Front snowplow vs rear blade for driveway snow cleanup?

[nybirdman]

I have and use both;a 8' converted truck plow on the FEL and a heavy 7' rear blade.They both have their uses.

 

[Big Barn]

I have both. I used the rear mount blade clearing neighbors’ driveways for cash when I was 16 back in 1967. Ford 3000/ non cab tractor with ballasted tires.

Hydraulic angle front mount would be my first choice all day long.

 

[shooterdon]

They all work in the right conditions.

The all are not so great in the wrong conditions.

I use a rear blade mounted on a SSQA adapter on the FEL and a pull blower on the 3ph. I get 120-140" a year...flat driveway...80'x80" area to clear between drive and pole barn...loaded turfs. Last year was first year. Never had more than 10-12" to deal with. Worked very well.

 

[pokey1416]

My “plan” is to use a pusher and back blade although admittedly I won’t be plowing gravel drives. Back up to OH doors, drop back blade and pull snow out far enough to use pusher. I won’t have to change directions which will save a ton of time. I live in Lake Michigan snow belt so I have to be ready for anything. If really deep I’ll head out with bucket. Wind is crazy here. Last year was a bust but this is a pic from 2019.



I PM’d someone on this site that uses a pusher on gravel I think and he liked it.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Unless your in Canada or have lake effect snow, you will be OK with forward plowing. Yes, plowing in reverse moves more snow. I do this to open up space for the next round of snow or to push it over a ravine. Chains, you may need wheel spacers.

Funny thing with FEL plow when you angle the blade it also tilts. You have to adjust curl cylinders to make blade level again. The skid shoes on the plow keep digging into my gravel, think it needs wheels like a state truck has. It maybe years of only having a rear blade but I just use rear blade now, less hassle.
View attachment 666485

If you set the plow frame parallel to the road the blade will stay level at any angle.

gg

 

[Carl_NH]

I use the 6' back blade and the FEL - for heavy storms over 12" I run the 28" SB up/down the 250' drive, once and the walkways then clean up the remainder with the tractor. We get anywhere from 30-40" in a very light year, but average 90-120" in a typical season.

If you have the 2501 with a QA attach bucket, I'd get a manual (or electric angle) adjust on a QA front plow and then a rear blade for weight and additional cleanup. This would be your most cost effective setup as you can find used rear blades 6' and if you wanted to save more. get an older truck plow and adapt it to the QA frame.

 

[Carl_NH]

They all work in the right conditions.

The all are not so great in the wrong conditions.

I use a rear blade mounted on a SSQA adapter on the FEL and a pull blower on the 3ph. I get 120-140" a year...flat driveway...80'x80" area to clear between drive and pole barn...loaded turfs. Last year was first year. Never had more than 10-12" to deal with. Worked very well.

View attachment 666585

Thats pretty ingenious setup you've got for the front - and you can use it in all seasons too! Front or back.

 

[ruffdog]

The snowsport plow is a good option for some people. All you need is a 2" receiver.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/333105-front-mounted-receiver-hitch-snowplow.html?highlight=snowsport

 

[Big Barn]

Not certain if this link is viewable or not but may be of interest to any members in BC.


Document Summary

 

[wheelbuilder]

I've got a 3 point blower on the back, and a plow on the front of my little Bolens/Iseki. The plow works well if the ground is frozen for snow under 8-10 inches and for any little cleaning up. More than that or if the ground is spongy and I use the blower.
It makes the tractor fairly long to have both on at once, so I have to keep that in mind in a couple tight spots. It is nice to have the weight of the blower on when plowing wet snow.