Which is best? Truck w/Plow, FEL Plow, or Rear blade? Help the Noob...

[motownbrowne]

Yeah, back blades aren't awesome for snow by any means, but for less than 12" they are much faster than using the FEL by itself. I used to use the back blade on the 8ns we have, and the FEL is a perfect compliment. Many times you can effectively back into a position that will let you make use of the bucket and the blade in one go. And, they are very cheap used. Buy one, try it out and sell it for 20% more than you paid for it if you don't like it.

 

[aczlan]

Yeah, back blades aren't awesome for snow by any means, but for less than 12" they are much faster than using the FEL by itself. I used to use the back blade on the 8ns we have, and the FEL is a perfect compliment. Many times you can effectively back into a position that will let you make use of the bucket and the blade in one go. And, they are very cheap used. Buy one, try it out and sell it for 20% more than you paid for it if you don't like it.

I used to use a 72" rear blade on our L3830 and it was very capable. It will happily push more than the B7500 (48" bucket) or BX2660 (60" blade will) and if offset to one side, it can act like a "wing plow"
It doesn't stack well, but you can "bench" a snowdrift with it.
For clearing 10" or more in our back field (to make a path to our firewood storage) it works very well. The BX will clear the driveway faster, but it runs out of traction fairly quickly.

To the OP, I would NOT get one for clearing a gravel driveway without skid shoes. They make a world of difference come spring when its time to put the grass/gravel back where it came from.

Aaron Z

 

[murphy1244]

Rear Blade and a set of Chains and a Beverage for the driver.

 

[WilliamTO-35]

I've used a rear mounted blade on my 2WD Ferguson TO-35 for 38 years to clear up to 14 inches of snow. However, it's not necessarily easy or fast . For a snow of 19 inches, I hired a guy with a 4WD Kubota and a front end loader bucket. His tractor wasn't much bigger than mine, but the 4WD and a wide front bucket ( wide as the wheel track) made clearing the snow easy. He just blasted down my 400 foot dirt and gravel driveway using the bucket as a plow . He did almost no damage to my driveway. The snow wasn't just powder, but was fairly heavy . In about 20 minutes, he was finished. He had no chains, or even any weight on the back of the tractor. I was amazed .

 

[motownbrowne]

I've used a rear mounted blade on my 2WD Ferguson TO-35 for 38 years to clear up to 14 inches of snow. However, it's not necessarily easy or fast . For a snow of 19 inches, I hired a guy with a 4WD Kubota and a front end loader bucket. His tractor wasn't much bigger than mine, but the 4WD and a wide front bucket ( wide as the wheel track) made clearing the snow easy. He just blasted down my 400 foot dirt and gravel driveway using the bucket as a plow . He did almost no damage to my driveway. The snow wasn't just powder, but was fairly heavy . In about 20 minutes, he was finished. He had no chains, or even any weight on the back of the tractor. I was amazed .

That's been my experience with our new Kubota. The other day I pulled a 30' poplar log 24"dbh through about 14" of snow. Uphill. Without chains. Our 8n with chains couldn't pull itself up that hill, forget about a log. Things sure have come a long way in 60 years.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Rear Blade and a set of Chains and a Beverage for the driver.

BEST POST SO FAR!!!!
:laughing:
Thanks Murph!
David

 

[47sawdust]

I think in your situation a 4wd truck w/plow makes the most sense.My brother and I maintain 1/2 mile of gravel driveway here in Vt.It is a 1991 shortbed Chevy with a7' Fisher plow.
I had a 60'' snowblower and sold it.I just didn't like it,too much noise and maintenance.
I have an 8' backblade that works well,pull it in light snow,push it when it gets deep.
The loader is used when the banks get high.at 67 I don't like going backwards,so I am thinking about a q/a loader mount snowplow.Lots of variables.Good luck.

 

[The Fred]

Well if she gets the farm in the divorce you could buy her a nice snow shovel and let HER deal with it.

Just kidding and sorry for your troubles. I feel a back blade would work ok for your situation as you have limited amounts of snow to deal with and it would serve you well in the Summer months for other tasks. I don't see you grading your drive with a 4 wheel drive pickup with a snowplow.

True a back blade would not be the best way to move snow but with attached shoes so it doesn't dig in it might just be your best bet for least money spent.

Best luck, Fred

 

[LD1]

If you already plan on buying a 4x4 truck, and can hold out til summer, pick up a plow an put on it.

Not sure if there is much used market for them down yourway, but used plows in the spring here can generally be had for under $1000 complete set-up. And way faster than a rear blade.

 

[silvertramp]

I've got 4 long, hilly dirt driveways to plow. I have a beater '83 Chevy with chains on all 4 corners. I also have a Yanmar 27hp 4x4 tractor with a bucket, rear chains and back blade. The tractor is good for tight work around the house. The beater Chevy pushes more snow much faster than the tractor. There's no comparison.