Horse Mat for Soft Snow Blade Edge

Soundguy · Nov 10, 2003

We've made the huge squeege before as well.. using horse matt, or old heavy stiff conveyor belting... just no end to the good uses of conveyor belting.

Soundguy

pajoube · Nov 10, 2003

Many have mentioned conveyor belt, where do you find old belt material?
PJ

Soundguy · Nov 11, 2003

Try mines and const. co.

Soundguy

pajoube · Nov 11, 2003

Good idea, Butte is not far from Bozeman which has (or had) many mines which used belts.
PJ

Slamfire · Nov 12, 2003

If anybody wants raw materials, there are several pieces on I-75 south at the 60 mile marker in E. TN. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif They were off on the shoulder last night.

mowingcorey · Nov 14, 2003

I did something similiar to using a horse mat. I took a 6 ft piece of 2" pipe, had the welding class at the school where I work cut a 6 ft groove in it with a cutting torch, and then I lightly welded (each end and middle) to the bottom edge of my rear blade. It worked really well last winter in my rock drive. I liked it especially when I pushed snow into the grass. Has anyone else done this? I was able to cut the welds and use the blade to move dirt this summer.

OkieG · Nov 15, 2003

Wing126 mentions the same technique on pages one and two in <font color="red"> this </font> recent thread.

I'd like to find a few feet of pipe somewhere and give it a try.

OkieG

rdonahue · Jan 21, 2004

Why didn't I look here last month?! I ended up buying a piece or rubber 1/2" thick by 6" by 6' for about $20-$25. Funny thing is that I've got some old horse mats being used by some horses I don't really like. They wouldn't mind if I trimmed a little off. The only thing I did different is to get a 1/4" steel plate that's 3" by 6'. I drilled holes to match the bolt holes on the cutting edge. So now my rubber squeege is sandwiched between the cutting edge and the 1/4" plate. Makes it real secure. With this arrangement I could probably use 2 or 3 thicknesses of horse mat and make it real stiff. I bought some 5/8" by 3" bolts for $20 so I still have lots of room.

--Rick

pajoube · Jan 21, 2004

Welcome to TBN.
I did the same as you and used horse mat for the blade edge. I also used the steel plate 3" x 6ft. I feel that is the key to the edge being held firm while you are pushing some very heavy snow. I had not thought about doubling up on the horse mat but that is a thought if it starts to curl.
PJ

Yankee · Jan 22, 2004

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I have a few horse mats that I use in the garage as tool mats (better than standing on concrete). I use a big pair of slip-joint pliers to move them. Just adjust to the thickness of the mat, grab an edge and haul. Works like a charm. I've even managed to get one into the bed of the pickup by myself, though that's a bit tougher.

Yankee Bill