Why should I use plow shoes?

[beenthere]

I've never used the shoes either and prefer the clean scrape with the blade edge. I plow 1/4 mile of asphalt plus three large turnaround areas. Western plow is on it's 12th winter, and see no noticable wear to the edge (which is reversible yet). Had a used plow on my JD 420 for 23 years plowing half asphalt and the other half gravel. No shoes and did reverse the edge after 20 years of my using the plow.

i.e. I don't think shoes are necessary and figure the comment from the asphalt guy was just to say the safest answer for him. I see very little evidence on my asphalt of any scrapes, much less damage.

Getting snow now, predictions of 10-12" before Wed. and then cold and high winds. :cool2: :cool2:

 

[crazyal]

I was always under the impression that shoes were only used when the ground wasn't frozen. I've never used them, I either back drag when the ground is soft or just be real careful.

 

[northcreek2624]

I was always under the impression that shoes were only used when the ground wasn't frozen.

That's what I thought too but,the shoes just dig in,spit out big rocks and generally screw up your gravel driveway in a different way and forget about back dragging.
It's kind of like putting a tooth bar on your FEL...some people can't live without them I couldn't live with one...seems as you add more stuff on a piece of equipment to solve one problem you end up creating one or more other problems....Maybe the KISS principle applies here...Mike.

 

[Gizmo2]

That's what I thought too but,the shoes just dig in,spit out big rocks and generally screw up your gravel driveway in a different way and forget about back dragging.
It's kind of like putting a tooth bar on your FEL...some people can't live without them I couldn't live with one...seems as you add more stuff on a piece of equipment to solve one problem you end up creating one or more other problems....Maybe the KISS principle applies here...Mike.

Well put. I happen to agree about the tooth bar also, guess that's why I bought the backhoe again with our new tractor.