Grading Anybody have a loader mounted front blade?

[Nuru]

(I'm probably going to get flamed for this)
One of the things I have seen is the increasing use of skid steer tools using adaptor plates on FELs. The comments about side loading issues come from this. Compare the lenght of the loader booms from the pivot point to the face surface of the tool. The tractor boom will be longer, which has a real effect on the ultimate strenght of the system. Even adding the foot or so from the adaptor plate to the blade will have an effect. Look at the base construction. Skid steer = short stocky = heavier loading, better side load capability due to decreased lever lenght. Tractor FEL = long lean = lower loading capacity. It's a trade off.

The basic problem is trying to get a truely universal tool set that works equaly well with all mounts.

Nope, good points and it does make sense. That is why the skidsteer is so popular, very versatile and short and stocky build make it reasonable compact.

 

[Nuru]

Bender, I'm not that familiar with the 4310. If it has the same frame as a 3520 or 4410 the model 74 blade will work. Now for the work.Which requires someone with excellent welding skills. I didn't say it was going to be easy. In order to get the 74 blade mounts to work in conjuction with the loader mounts you remove the loader mounts and then shorten them 1/2 inch and reweld to get the blade mounts behind them. This allows you to change between the loader and front blade without removing any mounts. One drawback is you can not use a MM mower,because of the blade mounts. PM me your email address and I can send you some pics of my 3520 w/cab and 870 open station that I modified to get the loader and front blade brackets compatible. The reason I also listed the 4410 is a friend used the same design change to get a model 74 blade to fit his tractor.

For the average tractor owner its alot easier to go with the loader mounted front blade, but I prefer the frame mounted blades.

I have a frame mounted snow blade and a loader and the only issue I have is storagge, however I fixed that with the addition of a 12 x 24 garage/shed. Now I can clear out my 3rd bay and leave it there for my tractor and have room for a few implements I might use more frequently than the others!

 

[Nuru]

I got my frontier front blade today, now I just need some snow The blade is well built. View attachment 66331
View attachment 66332
minimax

Very good looking set-uo

 

[minimax]

We had some snow and the blade works really well,had no issue with the blade pushing the tractor sideways,I can really get the snow rolling and comeing off the blade very well the blade will throw snow in "c" range around 8' to 12' feet.

minimax

 

[psdx]

Nobody's mentioned this approach - they are made here in Ohio. I haven't seen one personally, but it allows a universal fit and looks interesting...

http://www.gohawkline.com/docs/specs/FEL Grader Blade.pdf

 

[jcmseven]

I wanted to respond again in this post. I mentioned earlier about the Frontier front blade. I purchased a 72" Frontier blade for my 3720, just as minimax has (I believe his is a 7') I had a chance to use the blade last week in about 5'' of snow here. It is a really nice setup. The mid frame JD will handle either a 6' or 7' fine. The blade is very heavy (about 425#) operating weight and will definitely require rear ballast. It is a little tricky without practice to get the tilt correct. Too much and the front end of the tractor slides sideways and too little and it does not clean well. It took me some practice but it does a nice job. For strictly snow plowing, the best combo I have used yet is my diesel Gator HPX and an Eagle Plow. I love my 3720, but for sheer snowplowing, the Gator was the ticket. I could plow the road in front of my home and my drive very fast, and it was stable on hills. Unfortunately, due to space restrictions I sold the Gator, which on snowy days I regret (a lot). The Frontier plow is heavy enough to move some dirt and gravel, and the nice folks at Frontier throw in a set of steel rods to replace the trip springs for heavier grading. I do not like the tractor set up as much for snow plowing as it is a long setup and not as stable on slippery hills due to the weight of the tractor, but if the ground is fairly level and the snow deep, it is the way to go. On hills, or in tight spots or for large volume plowing a UTV is a better choice in my mind base on my experience.

John M

 

[BenderKC]

I too purchased a front loader blade with the angling feature. Snowed here in KC yesterday, wife asked me when I was going to get the driveway cleaned, said I, "done". She didn't believe me, had to see for herself. Said, "Good thing you have the tractor". Setting her up for the 3pt chipper don't you know.

 

[dirtworksequip]

Bender, I'll bet you had the biggest smile on your face the whole time you were plowing. Glad to see everything worked out for you.

 

[areid]

I like the new blade I made. It doesn't have a spring flip when you hit something but I don't anticipate hitting anything that hard. See it in the post I have called front loader blade.

 

[beenthere]

areid
This is a pretty old thread. Post your new blade in the thread about our Snow Equipment. Would be a good place to show some pics of it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/184041-pictures-your-snow-weapons-246.html