FEL Mounted Plow or Back Blade

[bcp]

Thankyou Roger, I am in WA state, that is one stout blade, I'm thinking that trying to figure out a way to ship it, and cost of shipping would put it out of my budget.

This is closer. Battle Ground, WA. Might be made to fit.

Kubota Front Blade Grand L

Bruce

 

[grm61]

Yeah it would cost a fair amount to ship it since it is so big. This blade weighs 750lbs, it is the "light duty" one. The ground here is so uneven that you would have to constantly be working the loader up and down or the plow would hit and you would be really digging in. I can manually work it up and down on the more level areas and do fine but I can't go but 3 or 4 MPH doing this. I am worried that packing it will turn it into ice.

I'm afraid that's what I'm going to be doing, I'll bet mine is worse that yours..
As far as packing it down, thats what I have always done and then used a snowblower over that (all gravel and dirt here), this will be my first winter with the tractor.

I really didn't have a problem with it being icy until the thaw, then it would freeze again at night, day after day then it would get slick.
With a blade, on one of the those warmer afternoons, you could scrape all the slop off, the slop it what gets icy, rather than taking it to the gravel every time.

I think you pretty much need some kind of base on gravel to keep from tearing it up, even if its frozen..

My neighbor has a quad with a blade, and he scrapes his all the way down every time..makes a heck of a mess.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'm afraid that's what I'm going to be doing, I'll bet mine is worse that yours..
As far as packing it down, thats what I have always done and then used a snowblower over that (all gravel and dirt here), this will be my first winter with the tractor.

I really didn't have a problem with it being icy until the thaw, then it would freeze again at night, day after day then it would get slick.
With a blade, on one of the those warmer afternoons, you could scrape all the slop off, the slop it what gets icy, rather than taking it to the gravel every time.

I think you pretty much need some kind of base on gravel to keep from tearing it up, even if its frozen..

My neighbor has a quad with a blade, and he scrapes his all the way down every time..makes a heck of a mess.

I rearranged the hoses on the loader so I could float the curl function and the weight of the loader would not be on the blade and it did good. I had to use regen on the loader to let it down for some reason so it was not usable that way. That is why I think a truck plow would be best plus I could still add wheel to help the plow float if I wanted.

 

[RoyJackson]

Should I get a FEL Mounted Plow or Back Blade? I am plumbed on the loader cross member with the third function valve.

The only drawback I can see with the FEL plow is having to switch back to the bucket for scooping/moving piles.

So what do you think, Back blade (cheaper) or FEL Plow?

Thanks

Since your budget is limited (like most of us!), I'd go with the rear blade for a season and see how it works for you. As with a couple other TBNers, I drove forward for the majority of the plowing. The rear blade, in conjunction with the FEL bucket works pretty good for me.

You can push with the rear blade too, of course. However, that's tough on your neck and can be tough on the 3PH arms (no trip springs on a rear blade). Also, rear blades aren't as tall as a plow...you might have to get out there earlier.

So, it's going to depend on:
How much you want to spend
How much plowing do you expect to do (just your drive? How long is your drive?)
How frequent is snow in you area and what is the typical accumulation?

Good luck in your decision!

 

[pmhowe]

I essentially copied vtsnowedin's approach: I bought a used 1970 vintage Western plow and adapted it to fit my FEL. I now need a good snow to see how well it works. The plow cost me$200, but I had to buy the quick attach plate, a new cutting edge, and pay for some welding, so total cost is probably about $800.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Nice job.

 

[grm61]

So I ordered a rear blade, Everything Attachments 7ft 6 Way Value Scrape Blade for Compact Tractors with 25-50 HP I think between the bucket and rear blade I'll get by fine for now, I really need a grapple bucket next spring, and that will cost a couple bucks so I'll save my coin for that, and maybe get a front blade in the next year or two, Oh, and I still need some chains:banghead:.

Thanks Everyone

 

[94BULLITT]

tirechain.com has some reasonable prices on chains.

 

[grm61]

Thanks Roger, I was on there earlier looking at the Duo Combination Ladder chains.
That's probably what I will wind up with.

 

[94BULLITT]

Unless you are dealing with ice you may not need chains but there are the kind of thing you are better off to have and not need them than need them and not have them.