Moving snow

[450]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

 

[oosik]

I've tried it a couple times and its not any better than just using the rear blade alone. Unless you have a pretty heavy tractor ( mine is 10,100# ) the snow buildup on the bucket can push you around and make the rear blade less efficient.

An offset rear blade can require a fairly heavy tractor or rear chains to hold a straight course. It all depends upon - how far offset and how heavy/deep is the snow.

Besides - using the bucket on the FEL and an offset rear blade both at the same time isn't going to make you plowed path any wider. It will certainly make controlling the operation more difficult.

However - a lot of people will have a front plow and rear blade combo on their tractor. From what I've read here on TBN - each implement is used separately.

 

[Thomas]

I only use both at once when snow stick/wet,for front plow will ride upon snow leaving 1" or so and rough...rear blade the cure.

 

[nybirdman]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

Too many variables;snow depth,weight,size of your tractor ect.FEL's are good for moving banks back and rough removal of snow.Rear blade is more useful and a better finish.Some people use a "light materials" bucket that has a lot more volume;a front mounted plow is very useful.I use a 8ft.in front and a 7ft.rear.

 

[450]

I was just wondering how it would work. The one good thing about the snow here in Fairbanks is it’s a dry snow and when it snows most of the time it’s less than 5”. Do you guys pull or push with your rear blades moving snow?

 

[oosik]

I will occasionally push with my rear blade. But ONLY in areas where I've already moved the snow by pulling the blade. Its not a really good idea - you can easily hit a hidden/frozen object and damage the rear blade or, more likely, components of your 3-point system. In the pull position - most likely, no damage, and you will probably just skip over the frozen object.

Yes - your snow up in Fairbanks is just like goose down. I spent one year in the beautiful metropolis of Glennallen(1965) before moving on down to Anchorage where I spent twenty years. I was in Fairbanks twice in the dead of winter - that was 2X too often. Even for a hardened sourdough - Fairbanks in the winter is not that pleasant.

 

[Threepoint]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

I do this a lot, and it works well for me. Especially when the snow accumulation is more than 8-10 inches. It "breaks track" and makes it easier for the angled rear blade to do its job. Also means you're not compacting any more snow than necessarily with your tires before the rear blade gets to it. I don't use much of an offset with the rear blade, BTW, even with a fairly heavy tractor (probably around 7K lbs, all in). Simply angling the blade is often all that's needed.

For many years, I maintained a mile of access road and driveways with my relatively light Kubota B2150. When the accumulation was more than six inches, I really had no choice but to break track with the FEL even to be able to plow in heavy, wet snow.

Our conditions are nothing like in your neck of the woods. But believe it or not, even here in No. Virginia we get some fairly good accumulations, often heavy and wet.

 

[450]

Winters here in Fairbanks are not for the weak for sure. I will be purchasing a tractor soon (hopefully) and that was how I was planning on plowing. A lot of the people up here use bobcats/skid steers with just a bucket. I figured a off-set rear blade would give me more options. I could probably find a old plow blade to convert over to attach to the FEL but I thought I would try the bucket/rear blade first.

 

[450]

What is the easiest/cheapest way to set up a converted truck snowplow so the angle cylinders work? Would it be just making long hoses and connecting them to the rear ports on the tractor? Thanks

 

[Fallon]

What is the easiest/cheapest way to set up a converted truck snowplow so the angle cylinders work? Would it be just making long hoses and connecting them to the rear ports on the tractor? Thanks

Pretty much. A pair of single acting cylinders will operate like a double acting cylinder. Just plug them into a true 3rd function up front or on the rear & they will work. A crossover relief valve would be good extra protection. That relief is usually part of the pump assembly on truck plows so doesn't get used when reconfigured for tractor use. But that relief valve only helps when the leading corner of the plow catches on something, not the trailing edge.

The 1 main problem with a pair of single acting cylinders is if you use a diverter on your curl valve. Regen on the curl function doesn't work right with single acting cylinders (search for Regen & single acting cylinders on TBN if you want more info).