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.

 

[PhraminP]

How do you strap the truck plow onto the FEL?

 

[Tommy V]

Anything can be bent. Plowing in reverse with the blade turned around and I found an immovable object. First photo, bent turnbuckle, second looking down from the rear, bent right lower arm, third, both arms next to each other. My fault, not Kubota's. I will get it straightened and go on with life.

 

[charliepff]

I wish I had pictures of my tractor when I did that to mine. My lower arm bent the same way and the adjustment link actually broke I bent it that bad. I was actually disapointed at the damage that came from hitting the object.

 

[DavidVT]

How do you strap the truck plow onto the FEL?

Actually it is not strapped on but rather 'pinned on'.

I made up a quick attach plate for the FEL. On that plate are the pins normally under the front end of a truck. A hook on the top of the plate takes the lift chain. I have a third control on the FEL for turning the blade.

 

[Dyer retired]

Tommy V, It's amazing how much this looks like what I did to my lower arm pushing a blade into an ice packed snowbank a couple of weeks ago. I didn't bend the arm quite as bad, but did break the turnbuckle. I was able to weld that back pretty quickly and the lower control arm is still useable. I had not been hitting the banks with great force and have been doing this for a few years. The tractor may swing the front a little, but that was o.k. with me...it was never a violent front end swing or anything like that. I almost exclusively push the blade in reverse for snow removal and will straighten the arm this summer....if summer ever gets to Maine that is, and am considering reinforcing the arm somehow.

Do you have any concerns about the arm being weaker after straightening it or, if reinforced, do you think there is greater potential to do damage someplace more critical and harder to fix than the arm itself. So far, my plan is to go slow, stay paranoid, and keep fingers crossed...do you have any solutions for allowing minor give? Dyer, retired

 

[2Botas]

Tommy V, It's amazing how much this looks like what I did to my lower arm pushing a blade into an ice packed snowbank a couple of weeks ago. I didn't bend the arm quite as bad, but did break the turnbuckle. I was able to weld that back pretty quickly and the lower control arm is still useable. I had not been hitting the banks with great force and have been doing this for a few years. The tractor may swing the front a little, but that was o.k. with me...it was never a violent front end swing or anything like that. I almost exclusively push the blade in reverse for snow removal and will straighten the arm this summer....if summer ever gets to Maine that is, and am considering reinforcing the arm somehow.

Do you have any concerns about the arm being weaker after straightening it or, if reinforced, do you think there is greater potential to do damage someplace more critical and harder to fix than the arm itself. So far, my plan is to go slow, stay paranoid, and keep fingers crossed...do you have any solutions for allowing minor give? Dyer, retired

Pretty sure the arms are engineered to be weak enough to bend in the event of a impact with something that does not want to move. I would not reinforce them. You will end up breaking something very expensive!!! I bet the rear housing on your tractor is at least $2000.00, plus several hours labor to replace it.

 

[Northland]

I bent one of my turnbuckles slightly when ploughing in reverse with my rear blade. I don't understand why many TBN'ers feel it is better to plough in reverse.

My B7800 w/6 foot rear blade makes a beautiful clean path when going forwards. When I put chains on the front tires this winter it was unstopable.

But then we got so much snow this winter here off the north shore of Lake Superior that I had to buy a used 5 foot rear snowblower. It's fantastic but I miss the clean path the rear blade gave me and I don't like the snow blowing back in my face

 

[Dyer retired]

TommyV,

I've kind of arrived at that same conclusion and will just be more careful with the back blading. I think the problem was that I got away with doing it wrong for so long that I felt comfortable that nothing was going to get hurt in it all. I really thought I had been the lower arm worse than I had. It did bend, but not as bad as yours and was just twisted on the pivot shaft balls. I've got it back up and working, but will just go slower....I'm doing o.k., but don't really want to spend $2000 (probably conservative guess) for something that could have been avoided. Plus, they tell us that winter is going to end here by August! Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

Northland,

You sound like you have the same experience I have, the snow will find a way to swirl back into your face no matter which direction the wind is coming in from...or for that matter, even if there is a wind. I start the season out with the blade facing forward and pushing it backwards. In the light snowfalls, it works great and rides over any potential danger spots, but once the ground is nice and frozen, the blade cleans nicely down to the hardpack in reverse. I do pull it also at an angle, but keep turf tires on year round and even in lighter snows and 4 wheel drive, pulling the blade will end up stopping the tractor. I have thought about chains or ag. tires, but it's like a generator for me....whever I think I need them the most, the power comes back on. I have been stuck once with the Kubota and not surprisingly, it was completely my fault and predictable. I pile the snow using the blade at one end of the driveway or the other and then use the blower to toss it all into the woods. I get the same little 1/4 inch of snow left on the ground when I use the blower, set my me with the skids...I found that any lower than that and I'm changing out shear pins all day.

I just need to slow down because my drive is not so long that I don't know where the problem spots will be. I just caught a bank with underlying icepack the day I bent the lower arm. Thanks for getting back. Dyer, retired

 

[Dyer retired]

2Botas,

Sorry about that, but my 9:26 response to TommyV was meant for you. I agree with not taking the chance of reinforcing something that will break the more expensive item later. Dyer, retired