Snow Blade Back drag front plow

[RNeumann]

I'm new to the snow area and plowing and have a front plow question- I've had one dealer tell me you can't back drag with the front plow because of the spring release and another dealer tell me that back dragging is not an issue with the spring release.

Those of you who use the front plow for snow- Does back dragging work with the spring release? I'm assuming I'll have to back drag a bit in front of the garage and shop doors so it won't be massive amounts or for long distances.

Thank you for the replies!

 

[SteelonSteel]

You can back drag some lighter snow. If it's frozen, super heavy packy snow your blade will likely ride up and over it. The plow mechanism lifts but it doesn't hold the blade down with pressure.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Are you talking FEL mounted or automobile mounted?

 

[RNeumann]

FEL plow

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Then I don't think post #2 regarding down pressure applies.

I'd think the plow manufacturer would have some advice in this regard.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I agree with post 2. The cutting edge usually isn't working in your favor. Back dragging is always a hit and miss thing.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I think he's asking about problems with the spring release/trip.

Down pressure from the loader and even just the blade weight works fine for me to pull snow away from the garage (etc).

I've never used a plow with a trip mechanism so hopefully someone will chime in to actually answer the OPs question. Lol.

 

[mikeman1]

Usually you can apply down pressure just like you would with a bucket on the front, or if your fel has a float position it will not have down pressure. in any case the springs on the plow are made to trip going forward, so i don't think it will trip going backward. The previous posts are correct in backdragging isn't done as well since the cutting edge is made for going forward.

 

[RjCorazza]

Full blade trip and edge only trip mechanisms do not affect back dragging on any plow I have used or seen. As far as how well it works that depends upon a lot of factors like snow depth / density, blade weight, down pressure, etc...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have two blades, loader mounted. One with whole blade trip and the other with just the edge. Neither effects back dragging in any way that I know of.

 

[ishiboo]

I use my front FEL plow for almost everything - but have the rear blade on in winter for back dragging. Ultimate setup IMO.

 

[RNeumann]

Thank you for the info! I was most concerned with the spring/trip mechanism. I realize the blade is working against me going backwards. It is my understanding I can tip the blade forward some to help overcome this.
A rear blade and front blade would be ideal. However, I will have a rear box scraper instead. I don't think getting both blades is in the cards right now.

 

[MossRoad]

The blade isn't working against you going backwards. It works against you when you push it forward. That's why they put the trip mechanism on it... if you hit something immovable going forward, it will trip, changing the blade angle severely, and the obstruction will then act as a ramp and the blade will then ride over it. As long as you are floating when backdragging, anything the blade hits will just act like a ramp and the blade should slide up and over the obstruction. If you're not floating in reverse and hit an immovable obstruction, it'll want to lift the entire front of the tractor up over the obstruction.

Does that make sense?

 

[RNeumann]

The blade isn't working against you going backwards. It works against you when you push it forward. That's why they put the trip mechanism on it... if you hit something immovable going forward, it will trip, changing the blade angle severely, and the obstruction will then act as a ramp and the blade will then ride over it. As long as you are floating when backdragging, anything the blade hits will just act like a ramp and the blade should slide up and over the obstruction. If you're not floating in reverse and hit an immovable obstruction, it'll want to lift the entire front of the tractor up over the obstruction.

Does that make sense?

Yes it does

 

[MossRoad]

Yes it does

I used to plow snow at an airport. Pickup trucks and medium dump trucks. We had about a hundred T hangars, which are basically garages with triple wide doors. I had to back-drag all of them. Never a problem.

Now, my current little tractor has a snowplow on the FEL arms with NO trip mechanism. I've hit a few frozen chunks and it sent me into the steering wheel a couple times. Wish I had the trip mechanism on that.

 

[RjCorazza]

I use my front FEL plow for almost everything - but have the rear blade on in winter for back dragging. Ultimate setup IMO.

I have used a 7' rear blade (or 6' blower) for years with the loader bucket up front. This season I will be using a 7' SSQA angling blade on the front with the rear blade or blower. For driveways I am sure that I will like it.