Replacing cutting edge on 54" front blade

[KennedyDiesel]

A friend has worn out the edge on his front blade and I have been nominated to help replace it. Can anyone tell me what bolts are used and if they are removeable/reuseable? or is it best to twist them off and use new ones? I have a V28 cordless impact and would like to go prepared.

 

[gunmaker]

My 54" front blade uses carriage bolts. I have been able to re-use them each time (3) I have changed the cutting edge. They were removable with a normal ratchet, just keep pressure on the bolt head so it doesn't spin. If he has worn the cutting edge down to the bolts you may have to buy some more bolts/nuts at the hardware store. When replacing them I did apply anti-seize to the bolt/nut combo. Good Luck, Craig

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Thanks! It went pretty smoothly. He had the blade installed so I showed him how to remove the blade from the hitch and the bolts all came out easy. The only thing that slowed us down was the rusty nuts sticking in the socket. Had the cutter edge on in about 15 minutes.

Henow has a set of "super shoes" so he shouldn't wear out the cutting edge for a long time..

 

[gunmaker]

I take my used mower blades, cut them to an appropriate size and weld them to the bottom of my shoes. The metal is very durable, and I haven't had to replace the shoes yet!

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I'd have to measure them, but we have some home built units that are at least 3/8" thick, and about 2" wide.

 

[jsb2b]

I'd have to measure them, but we have some home built units that are at least 3/8" thick, and about 2" wide.

Since I just plowed my first wet snow this year and the JD skids on my 54" blade did their usual tearing up the bluestone driveway, I was wondering if anyone has fitted a pair of SnowBear shoes on their 54" blade. I was thinking of clamping or welding their bracket to the skid or making a new bracket to bolt to the blade. SnowBear makes a 5", 4", and a smaller shoe for ATVs. I'm thinking of using the 4" but would like some feedback from this forum's members before I shell out $80....

 

[awlchu]

Since I just plowed my first wet snow this year and the JD skids on my 54" blade did their usual tearing up the bluestone driveway, I was wondering if anyone has fitted a pair of SnowBear shoes on their 54" blade. I was thinking of clamping or welding their bracket to the skid or making a new bracket to bolt to the blade. SnowBear makes a 5", 4", and a smaller shoe for ATVs. I'm thinking of using the 4" but would like some feedback from this forum's members before I shell out $80....

Instead of skids, why not use a heavy rubber squeegee? I have a 3in one on my 54in blade and it does not damage the driveway.

 

[keeney]

On pavement, I would just remove or raise the shoes completely.

I changed out my cutting edge to a UHDP (Ultra-high-density-poly) piece of plastic.

I did have to swap out the bolts and nuts to use nylocks because you can never really tighten down a plain nut agansit a plastic like that (it will just come loose again and fall off). This is the third season using it to plow about 2500 sq-ft driveway and about 1000 ft of nearby sidewalk.

- Rick

 

[jsb2b]

Instead of skids, why not use a heavy rubber squeegee? I have a 3in one on my 54in blade and it does not damage the driveway.

You have a paved driveway, right? I have crushed bluestone. Skids tear it up unless it gets frozen. I'm trying to avoid the annual spring bluestone party in the spring. I'm the only one who shows up with a rake!!!!

 

[gunmaker]

I have those identical shoes on my 6ft Meyers blade on the 2520. I still pick up the same amount of stone with it that my 54" JD blade with the factory shoes does. And yes, I'm the only one to report for the rake party also!

 

[jsb2b]

I have those identical shoes on my 6ft Meyers blade on the 2520. I still pick up the same amount of stone with it that my 54" JD blade with the factory shoes does. And yes, I'm the only one to report for the rake party also!

I was thinking the JD blade's low weight combined with the conical shape of the SnowBear shoes would allow the shoes to skim over the stone better than the JD skids, especially when I have to angle the blade... That Meyer blade must weigh a couple hundred pounds, right?

With 6500 square feet of driveway, estimates are $15k for blacktop thanks to the price of oil... I guess I could hire alot of "foreign laborers" for many years to run my spring bluestone party!!!

 

[gunmaker]

Yes, the Meyers is about 125lb heavier, but the stone always seems to come up no matter if I use the 425 with the 54" blade or the 2520 with the Meyers. I think it's the character of the stone, not the blade. The stone never seems to freeze solid.

 

[jsb2b]

Yes, the Meyers is about 125lb heavier, but the stone always seems to come up no matter if I use the 425 with the 54" blade or the 2520 with the Meyers. I think it's the character of the stone, not the blade. The stone never seems to freeze solid.

Well, I guess we're doomed to a life of bluestone parties!!! They do give you a good workout after a long winter of hibernation!!!

It was suggested trying a good set of caster wheels. Mounting to the skids may be a challenge since the maximum skid height is 1-1/2" and you need to maintain a 1" blade height. Will probably have to fabricate an L bracket to bolt to the skid mounting channel on the blade to get the 1" blade height....

 

[Nuru]

On pavement, I would just remove or raise the shoes completely.

I changed out my cutting edge to a UHDP (Ultra-high-density-poly) piece of plastic.

I did have to swap out the bolts and nuts to use nylocks because you can never really tighten down a plain nut agansit a plastic like that (it will just come loose again and fall off). This is the third season using it to plow about 2500 sq-ft driveway and about 1000 ft of nearby sidewalk.

- Rick

How are those poly blade edges workiing for you? I also looked at those and decided sofar to use rubber because of the weight factor on my driveway and the stiffness of the poly edges.

 

[Nuru]

I ordered a rubber blade and I am gonna try that out this winter.