Rear Blade

[natman706]

The question is should i get a rear blade or not. I dont know if its worth investment and if it can clear snow really good everyone i know uses a rear blade for snow removal but I've never seen them actually use it so I don't know if its that good.

Should I get one or not?

Thanks for your opinion

 

[GE222]

A rear blade can be great for snow removal, but it is not necessarily the best method for all applications.

It is really good for pulling snow away from a building, or windrowing snow on a long driveway. Pushing snow with it can be a hassle as you will have to stop the tractor, get off, and reverse the blade. It is great in conjunction with a loader.

Larger blades can be offset sideways so that the blade will extend at least a foot beyond the tires.

I have a friend who has a Ford 9N with a blade, and that is all he uses for plowing snow.

Make sure that you closely match the size of the blade to the tractor.

 

[Thomas]

Rear blade good investment.
I don't use my blade for plowing just pulling/scraping snow..blade time saver..also blade come in handy other three season on projects/land up keep.

 

[bp fick]

For snow plowing, a front hydraulic blade, with full control, far exceeds a rear blade for efficient snow plowing. A tractor is emulating a plow truck. While an expensive setup, but justified for people who must plow a lot of snow, and who have long runs to clear.

If one has a FEL on the front, and doesn't wish to remove it, a rear blade is an inexpensive option. A rear blade is 25% the cost. A rear blade, if heavy enough, is also useful for smoothing materials such as sand and gravel. Picked up used, these can sometimes be gotten for peanuts.

 

[jb62901]

I made both (F&R) blades, use the front for the heavy snow and pushing snow back. Use the rear for clean up, works very well. Should we get alot of snow can always put the FEL on. Together both blade do well for my needs.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Yes, a rear blade does a nice job of clearing snow.

Not the best tool for the job but it does get the job done.

I clear snow with a r-blade and bucket and I am very happy with this set-up.

 

[Max2310]

I use my rear blade regularly for snow, dirt and gravel. For 400$ CAD (light duty), its much more solid than my 600$ ATV plow and its wider too (6' instead of 50''). I don't have skid shoes and was planning on making some eventually but now I'm trying to find a good piece of pipe to put on the blade. I was able to try with a plastic/ABS/PVC (don't know what it was) with good results expect it didn't last.

Last year I made a side panel to minimize the overflowing of snow on one side for faster clean-up. This year I bought a snowblower and I still use the blade to scrap the slush before it freezes.

My opinion: A basic rear blade is the less expensive snow plowing++ equipment to put on a tractor that I know of.

 

[jimmyj]

Coincidentally I just borrowed a rear blade to see how I like it. The guy wants to sell it to me and since I already have a FEL and a box blade and an ATV with a big plow I did not think it would be worth it.

Now that I've used it a few days I can say it works great. Most certainly a front mount plow would be best (as stated) but if the price is right get the blade and you will like it for sure.

For me, the only issue I have is the blade the guy wants to sell me is only 5 feet which is just the width of my tires. I'd really like a 6 foot but if the price is right I'm going to buy it.

 

[harpoonalt]

The back blade works great for snow. I do my drive and occasionally a half mile road with it and I only have a BX with a 5' blade. If the ground is soft, I plow in reverse with the convex side pushing so it won't dig in. Once frozen, I mostly drive forward at full speed. It works fine until the banks get too high. A back blade is fairly inexpensive and a must have tool for a tractor in my opinion. I use it to plow snow, smooth out my driveway, and to smooth out areas on our roadsides where i'm working on getting it more mowable. I drop the blade and it'll pull out the little rocks and expose the bigger ones. If you're careful, it won't disturb the grass much at all.
It may be all you need. Other options start to get pricey, but are much more specialized and user friendly. A front blade is nice if you don't like the backwards thing and the power angle is quick when you need to change angles all the time. It can be a pain if you need or use the loader a lot. It would be on my list if I won $1500 in the lottery but I'm still on the fence since the back blade works well for me.
A blower is nice but expensive. Rear blowers can be slow depending on how reverse is on your tractor. On my road, I be blowing more rocks than snow, but if you have limited area to push snow or large amounts they are great. Front blowers are pretty expensive. I'd have to need one really bad to spend that kind of money.
I'd get the blade and try it. You can always get something else and you're not out much.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Tractor is not worth much without implements.

