box blade and snowplowing

[REDBANK]

how well will a box blade plow snow? i don't have one, nor have i seen it done. and when i did a search on the site i didn't see any discussions on it.

 

[beenthere]

Not very well, IMO. It might do in a pinch, but even the FEL bucket would be a little bit better. Too heavy, no angling, just push or pull.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I agree with Beenthere. As you can only pull or push with a BB the results would be marginal at best, and probably very slow. A simple back blade, spun around for pushing, and angled to one side would do a far better job than a box blade. I've tried pulling a rear blade and found it a fruitless endevour in heavy or wet snow. But spin it around and push and it does a pretty good job. The biggest problem with blading snow is when the snow comes down hard. There are real limits to the amount of snow you can push effectively, so during a snow storm if you rely on a blade you may have to go out into the storm a couple of times to plow the drive because if the snow gets too deep the tractor will not be able to effectively move the snow off the drive.

 

[SPIKER]

while I agree a BLADE will do a better job only due to the algeling of it, the box DOES work pretty well, I use mine and I can clear my 250 foot drove of 12" in about 20 min. that is pushing/dragging the snow way out so I can keep clearing later. I can PULL snow up till it is packing between wheels and box. pulling I only do for the first pass ot two to get the TOP heavy stuff off. after the top heavy stuff is OFF and PULLED awayse out of the way I can back push even MORE snow clearing down to gravel top pretty easy when it starts to slip a bit I cut wheel and push it off into a pile, I takes 2 piles normally on one side for my 250' drive. I clear about 10' wide even though the drive is but a single truck width. ~7' first year I lost a bunch of gravel due to box blade and my limited knowlage of angeling the top link the right way. it needs to be a bit front down when backing and front up when pulling. but this year I ran it pretty much neutral and it worked quite well.

I would expppect that 20 min to be 10 or less with the blade but I can't pile snow only on ONE side otherwise it will DRIFT in my drive worse than it normally does...


I have also used the FEL and the box is 100 better than the fel for snow, even HEAVY snow but you can always scoop with fel and push at same time... I simply find using the box much more efficient, (I have no blade)
If you were debating BOX or BLADE that has been beat to death, and it is about 3 to 1 box vs blade for best buy and most used, I MOW all summer but every time I'm done mowing the MOWER comes off and the box goes on!


Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[caddison]

When doing my drive I usually back drag from the garage doors with the FEL and then push the snow the remainder of the way with the blade. I traded for a box blade and plan on using it this winter. One of my neighbors uses his and gets along great with it. If you notice the larger airports use a plow that looks just like a box blade only reversed.

 

[rmonio]

I wouldn't use the box blade. The advantage of most FELs is the float that they provide (at least Deere does) and therefore I'm able to "float" the blade on the driveway (blacktop) and clean the snow nicely. Yes, I do have to pile it up a bit - but at least I can build some nice piles for the kids to slide on. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

For those that think they can use a box blade, then their situation is probably different than mine. My box blade on the Deere 3-pt (4600) just wouldn't float well and would do too much to my blacktop. I do use it for weight, however, and do push the tops of the piles down if I need make room.

-Bob

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


I had 2 removable wings made for the angling grader blade... so I can use it just as a blade... or a box blade... or a combination with 1 wing on... see attachment...

I always use it for snow removal... whether with the loader bucket on... or a front snow plow...

I pull snow with it... and also push snow when I'm backing up even with the blade facing forward... works great...


Dave...

 

[kensfarm]

Very nice.. I have an old woods blade.. I'd like to try your "side wings" idea out on it. The guy down the street has an old riding mower blade sitting out w/ a "for free" sign.. that might make some good sides. Now I have a reason to get it... nice job!

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Grader blade wings...

You can see in the attached picture there are only 3 bolts/nuts holding each side wing... 2 at the wing's "L" flange... 1 holding the cross brace...

The wings have a 1/2" wide "skid" shoe the full length of their bottom that rides on the ground...

I refurbished this John Deere blade shown in the following post...

This blade is holding up well... I bought it used ~7 years ago... my sons used it snowplowing about a dozen driveways for 3-4 years... It was then on a Deere 750 with a front snowplow...

The past 2 years I use it for 2-4 driveways with a front loader on the Kubota...


Dave...

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Before...


Dave...