Grading Boom Mounted Blade

Anonymous Poster · Oct 17, 2002

I have a 4300 with a 420 loader and have been looking for a snow removal solution. The JD website says there is a boom mounted blade available but shows no further information or picture. My dealer says it's a BW14677 72" blade that mounts using the 4 pins the bucket uses (about 3 min. to change) for $1220 The small picture in his book is a drawing and the blade appears to stick ahead of the mount about 2 - 3 feet.

I am wondering if anyone here has seen or owns this blade, and can give me any more info?

Green_in_MI · Oct 17, 2002

I have asked the same question here before without reply. It appears that the front mounted blade is not a popular sales item. I have seen them at one of the dealers here in mid-Michigan and they look very sturdy and well made. I am going to buy one because I don't want to drag snow with the backblade anymore. The blade comes without hydraulics but Deere sells a kit for around $500 and hooks up to operate from your loader control stick. There are posts on the frame where you can install cylinders. I don't see why you could not install your own, cheaper.

I have read where a front mounted blade can force the front of the tractor sideways. I have also read where people love the setup. These were in reference to the Curtis blade which
is similar. The weight of the 4200 would help in keeping it stable.

I think the price of this single use implement has slowed sales. Most folks are content with using a backblade for a cheaper solution for snow. I would not use the blade for anything else than snow. You could move some brush piles but you would probably do that with the bucket on anyway.

good luck

ronjhall · Oct 17, 2002

SR71
I have a Curtis snow blade on my <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange>. It is a good blade. But it cost close to $1800 by the time I installed it. If you can get a <font color=green>JD</font color=green> that fits your FEL frame for $1220. I would consider that a good deal, The Curtis would require welding to get it attached to you FEL.
Here is a link to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.curtisintl.com/index.html>Curtis click here</A>.

Hoeman00 · Oct 17, 2002

what about a used 6' -6.5' meyers type blade w/ power angle
and build a small frame to apapt to loader pins.
I'm looking for a 7.5 or 8' to do the same to for my 250 Deere SSL.
Have found some in $200-400 range w/o pump or p/u brackets but am
always tooooo late,sold already.

beenthere · Oct 17, 2002

I have a 4300 and have put on a Western plow. It can be seen at this thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin...Searchpage=0&Limit=50&Old=allposts&Main=86629

Works very well, and attaches quickly (almost as quick as the loader which I interchange with if the snow needs piling).

JackIL · Oct 17, 2002

I own a 420 loader and have the blade you are considering. See the attached photo showing the bucket, pallet fork, and blade.

The blade is well built and would be suitable for clearing snow. I do not have the hydraulic angle kit. If you look in the PARTS manual for the 420 loader it shows all of the details of the blade and the hydraulics.

I have only used the blade a small amount since we didn't have much snow last year. When the blade is angled, it wants to push the front of the tractor sideways so you have steer the opposite way to keep a straight heading. In addition you have to use the foot brakes on the left to assist in steering. Steering is not a problem unless you have a big blade load.

I have not used the blade to move gravel or soil.

Jack

Rus91 · Oct 17, 2002

I have a 4010 and live in central Illinois and had planned on using the FEL to move snow. Is this a bad idea? I don't have a huge drive maybe a 125' long. I have no experience moving snow so any experiences anybody has had would be great to hear about.

Hoeman00 · Oct 17, 2002

That is what I am talking about making w/ a meyers type blade and
if the Deere loaders have a quick-tach like the SSL have, Bobcat sells
a blank quick-tach plate for under $100.
2 tabs on bottom for the plow pins and a hook on top for chain
and be ready to plow snow.
I think it can be done for less than $350.

Anonymous Poster · Oct 17, 2002

That's a really nice looking installation. Did you consider mounting the blade to the FEL in place of the bucket? Would the extra distance the blade would be in front of the tractor make it harder to use that way?

beenthere · Oct 17, 2002

I gave some thought to the bucket blade, but didn't want that blade further out in front of the tractor than absolutely necessary. It makes controlling the direction of travel that much harder. Even with the blade close to the front wheels, there are a few times when on a slope (in and close to the ditch line) that it is hard to control the direction of travel. Steering with the rear wheel brakes helps some, but all would be much harder with the blade on the loader arms. I also had a similar plow on my old 2-cyl JD 420, and liked it so much that changing to something else wasn't much of a decision. I have never found it a problem pushing snow up on a pile. I also don't find it impossible to keep the snow pushed back from the side of the drive. Albeit I don't have a house, bushes, or other structure that restricts me from pushing the snow back when it is time to do so.