Rear blade is one of your best investments. I cleared 1200 foot driveway in the country with snowdrifts for over 20 years with an old Ford 2N. Wouldn't be without a blade.

Mine was 6', didn't need a pipe or skid shoes. If the gravel is soft, turn it around. Like this
)-O-o
When the gravel is hard use it regular like this
(-O-o

Set the blade at an angle to drop the snow off the side.

Sure, $4000 snow blowers are nice and front blades are nice but for the most bang for the buck, can't beat a back blade.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Coincidentally I just borrowed a rear blade to see how I like it. The guy wants to sell it to me and since I already have a FEL and a box blade and an ATV with a big plow I did not think it would be worth it.

Now that I've used it a few days I can say it works great. Most certainly a front mount plow would be best (as stated) but if the price is right get the blade and you will like it for sure.

For me, the only issue I have is the blade the guy wants to sell me is only 5 feet which is just the width of my tires. I'd really like a 6 foot but if the price is right I'm going to buy it.

The 5' may not keep you happy. When the blade is angled it should still cover your track width. For that reason I'm running a 7' rear blade for snow in conjunction with a 6' FEL mounted blade.

 

[jimmyj]

Yes, I agree. I will only buy it if it is really cheap. It does not cover both tire tracks when angled.

 

[turbo660]

A rear blade can be great for snow removal, but it is not necessarily the best method for all applications.

It is really good for pulling snow away from a building, or windrowing snow on a long driveway. Pushing snow with it can be a hassle as you will have to stop the tractor, get off, and reverse the blade. It is great in conjunction with a loader.

Larger blades can be offset sideways so that the blade will extend at least a foot beyond the tires.

I have a friend who has a Ford 9N with a blade, and that is all he uses for plowing snow.

Make sure that you closely match the size of the blade to the tractor.

rear blades can be made far more efficient by adding a hydraulic cylinder,such as I did. preventing the need to get off to angle the blade by hand.

My blade is 7' wide and angles 45 degrees left or right and still covers my tracks.

blade is set up to work in reverse but I can add another mount and turn it around and use it going forward. Ican still use it to back drag as is, but with the FEL I just use that instead.

the only problem I have encountered is deep snow will roll over the top of the blade.I plan on solving this by adding a 6'' to 8'' piece of steel to the top edge. it will be bolted on and used for pushing snow only.

 

[David Devuono]

I have a 1300 ft driveway at my camp and as I only get out once every 2-3 weeks the snow is too deep for the blade to be the primary method of snow removeal. This winter I welded one foot extentions so my 6 ft is now 8 ft and at maximum angle it now covers my rear wheels. (I am looking for a new heavier duty blade for summer use) Anyway speed is your friend when plowing snow so at minimum I would suggest sliders for the blade. You will need tire chains and still be ready to jump on the clutch when the rear end breaks loose as it trys to follow the blade off into the bush.

 

[natman706]

Thanks I'm still thinking of one. its a hard decesion because now i might have to sell my 2305 soon do to the fact that I might be moving in the spring. But the good news is I might be getting a new one. I'm looking at 3 series. I've always wanted a 3032E or a 3038E John Deere. I also might look at a kubota a well since I also favor them too.

Thanks again for your opinion

 

[jimmyj]

I am a loser. The blade I am borrowing is 6'. No question 7' would even be better though. The thing is very heavy and works great.

 

[Chilly807]

rear blades can be made far more efficient by adding a hydraulic cylinder,such as I did. preventing the need to get off to angle the blade by hand.

My blade is 7' wide and angles 45 degrees left or right and still covers my tracks.

blade is set up to work in reverse but I can add another mount and turn it around and use it going forward. Ican still use it to back drag as is, but with the FEL I just use that instead.

the only problem I have encountered is deep snow will roll over the top of the blade.I plan on solving this by adding a 6'' to 8'' piece of steel to the top edge. it will be bolted on and used for pushing snow only.

I built something like this for my FEL (I don't have a back blade, but the idea would be the same).

I used 2" steel tube and expanded metal. I wanted the screen since the lights shine through, and I can see through it unless it's solid full of snow.

Chilly