SnowPlow test #1

[SkunkWerX]

We got a few inches of snow today, not a big deal, but, it was an opportunity to give the snowplow it's first true winter test.
After adding the 3" carbon steel cutting edge, I then added a rubber squeegie, sandwiched between the steel edge and the moldboard.

BEFORE

The rubber squeegie strip is worth it's weight in gold. A true improvement.
It even allowed me to scrape our cobblestone/paver front sidewalk, which I would never do with just a steel blade, for fear I'd snag pavers and rip them up.

AFTER

It did snow some more, adding a couple more inches, so the plow got another quick test right before dinner. it's still snowing a little, due to stop by 8pm, so maybe I'll do a quick run after it stops, just another excuse!

If you have pavement, the rubber squeegie strip is something to consider.


.

 

[johnray13]

How much was it? That is something I would consider. Any idea how long it last before it wears away?

 

[Zick]

Wow, that looks great!

I've got to start working on making me one of those.

 

[SkunkWerX]

The rubber strip was like $19, plus shipping. It was made for a full size truck plow.

I was able to cut it into 4 pieces. So I have spares.

I have no clue how long it lasts.


Here is the guy I got it from: (Not a sales pitch, I don't know him)
Rubber Plow squeegie

 

[jmfox]

That's what I need to turn my 4-in-1 plow blade into a snow machine, a bolt on squeegie strip to replace the metal blade. Anybody know where I can find one?

jmf

 

[SkunkWerX]

That's what I need to turn my 4-in-1 plow blade into a snow machine, a bolt on squeegie strip to replace the metal blade. Anybody know where I can find one?

jmf

My suggestion is get a rubber strip an inch or so wider than your metal edge, then use your metal edge over top of it as a retainer strip, let the rubber hang down a little farther than the metal edge.

It is conveyor belt material.

They even sell belt material at TSC. I got mine on flea-bay, see link above.

 

[jmfox]

What link is that?

About how far below the metal edge? Is there any proven materials for this kind of use?

jmf

 

[johnk]

It looks like you have a heated driveway and probably turned the electric on! Looks like it did a Super Job..

 

[SkunkWerX]

What link is that?

About how far below the metal edge? Is there any proven materials for this kind of use?

jmf

LINK: Rubber Plow Squeegie

My rubber strip is 4" wide, my steel edge is 3" wide, I drilled both of them on the C/L , so the rubber is sticking down about a 1/2" on mine.

 

[SkunkWerX]

It looks like you have a heated driveway and probably turned the electric on! Looks like it did a Super Job..

JohnK, I think the ground still has a little heat in it, it was a sunny day yesterday too.

Of course, if the snow is driven on, and it freezes to the ground, the rubber isn't going to cut it. Even steel edges will slide over top of it once it's been smashed into the pavement and freezes.

 

[gotcha]

I'm not sure that material was made to be a squeegee. It is the same material one uses for a deflector that is on the top of the plow to stop the snow from coming over the blade. I believe it is the same material they use for making mud flaps for tractor trailer trucks. The Gotcha Man

 

[GordonR]

That's what I need to turn my 4-in-1 plow blade into a snow machine, a bolt on squeegie strip to replace the metal blade. Anybody know where I can find one?

jmf

if there is a quarry or sand and gravel operation near you find out what they do with their old conveyer belting. The stuff is bullet proof for this application. it is usually 36 or 48 inches wide and about a 1/2 inch thick and can be cut into strips.
have laced to many together working in the plants.
the problem you might find is the volume of material as most of the stuff we would replace was in 100 ft rolls
Don

 

[SkunkWerX]

I'm not sure that material was made to be a squeegee.

No it wasn't, it was made to be conveyor belts, but it just so happens it works very well as a squeegie. It has reinforcing cords woven through it which gives it it's strength.

My buddy plows snow professionally and he equips his plows with conveyor belting material from a local rubber wholesaler, has been doing it for years.
That is who gave me the idea.
He uses the real thick stuff, about 3/4" thick, but then again, he is clearing roads and parking lots.

 

[hayden]

That's not a snow plow - it's a Zamboni

Beautiful job!

 

[jmfox]

Here are some options:

Polyurethane Snow Plow Blades and Cutting Edges

Snow Removal - Pleiger is on the Cutting Edge!

 

[ccsial]

How much was it? That is something I would consider. Any idea how long it last before it wears away?

I got mine from JD and it was on my 355D for 6 years and still looked great.

 

[LBrown59]

AFTER

It did snow some more, adding a couple more inches, so the plow got another quick test right before dinner. it's still snowing a little, due to stop by 8pm, so maybe I'll do a quick run after it stops, just another excuse!
.

I plowed 4'' of snow off my driveway this evening with a front blade just like yours.
Worked great.
Was the first time I plowed snow with it.
I got it about a month ago for my BX1500.

 

[LBrown59]

No it wasn't, it was made to be conveyor belts, but it just so happens it works very well as a squeegie. It has reinforcing cords woven through it which gives it it's strength.

My buddy plows snow professionally and he equips his plows with conveyor belting material from a local rubber wholesaler, has been doing it for years.
That is who gave me the idea.
He uses the real thick stuff, about 3/4" thick, but then again, he is clearing roads and parking lots.

So does truck bed mats.

 

[MJPetersen]

It even allowed me to scrape our cobblestone/paver front sidewalk, which I would never do with just a steel blade, for fear I'd snag pavers and rip them up. .

Skunk--This is the normal course of things here--Whole huge parking lots are made of those concrete pavers and hence all snow plows here have the rubber edge. I made a rear blade for clearing snow and I will buy a rubber strip from this company. PHU KRIS Warszawa - gumy do p³ugów œnie¿nych

I do not imagine that many can read it, but at the bottom there are pics of all kinds and sizes of plows.

Mike

What the site does not allow Polish characters?!!! Actually so often I start wishing that we could get here what is available in the States, but this is one area that I think that we have met the Stateside fare.

 

[SkunkWerX]

LBrown, I can see where truck bed mats would work, as well.
Anything flexible, yet tough enough not to abrade away too quickly.

MJP, hadn't thought about it, but yes, the "old world" is full of cobblestones, and pavers/stone with a lot of seams, a real nice place to get use of a flexible edge.

The other thing that was brought to my attention was the use of Non-Marking material. It's worth a quick test somewhere, to make sure the rubber isn't going to leave a black skidmark down the middle of your white concrete driveway or your decorative colored cobblestones.
On the asphalt pavement I wasn't very concerned.

I used a steel edge for about 20 years, worked OK, but now that I have seen what a rubber edge will do, I will only go back to the steel if I'm trying to tackle packed in snow and ice.


My key to effiective snow removal on pavement is NOT to drive on it, plow first.

Today, coming home from work, I noticed some of the local driveways that had not gotten a lot of effort, well some had gotten NO effort, and had been driven on and mashed down. They are now covered in icy frozen solid tiretracks. tsk tsk tsk. Good way to fall and get a back injury for life.