Grading Disappointed with rear blade

[rbarker]

We got about 7" of heavy, wet snow on Sunday and the 60" rear blade on my BX2200 just wouldn't cut the mustard. It would manage about a strip and a quarter before it wouldn't push the snow back any further. I wound up clearing with the loader again which takes more time. I am pulling the blade facing forward with it angled at the sharpest angle off to the side. Am I doing something wrong or just expecting too much out of the blade? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The good news is the loader works fantastic and the tractor in 4WD low just doesn't get stuck! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TresCrows]

Well, first, the blade is probably to big. I would use a 48 or 54 inch blade. Second, push the blade in reverse with the blade still in the forward direction and the blade angled to the side. Clear an area with your loader and then engage the snow using only about 1/2 the blade continuously moving the snow to one side only. That is what I did but I am not an expert on snow plowing for sure /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. My 2410 will quickly push up a wall of snow and then just spin it's tires if I don't work from a cleared area pushing the snow further and further over to the side. I find backwards easier because the tires are in a cleared area and follow the path of the blade. Pulling forward would be more diffucult. Notice in this pic that I am clearing in reverse with the blade in the forward position. Notice the smooth path left for the little B2410. Yes, I am using the position control to slightly float the blade. JJ

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue">Am I doing something wrong or just expecting too much out of the blade? </font>
Not to be a nitpicker /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif , but I assume it's the tractor that's having a problem pushing the snow and not the blade, right? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif How long is the strip you refer to? You might be asking too much of the tractor. With the first pass, you're plowing 7" of heavy wet snow. Since the blade is moving the snow over, with the second pass, you're trying to plow almost 14" of heavy wet snow. With the third pass, etc. Or have I musunderstood something? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I agree with Trescrow's advice plus I'd add rear wheel weights and/or load the tires. Adding rear wheel weights substantially improved the ability of my TC25D to push snow.

 

[Egon]

In times of much snow you may have to start from the outside and only roll one blade width at a time to the outside.

Egon

 

[Deerlope]

When and if your budget will allow it buy a snow blower. You will never regret it. even if you have other homes nearby the chute can be adjusted so as not to cause any damage. Get a front mount, I love mine. I plowed snow for 30 years and nothing campares with a blower.

 

[Rick Jay]

rbarker,

If you got the same type of snow we got here, then I share your problem. I have a Woods HBL-72 (500+ lbs.) behind my B2910 with chains and I struggled with the blade. I, too, ended using the loader to move a good part of the snow and then scraped the driveway with the blade. I do have one disadvantage in that I usually have to work up-hill to clear my driveway.

The snow we got was really "rare". It wasn't wet. Rather, it was like a steamroller had compressed it. It was very, very dense and heavy. Trying to pull with the blade reversed just caused the blade to ride up on the snow. We only had about 4" of it. I moved the previous weeks' 15" snowfall much more easily.

As regards to the snowblower someone suggested, I do have a rear mount Woods SS60, but I haven't put it on yet. (Don't ask why, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.) Anyway, I think that with this type of snow that we got it might have also just ridden up on the snow like the reversed blade did. All of the driveways in our development that were "snowblown" all still have compacted snow on them.

It was a learning experience, that's for sure. The NEXT big snow we get I'll have the blower on. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, I was still able to clear our whole driveway without touching a shovel, which is great. It was nice using "mental muscle" to figure out how to move the snow rather than the ailing and aging back muscles. If only I could get the Kubota to climb steps so I could do the sidewalks /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

~Rick

 

[hazmat]

Bob,

Don't feel bad, My TC18 was having similar problems. I've got loaded rears (200#) each & chains on the back side. I was only able to make two backwards passes (~50 feet) with the 5' blade angled 30 degrees before I had to shovel the curl with the loader. The first pass was a "full bite" the second I only tried to move a half width.

The blade was acting like a rudder, the tractor would keep moving (love those chains) but the front end kept sliding around & I'd end up almost perpendicular to my intended direction of travel.

Be assured it isn't so much poor technique as it is a physics problem. The little machines (sub compacts & smaller compacts) don't push heavy snow easily. I'm getting closer every day to buying a blower. Trying to find one for the right price...

