Push with 3 point?

[firefighter jim]

Most 3 point hitch's are generally used for pulling an impliment. Any harm in pushing an impliment ie. plowing snow in reverse? Didn't think there was but thought I'd ask. Thanks.

 

[20 20]

I've used mine for plowing snow, and digging with a dirt bucket. So to answer I'd say no you won't harm anything, just use common sense.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I've done it. You can do it. Just be careful and watch your speed. It's important to know your area that you are working in when things are covered with snow.

If you hit something going forward, often the blade and lift will kick up and bounce over it. But if you have the blade reversed and plowing backward, you can get quite a jolt if you hit an unmovable object. I think you can guess how I know.

 

[jinman]

Although I believe you can carefully push in reverse with any tractor, there are some that are clearly designed to be better at it that others. When you look at the way the lower lift arms are attached to the differential, you can see what I mean. If you just have a pin coming out of the differential, then it cannot be as strong as a captive pin with support on both sides. My attached photo illustrates what I think is the best/stongest way of mounting the lower link arm pins.

With any tractor, you have to be cautious when pushing backwards. If you get going too fast, you have a lot of inertia, and the force could be enough to bend you lower arms. If you are going slow in reverse and hit an immovable object, lower traction and less inertia will most likely make you just spin your tires and come to a stop. The same is true when going forward, but your tractor is designed to have more strength for pulling than pushing in reverse. That is true for all tractors.

 

[firefighter jim]

Thanks guys for the input. I've aways plowed in reverse and thought nothing of it (plowing snow that is!). A while back I thought I read something that had something negative to say about it. Couldn't remember hence the question. Thanks again, Jim

 

[firefighter jim]

Thanks for the pic Jinman. Understand your point. My 8n is just an unsupported pin while the Kubota is supported on both ends although not as hefty as yours. I do usually take it easy in reverse. Jim

 

[DiskDoctr]

Pushing in reverse is also dependent upon the implement you're using. A standard blade is curved forward and will normally ride up over small items (bumps).

A box blade like I use has both a front and a rear blade- the rear curves towards the back. With this type of blade, it is important to keep an eye on the tilt angle (using hydraulic top link).

When tilted back, in reverse it will tend to dig. Tilted forward will tend to ride up and over.

Here's what I do in this deep snow.

When pushing deep snow back and out of the way, I tilt forward and slowly raise the box blade as the tractor slows due to traction or amt of snow. This is a fast push.

Then I follow up with blade tilted back and slower to scrape the snow from the surface.

I also push straight a ways then steer it off to the side. I didn't change it over for the straight, pivot blade, so gotta use what I have

I've also found the box blade is a bit heavier than the old straight blade- better traction in the snow.

I do drag forward for tight spots, but you can only drag so much going forwards.

Hope this helps!

- JC

 

[MarkV]

I think I will have to disagree somewhat. There are a number of posts on the forum where people have bent or broke lower lift arms by pushing in reverse. I recall most of them being in dirt with a box blade used in reverse as a dozer blade would be. It would seem that wet snow and a rear blade could produce similar stresses. The arms are engineered to pull not push when you think about it.

That said, I will work in reverse at times. Lighter materials and finish grading mostly. I wouldn't say not to do it, just use caution.

MarkV

 

[DiskDoctr]

I think I will have to disagree somewhat.
[snip]
I wouldn't say not to do it, just use caution.

That's the operative word, "caution"

I usually slow down when getting to the "pile" and normally use the brakes to stop the tractor.

I push with the box blade all the time when spreading material, never when digging- that's only forward pulling work. I would think snow is similar to the former.

Just be sure what you're pushing over/into and adjust your speed and force accordingly.

Now that I've said all that, a disclaimer: 3ph is made for pulling as said above, so use caution

BTW- your draft control will help protect 3ph when pulling, but won't help when pushing in reverse...

 

[JB4310]

Both the rear blade and box blade are designed to use in reverse, so there's no rule against it. I did bend my lift arms by not being careful and going to fast plowing snow backwards with a modded snow plow. But that's life, things get bent, broken and worn out when you use them.

