Snow Clearing snow with a backblade

[ericbx1500]

One quick question. When I cleaning my drive yesterday I was going backwards (not fast) and my blade caught the lip of my cement apron where it changes from gravel to cement. Now I didnt damage anything as I wasnt going fast but I did notice that when the blade caught, the three point arms lifted upward. My question is, is this upward deflection designed this way to help reduce damage or is it just because there is no down pressure on the arms?

 

[RobS]

The fact that the lift arms raised did no damage to your tractor, you could lift them by hand as there is no downpressure on these smaller tractors. That is not to say though, that the impact didn't do anything else. Have a good look at all the arms and linkage and try not to do that too many more times.

Just to reassure you, I have done the same thing a time or two... or three...

 

[StrangeRanger]

It did no damage and most likely won't, but keep in mind, the 3pth is really designed for dragging implements, not pushing. After making that statement though I will admit to doing all kinds of wrong way things w/ my box blade and rear blade
j

 

[Reg]

One quick question. When I cleaning my drive yesterday I was going backwards (not fast) and my blade caught the lip of my cement apron where it changes from gravel to cement. Now I didnt damage anything as I wasnt going fast but I did notice that when the blade caught, the three point arms lifted upward. My question is, is this upward deflection designed this way to help reduce damage or is it just because there is no down pressure on the arms?

Almost certainly not DESIGNED to flip up when hitting something while backing, since 3ph is DESIGNED for pulling, however given that there is no down force other than the weight of the implement the geometry just works out for you. Don't count on it, it will probably not work if the blade actually catches UNDER something. I'm assuming this was just a backing maneuver, i.e. you weren't pushing or packing show, so your blade was facing forwards and the curved edge rode up.

I pull snow until there is about a bucket load built up, then I release it, pull up another batch and release that, etc. Then I go back and attack them with the FEL from "end on" and move them to where I want them to go.

 

[ericbx1500]

Almost certainly not DESIGNED to flip up when hitting something while backing, since 3ph is DESIGNED for pulling, however given that there is no down force other than the weight of the implement the geometry just works out for you. Don't count on it, it will probably not work if the blade actually catches UNDER something. I'm assuming this was just a backing maneuver, i.e. you weren't pushing or packing show, so your blade was facing forwards and the curved edge rode up.

I pull snow until there is about a bucket load built up, then I release it, pull up another batch and release that, etc. Then I go back and attack them with the FEL from "end on" and move them to where I want them to go.

Well with an 800' drive that process would take me a long time. If the blade was only designed to pull then why are you able to flip it around?

 

[Racer71]

It is true that you can push with a blade. The 3ph is stronger in the pulling direction than pushing. The lower arms will buckel if you hit something too hard going bckwards. If you hit the same thing going forwards you will try to stretch the arms.

 

[Youare]

I have a rear blade on my L3000DT that I use for snow moving. I was also concerned about the stresses of pushing snow with it knowing the 3PH was basically designed to pull. The area of most concern was the top link where it connects to the mount on the top of the rear end housing. What I did to protect this area a little more was to install the top link support brackets that area used for a 3PH backhoe attachment.

When using a 3PH backhoe there is a lot of pulling force put on the top link where normally there is a pushing action on it when pulling an implement. I don't know if there is such a thing for the model tractor you have. It may provide a small measure of protection for those times when the unexpected bump going backwards happens.

One thing I try to do when pushing backwards is keep my speed down when pushing backwards. The other thing is I don't use 4WD some of the time when I am doing a lot of pushing backwards figuring the tires will slip if I contact something solid.

Randy

 

[AceDeuce]

It's certainly true that one could easily bend a lifting arm while using the 3PH to push an implement but the BX simply doesn't have enough weight or traction to do any real damage. The arms on a BX are just as stout as those on most L-series machines, only shorter. I'd be more worried about the object you hit rather than the tractor or implement.

 

[dangerdoc]

Well with an 800' drive that process would take me a long time. If the blade was only designed to pull then why are you able to flip it around?

I'm not arguing against pushing, I do it all the time but there is a good reason to turn your blade around and pull it.

Pulling the blade backwards is a great way to spread and fill with loose material. It fills in holes and the blade does not bite so you don't get waves in your drive.

 

[DavidVT]

I've backed my blade into tree stumps, steel buried in the snow and even the barn once (looking over wrong shoulder). The blade is a tiny bit twisted but when I catch something while going forward it usually gets straightened out... Seriously I don't go very fast when moving snow but things still happen.... I have also avoided chains for several years. I like having traction as the weakest link rather than something mechanical.

I always leave my back blade oriented towards the front.

My winter driveways are a combination of gravel and frozen lawn. To manage the snow I make two horseshoe drives. One really is all driveway and the other near my barn only becomes a horseshoe in the winter (hence the lawn).

I push most of the snow driving the tractor in reverse. With the blade working backwards, I find that that I am moving less gravel and sod (before it freezes). Sure it will climb up on the snow sometimes but I am ok with that.

Once I have a good base of ice I will do more snow movement driving forward. That all depends on the thickness of the ice I am plowing over and the amount of snow I am trying to move.

If it gets really out of hand I strap on the big truck plow to the FEL and go to town. I am finding that the plow (8') is a bit too big for my 3430. However sometimes I still use it.