Horse Mat for Soft Snow Blade Edge

[Soundguy]

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]

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

 

[Soundguy]

Try mines and const. co.

Soundguy

 

[pajoube]

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

 

[Slamfire]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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