Snow Attachments ABS Plastic Pipe Snow Blade Edge

[bp fick]

The illustration below shows the results of impact tests on ABS and PVC pipe at 32 F. Note, the ABS pipe has a good ductile impression resulting from the impact test. The PVC pipe shattered under the same test conditions:

TOP: ABS PIPE
BOTTOM: PVC PIPE
The impact strength of PVC is only one-half that of ABS at 72 F. And, one-third the strength of ABS at 40 F. The low temperature value of PVC is only 32 F. That is, it has lost its impact strength at this temperature. By comparison, the low temperature value of ABS is minus 40 F.

From MonarchPlastic.com

 

[bp fick]

OK, I've reviewed the recent posts and haven't seen an explanation. Forgive me if I missed it. I'm currently using schedule 40 and have shattered one piece in three Winters. Not too bad but quite inconvenient in the middle of a storm. I'd like to have an upgrade on stand-by. What is the difference between HDPE and schedule 80? I've called three plumbing supply houses and they seem clueless when I say "High Density Polyethyline" but admit that they have schedule 80. What is the difference?

Schedule XX is a measurement of thickness/gauge basically. Ask a pro, which I am not.

These different plastics vary widely in their abilities and characteristics, strengths, resiliency, impact, shatter temperatures, etc. None of these products were designed for what we are doing with them.

That said, PVC is pretty brittle, ABS much, much less so, and HDPE is space-age stuff, but I cannot get my hands on any out here in the sticks!

I suppose Kevlar, if made into such a pipe would be as strong or stronger than steel itself.

 

[studor]

Thanks BP -- like I said in the other thread, ABS is all I have used , just from being frugal and it's availability -- nice to see it is working out for you. I have used the 1 1/2" up to 3" and settled on 2" in the end.

 

[Mcourchesne]

Just plowed 3 hours with that ABS and it doesn't have a mark on it. Go to admit, I am impressed.

Is this stuff available at any local or national chain hardware store/home center?

 

[bp fick]

Thanks BP -- like I said in the other thread, ABS is all I have used , just from being frugal and it's availability -- nice to see it is working out for you. I have used the 1 1/2" up to 3" and settled on 2" in the end.

Studor,

I sure wanna thank you for putting me on to ABS. It is incredible stuff.
As for availability, it supposed to be available at some/most Lowes. I got the only stick in town, but "town" here means hokey little mom & pop hardware store. They said, "We got that piece by mistake. You can have it for $4.00"

It was 10' long!! Woo Hoot!! That is precisely two times my 5' blade.
Thus, my single ABS pipe edge was $2. usd. Come on, how good is that?

 

[studor]

Is this stuff available at any local or national chain hardware store/home center?

Black ABS sched 40 has been used as drain pipe forever around here -- PVC has only become common in the last 10 or so. Coleman makes ABS canoes that stand up pretty well to abuse -- just a little heavy compared to kevlar
I think that you should be able to find it at Lowes etc but to be honest I have never looked when I am in the States -- sometimes different codes mean entirely different materials are sold in some markets.
10 feet is the standard length and I think 2" is about $1 a foot or so - have not priced it lately as I had a bunch of scrap pieces

 

[gaberelli]

does this also help with the blade digging in and tripping the springs? we got a whopper here in WI. some drifts were 4-5' tall. my biggest problem with my tractor mounted plow on a gravel driveway was that the plow would dig in and trip the springs. it was annoying and slowed me down. i have shoes/skids on and they didn't seem to be the problem.

 

[Ford850]

Lowe's and the other box stores around here carry ABS. Not nearly the selection as PVC though. I looked at some the other day and noticed the price for ABS was about 30 - 50% higher than PVC. That could be due to old stock that reflects the higher oil prices from last year. I have a partial paved drive, but mostly gravel. I'm curious if it would clear a concrete drive or make a mess.

 

[NSBound]

I went and bought one length of 3" ABS at Home Hardware this week. They're a national hardware chain in Canada. A "length" was 12 feet, cost was $24.99 + tax.

 

[studor]

I'm curious if it would clear a concrete drive or make a mess.

Should work just fine unless the snow is really packed or icy --- it should stop the plow from tripping as often if it is tripping because it is catching -- if it trips from weight you need more spring or more angle --JMHO