Anyone Using Edge Tamers on Thier Buckets for Snow Plowing?

[gmikem206]

Came across this product in reviewing postings but I don't see much discussion about it, or its effectiveness here on TBN. My application is on an old macadam/asphalt driveway. The drive is uneven in places and broken up a bit down by the road. Also, I do have to push snow up over the lawn along the drive and parking area. What do you think? Thanks for your input!

Edge Tamer | R2 Manufacturing

 

[oosik]

Hmmm - - interesting. IMHO - I think whatever surface you are working on had better be pretty darn hard, flat & smooth or those little corner skids will just dig in. Notice the three skids on the bucket when they went across the lawn. The operation is still very dependent upon having the correct angle of attack on the bucket as you move across the surface. I guess they could help, under the correct conditions but if they hook something - look out.

I have, sort of, the same thing on my FEL bucket. Its a tooth bar - Rankin - nine evenly spaced teeth across the entire bucket lip and they are about an inch below the bucket lip. Things skid along just fine until you get to a hump, bump or lump and then the teeth dig in and the bucket lip clips it off.

I think you are looking for a miniaturized version of the bull nose ends used on highway guard railing. That might assist in holding the bucket lip off the ground and riding over objects.

 

[blucoondawg]

I wouldn't use it for a few reasons, first of all I think it is easy to get the proper angle of a bucket for plowing or scooping dirt, second with these on the bucket they don't allow the cutting edge to scrape the ground down to the hard surface, they will hold the edge up off the ground always leaving that thickness of snow behind which will eventually get packed into glare ice and will also amount to a slushy sloppy mess in the spring when it starts to thaw, Third reason is it makes it impossible to backblade anything, when pushing snow around buildings and other objects around your yard it is often times necessary to pull the snow away from something in order to push it or scoop it away. These things are a gimmick item that is unnecessary you would be better served to get practice setting the proper angle, you will be much more proficient with the loader in the long run.

The way I set the angle most easily is to put the loader in float so the bucket sets on the ground, then with the loader floating adjust the angle of the bucket, you can tell by watching the bottom of the back of the bucket when it is in it's flattest position, then angle the front down ever so slightly ad more angle if required to scrape down how you like. You can also feel the difference when the loader is in float and you rock the bucket to the flat position.

 

[boggen]

I wouldn't use it for a few reasons, first of all I think it is easy to get the proper angle of a bucket for plowing or scooping dirt, second with these on the bucket they don't allow the cutting edge to scrape the ground down to the hard surface, they will hold the edge up off the ground always leaving that thickness of snow behind which will eventually get packed into glare ice and will also amount to a slushy sloppy mess in the spring when it starts to thaw, Third reason is it makes it impossible to backblade anything, when pushing snow around buildings and other objects around your yard it is often times necessary to pull the snow away from something in order to push it or scoop it away. These things are a gimmick item that is unnecessary you would be better served to get practice setting the proper angle, you will be much more proficient with the loader in the long run.

The way I set the angle most easily is to put the loader in float so the bucket sets on the ground, then with the loader floating adjust the angle of the bucket, you can tell by watching the bottom of the back of the bucket when it is in it's flattest position, then angle the front down ever so slightly ad more angle if required to scrape down how you like. You can also feel the difference when the loader is in float and you rock the bucket to the flat position.

back dragging is a big thing for me. it is one of the major ways to move snow with a FEL, that doesn't involve moving a bunch of rock. and at same time fills in holes / ruts if they get made.
not scrapping down to the ground is an issue for me as well. if it means i move rocks from driveway, then so be it. that compacted snow that turns into a ice sheet is a bigger issue vs moving some rock from driveway.

 

[gmikem206]

Hi Oosik, with regard to the Edge Tamers, My use would only be for snow plowing on a known surface. So I think getting 'hooked on something' for me is a minimal risk. But I want to thank you for pointing that out!! I don;t think I would find them useful in the summer. Last winter (my first using the FEL/owning a SCUT) I feel my macadam took a big hit from the bucket, and my bucket took a hit from the macadam. As blucoondawg noted learning how to use the FEL is the bigger issue, but as I learn in season two, the Edge Tamers may save me some macadam damage.

 

[gmikem206]

Blucoondawg, thank you for your post. I do agree that learning to use the FEL properly is a priority. I've only owned the BX2660 since August of 2013, so this will be my second winter trying to use the FEL for plowing. I also have a rear blade which I also found to be harsh to the macadam so I (too late for last season, final storm did not develop) added two strips of horse stall mat to this blade. So while I try to learn how to use the FEL in proper position/float for plowing, I think this Edge Tamer may be a good solution for me. I also plow for neighbors who have old to new macadam, and we all have hills. So if I get to the driveways before the sun hits them, the small left over snow layer would most likely be melted. Thanks for your insight. I really like learning here.

 

[gmikem206]

boggen, I think I could do my back dragging after my initial passes and after removing the Edge Tamers. For now I don't have to back drag from buildings, or my rear blade is used for this purpose.

I hope your SSTT project is progressing. Thanks again for you insight.

Mike

 

[boggen]

*rubs chin* back dragging, with left and right rear steering brakes, and majority of time i try my best to keep the front wheels of tractor on ground and/or barely off ground. part of learning how to use a tractor with a FEL is back dragging. but you need those left and right rear steering brakes. to make things so much easier. since majority of the time you will loose steering from front wheels. knowing were and how to tilt the bucket, and being able to have enough experience, to adjust things on the fly while driving backwards. it is not an easy task to pick up, and does take some practice.

 

[gmikem206]

Oosik, thanks for your input. I don't think I properly replied in last comment.

 

[gmikem206]

Blucoondawn, thanks for your input. I may not have replied properly in my last post.