Moving snow

[450]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

 

[oosik]

I've tried it a couple times and its not any better than just using the rear blade alone. Unless you have a pretty heavy tractor ( mine is 10,100# ) the snow buildup on the bucket can push you around and make the rear blade less efficient.

An offset rear blade can require a fairly heavy tractor or rear chains to hold a straight course. It all depends upon - how far offset and how heavy/deep is the snow.

Besides - using the bucket on the FEL and an offset rear blade both at the same time isn't going to make you plowed path any wider. It will certainly make controlling the operation more difficult.

However - a lot of people will have a front plow and rear blade combo on their tractor. From what I've read here on TBN - each implement is used separately.

 

[Thomas]

I only use both at once when snow stick/wet,for front plow will ride upon snow leaving 1" or so and rough...rear blade the cure.

 

[nybirdman]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

Too many variables;snow depth,weight,size of your tractor ect.FEL's are good for moving banks back and rough removal of snow.Rear blade is more useful and a better finish.Some people use a "light materials" bucket that has a lot more volume;a front mounted plow is very useful.I use a 8ft.in front and a 7ft.rear.

 

[450]

I was just wondering how it would work. The one good thing about the snow here in Fairbanks is it’s a dry snow and when it snows most of the time it’s less than 5”. Do you guys pull or push with your rear blades moving snow?

 

[oosik]

I will occasionally push with my rear blade. But ONLY in areas where I've already moved the snow by pulling the blade. Its not a really good idea - you can easily hit a hidden/frozen object and damage the rear blade or, more likely, components of your 3-point system. In the pull position - most likely, no damage, and you will probably just skip over the frozen object.

Yes - your snow up in Fairbanks is just like goose down. I spent one year in the beautiful metropolis of Glennallen(1965) before moving on down to Anchorage where I spent twenty years. I was in Fairbanks twice in the dead of winter - that was 2X too often. Even for a hardened sourdough - Fairbanks in the winter is not that pleasant.

 

[Threepoint]

Does anybody push snow with there front bucket will using a offset rear blade at the same time? If so how does it work? Thanks

I do this a lot, and it works well for me. Especially when the snow accumulation is more than 8-10 inches. It "breaks track" and makes it easier for the angled rear blade to do its job. Also means you're not compacting any more snow than necessarily with your tires before the rear blade gets to it. I don't use much of an offset with the rear blade, BTW, even with a fairly heavy tractor (probably around 7K lbs, all in). Simply angling the blade is often all that's needed.

For many years, I maintained a mile of access road and driveways with my relatively light Kubota B2150. When the accumulation was more than six inches, I really had no choice but to break track with the FEL even to be able to plow in heavy, wet snow.

Our conditions are nothing like in your neck of the woods. But believe it or not, even here in No. Virginia we get some fairly good accumulations, often heavy and wet.

 

[450]

Winters here in Fairbanks are not for the weak for sure. I will be purchasing a tractor soon (hopefully) and that was how I was planning on plowing. A lot of the people up here use bobcats/skid steers with just a bucket. I figured a off-set rear blade would give me more options. I could probably find a old plow blade to convert over to attach to the FEL but I thought I would try the bucket/rear blade first.

 

[450]

What is the easiest/cheapest way to set up a converted truck snowplow so the angle cylinders work? Would it be just making long hoses and connecting them to the rear ports on the tractor? Thanks

 

[Fallon]

What is the easiest/cheapest way to set up a converted truck snowplow so the angle cylinders work? Would it be just making long hoses and connecting them to the rear ports on the tractor? Thanks

Pretty much. A pair of single acting cylinders will operate like a double acting cylinder. Just plug them into a true 3rd function up front or on the rear & they will work. A crossover relief valve would be good extra protection. That relief is usually part of the pump assembly on truck plows so doesn't get used when reconfigured for tractor use. But that relief valve only helps when the leading corner of the plow catches on something, not the trailing edge.

The 1 main problem with a pair of single acting cylinders is if you use a diverter on your curl valve. Regen on the curl function doesn't work right with single acting cylinders (search for Regen & single acting cylinders on TBN if you want more info).

 

[KenB2920]

Front plow rear blade here. I use them at the same time. I also plow a couple streets, courts and entrance to a subdivision.

A front bucket would be a major pain with spill over. However, if you did say a small driveway or needed to relocate the snow as appose to just pushing it to the side, a bucket would be fine.

Also know, a front plow has trip springs for when it makes contact with a hard object: a bucket is a hard impact and there will be a loser. Wether it be the tractor side, the object or curb you hit or both.

 

[KenB2920]

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Winters here in Fairbanks are not for the weak for sure. I will be purchasing a tractor soon (hopefully) and that was how I was planning on plowing. A lot of the people up here use bobcats/skid steers with just a bucket. I figured a off-set rear blade would give me more options. I could probably find a old plow blade to convert over to attach to the FEL but I thought I would try the bucket/rear blade first.

The rear blade will cause maneuvering problems in tight commercial properties. Drop the rear blade idea entirely. FWIW, hands down the very best snow removal equipment are wheel loaders with a pusher blade. Wheel loaders maneuver better than tractors and are heavier in any given size than tractors. Trouble with tractors, skid steers and wheel loaders is transporting. My tractor drives 17 miles with every plowable snow event limiting how much ground I can cover because I've got an hour of just driving down roads between properties.

Look into a V plow wth a SSQA attachment method if you want a loader mounted solution, or a V-plow with a frame mount for your tractor and be sure to test the thing on pushing snow to make sure you can adjust the V angle while pushing a load of snow. The plow choice will determine or limit your tractor choices as not no plow manufacture supports every possible tractor. On the other hand, a good welder/fabricator can make a frame -mounted plow work with any tractor.

If you drop your loader, you can use the lift and curl hydraulic circuits to run a v-plow wings and lift. If you use your loader for a plow, you need one more hydraulic circuit. You can use one rear remote and run a pair of line up front under the tractor, or add a third function on your tractor's front end. Using a rear remote for windrowing a plow on a tractor is acceptable as you're less likely to need to use two different functions at the same time, as you would with loader work where you're often lifting and curling at the same time.

 

[450]

Thanks Eric, most of my use would be outside of town so I知 to worried about tight commercial areas. Plus Fairbanks is not real big town wise. I would mostly be doing drive ways out of town. Plus I do have a plow truck.

 

[jajiu]

I use a plow with my rear blade in tandem. If the snow is deep, I use the plow and when I go back for a second pass, I use both. The plow always leaves a little behind as well as trail off and the rear blade catches it and clears to the ground. I'll try to get some pictures to post.

 

[jajiu]

I'm back, cleaned up some more from the storm the other day and using the plow with the grader doing clean-up.

 

[450]

Thanks jajiu, that is a very nice setup you have. That is pretty much what I was looking at doing and thought it should work fine. Thanks

 

[jajiu]

Thanks jajiu, that is a very nice setup you have. That is pretty much what I was looking at doing and thought it should work fine. Thanks

The one thing I should point out, I have chains on the rear, but with all the ice this year, it is hard to control and the front of the tractor deflects sideways. I just ordered chains for the front as well. That should help fix that, that and a good thaw.

 

[KenB2920]

I'm back, cleaned up some more from the storm the other day and using the plow with the grader doing clean-up.View attachment 534694View attachment 534695View attachment 534696

Beautiful setup ! Looks just like mine but all new and shiny!

 

[KenB2920]

Put a brand spanking new cutting edge on the plow today. The old one was wore down a bit past where it should of been.

I feel this plow is now smiling. Hopefully we get some snow tomorrow night like they are calling for so I can try it out .... (and to help pay for it)