Snow Plowing a Gravel Drive - Problem Solved!!!

[vulcancowboy]

I wonder how this would work on a blacktop drive? I don't like the way my standard blade leaves marks. Also, how did you drill the holes through the rubber?

 

[farmeratheart]

I wonder how this would work on a blacktop drive? I don't like the way my standard blade leaves marks. Also, how did you drill the holes through the rubber?

I did this before the winter of 2009-2010 for my backblade (plowing with JD2305). It came through the record snowfall winter just fine. I am still using the same edge. It works on my blacktop driveway whether the snow is powdery or 'wet'. In fact, last night I removed about 1.5" of slush from the pavement- it sort of acts like a giant squeegee! About the only thing it wont remove is a layer of ice. The idea was obtained from this site. If you do a search I'm sure that you will find more than enough info on the "how". I used a spade bit in a cordless drill to drill the holes in the strip of mat that was cut off a full sheet with a sawz-all.

Good Luck!

Frank

 

[NHbotanut]

Thanks for the reply.

I will stop by TSC to pick up a mat on the way home tonight. I'll post results this weekend.

 

[Country1]

Is there a reason you guys don't use plow skid shoes? Most are adjustable for height and you could probably even fab most of them yourself. The shoes themselves are pretty cheap as replacement parts.

I have them on my ATV blade and they work great for gravel driveways.

I haven't tried skid shoes on my rear blade, but have them on my front blade (8' converted truck plow). They work ok on pavement, but gouge down too far on gravel. Then they become useless. Or worse than useless because of the deep tracks they leave behind as they plow through the ground. If the ground was frozen solid, I think they'd work just fine, but that's rarely the case here in VA.

 

[DavidAubke]

I've been thinking of doing something like this but didn't know where to get the material. Also, I wouldn't have attached nearly as much to my blade as you did but I think that's a good idea so I'm glad I saw yours first.

Do you plow in reverse? If it's going to fold over like that, do you think it works better with the ribbed surface in contact with the ground?

 

[radioman]

Would this work just as well on a smaller BX2360? I have a similar drive, and the tractor is new to me but I know it doesn't have the 1/4 inching on the 3 point hitch.

what makes you say that? you need to pull the lever towards the seat and hold there before moving it up/down. you will feel a metal stop to go in quarter inching mode. its called slow up and slow down as per owner manual.

 

[timswi]

I wonder how this would work on a blacktop drive? I don't like the way my standard blade leaves marks. Also, how did you drill the holes through the rubber?

Works perfect on Paved driveways.

I bought 2 piees of 2" by 4' 1/8" steel and welded them together.

Cut it to the width of the plow.

Clamped the home made piece to the cutting edge with the bottoms lined up.

Drill 6 hiles through the bar and the cutting edge (this will wipe out some drill bits depending on your cutting edge).

Cut a piece of 1/4" thick machine belt 6" wide by the width of the plow+1" on each side. The overside allows it to be flipped over if needed for a fresh edge.

Use the home-made piece as a template to drill the holes in the rubber. be sure to center the piece with 2" top and bottom.

I used an angle grinder to slightly round the outer edge of the cutting edge and the bottom edge so it won't dig into the rubber.

Place the rubber on the cutting edge with the new bar on the outside and assemble with stainless bolts and lock washers.

I pulled the skid shoes all the way up and use them only for a resting point when the machine isn't in use. Place a couple of 2X4's under the shoes so that the rubber doesnt get deformed from sitting.

Done this with and ATV and 2 RTV's. Works great on everything. Doesn't dig up gravel once the ground is somewhat frozen. Won't dig into sod and won't scratch paved driveways.

Can post pictures of the final product if interested.

 

[PILOON]

Another consideration is the angle of attack.
If you plow is set up with the blade face leaning backwards, it will dig in.
Tilted forewards and it will ride up and over. The ideal is with the push arms parallel to the ground and a vertical blade.
Ever notice that all the truck mounted plows have 3 or so holes to accomplish just that 'angle of attack'?

Generally you should start the season tilted forewards to build up a solid base and later re-adjust to have the plow cutting the snow off of that hard base.
Naturally mushroom type skids or shoes help.

Often on first wet snows with unfrozen ground we'd drag the plow backwards just to compact the first snows.

I plowed with a heavy Fisher 8 ft blade on mostly gravel drives and that technique worked just fine, In fact when that base was set up I remouved the shoes for the balance of the winters.
I plowed for about 14 seasons.

 

[ToadHill]

It also looks like when it wears you can flip it over and get another years worth of use.

 

[jambx]

I wonder how this would work on a blacktop drive? I don't like the way my standard blade leaves marks. Also, how did you drill the holes through the rubber?

I used the same hole saw bit I bought to drill out the holes in my bucket for my tooth-bar. I drill one side almost completely through than drill from the other side - ya have to work it slowly since the rubber plug will be a #$@# to get out if you go drill only from one side and the plug seats itself in the bit.

I've been thinking of doing something like this but didn't know where to get the material. Also, I wouldn't have attached nearly as much to my blade as you did but I think that's a good idea so I'm glad I saw yours first.

I would agree I used more than I needed. but I like the idea of being able to not only flip it but reverse it if when the edge becomes worn and the fact I have a lot of material to squeeze between the metal edge and the blade. Make sure you get longer bolts!

Do you plow in reverse? If it's going to fold over like that, do you think it works better with the ribbed surface in contact with the ground?

Yes, I do plow in reverse and thought the same but ended up going this way as I wanted to have as much give to the edge when contacted with the ground. Its a work in progress so I may flip it but it does work great!

It also looks like when it wears you can flip it over and get another years worth of use.

Yes but at the current rate that it wears it will be many years :thumbsup:

Oh and reason I dont like skid shoes os the same reason discussed here. I find they dig in too much and leave marks on asphalt.