Springy grader blade brace idea -- any thoughts?

davel8257 · Dec 28, 2013

I have Rhino 350 6ft grader blade. It has a bolt-on angle brace from the top-link connection back to the rear mounting area where the blade attaches. The brace secured by a 1/2" bolt at each end. If this brace were removed, it looks to me like the blade would 'hinge' at the side-arm pins (no visible welds). The Rhino website doesn't show this brace -- it looks like they are welding all of the pieces together these days...

Anyway -- I've been reading about all of the snow pusher issues, spring-mounted front blades, etc... I got to thinking that if I removed these 2 bolts, that I could make a replacement brace consisting of a car's coil spring and some welded steel 'mounts' that would provide some give during snow removal. I think this would be a good idea to have even when using the blade on the rear of the tractor.

I've also been pondering a mounting scheme that might let me secure this blade to my FEL in front. A spring-mount would be imperative if I turned it around and used it as a pusher.

Any thoughts?

Wolfy · Dec 28, 2013

As long as you are driving slow, you should not need springs. If you hit something real hard, the 3pt arms should just lift up anyways.

davel8257 · Dec 28, 2013

True... as far a rear-mount 3pt setup goes, a length chain for the top link would provide some 'give' (in the forward direction). Or -- would it provide too much give -- and just pivot forward and drag the blade across the top of the snow?

I was really thinking about the next step -- of mounting it up front and pushing snow with it...

Wolfy · Dec 29, 2013

Around me, old pickup plows are quite cheap and easy to find. I think you would be better off to mount one of them to the loader. The problem I have with pulling a 3pt blade forward through snow, is the tractor tires compact the snow too much.