looking to make a 48inch scraper blade for snow

[LazyGator]

Hello all, I am looking to make a 48 inch scraper blade to go behind my Kubota B5100. I have my idea drawn up however as far as the Blade part goes I am looking at 18 gauge Cold Rolled sheet metal, Is 18 thick enough? or Should I go to 16 the price difference is around 30 extra for 16.

 

[oosik]

I know my Rhino 950 is a whole lot bigger than what you want to build. However - this picture might give you some ideas. The blade is 1/2" steel. The box channel welded on the back is 3/8" steel. It's a 96" blade and will offset, angle and tilt.

Remember - any time you angle the blade - you loose plowing width. My 96" blade - angled for snow plowing will NOT cover the 80" width of the rear tires on my Kubota M6040. It's just the way life is .....View attachment 681955 I always offset and angle when plowing snow on my driveway. It gets the blade out about a foot wider than the rear tire on one side of the tractor. The inside of the blade then is running just about as wide as the inside of the rear tire on the opposite side.

I have a couple areas down the driveway where I DO NOT want to get right up to the edge of the driveway. Let the blade hang off the edge - not the rear tire of the tractor.

By the way - - welcome to TBN and the forum. I just hope you aren't up to your nose in fallen snow and building this rear blade to "make your escape".

 

[old and tired]

Weight is your friend with back blades!! The more you can afford the better....

 

[chim]

Unless you have an awful lot of reinforcing, I'd go at least 10ga. First thing I'd do is look for a used blade. You could buy a 6 footer and cut it down if it proves to be too much for the tractor.

 

[oldnslo]

As a point of reference the front blade on my Deere X540 mower is made out of eighth inch material and this mower only weighs around 800 lbs. I think 16 or 18 gauge will bend like a wet noodle if you hook anything to rigid.

 

[airbiscuit]

Here is what I would consider:

1. Buy a used one on Craigslist ($150-$250)
2. Build it your self with 1/8" (10 ga) or thicker

If the steel supplier can bend it for you - great
If not buy 4 - 4"x1/4" pieces of flat steel (13.6 lbs each) and weld it into a "curved" shape.

 

[user.69169]

Made dis fer backing into garage doorway and pulling snow out. Originally 10 gallon well tank dat was on junque pile. Frame from another junque pile of run over road signs.

4 foot blade in 1 piece real easy you find unemployed water heater and cut. If you take ends out weld on reinforcement before end comes out. Job works easier dat way. Air compressor tank work too.

 

[airbiscuit]

An old Water Heater tank is not a bad starting point, and materials would be cheap or free.

 

[aamyotte]

Look up From Steel to Wood on YouTube. He has made multiple front mounted plows. Some good examples to get you started.

 

[Sonny580]

I second the "weight is your friend" statement! too light it will not only bend but float as well and not drag anything. also you need to be able to adjust forward pitch on it---everybody overlooks this factor! --- Look at motorgrader moldboard setups! this will give you an idea of how to build your little one!