Grading Schedule 40 on front and back blade

[Tailrotor]

Howdy , Ladies and Gents.

I wanted to share this with all I have read a lot about everyone pushing snow with either your front blade or back blade. And skid shoes , Trying not to tear your drive way up or yard.

Someone may have done this already and some of you may Know this, but I will share with all anyway.

I take a piece of schedule 40 2in pvc pipe and cut it the same width as your blade or bucket and then I split one side by cutting it long ways with a jig saw and then snap it over the cutting Edge. This works great on preventing picking up gravel and tearing up your yard. The plastic pipe rides on top of the snow and removes the snow with out tearing this up. I have down this with my 4 wheeler and tractors for years.

Also this is a good way to use your bucket on your tractor just put the bucket down and you can now use it like a blade.

The size of the Pvc and the weight of the bucket will determined what size Pvc pipe to use. But I always use schedule 40.

Just wanted to share and maybe help someone out. Thanks.

 

[ayelvington]

Use ABS instead of PVC. PVC is not temperature rated for the cold and will shatter in short order. You can order 3" ABS at Tractor Supply Company through the Granger catalog.

 

[2720wes]

Interesting.

Will the pvc covered blade scrape all the way down to bare gravel or does it leave a layer of snow. I like to remove all snow but I don't like raking the gravel back come spring.

 

[Tailrotor]

Interesting.

Will the pvc covered blade scrape all the way down to bare gravel or does it leave a layer of snow. I like to remove all snow but I don't like raking the gravel back come spring.

Not all the way but it is a trade off. It also doesn't rip my gravel driveway up.

 

[Scotty370]

Been a few threads around focusing on this topic. One here. Might want to do a search in "Build it Yourself" IE. :http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/161544-front-end-loader-cutting-edge.html

 

[bp fick]

This topic has been well covered recently. For those just discovering the concept, the plastic pipe is best run through your table saw for a clean straight cut. Bang it on with a sledge. The diameter of the pipe chosen corresponds to individual blade thickness. I actually prefer the 1 1/2" diameter pipe. It cuts a little cleaner and grips the blade a little tighter than the 2" or 3" diameter pipe.

I recently got a 10' ABS stick at Lowes for $8. Since my blade is 5', I get two guards for $4 each. The ABS last much much better. It doesn't shatter like PVC, but will eventually distort into an oval and require replacing. Think of a new piece as the cost of a gallon of fuel. Pretty cheap adaption for saving your gravel. Also works best if your hydraulic has "float" positioning.

 

[fish6942]

I thought this was a thread about taxes...

 

[LBrown59]

I thought this was a thread about taxes...

......

 

[ayelvington]

CAUTION: Your back blade will be much weaker if you have to remove the cutting edge to install the plastic pipe. I'm sitting here sulking because I bent my blade this morning on a railroad tie that a neighbor had too close the driveway. No good deed goes unpunished...

I'll have to pound the blade flat before I'll be able to reinstall the cutting edge in the spring.

I am so bummed.

 

[bp fick]

CAUTION: Your back blade will be much weaker if you have to remove the cutting edge to install the plastic pipe. I'm sitting here sulking because I bent my blade this morning on a railroad tie that a neighbor had too close the driveway. No good deed goes unpunished...

I'll have to pound the blade flat before I'll be able to reinstall the cutting edge in the spring.

I am so bummed.

Sorry to hear that. I do not remove my cutting edge. No need.
Hope you can get it pounded back to straight.