You have to use a bit of caution, not fear. There have been plenty of users stories of breaking 3 pt parts using them in forward position as well.

JB.

 

[magicheater]

I have pushed snow w/the 3PH for years. Took a 7' blade, cut out 2' of extension, turned it around and can pivot both ways 2 holes w/o hitting the wheels and covering the tracks in all positions. Have done more damage to the implement and none to the 3PH in all the years I have used it. It is snowing here today, hence the pic reflects that! What does not show are the skid shoes on the tractor side of the blade. When I want to be aggressive in the bite I use the top link cylinder to adjust, allowing the edge of the blade to dig in a bit. Common sense when operating a tractor is always the SOP.

 

[DiskDoctr]

...with a modded snow plow.

Sweet! I really like that plow setup.

 

[brin]

Me too ! I have pushed in reverse with a back blade as much as with the FEL going forward and never had a problem other than a stiff neck.

 

[pat32rf]

I'm with Diskdoctr on liking the looks of that plow, but where does JB4310 live where you get both green tree leaves and snow at the same time?
I can swing my back-blade so I push or pull. Most times I push but one time my son came to visit and thought that he would help by clearing the driveway. Found out how easy it is to bend the arms.
I like to be able to push the snow over the banks beside the driveway by backing into the drifts. Can't do this in pulling mode....

 

[JC-jetro]

Just to add to what Jim said in his post. Conversely, you see on the pic below my lower arm set up is not as robust as Jim's. At least I'm glad the bracket behind is bolted on in two locations and can't see it easily sheer off the diffy housing. I have used my dirt scoop and push backed in to a pile of manure specially when I know there is nothing in the mound such as 6" post buried 4 feet deep

I try to pull if I'm doing a bit of the digging, once I made a mound they backing to it and lift trying to emulate poor man's REL (Rear End Loader)

JC,

 

[sandman2234]

Well, I am fixing to go out in the cold and repair the two arms that are on the front of my boxblade. I was trying to level a pile of dirt/grass/weeds that came from the ditches near here and rolled my 7000 pound tractor backwards into one pile as I rolled off another pile. Just as easy as that I snapped one of the front arms on the boxblade. The boxblade is lighter duty than my tractor arms, and I refuse to beef it up, in fear I will bend something a little more costly.
Caution goes out the window when you hit something you can't see. The parts you are gambling on are probably a lot more expensive than you can imagine, but do a price check on them before you start backing up using the 3pt. It might make you a work with a little more caution.
David from jax

 

[bigdad]

I push (snow) backwards with an RB but I do it with the back side of the blade. That way if I get into something more than my equipment can handle, it has a tendency to ride up and over. Make sense?

 

[jda1961]

you gotta watch what you are doing, i have broken the lift arms before, i have a 1978 ford 3600 and i'd say the lift arms are the weakest part of the tractor, and the will bend even with both stabilizer bars on it. compared to other brands the arms are thinner and bend easier than i feel they should. but as long as you watch what you are doing it should be ok. modern day lift arms are a lot thicker now. i know the arms on my kioti dk55 are very thick and i'm more apt to break the impliment than i am the tractor.

 

[JB4310]

Sweet! I really like that plow setup.

It was such an easy mod, I've since gone with that plow front frame mounted, alot more work but much more efficient and less pain in the NECK!!

I push (snow) backwards with an RB but I do it with the back side of the blade. That way if I get into something more than my equipment can handle, it has a tendency to ride up and over. Make sense?

Yeah I do that also with rear blade, both pushing and pulling, but mostly on soft ground with first snow so I don't gauge gravel and grass areas. It tends to ride up on top to much though that's why I added a bunch of weight to it. Only helped a little.

As far as the green leaves and snow, those are mountain laurel and rhododendron.

JB.

 

[Kays Supply]

Whether pushing or pulling, looking down and seeing the pin for the lower arm broken out of the housing will make you sick to your stomach. Some of the smaller CUTs have the pin screwed directly into the housing. THINK about this when you are working the 3 point.