FEL Snow blades

[ktmsmith]

I am researching snow blades for the front end loader on my LS 4046HC and was hoping some folks could chime in with their thoughts and/or recommendations. I have about a 1000' asphalt drive in NE Ohio. I live on top of a hill so the drive is somewhat steep and subject to drifts. I have lots of area to push the snow away from the driveway on both of its sides. Our snowfalls are not typically too bad, usually less than 6 inches, but every once in a while we get a good dump.

For the last 15 years I have been using a rear 6' bladed and an open cab tractor. I got the job done, but it was time consuming and required getting off the tractor to move the blade around a bunch of times each plowing. I have done my penance with this set up and am moving on. I have a heated cab now and want a set up that keeps me in it so I want hydraulic angling for sure.

I have a couple of area's where I will need to back drag from the house, maybe 30' or so, before pushing it down the hill and wonder how effective this set up will be. Also, I am looking for recommended equipment. There does not seem to be a lot of press on the internet for this setup so any insights would be welcome. I see that Everything Attachments sells the W.R Long unit. Does anyone have this and what do you think of it? Any other units or options I should consider? This should be my last snow removal equipment before they plant me in the ground so I don't mind spending the bucks to get what works best.

Thanks Guys.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I am researching snow blades for the front end loader on my LS 4046HC and was hoping some folks could chime in with their thoughts and/or recommendations. I have about a 1000' asphalt drive in NE Ohio. I live on top of a hill so the drive is somewhat steep and subject to drifts. I have lots of area to push the snow away from the driveway on both of its sides. Our snowfalls are not typically too bad, usually less than 6 inches, but every once in a while we get a good dump.

For the last 15 years I have been using a rear 6' bladed and an open cab tractor. I got the job done, but it was time consuming and required getting off the tractor to move the blade around a bunch of times each plowing. I have done my penance with this set up and am moving on. I have a heated cab now and want a set up that keeps me in it so I want hydraulic angling for sure.

I have a couple of area's where I will need to back drag from the house, maybe 30' or so, before pushing it down the hill and wonder how effective this set up will be. Also, I am looking for recommended equipment. There does not seem to be a lot of press on the internet for this setup so any insights would be welcome. I see that Everything Attachments sells the W.R Long unit. Does anyone have this and what do you think of it? Any other units or options I should consider? This should be my last snow removal equipment before they plant me in the ground so I don't mind spending the bucks to get what works best.

Thanks Guys.

Hiniker makes an 8' 30" high moldboard plow with good end articulation so as to not twist your loader. They call it the "Big OX" the best deal is from a Nebraska dealer. Weighs 600 pounds. downside: the skid loader QD is super tight and a PITA to get on in a non-flat world (so much so that I plan on calling them to suggest making a change to a taper edge style so the QD can index itself as it slides on).

Here is my Hiniker before I bolted on the snow deflector and wear guards.

And with the snow deflector and wear guards installed.

 

[nybirdman]

Lots on here have FEL mounted snow-plows,both factory and home built.I built mine from an old Curtis truck plow.The closer you keep the plow to the tractor the less it will push you around.My tractor is 7000lbs with loaded rears and a 7ft.back blade.
Keep your back blade on for dragging away from the garage doors ect.

 

[Deerherd]

I like the HLA product line of plows. They angle their cylinders and make a very compact plow. The greater distance between the quick attach plate and plow face the greater your turning radius is and more likely the front end of your tractor will be pushed around.

They are also a true plow that rolls snow off the blade and come standard with a crossover relief valve. Lastly they all have lateral float that follows the contours of the drive. The orange one on my old Kioti is a 2000 series and the yellow one is a 3000 series on my current LS. I think the 2000 would be all you would need. Have fun and don't wait too long, winter's coming!

 

[Ed of all trades]

I have a sub and when I asked the Massey dealer about a FEL mounted plow he said a frame mounted plow was cheaper. I did not have to add a third valve to angle it. I could use the two valves for the FIL. Just thought you might want to check it out.

 

[Indygunworks]

why not look at a snow thrower? Wouldn't have to worry about getting pushed around or torquing the loader?

 

[Katahdin]

Lots of good options out there. Even the truck plow companies are now making snow plows for tractors:

Tractor Snow Plows | Meyer Products

Sno Pro Tractor Blades

https://www.bossplow.com/skid-steer-straight-blade-plows

And here's another brand I saw my tractor dealer selling:
Heavy Duty Skid Steer Trip Edge | Arctic Snowplows

 

[Ford850]

I'll jump on Eric's suggestion of the Hiniker Big Ox. This will be the 8th winter I've had one on my DX55. I plow my 900' drive, and then some. Partially paved and mostly gravel on a twisting incline. The big advantages of the Hiniker are the articulation and the chain float designs. Also, the longer design gives you more clearance for back dragging. I back drag 25 - 50' from my garage, then drive up over that pile, turn around, and push it down and off the side of the drive. The longer reach also helps me push snow through (across) the ditch while I keep the front wheels on the road.
I bought mine from a dealer in NE Ohio.

 

[ktmsmith]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Fallon]

I just threw an angle cylinder on my back blade. Probably the cheapest option if your back blade otherwise works fine.

I did acquire several SSQA plates & one is going to get a plow mounted to it one of these days. Need to find a killer deal on a plow here this spring or summer. Missed out this year & prices on used Craigslist snow gear has already gone through the roof for the season.