Blade Weight

[MikeyB]

I have a rear 6' blade I use mainly for moving snow 60+" so far this season here in Colorado. I mainly push or pull snow with the blade reversed so it doesn't dig up my recycled asphalt driveway. But, the blade doesn't seem to have enough weight or down pressure, it just rides on top of the snow and doesn't take much of a bite. I built a plywood box that sits on top of the blade hitch that I store chains, tools, etc. I am considering putting some concrete in the box for extra weight. I thought about gravel or sand but think I'll just lose it over time from bouncing and operating the blade. What do you guys think?

Regards,
Mike

 

[shaley]

Is the cutting edge in good shape? If it is, then you might try changing the forward angle by lengthening the top link. Are you sure the draft control on the 3PH is not lifting the blade?

 

[MikeyB]

I did reverse the cutting edge just recently. It is an older blade and the previous cutting edge had quite a crown to it. The reversed side is nice and straight. When I am pushing or pulling snow I just lower the blade to the ground so on my tractor I believe it is just gravity holding it down (no hyd down pressure) hence the thought of adding more weight.

Mike

 

[shaley]

Draft control senses the compression force on the top link caused by a drag load at the implement and automatically raises the implement using the 3PH hydraulics. Most CUT's don't have any down force on the hitch so I recommend checking draft control setting first. Your tractor may not have a draft control but check your manual. I can't imagine a JD that doesn't. Here is a picture of the hitch and the control spring (at the very top)that may need adj if the normal draft lockout lever is not working.

 

[radman1]

I have a heavy and light weight blade. On the lighter blade, I will sometimes hang 2, 50-75#, old suitcase weights on the top edge of the blade. This will work if the top of the blade is relatively thin. I don't lock the weights on but just let them hang near the center of the blade on each side.

 

[ronjhall]

I had a lighter weight blade for my tractor. Added weight to get it to dig in to snow. I now have a much heavier blade that does not require added weight.
Adding concrete to a weight box will help a lot. Get solid 4 X 8 X 16" blocks. They make easy weights to put add or be removed from a box.
Here is how I do it on my Core Aerator.

 

[Ifixcars]

I welded a 1" stock steel bar about a foot long to the top of my blade's frame towards the back and stacked some barbell weights on it. I added about 75 pounds back towards the blade and it did the trick for me for keeping the blade down. Helped a lot for ballast too for loader. I got my "inspiration" for this mod from TBN pictures.

 

[JoshJ]

If I understand right, turning the blade around is probably your best bet. It will dig down into the snow and make the whole removal process much easier (snow will roll off the blade better if its angled). As far as the driveway, people plow on asphalt all the time. If its a big concern, pick the blade up just a bit and leave some snow. You can even go back going the other way with the blade and clean that up if necessary. Some have used skid shoes as well, or something softer on the cutting edge. Hope it helps

 

[cmhyland]

Ron,
Nice aerator.... Does it seem to work well?

Regards,
Chris

 

[ronjhall]

Ron,
Nice aerator.... Does it seem to work well?

Regards,
Chris

Yes it does. I am surprised how well it handle a area of my lawn that is over top of a old barn foundation. The paddles ( can't remember the correct word ) pick the whole aerator up without any damage to the mechanism.