Gage Wheels On My Rear Blade…Woo Hoo!

[whoodle]

Re: Gage Wheels On My Rear Blade…Woo Hoo!

Hey Henro,

I just saw this thread. Those are beautiful beads. Do you ever weld aluminum? I always use a stick because I can fix anything in an instant, but I seriously considered tig.

 

[Freds]

Hope you don't mind me tagging along on the end of your topic, Henro, but I didn't see a need to have a bunch of topics on guage wheels and rear blades. It makes doing searches more complicated I think.

Anyway.... Here's a series of pics on mine that I just finished up. They came off my Woods rake and rather than just using the wheels, I used the tubing they were mounted to so I could still use the factory height adjustment. This also allows me to move them from one side of the blade to the other depending on what I'm doing or what works best. That's also why you see another set of holes. They were the factory holes for mounting to the rake. I drilled new holes to get the wheel closer to the blade and it also keeps the height adjustment more constant when I move it to the other side of the blade. I also mounted the wheels to my brackets using hitch pins rather than the bolts. This gives it some play and I could reduce the play if I welded another piece of steel to the top of the "U", but it doesn't seem to affect anything.

The pics show my normal position for the blade. I drive over light snowfalls and drag the snow, when it's heavier or we had some serious drifting, then I push the snow and drive in reverse.

Just another approach to the same results.

 

[Freds]

The bracket used two existing holes and needed one more drilled in the blade. I used 7/16" bolts with locknuts. The skid shoes I had on my old blade used lockwashers and they didn't "lock" all that well. Too much vibration I guess.

 

[Freds]

another

 

[Freds]

One showing the wheels turned as if driving in reverse. I think this will be my normal position for the wheels, on this side of the blade.

 

[Freds]

...but if need be...

 

[PineRidge]

Freds that is also a nice set-up. Think if we had a blade that we would use one of these methods for mounting the wheels from our finish mower so they might be used in the winter to help keep the drive clear. Using a set of gage wheels double duty would eliminate the need to purchase a second set of wheels for the project making it a real inexpensive addition.

 

[B7500]

Henro,

I don't have a back blade but I do have a Landscape rake. Like you said it made all the difference in the world on that equipment.
Nice welding job!!
-Terry

 

[Freds]

Thanks PineRidge.

It's unbelievable what they want for these wheels, so you're right, the more uses you can find for them the better.

 

[Henro]

FredS,

Nice job. I guess the mounting method depends on what is on hand to be mounted.

Looks like those wheels will do everything you expect of them.

I forgot to take a picture of it, but I had made provision for a bolt to be inserted at the top of my setup, to extend to the back of the blade and give a "3 point" suppout like you have on yours. Not sure if it was needed, but it can't hurt.

It will be interesting to see how these blades with wheels on them perform in the snow. I expect they will work well, but the proof is in the pudding... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif