dozer blade for FEL

72chevy4x4 · Dec 28, 2009

I took a plow blade and fabricated a QA mount so that it could be used on the quick attach connection for a Kubota. Didn't use any hydraulics-only the three angles that are 'pinned' in the frame.

NOw, I've wanted to build one of these for myself (other unit for someone else) with a few changes allowing the changes you might find in a dozer blade which could then be used for grading and plowing. Has anyone done this and/or have pictures?

kennyd · Dec 28, 2009

Unless you have a super heavy duty FEL, I think it's a bad idea...

some zilch · Dec 30, 2009

kennyd said:
Unless you have a super heavy duty FEL, I think it's a bad idea...

x2

your fel is meant to scoop, not bulldoze. i have seen big bobcats bend their loader arms when pushing with their dozer blades, and they are wayyyyy more stout than your or my fel

Cooldmax · Dec 31, 2009

If used carefully and not abused, the blade would work just fine on the FEL. When someone backs up and takes runs at something, thats when the loader is going to bend and fail. I have a blade attached to my bucket on the FEL. Works great for pushing snow.

kennyd · Dec 31, 2009

Cooldmax said:
If used carefully and not abused, the blade would work just fine on the FEL. When someone backs up and takes runs at something, thats when the loader is going to bend and fail. I have a blade attached to my bucket on the FEL. Works great for pushing snow.

Snow Yes...but he did say "grading" also, I don't think people grade snow?

AKfish · Dec 31, 2009

Yup... this is one of those "attachments" that can get real expensive - real fast! You don't need to "back up and take a run" at something: all it takes is some snow covering a root or stump, etc. and you catch the corner of the blade - backing up or going forward. Take your pick..

I won't use one with my JD 110TLB - and they make one for it! The added leverage of that long blade stickin' out there - just waitin' for that jolt to toss you into the seat belt - no thanks!

Ask somebody about their snow-plow truck after 3-4 years. Those things are a whole lotta work - repair and re-fabrication. And using a blade for dozer work - that's X10.

AKfish

Taylortractornut · Dec 31, 2009

Ive made a few light ones, they dont cut much just used for spreading silage, and pushing up grain and cleanng feed lots. The post about the leverages is right about them being over leveraged. on the end. but spreading and light work will be ok. Do a google on Leon MFG and Grouser products. Leon makes several loader blades. Ive used a few of the blades Ive built, I mainly used the one with a rake on it for light clearing.

pat32rf · Dec 31, 2009

As soon as I get all the parts together (and the time) I'm going to put a plow blade on my FEL (JD 4300) It will be going on the bracket that I use for my forks, just pull the two fork pins and install the plow harness instead. I hope to install a plow harness with the pivot at the rear so the blade moves from side to side as it angles, which will let me to reach to the side and push the bank back farther. Trip springs will be included....for when I'm tempted to use it as a bulldozer.
I don't plow fast (not like a plow truck) and the shock loads should be a lot less than I get when I back into something with my back-blade.

72chevy4x4 · Jan 5, 2010

when I originally thought of the use for the plow blade it was for grading lots, as in finish grading. there isn't much moving soil around, that would best be done w/ the box blade/bucket. So, it's not for the kind of grading you might think of as a bulldozer would see.

kennyd · Jan 5, 2010

72chevy4x4 said:
when I originally thought of the use for the plow blade it was for grading lots, as in finish grading. there isn't much moving soil around, that would best be done w/ the box blade/bucket. So, it's not for the kind of grading you might think of as a bulldozer would see.

A box blade is best for what you describe, it will move the big piles and then finish it.