Snow Attachments Back blade, box blade, loader; forward or reverse?

[Fallon]

I have a new Kubota L3200 hst & am preparing for my first winter here in Parker, CO. I've got a gravel driveway that is a couple hundred yards long that will be most of what I'm doing. As its my first year at this place I'm not quite sure what to expect, but i'm guessing during some nastier storms we'll end up with drifts a foot or 2, probably nothing 3 feet or higher.

My tractor came with R4's & I got a good deal on some chains off Craigslist (haven't had a chance to make sure they fit yet though. In addition to the loader I have a 72" box blade & 72" back blade.

What is my implement of choice probably going to be? My assumption is the back blade, but in what configuration? Point the blade forward & have it plow behind the tractor after I've driven over the snow in front? Flip it backwards & plow in reverse while working on putting a crink in my neck? In either case I assume I'm best off cranking the angle as far to the side as I can? The 72" blade should still clear my 60" track.

I've seen some of the nice projects putting a cheap old beat up plow on a SSQA plate. Looks like a cool idea, but I haven't seen a dirt cheap plow on Craigslist yet, not that I have the time or money to build one with the new (to me, but needing lots of work) house & actually new tractor.

 

[dragoneggs]

Excellent question! I am wanting to hear from the experts too. I imagine I will play and experiment with both FEL and BB. I suppose I should be looking for some chains too.

 

[Harvey9]

I've gone with a back blade over the past 6 winters and it's worked fairly well, both forward and reverse. Until you get a good "base" of hard packed snow and/or ice, you pick up gravel and it ends up off your driveway. It was suggested on this site to put a piece of 3 inch ABS pipe along the cutting edge. Cut a slit the length of the pipe (table saw) and bang it on, this has worked well for me. Doesn't pick up nearly as much gravel.

Good Luck

Harvey

 

[smalltown]

I have shoes on my back blade and it seems to work much better with the tractor going in reverse, and the blade facing forward. The weight of my blade has been more than enough to scrape down quite a bit and not dig into the driveway.

 

[Daver1963]

I don't know if you have a book for your front end loader or have read it. I have a Kubota L2800 with a LA524 loader and I suspect you have the same on your L3200. The book cautions against using the FEL as a bulldozer as the frame is not meant to handle those kinds of stress loads. I suspect a little of using it that way wouldn't hurt and its just a matter common sense and listening to your tractor as to how much it can take.
I live in Tennessee and I sincerely hope I don't have to make that decision, but it may happen.

 

[rankrank1]

Well I have a late 1970's Kubota L285 2WD with factory Kubota Loader with R1 Ag tires(30 gross hp or 26.4 PTO hp). While I have both a back blade and a box blade I much prefer the box blade for clearing snow. If I try to use the back blade with it angled I usually end up getting pushed sideways and lose control. I could probably overcome this with more speed out in a wide open area but not near the house and cars. Adding tire chains might work too, but not interested in those for no more snow than I typically get.

My best weapon is use the loader going forward as a straight plow and then use the boxblade when going backwards again as a straight plow and simply travel in a planned series of Y-patterns (or herringbone patterns). Very little wasted motion as I am always pushing snow whether going forward or backwards.

Boxblade has more weight so it has much less tendency to want to ride up like the much lighter in weight backblade will even if I have it set straight straight. Few tractors have down pressure on the 3-point hydraulic sytem so weight is good in keeping whatever implement from riding above the snow.

Of course I would not want to do a long lane with my series of Y-patterns but I do not have anything like that at my place so no problem for me. Basically taking what I already own and making it work as efficient as I can.

 

[DKCDKC]

I have FEL, BB and back blade. I have a mile long gravel drive up and down hills with curves. I use the BB for maintenance to eliminate ruts and potholes - and it's great at that. For snow I have found it useless. I simply drive up the drive with the FEL down to cut most of the snow off, and the blade angled in the back to take off more. I try to run the blade just enough to take snow with but little gravel. Constant watching seems to do it. I do not have tractor chains yet, but probably will get them for the rare all ice stuff we get sometimes. I hate sliding on hills.

I did make the driveway a little wider than most so that I can scrape both ways and leave most of the piles snow actually on the edge of the driveway. It's easier then to come back when the snow's gone and scrape the gravel back to the center.

Most of the folks I know simply evolve the best way to plow using whatever they have, and constantly look for ways to improve. One guy puts some 10 inch boards on his FEL with a rope arrangement and uses it pretty effectively. Whatever works.

 

[wolfpack2]

if you can spin the blade around, you can drive forward and use the back side of the blade when the ground is soft and it will not cut into the gravel nearly as much. It also helps to pack the snow and build a base of hard pack. Once you have the base, you can use it in the normal fashion and let the skid shoes ride on the pack. If you cannot spin it around, you can just drive backwards. Be careful pushing in reverse as the arms are not designed for high stress loads in that direction. I have seen a number of folded top links from people who run into thing while pushing in reverse.

 

[dragoneggs]

I am looking forward to the removal of my BH this week and installing the linkage and back blade for winter use… I know that this preparation as well getting the generator ready this year will contribute to global warming.

 

[jvolock]

I live in Kiowa Colorado and turn my blade around and push the snow and use my FEL to pile up the snow. Just set you feet slightly above the grade and you should be fine. Welcome to the site.