Snow Attachments Snow removal with Rear blade or Front blade?

755inNY · Oct 30, 2006

rox5488,

I think your choices come down to plowing forward with the front blade or backwards with the rear blade. If you think you can live with plowing backwards for the few times a year it will be necessary then I would go for the backblade. If, on the other hand, plowing backwards will be too uncomfortable or create unwanted aches and pains, pay the extra money and get the front blade.

You can use the rear blade going forward, I did for 16 years on a JD 755, but you will most likely need an FEL to help with the snow removal. I always kept the 7' blade straight when I plowed so I don't know how much difference angling the blade would make but going forward, angled or not, I think you will have a pile of snow to get rid of at the end of the driveway. You would need to spin the blade around to push this pile back. Trying to push the pile back with the blade facing forward will just result in the blade riding up and over the pile.

The other consideration, besides the cost to buy, is that a rear blade will be easier to sell than the tractor specific front blade or the rear blade could be used on your new tractor.

Where is your comfort factor? Forward or reverse?

Jeff

roxynoodle · Oct 30, 2006

A couple of people on the Yanmar forum say they sit on the hoods of their tractors so they are "driving" facing forwards, although the tractor is in reverse. I questioned the safety of this but they say they can reach their clutch and brake just fine. I somehow see myself slipping and falling off and perhaps even running myself over with my tractor! I'm not sure I'm willing to try it, but if others want to, it would save all that neck strain. I may not even be tall enough for it to be an option.

jcmseven · Oct 30, 2006

To me, the front blade is worth the extra money. You could get by with the RB, but that is all it would be, getting by. The fortunate thing is that you do not have that much to plow. I have used both implements, and in my mind the front blade is vastly superior with regard to snow plowing. None of us get much snow these days, but the front blade can also be used for summertime chores. I used mine for grading gravel and light dirt and mulch, so there is always a use for one. If you are looking a mainly a SNOW plow, go front plow. If you are not sure the rear plow will save you a little bit of money, but is not as good. Backing up and herniating cervical discs is not that much fun after the fifth or sixth snowfall.

John M

rox5488 · Oct 31, 2006

Hi Guys.

Lots of good info! I personally believe that at this stage of the game I can deal with the rear blade. Like I mentioned we do not get much snow. The most we got last year was about 6" at any one storm. which wasn't much. I won't be sitting on the hood though either!

I am going to try to just pull it along instead of pushing backwards to start to see if I can do it that way. We'll see I guess.

I asked me dealer on a price for RB72 skid shoes and he said $180. YIKES. So no skid shoes! hehe. I will just go for the blade at $530.

Thanks again for all the help/opinions.

AlanB · Oct 31, 2006

We have a small landscape business.

We seldom get much snow, and because of that very few folks are set up here to handle snow.

Each year, when we get snow, we get a couple of calls to clear a parking lot etc. So far we have been saying no.

Asked on a mowing board what was thought of clearing with the back blade on a tractor and it was pretty well unilaterally laughed at. The folks there were all on the "buy a used snow blade and put it on a truck" train of thought.

So, pointed question

Do you think the back blade would work well enough to operate in a very limited commercial setting, or is it only practical for the home driveway?

It was suggested to get a sno cone and some salt and offer that as a service.

rox5488 · Oct 31, 2006

Alan

i'll answer even though I have never done it on a regular basis (thats why I asked as well) I DID have a larger garden tractor before that I plowed with a rear blade without issue.

anyway if I was waiting to see if there was enough business to warrant buying a truck mounted plow... Why would I spend $2000 or more (Although I think you can get some cheaper ones for $1500ish) on that (truck mount) when I could buy a cheaper rear mounted blade and see if the business would support that first.

I would buy it (rear blade) and see how much $$$$ you actually generate. the more business then look to expand.

when a company is just delving into something new I know very few people who would build a 100,000 warehouse for 5 people to work in.... so why waste your money before you see what it generates... the whole walk before you run.

Thats my take anyway.

I have also learned that sometimes other peoples opinions aren't worth a "hill of beans" haha! take it or leave it.

Rusty · Oct 31, 2006

AlanB said:
Do you think the back blade would work well enough to operate in a very limited commercial setting, or is it only practical for the home driveway?

One of the farmers that was a member of our church did both the front and rear parking lots at the church, with a rear blade, every snow storm for many years. He was removing the snow at no charge, so I don't know if it was cost effective, but it certainly can be done.

755inNY · Oct 31, 2006

AlanB wrote
"Do you think the back blade would work well enough to operate in a very limited commercial setting"

Absolutely! I think you will need an FEL to help with the job. A plow on the truck will be much more convenient and more efficient. I'm thinking you will need to transport the tractor around on a trailer. Lots of wasted time loading and unloading. Plus, you may be getting only a couple of calls but drive around a little with the plow truck and you will probably have lots of people waving you down. The price difference between a rear blade and truck mounted plow will melt away with the increased revenue potential.

Jeff

AlanB · Oct 31, 2006

I have a loader, but using it just seemed real slow, I figured if I could angle the rear blade I could just keep windrowing the snow out of the way? Just absolutely no experience doing it, and really nowhere here to see it being done.

Will probably keep my eyes open for a 7' or so blade I can pick up.

Would just drive the tractor to the job, if it is farther then I want to drive, I just would not need to do it. And you are exactly right on the flag me down thing, running down the road last winter there were plenty of folks asking for help.... Not sure how many would have paid had I asked.

My single drive wheel 3/4 ton truck is as described by my kids as the gettingist stuck truck we have ever owned. That truck, and the gooseneck trailer with tractor in the snow would be a quick recipe for disaster.

Thanks for the insight folks.

Farwell · Oct 31, 2006

Last year I used my FEL and rear blade to remove snow. They worked fine but my walk behind snow blower does a much neater and better job of clearing the driveway. My drive is approximately 300' and it takes me around 1 1/2 hour to clear the drive with the snow blower. It takes around 45 minutes with the rear blade and FEL. The problem I have with the tractor is I do not have chains and my drive is on an incline, not radical but enough of a grade that if I don't get a good start I can't make it up the drive with the rear blade down. If there is ice under the snow the tractor does not stand a chance.
Farwell