front snowplows

[Anonymous Poster]

Has anyone out there had any experience with snowplows attached to front end loader. I have a JD 4300 and local dealer has different snowplow setups that attach using bucket quick attach brackets. About $1200 for manual angle model and $2200 for full hydraulic. Like the Idea of being able to add and remove as needed. I have about 3/4 mile of road to plow and using back blade gets very tiresome. I have concerns about loads and impact on fel frame. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[John_Mc]

There was a thread here a while ago that said you were right to be concerned about the loads on the FEL frame. If I recall, it boiled down to the feeling that the big difference between snow plowing and digging in the dirt was that you are moving much more quickly when plowing snow and hitting an obstacle could mangle something. If your dealer is selling it to you, is he going to stand behind this usage of it if something gets bent or broken, or is he going to claim "abuse".

On the other hand, there are several people here who have the set-up you describe and are very happy with it. Being able to lift the plow up really helps when you need to push back a tall snowbank, or pile more snow on top.

John

 

[beenthere]

hermit
I have a plow on the front, but not attached to the loader. It quicktach's to the mmm brackets and the weight bracket. Works like a charm, and is quick to remove, for the switch to the FEL if needed to bucket snow or something else.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

When I bought my 4300, the dealer told me I'd be better off with a real front blade, because it's mounted directly to the frame with a nice straight push.

 

[gordon]

I would think that as long as it's a snow blade with trip springs it would put no more stress on the loader frame than if you were digging with the FEL in hard dirt. Another option rather than the steel cutting edge on the bottom is a rubber or a urethane cutting edge. The urethane also works real well on gravel drives I'm told. Never used one personally so I cant say on that matter. But I would think that as long as you didn't have the springs tightened down to the max on the plow you would have no problems.

After all it's a tractor
Gordon

 

[Thomas]

Indeed you do have a driveway to plow.

You may want to check out..thread photos..reFB..Plow to bucket..Muhammand..12/24/01..12:24pm,for there might be an idea or two.

I thought of purchasing a plow setup from my dearler,but between the cost..unhooking the plow and installing the bucket and not able to push the snow way back also high,I decided to make my own setup.
I believe when all was send and done I didn't have $300.oo invested..oops except for our mail boxes in which I keep knocking down. /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

If I can help just let me know.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the input. This setup looks like it might work. Is it a bolt-on or did you have to fabricate part of it and approximate cost?

 

[TonyC]

<font color=blue>Another option rather than the steel cutting edge on the bottom is a rubber or a urethane cutting edge.</font color=blue>

I've always wondered if such a thing was available. I'm tired of stressing out about damaging my high dollar black top. Does anyone know of a supplier for these?

 

[snowman]

Best bet would probably be at any snowplow dealer or shop.

May end up having to buy an edge for a truck plow blade and cut it down to size (not sure, but I think the smallest truck plow blade is probably 6.5')

 

[ronjhall]

Tony
Check out this <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.discountsnowplowparts.com/Cutting_edges.htm>LINK</A>. They have rubber edges.