Snow blade vs FEL

[gdh]

This is my first winter with a front hydraulic angled snow plow mounted via a factory subframe to a B3030. It works awesome. I find myself wishing I had a longer driveway than the 80 yards that it is. Because I can angle the plow I am able to push more snow that I thought possible. When the side wind-rows get too big, it is FEL or snow blower time. I recommend it!

 

[WayneB]

In your experience does the blade work so much better than the FEL to justify the cost? Does it reduce your plowing time and reduce your effort to move the snow? I work 12 hour shifts and two hours of driving to and from work. A couple of hours a day saved pushing snow is a couple of hours of precious sleep. I don't mind pushing snow. And I don't mind sleeping either.

Dave the blade certainly works much better than the front end loader. The key reason I decided to go with the plow was I was mostly snowblowing with a rear snow blower and it takes for ever becuase of the speed. With the plow angled I can move right along and do a pass going down the hill and then go back up and do a second pass which moves the middle snow to the other side, then the plan is to use the snowblower to move the banks back.

I just haven't had it installed long enough to see just how well it will work with blowing the banks back. We have only had one storm that I could use the plow on so far.

Is it worth the money (?) can't answer that, but for me it was something I wanted and it took me a number of years to finally go ahead and spend the dollars.

Man as for your work conditions, you got to get a life Dave. 12 hours shifts and the driving time will do you in over the long haul.

Wayne

 

[psvines]

The deciding factor for me was the "time versus money" consideration. Last year I cleared 1/4 mile gravel road with just the FEL and back blade on the BX2660. We had a record snowfall, 55" for the winter. Yes it took awhile and required many passes, but it was easy work. In central Virginia we average 16" each year so I'm sticking with what I've got and enjoying the extra seat time.

 

[PHILIP8N]

I have factory FEL and factory quick-hitch front blade, and have moved snow with both. The FEL is fine for picking it up, moving it, dumping it, coming back, and doing it all over again. The only time I use the FEL now is to build a snow mountain for my kids. Like you, I dont have alot of time during the work week to move snow. The quick-hitch front blade is amazing fast at moving snow, just like a pick-up truck, but you can see alot better. I put the blade down and push at 8 mph. Two passes and a little clean up here and there, I can have the job done in a fraction of time compared to the FEL. Changing out from blade to FEL is not too big of a job. Blade takes about 10 minuts, FEL about 5 minutes. Philip.

 

[nybirdman]

It all depends on your amount of snowfall per year,weight of tractor and tires type.I had a L3130 with the sub-frame mounted plow(About $2500) and a six foot rear blade.My current set-up is a eight foot Curtis Fel mounted and a seven foot Bush-hog rear blade...but my tracor weights 6500 lbs.
I have run a B7800,fairly lite weight.....but with your snowfall a heavy rear blade and FEL should work.Sub-frame mounted is nice but you loose the FEL.
My tractors had R1 tires,you may have to chain if you have Turfs or R4's.
I would try a quailty (heavy) rear blade first.

 

[Fxfymn]

I have looked at the blades mounted on the front of the loader and haven't read anything bad about them. It just seems to me that there is so much length added to the front of the tractor that it would leverage the front to the point that it would make the tractor very difficult to steer pushing heavy snow.

That is exactly why I changed from this type of arrangement to a sub frame. With a lighter tractor like my L3430 to length of the loader arms made the plow into a big lever that kept pushing the tractor around. The subframe mount has completely cured that.

You don't need to spend a lot to go this route. I spent a couple of hundred bucks on an old Meyers plow and mount. I mounted the sub frame to the tractor and the lift cylinder to the brush guard. I use the loader valve to lift and angle the blade. Even if you can't weld, I'm sure you could get the work done for a reasonable price.

I can take off the loader and put the blade on in less than 15 minutes. I have never wished I had the loader on while I am plowing snow.

The first picture is the old arrangement; the other three are what I use now.

 

[RoyJackson]

Man as for your work conditions, you got to get a life Dave. 12 hours shifts and the driving time will do you in over the long haul.

Wayne

Unfortunately, sometimes a guy has to drive a distance to work and work those kind of hours for the property he owns and the lifestyle he wants...that's the trade off.
As much as I enjoy operating my tractor...and pushing snow, it's work. If I was in Dave's situation, I'd get that plow for my truck. Warmer and quicker then a tractor for snows up to 8" (or thereabouts) and save the tractor for those heavier snows that cannot be plowed by the truck.

Dave, are you doing 12 hours, 5 days a week? Or does your company have a short workweek?

As far as Whistlepig's original post: I have a 150 foot hard packed gravel drive. I also do a neighbor's drive (asphalt) occasionally. I use the FEL almost exclusively. I have a rear blade, but that puts ore gravel on the lawn then the loader bucket. I've a hankering for a loader mounted plow, but just don't have enough drive (or frequencies of snow events) to justify the cost. If I found a deal and I had the money, I might go for one, but the bucket does a pretty nice job.

 

[longshot47]

I too, have both a loader and power angle plow w/skids....as well as a rear blade. I think my preference is situational. I find the front plow -once mounted, to be faster and more convenient to use on hard surface covered with about 6" or less snow. Over 6" -especially if wet, and on my gravel lane, the rear blade -run reversed, seems more effective and less destructive. As mentioned earlier, having the loader mounted enables better management of pile-up on certain terrain. The sub-frame and lower assembly of the plow reduces overall ground clearance, which can become problematic when trying to push mounded snow off roadside.
Weight added helps in almost all respects.

 

[Gizmo2]

If I had to clean out our 3 driveways, although not very long, and the barn area with the FEL I'd hire it done, oh wait... I can't afford that. Bottom line, time is money and I also cannot afford to be sittin on the tractor playing with snow. Just sayin!

 

[donn12]

I have the factory front plow and it is expensive but well worth it. I don't know how much snow you get but if its more than a little I would definitely get one. If a little you could try a rear blade - much less and you can use it for other things. I never really liked using the FEL except moving piles. The front plow comes off in a minute and the FEL goes back on in 3-5. I would use the FEL at the end of the day if at all. If you drive is just straight is one thing but mine has a loop and a couple of turns.