Tips on moving snow with a FEL?

[To20Chris]

I snowed about 6" here today, so I tried moving it with the new LK3054 FEL (any excuse...!), but I couldn't really come up with a technique that worked very well. Mostly I think it just wasn't enough snow to make it worth it. Also, our lane and driveway are gravel, and I really didn't want to dig it up or drag the stones all over the yard. What seemed to work best was to drag the blade backwards in float. Moving forward would be much easier though! Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm trying to get used to using the FEL when I can't see what the angle of the bucket is. I set up the indicator rod with a paint stripe at the level position, but it seams I'm still always digging in or skidding!

[rback33]

The more weight in the bucket the better for keeping to down and dragging or pushing. I have found that if you have it curled back just a touch with some good weight in the bucket it'll push the snow pretty well. I back drag in about the same position and it works very well. It's important not to back drag with the blade straight up and down. It's much too hard on the cylinders and attachments this way, plus you can't have any weigh in the bucket to keep it pushed down in float.

[markie61]

To plow:

Keep the bucket full of snow - don't empty it until you are ready to make piles.

Use float with the edge slightly rolled back - an inch or so.

A lot of people bolt a temporary edge on the lip of the bucket - I've read about horse stall mat (I use this), 2x4, conveyor belt scrap, tire retread from the side of the road, etc.

Don't expect the surface to be totally clean - the sun will finish the job for you.

Mark

[To20Chris]

Thanks for the tips guys! Horse stall mat sounds like a great idea! I never could bring myself to toss those scrap pieces - now I know what to do with them!

[KubotaSteve]

I had the same problem and some told me to take a 2" in diameter fence post and make a slit in it long ways and put it over the edge of the bucket. To hold it on weld some nuts on it and tighten bolts down against the bucket lip. We don't really get enough snow for all that trouble, so I normally go forward in float position (if snow isn't too hard and compacted) with the bucket angled slightly upward until it gets full of snow then I keep adjusting the angle depending on if I am picking up stones or not. The key is to dump your snow in a portion of your driveway that you don't use much that way the stones never make it to your yard.