Another pipe-on-the-FEL for pushing snow

[JoeL4330]

when I first read the initial post, I was surprised the ABS only lasted through one storm (not surprised about the PVC) ...but when I saw that you had it mounted on a FEL, I think I understand the short life ...I believe most who use ABS successfully use it on a BLADE, not a FEL ...that is, no down pressure ...just supporting a fraction of the blade weight, never a sizeable fraction of the tractor weight.

 

[Hozen]

As long as the FEL has a float position, it shouldn't matter. There isn't any down pressure when it's in float. I'm using some left over 1" water line I had from a project and it works great. I have an asphalt driveway about 300' long and I use it just to keep from scuffing the asphalt. I can't imagine the water line lasting all that long for wear, but I have some schedule 80 1" conduit that I'll try next. I would have tried it the first time around, but I forgot I had it.

For stone, the larger 2" or 3" would probably work better... for me, since I don't need to float the bucket over stone and just want an easy "wear edge", the smaller 1" works great. I'm doing this with an Sc2400 for reference.

 

[SARG]

Much too advanced for me. I'm still splitting the 2" ABS pipe and pinching it on.

Just ordered ten pcs. from Lowe's internet site. They sell it in five foot lengths for $5.23 ea and I ordered ten to get the free shipping.

 

[rus_geek]

Hozen - When the FEL is in float, you're right that there is no hydraulic down-pressure. But there is no "up-pressure" either, so the weight of the bucket and loader arms is pushing down on that leading edge. I'm not sure how many hundreds of pounds it is, but I know there's no way I could lift the bucket by hand when it's detatched from the tractor, much less with the weight of the loader arms on it

-r-

 

[pat32rf]

We must be lazy, or not have a lot of spare time in our area. We just drive on the first few snowfalls untill we get a good solid frozen base on the gravel/crushed stone then plow or blow as the case may be. Sometimes we use skids/skegs under the plow/ blower or just let it slide on the icy base....When the asphault shows thru the ice base then we get the gear out to start tapping the maple trees...

 

[tugboat-2]

AH,..Pat, . . "tappin-the-trees" eh,... what a pleasant thought to start thawing the frost outta-me-bones. Yes, yes,.. move the calendar ahead a bit and lets get to 'er !! ....yes I know it's still a cold job,.. but good hot open fires, oh, so great smells, . . .. and that much closer to spring!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR up Bancroft way !!
. . tug

 

[Matt_Jr]

Just before our last snowfall I took a 2 1/2" exhaust pipe, slit it down the middle, and hammered it onto my back blade to avoid messing up my gravel. After a few swipes down the drive, I noticed blade felt like it was dragging a little differant. Looked back, and it wasn't there. The pipe that is. The dragging opened it up, and just fell right off. So, determined I pulled out the welder, and layed down a few beads on each side. I have to say the wipe works great, but leaves behind way to much snow for us hill dwellers. I ended up cutting it off and just dealing with messing up the gravel some. Sure beats sliding down my driveway.

If I were to put one on the loader, I'd get two sizes. Slide the larger over the smaller, and cap off the smaller pipe so that the cap is the same diameter as the larger pipe. That way you wouldn't get two trails, and you'll have a double wall.

And.. Maple syrup sure sounds good for some cakes in the mornin'.

 

[Hozen]

Hozen - When the FEL is in float, you're right that there is no hydraulic down-pressure. But there is no "up-pressure" either, so the weight of the bucket and loader arms is pushing down on that leading edge. I'm not sure how many hundreds of pounds it is, but I know there's no way I could lift the bucket by hand when it's detatched from the tractor, much less with the weight of the loader arms on it

-r-

I know... I was just commenting on what JoeL4330 said. My loader/bucket is fairly small, so, not a ton of weight there. While I doubt I could pick the whole thing up by itself, attached to the tractor and with the leverage of the arms, I bet I could lift it. My point is, I don't think the back blade vs FEL argument matters when it comes to "down pressure".

The water line I used didn't last long. I had a similar experience as Matt_Jr. Over time, the slit opened up and the water line lost it's ability to stay on the bucket. I put on my conduit yesterday and will have try it out once it snows again. My conduit is actually sch 40 PVC... I'll have to see how well it holds up. I'm thinking I might have better luck since I'm not pushing over stones.

 

[Chilly807]

I think I might try to find some 1.5 inch heavy wall pipe, split it, then weld some bolt tabs to the upper side, even if I only use it for back-dragging with the bucket.

If I keep this up, the FEL won't be able to lift the bucket because of all the added weight..

In an aside, the rear wheel chains arrived yesterday ! I think I'll leave 'em off until it gets icy enough to really need them. That way, next year I'm sure to remember how much fun it was trying to put them on a tractor stuck in the ditch in two feet of snow !!

Chilly

 

[JC4HD]

Here is one I made last winter. I mounted it like a tooth bar.I installed it on the bucket before I bent it ,then stuck a crowbar in the ends of the pipe and heated it with torches and bent it around.If you have access to a pipe bender that would work even better.Tim

Nice Job T-Man, I have a 2320 now with 200cx FEL that I use for snow removal on paved surfaces... except for occasional slipping works great. Ordered a set of 2 link ladder chains for the rear to cure that.