Inverted Plows, Is this just a Canadian thing ?

[rdl]

Hi Everyone,

this is something that we use here a lot because of its speed and efficiency, but does anyone do it South of the border?

KUBOTA L6060 AVEC GRATTE COTECH F4INV - YouTube

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cotech/15551054651/

 

[Winmac]

There not used out east( Nova Scotia) and I'd even say that in Canada there only common in ,Northern NB, Quebec And possibly Ontario.
The use of farm tractors for commercial snow removal is less common outside of these area too. Only recently have I noticed farm tractors being used at some shopping centre lots around halifax.

 

[GPintheMitten]

That's interesting. I haven't seen them before.

Can they be turned around to be used the regular way as well as inverted?

 

[Shift4200]

I think these would be even better if the "wings" were on both sides and could be used as both Push/Pull without having to flip/move anything around. But then again, we don't get the snow like you guys do, and I'm thinking that pushing it would just eventually lead to huge snow banks.

-J

 

[olllotj]

Makes sense for attached garage suburbia, with the short driveways. Pull the snow out into the street, and blow it into the yard.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

That's why I have the back blade on the tractor. Flip it around to push heavier snow going in reverse, or keep it straight so I can pull snow from in front of the garage and steps.

 

[bcp]

I was expecting a collection of these:





Bruce

 

[rdl]

That's interesting. I haven't seen them before.

Can they be turned around to be used the regular way as well as inverted?

These models can`t be used to push, others like the extendable reversible can but these are used exclusively for pulling. I just have not seen many outside this region.

 

[skyhook]

Ya, these are specifically for those condos with short drives etc,
I still don't see why they couldn't have a regular front blade to back drag to the road.

 

[Winmac]

I back drag a 9ft fisher when needed and there's no comparison, these will move a large pile of snow, one pass, with little spillage.

 

[Deerherd]

Very inefficient way to remove snow, that's for sure! Wouldn't work very well with a heavy/deep snow either. Because of the confined space, they drive across the unplowed snow twice. Backing in with the rear blower would clear the snow to the pavement in one pass.

At the very least I would have turned the blower on to clear the snow behind the tractor when pulling the snow from the garage so I only had to back blade the snow that was underneath the tractor. But maybe they are paid by the hour......

 

[Tractor Tom]

Nope!! I've never seen a set up like that before on anything. Must be a Quebec thing, haven't seen that in New Brunswick or any place else for that matter. If it works great!!!

 

[arrow]

I was expecting a collection of these:

View attachment 395787



Bruce

Funny bcp. What might be your picture for "back dragging"?

 

[bcp]

Funny bcp. What might be your picture for "back dragging"?

Videos.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4402130934946

 

[arrow]

Thought i'd be this: http://www.nosleeplessnights.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/cavemen-***.jpg

 

[Jay4200]

this is something that we use here a lot because of its speed and efficiency, but does anyone do it South of the border?

French Canadian thing? I've never seen one here in the States - can't imagine why you wouldn't just hook a blade to the 3pt hitch for the exact same effect (but for much less cost or hassle). I do like the hydraulic wings - those are cool.

 

[excav8ter]

Why not just an inverted blower? Skip the back dragging. ...

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Why not just an inverted blower? Skip the back dragging. ...

No kidding. That's my thoughts exactly. You couldn't pay me enough to run a setup like that compared to how easily and quickly an inverted blower works. I'd have been 5 houses down the street by the time you finished that one.

rdl, if you think your blade/blower combo is efficient, you really need to get your hands on an inverted blower. Its like comparing a dump truck to a wheel barrow.

As others have said, must be a french thing. We don't have them here in Ottawa and I know of many contractors in Montreal that also run inverted blowers.

 

[PILOON]

In suburbia the back PULL blower is popular. Some models even have a hydraulically operated drop blade to get even closer to the garage door as the pull blower always leaves 6-10 inches up at the client's garage door.
Mr client has no intention of cleaning even that last 6-10 inches.

Gotta say the pull blower is FAST. Operator backs up close to garage door, drops blower drives out and without stopping goes to next door, backs up drops and drives out etc etc.
Like all of 5 mins per drive. $300/season thanks.(single wide drive).
Most operators start blowing at about 3 AM and pass 2-4 times per drive. Everybody clear to go @ 6:30 with last pass later after coffee break.
I know of one contractor that operates about 12 tractors and each do about 150 drives. While he owns some many are leased for winter only with farmers using up the other months.
He actually has a long list of drivers wanting to work for him. Most are off season truckers and construction equipment operators.
He pays drivers on weekly basis with a draw sort of arrangement but based on hours worked. That way the operators get an evened out pay.

Most if not all drives are asphalt so he does not need plastic blades and besides around here people accept some minor snow patches here and there.
We are in a 200" or so per year zone. In those suburbs salt and sand is never included.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

PILOON, The pull blower you mention IS an inverted blower. You are close with the rest. Its closer to ONE min per drive then get to the next one. We tell both customers and drivers anywhere from 12-18" from the dooris as close as we get. If customer can shovel 3", they can shovel 13" since they have to do the walk anyway.

The company I work for is my areas largest serving over 4500 homes. Last year we has 37 routes. Its written right into our contract that new drivers have to produce a minimum of 27 drives per hr, returning drivers are 30. Last year, one run I did 105 in an hr and a half at 2 am, including travel between them. I regularly run 45-50 per hr

No hydraulic back blades though. Hang them on a chain a few inches lower than the main cutting edge. Does the job just as well and never needs adjusting.