Kubota's first snowfall with polyurethane edge

Jeff H · Dec 5, 2009

I installed my new polyurethane edge last night, and made my own chain lift rods so that it can follow the driveway surface.

It's raining now, supposed to be 1"-3" of snow tonight. I might get to try this out by tomorrow. If it don't snow I can squeegee off the water.

I still can't help but be skeptical at how well this edge will last. It was so easy to drill the holes in the polyurethane. I envision it being ground down by the cement after one use, but everyone says they are durable, so I will see.

kennyd · Dec 5, 2009

Two questions please?

1) Where did you get the Poly from?, I am looking for some for my front blade.

2) Why bother with the chains? The 3PH natural floats...just lower it all the way and it will float through it's entire travel.

Jeff H · Dec 5, 2009

I got it from here Misc Poly Edges - Blank No Holes

I ordered 1"x6"x60" blank no holes. Then I drilled my own holes, I used a 5/8" spade bit, the type made for wood, in a drill press on slow speed. It worked great. I had to make the metal retainer strip, that is 3/8" x 2 1/2" x 59"

With the solid lift rods yes it floats up and down, but not side to side. The blade stays horizontal with the tractor. Now it floats side to side independent of how the tractor is sitting.

radioman · Dec 5, 2009

the chains makes sense. I know what kenny means but I would think it would be good it floats sideways too. I have the same problem on my lot too. The high side would push the whole back blade and the low side doesnt get cleared as much. I experiment this winter after seeing your idea. I am surprised that no one has thought of it yet.

Jeff H · Dec 5, 2009

I can't take credit, I think I saw it here on TBN. But I saw someone with just chain on one side, which would do the trick, but I wanted two chains.

Low Bucket · Dec 5, 2009

Great looking job!- It should work fine.

I would like to see some pictures if you get some snow and try it out.

Thanks for the links also.- I also need some for a couple projects.

What kind of rear-blade is that?

Thanks for posting this!

CHDinCT · Dec 5, 2009

Nice pic's. Plan to do the same (chain) with my back blade this winter (I better get going on that too). I found last year that one side or the other of my back blade needed to be adjusted by the 3PH side link if I swung the angle from one side to the other. A single chain should work to allow it to float side to side as you state. Your set up gives me some ideas on how to set up the chain. Thanks.

Thomas · Dec 5, 2009

Nice looking setup Jeff.
Poly board can take alot of abuse..we got 3"snow and still falling if you wish to try out your new blade.

Jeff H · Dec 5, 2009

Low Bucket said:
What kind of rear-blade is that?

It's a Woods RBC60

Ductape · Dec 5, 2009

Nice ! If i had a poly edge, i'd prabably actually use my grader blade.

kennyd · Dec 6, 2009

Jeff H said:
I got it from here Misc Poly Edges - Blank No Holes

I ordered 1"x6"x60" blank no holes. Then I drilled my own holes, I used a 5/8" spade bit, the type made for wood, in a drill press on slow speed. It worked great. I had to make the metal retainer strip, that is 3/8" x 2 1/2" x 59"

With the solid lift rods yes it floats up and down, but not side to side. The blade stays horizontal with the tractor. Now it floats side to side independent of how the tractor is sitting.

Thanks Jeff!

You are 100% correct about the side-to-side thing...I was being short-sighted when I asked, hope I did not come acrossed the wrong way. Nice Work! And thanks for the links.

Jeff H · Dec 6, 2009

Well the storm was rain, then snow for a bit, then rain again. It is sunny today and the pavement is dry. So I didn't get to try it out. If buying this polyurethane edge scares aware the snow all winter it will have been a great investment!

Ductape · Dec 6, 2009

What? You couldn't try it as a squeegee ??

Sackett2 · Dec 7, 2009

sucks to do all this work and not get to try it out.

When I got my sears lawn tractor with snowblower , the first big snowstorm hit and the battery was too weak for the extreme cold of North Dakota--- the repair guy was 2 days out... grrrr

A Lieutenant bought a walk behind snowblower in the fall and anxiously awaited a good storm to try it out. it was a dry winter overall. Finally he told me he went out to the driveway after a 1/2 inch dusting, shoveled all the snow into a small pile so he could run the blower through it.

JoelD · Dec 7, 2009

I would think chain on one side would not let it "float". When the chain side is the high side it would float, when the rod side was the high side it would lift the chain side up with it.

Maybe that I'm missing something though.

I bet that set up will work really well.

Is there ever a need to add weight to the blade?

Joel

shaqer74 · Dec 8, 2009

I love the chain idea! Need to do that!

Opti-Mist · Dec 8, 2009

CHDinCT said:
I found last year that one side or the other of my back blade needed to be adjusted by the 3PH side link if I swung the angle from one side to the other.

FWIW, if the rear blade is level, both laterally and fore/aft, no adjustment should be required.

Window Geek · Dec 8, 2009

Opti-Mist said:
FWIW, if the rear blade is level, both laterally and fore/aft, no adjustment should be required.

Actually Opti-Mist, that depends on the crown of your driveway. I've got a few digs in the pavement from last year where the blade couldn't float the angle of incidence.

"Oh *those* marks, honey? They've been there a long time now. Must have been that guy with the skidsteer a few years back."

I think the chain on one side would work as long as there is a lot of slack. 'Course when you pick it up it might be a little lop sided too.

NBstunter · Dec 8, 2009

will someone tell me the advantage of the poly edge? or is it only for paved driveways or something? if the grounds frozen i dont see how it could help someone wanna give me some info lol. the chains would do nothing for mine the pivet pin to put it up on an angle is so warn out it has a good 8 inchs of travil at the end.