Rear Blade Rear Blade 1026r. Best bang for the buck?

[Noodlez914]

Got a quote from John deere for $400 for the 5ft Frontier rear blade. Everywhere I look that blade seems to be $499. Anyone have experience with the Frontier Blade in comparison to a TSC purchased blade?

[LD1]

What model frontier?

Personally, with your small tractor, about the cheapest blade you can buy would hold up just fine. Either a TSC blade, or a $100 used piece off craigslist would be my two choices.

As to a rear blade vs BB, the rear blade has angle and is way cheaper. Thats the biggest advantages. Makes it nice for clearing snow, or keeping a crown in the driveway for less $$. The BB are better for moving dirt and breaking up sod (cause of the rippers).

It dont matter what blade you get, you are going to be limited on dirt work. The dirt will have to be loosened by other means, otherwise it will just bounce across the surface and laugh. And a blade heavy enough to dig in, you dont have traction to move.

[jgayman]

Over the last 50+ years, I have bought everything from cheap to name brand and I now only buy Land Pride, Woods etc., for me the "best bang for the buck" is to buy quality once. I like a blade with the ability to off set and tilt. I have a TSC that hasn't been used in a couple of years; just my opinion.

18 years ago I bought a 6-foot LandPride blade. At the time it was a bit more expensive than some others and was rated for a bit more HP than I needed but it looks as good today as when I bought it and it has moved more snow than I would have imagined. Having said that, I'm going to be debuting a 54" front mounted blower this year. My neck and back has had enough of working in reverse.

[jenkinsph]

Got a quote from John deere for $400 for the 5ft Frontier rear blade. Everywhere I look that blade seems to be $499. Anyone have experience with the Frontier Blade in comparison to a TSC purchased blade?

The frontier blade looks better than the TSC blade and depending on the model can be heavier too. You might be happier long term to have matching equipment and are willing to pay the extra $150, if so go for the Frontier.

[94BULLITT]

TSC had those blades standing up and I could step on the moldboard and it would buckle.

I would say the worst balde that JD makes is better than the tsc plus it will match your tractor.

for me the "best bang for the buck" is to buy quality once.

I'll second that.

[Noodlez914]

Yah im kind of leaning towards the Frontier blade. I know my 26hp tractor is tiny in the world of tractors, but im pretty confident I could damage a cheaply made blade. Lets be realistic here. John deere products are usually a bit more but the imatch alone and (I know cheesy).... matched color of the tractor are worth the extra few.

Could we change this topic slightly? What are peoples thoughts on using a back blade for snow as opposed to a push snow blower?

[LD1]

IT depends on how much snow you get.

4' wet heavy drifts...forget it.

average 6" or so snowfall, the blade will probabally be a bit quicker. Just be sure at the beginning of the year to get the piles back far enough so you still have room come year end.

[Noodlez914]

IT depends on how much snow you get.

4' wet heavy drifts...forget it.

average 6" or so snowfall, the blade will probabally be a bit quicker. Just be sure at the beginning of the year to get the piles back far enough so you still have room come year end.

4' wet heavy drifts? Even my snowblower will do nothing for that. I do live in a region that gets a ton of snow, but its mostly lake effect which is usually fluffy. I do have a FEL on the Tractor so im pretty anxious this year to put that to the test on some mound build ups and cleaning up areas if need be when usually I say "Nope not getting to that area until spring". Just figured the rear blade might be great for those early mornings of 1ft of fluffy stuff and my wife needs to get out of the driveway for work. Figured the tractor rear blade would be easier then walking behind the snowblower like a turtle. And then in the spring I use the rear blade to clean up some heavily rutted up trails I have.

[s219]

So do folks usually use the rear blade flipped around, to push snow in reverse? Seems like that could get old. I suppose it would be mixed benefit to drive forward with a rear blade to clear snow, since the tires would be compacting it.

[jgayman]

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow and you had to pick ONE, I would pick the front mounted snowblower without question as it will handle anything. The rear blade on a light tractor will run out of steam quickly. I pushed snow with a rear blade on a 4000 lb 30HP tractor for 15 years but I still had to use a walk-behind 38" 13HP blower for the deep stuff. You really need both if you get a lot of snow. Use the blower for the deep stuff and the rear blade for fast cleanups when there is only a couple inches. That's my plan for the coming year. I've retired the old tractor and am using a 54" front blower on a 2720. I kept my rear blade for when there isn't enough snow to blow but too much on the ground to let it melt on its own. I will tell you this, plowing backwards gets old very fast. It was a pain with the big tractor and it was large enough to allow me to comfortably turn sideways in the seat. With these small tractors you just can't get comfortably turned around enough to make going backwards comfortable for any length of time. I'm expecting a Thank You card this year from my Back and Neck.