 

[sandyc]

Got to agree with Deerlope, my blower handles ice,snow, sand, rocks. By using the front mount, you can either float or pressure down. The pressure down mode would not allow the blower to ride up and over the snow. I usually use the float position and have not had a problem so far....know on wood!

 

[r0GuE]

What tires are you using? I use a 60" and shove stright back (no angle) 75' with no problem. I have Ag's for winter and turfs for summer. Even with a huge heavy pile of snow it doesn't hint at stopping. Are you in low range? Try the diff lock if you start to slip (surely you are in 4WD). Load the loader with a bucket full of snow to get more traction. I just can't imagine the tractor getting stuck, I would think the snow would spill over the top first.
Good Luck

 

[Dave___in___CT]

Hi...


Snowplowing with rear or front blade... try it keeping the ground speed up... kinda' on the fast side...
...might work better...


Dave...

 

[scootch]

I didn't read all the threads associated with your question so i apologize if this is redundant. We got 10-12 inches last week and my BX2200 + 60" blade worked like a charm. I did go in reverse and had the blade facing backward and at a max angle. In the 3 foot drifts, I raised the blade and plowed the top, then lowered the blade and pulled the rest out. My driveway is about 250 yards long and it took me about 30 minutes to clear. Just play with it to find what works best for your situation, but it can be done.

 

[rbarker]

TresCrows;

Your suggestion of plowing in reverse sounds like a good one. I can reverse my blade without removing it so it will be easy to give this a try.

Thanks!

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You might be asking too much of the tractor. With the first pass, you're plowing 7" of heavy wet snow. Since the blade is moving the snow over, with the second pass, you're trying to plow almost 14" of heavy wet snow. With the third pass, etc. Or have I musunderstood something? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
)</font>

Good point! The snow would continue to get more difficult to move as you get wider. I guess I didn't really take that into consideration.

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( In times of much snow you may have to start from the outside and only roll one blade width at a time to the outside.

Egon )</font>

Another great suggestion! I knew you guys would come to the rescue! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( rbarker,

If you got the same type of snow we got here, then I share your problem.
)</font>

Yeah, I live in costal Massachusetts so we were probably dealing with the same crap. Sounds like I got a little more of it than you did, though. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As far as the snow blower suggestion is concerned... well we all know THAT ain't happening this year! I have snow blown my drive for many years with Wheel Horse garden tractors. I agree, there's nothing like it! But when I bought this Kubota the dealer suggested that I try the blade since the blower was another $2500. I decided to give it a try for this year but I will probably rethink this for next year. I'm still learning, though and have received some really good suggestions to help me for the rest of the season. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Be assured it isn't so much poor technique as it is a physics problem. The little machines (sub compacts & smaller compacts) don't push heavy snow easily. I'm getting closer every day to buying a blower. Trying to find one for the right price... )</font>

Your experiences pretty much mirror mine... and I'm watching your thread about the snow blower as well! If you have any luck finding something reasonable I might try to jump in right behind you. Our tractors are similar in size and HP, I believe (although yours is probably a bit heavier than mine).

 

[Atch4115]

When plowing forward with the blade at maximum angle make sure you keep the top edge of the blade ahead of the scraping edge by shortening the top link.Then go as fast as you can to get the snow rolling.The secret is to get the snow to roll off the blade instead of bunching up.Works for me.Good Luck looks like we will be getting plenty of practice this winter! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Deerlope]

Any kind if household wax ( liqiud or paste) on the blade will help the snow to roll better. If the snow sticks or builds up on the blade it is not good.

 

[art]

Guy's you might want to start with a three point hitch unit. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You should be under or near half the price of a front one. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif It is easier looking ahead than to the rear but they say once you go front, you'll never look back! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[frank_f15]

i just use the rb for light small amts of snow, for anything else i use the fel, may take a few extra passes but i find it easier and can do a good job with it.as some have mentioned a snow blower is nice, i just don't like driving backwards and don't want to spend the $$$$ for front mount nor give up the use of the fel. just my thoughts /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif