Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Front Vs. Rear BLade for Snow Removal

[IXLR8]

I started a thread on this (blade vs. blower) a while back and am still curious as to why blades seem pretty common and/or even preffered. To each man/situation his own I guess.

Here is my take on it, others correct me if I am wrong in the numbers.

Rear blade- $200-$600 depending on size, quality and features, and can be used for a variety of needs.

Front blade- $1500-$3500 depending on size, quality and features, limited other uses.

Snow blower- $1800-$6500 depending on size, quality, features, front/rear mount. Basically single purpose attachment.

As much as I would like a blower to handle my 1/3 mile long road and 250ft of driveway... for the $2500 that a blower, set up the way I want would cost, will pay for the plow guy to show up and clear things before I get out of bed for almost 10 years. I am getting a rear blade to help clean up the bits the plow guy leaves and for the landscaping work I need to do. I just can't justify the costs of a snow blower.

 

[LBrown59]

A rear blade is much cheaper than a blower and they can use it when there is no snow...

I'll go along with that; haven't had much luck grading dirt spreading gravel & slag or pushing large heavy objects with a blower.

 

[kmdigital]

Here is my take on it, others correct me if I am wrong in the numbers.

Rear blade- $200-$600 depending on size, quality and features, and can be used for a variety of needs.

Front blade- $1500-$3500 depending on size, quality and features, limited other uses.

Snow blower- $1800-$6500 depending on size, quality, features, front/rear mount. Basically single purpose attachment.

As much as I would like a blower to handle my 1/3 mile long road and 250ft of driveway... for the $2500 that a blower, set up the way I want would cost, will pay for the plow guy to show up and clear things before I get out of bed for almost 10 years. I am getting a rear blade to help clean up the bits the plow guy leaves and for the landscaping work I need to do. I just can't justify the costs of a snow blower.

You're right, but most people now days don't think this way. They buy what they want, whether they can justify it or not. The same goes for brand new versus used tractors and even cab tractors. For consumer items, if you can't pay cash for it, you can't afford it, but most people just look at the size of the monthly payment to decide if they can afford it. Just look at the current mortgage meltdown crisis. Too many people buying houses they couldn't begin to afford.

 

[LBrown59]

Musta been for me because not only did I order a front blade I bought a tractor to put it on.
Front blades are good for more than just plowing snow.
The only thing a blower is good for is removing snow.

Is it worth my time & $$ to purchase a front blade for snow removal.

 

[cast_and_blast]

True, a snowblower is a uni-task tool. However, for many it's the correct tool for the job. You're right, I can't move gravel piles with my snowblower but you can move snow over a 6 foot chain link fence and retaining wall with a front blade (or rear blade) either.

With the JD setup on my 2305 it's a quick and relatively cheap step to get a front blade after you have the hitch and one hydrauilic cylinder - they share some of the same components.

Scott

 

[buckwheat]

I run by GC2300 with a 6' backblade and and FEL. It works pretty well for snow removal. I can only pull the BB uphill if there is less than 6" of snow, but it will easily handle 12" downhill. We only average 60" of snow annually here. If you routinely get really heavy snowfalls, your SCUT will struggle with a 6' blade behind it.

Prior to this I had a 54" blade on a John Deere and I was out there for hours with every snowfall. This is especially true for wide open spots like parking areas. I ran a truck with a 6.5' blade on it, and this was reasonably efficient, but I will never go back to a 54" blade. The extra 24" makes an unbelievable difference in time, if you have the mass to push a blade that wide.

One advantage of an FEL, in addition to piling snow, is that it is almost invaluable when you get really truly stuck in the snow.

 

[75H2]

I run by GC2300 with a 6' backblade and and FEL. It works pretty well for snow removal. I can only pull the BB uphill if there is less than 6" of snow, but it will easily handle 12" downhill. We only average 60" of snow annually here. If you routinely get really heavy snowfalls, your SCUT will struggle with a 6' blade behind it.

Prior to this I had a 54" blade on a John Deere and I was out there for hours with every snowfall. This is especially true for wide open spots like parking areas. I ran a truck with a 6.5' blade on it, and this was reasonably efficient, but I will never go back to a 54" blade. The extra 24" makes an unbelievable difference in time, if you have the mass to push a blade that wide.

One advantage of an FEL, in addition to piling snow, is that it is almost
invaluable when you get really truly stuck in the snow.

That's great feedback. I bought a GC last week. I've been extremely busy and only had time to start it & play with the loader for 5 minutes. Winter here has ben a dud. I have a 60 inch Woods BB ordered. I'm going to give that & the FEL a shot so see how it does. It would be nice to have a front flade, but the cost was a major shock.

 

[LBrown59]

I run by GC2300 with a 6' backblade and and FEL.
One advantage of a FEL, in addition to piling snow, is that it is almost invaluable when you get really truly stuck in the snow.

I do it with 2 tractors
FEL on a BX23
60'' front blade on A BX1500.
If I get one of them stuck I can always pull it out with one of the other 2 tractors.

 

[LBrown59]

That's great feedback. I bought a GC last week. I've been extremely busy and only had time to start it & play with the loader for 5 minutes. Winter here has ben a dud. I have a 60 inch Woods BB ordered. I'm going to give that & the FEL a shot so see how it does. It would be nice to have a front blade, but the cost was a major shock.

What price did you get on a front blade?

 

[LBrown59]

True, a snowblower is a uni-task tool. However, for many it's the correct tool for the job. You're right, I can't move gravel piles with my snowblower *but you can't move snow over a 6 foot chain link fence and retaining wall with a front blade (or rear blade) either.



Scott

*That's true also.
I think we both have made some good points.