lower than the other when I tried to angle it, so I plowed with it straight (& facing forward). Deeper drifts I moved with my FEL. I am no expert,so I'm sure others have better advice. ....


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denwood
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 542 Quarryville PA
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2005-09-05          115959


It depends on what surface you are plowing. If it is pavement of some sort, using it in its designed direction is best, whether blade if facing forward or backward. Usually backing up is best so you don't pack the snow down first. On gravel or grass, using the blades back side is often better so you don't rip the surface up. A good blade will offer tilt on the blade as well as angle and sometimes offset. If you pull the pin out of the tilt altogether, the blade will follow the contour of the ground and not dig in one corner. This has worked great for me. The only problem is in the rare instance one side of the blade gets a chunk of snow stuck on and then sags down when you lift without the tilt pin in. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-09-06          115980


The MOST important point to bear in mind about using a rear blade for snow is that it is NOT a 'snow plow'.

A snow plow always has some sort of spring-trip mechanism that gives away if the blade hits something harder than the plow can safely move.

A rear blade has no such break-away type safety protection.

If you hit something as inocous as a lump of frozen ground you could cause some real damage to the machine, and or the operator. The 3pth is designed to take a static load in a pulling manner, a sudden shock load, especially in reverse can cause major damage to the lift arms and possibly the casting of the rear end as well.

The operator, while turned around, could get at the least, a VERY sore neck if an object was hit and the machine stopped suddenly. I have seen people get whip-lash from exactly this. If the operator struck the ROPS it could be a serious injury.

Best of luck. ....


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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-09-06          115986


Murf makes some serious points about safety that need to be considered. Regardless of what is used to clear snow, you need to know what is beneath the surface.

I use a loader and a 6 ft rear blade to clear snow. I use the loader between by shop and garage because that is where the snow drifts are. That way my tractor isn't having to clear through the driftes first. It also allows me to tilt the bucket lip ever so slightly up so the front edge doesn't dig in. I still move gravel, and leave some snow, but better than moving a pile of gravel come spring.

The rear blade I drag behind me meaning I drive over the snow first. But I use it on the main drive which is exposed to wind, doesn't drift up and isn't deep with snow. But I also take the top adjustable link of the 3-point and shorten it as much as possible so the rear blade is angled forward so it doesn't want to dig in. My two lower 3-pt arms are adjustable so I can control the tilt of the blade when it's set at a 45 degree angle. I set this before the snow flys in my shop on the concrete so it's easy to see how level it is.

Finally, I know my drive. I know what to watch for and where those hidden demons are that Murf points out. Knowledge is power and safety!! I also have a rear facing light that shines over the blade. I get 2 things from this. 1 is I can see what I'm blading. 2 is I have light to make adjustments when it's dark at 5:30 am and it's friggin cold so I want to be done quickly. ....


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Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2005-09-06          116001


It's easiest to learn by pulling the snow. Pushing unless with a short top link and skid shoes is to uncontrolable. The blade does change with the angle to the ground. Your side link adjustment will comensate for the different adjustments of fore and aft. You should have about a 6' blade minimum to do well when angled. ....


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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2005-09-06          116011


What ever you decide to do.... do it real slow.

My front blade has a spring that is so weak that it not really functional. So I pin it in place and compensate by plowing snow at less than a walking pace. ....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-09-07          116020


Now here's the dumb question of the day .......

Why not just increase the pre-load on the spring or replace it with a stiffer spring? ....


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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2005-09-07          116022


There is no load adjustment on the thing, just two holes to snap the spring into....

As for replacing it, well I just can't all my poop in one sock lately. The bigger issue is that despite what Deere sez, the thing is too small for the 4115.

At extreme angles it dumps snow under the outer edge of the rear tires. I rigged up a wider replacement blade late last winter and haven't had time to work out all the finer details..... like the springy thing.

I might take a picture of it and send it to you Murf. You might have some ideas on how to rig it up. But first I have got to get this roofing crew out of my life. They have been disrupting things for a solid month. ....


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StephenR
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 230 New Tripoli, Pa.
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2005-09-07          116024


"well I just can't all my poop in one sock lately."

Huh? ....


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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2005-09-07          116025


AKA.. Get my $#!t together. ....


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yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan
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2005-09-07          116026


You can purchase blade extensions/wings from Western, etc. I believe Northern Tool also sells them. A local fab shop should be able to roll a 4" or 6" wide piece of steel that can be welded on as well. ....


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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-09-07          116034


Yeah, I forgot to mention the blade needs to be wide enough to clear the tractor when set at an angle. I'd use a 6ft blade minimum and I have a JD 4310. It clears a wide enough path for the tractor when at an angle.

As for DRankin, I figured that was what you were talking about. You probably need extensions. I'm having my roof replaced at the end of this week or the beginning of next. The nailing will drive my dogs nuts! So many projects... so little time. And I now have poopy diapers to contend with. I don't know how people with kids get it done! I certainly don't. ....


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DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2005-09-07          116036


I did a little research.

By the time you get the metal, have it rolled at shop rate and punched for assembly and a new cutting edge fabricated and punched, the bucks start to add up.

My dealer got me a 6 foot blade off the parts list from Gearmore for $275 and it was fairly easy to drill and mount some angle iron brackets.

....


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n4807g
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 8 New Hampshire
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2005-10-03          117309


I've used a rear blade and loader to clear snow in the mountains of the Monadnock region in New Hampshire for the last 14 years. It works well with a big heavy machine and a blade that is wider than the rear wheels. If your 3pt has draft (float) control no sweat. As many have said KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND BEFORE YOU PLOW! If you take it slowly and learn what obstacles are in you path it's a very effective method of snow removal. ....


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091755
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 143 brantwood wisconsin
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2005-10-04          117386


thisldoofarm
I am not sure where you live but up here in N. Wisc., no
one would 'pull' snow or angle the blade.
We put skids on the blade(one on each side) and set them
one inch about the gravel(in my case) Most of us also
have some type of 'wing' to congregate the snow. As far
as hitting stuff, it doesnt happen here. I have been moving
snow for over 40 years with a variety of tractors and I know what is where. Basically, you move the stuff before
winter. If we could drag or angle the blade, it would
probably not be much snow and we would just drive thru it.
Under 4-5 inches of snow isnt really considered a snowfall
here, so I suspect that is different from your local.
I now use a front end snowblower and it is 'heaven'. No
more turning my head and neck and I can sit in a heated
cab.
doc
....


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091755
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 143 brantwood wisconsin
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2005-10-04          117388


Art
I had to chuckle at your advice on moving snow -"it's
easiest to learn". Just what is there to learn?
I began moving snow at the age of 8 with my dad's WD-45
We had chains, fluid in the tires, and a blade made so
solid it puts the stuff made today to shame.(still have it)
That tractor could literally move just about anything.
I cant see how one would move snow without skids, unless
on blacktop or concrete. I realize many(if not most people)
didnt grow up on a farm, but if an 8 year old can do this
stuff - it has to be a quick learning curve.
doc ....


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Iowafun
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 955 Central Iowa
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2005-10-05          117419


All of this talk has me thinking of fabing up some skids for my rear blade. I haven't used skids before due to my topography and how the snow setles. But it would be good shop time and an excuse to use the welder... It would also help keep rocks out of the grass. ....


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chrisscholz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 104 iowa
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2005-11-23          119761


If you are blading snow on a gravel road, take a length of pipe, cut a slit in it lengthwise, and slip it over the bottom of the blade. Will do wonders to save your gravel road.
....


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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2005-11-24          119773


Wow, I bet that would work on a FEL bucket too ......

ROFLMAO.

Best of luck. ....


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