Grading "Sticky back blade'

[burtalm]

\"Sticky back blade\'

I'm sure someone has answered this question before but ...
I just finished clearing several weeks of snowbelt snow from my camp. The first time I've used my compact c20 for this job. The problem is that the snow seems to "stick" to the back blade and dowsn't slide off to the side as it should. I switched to the fel to do the job and managed to get the job done but again the snow was sticking to the loader bucket as well.
What is the best cure for the problem? I assume a spray lubricant of some sort would help. I thought of silicone spray, WD40, and/or Pam vegetable spray. OR, do you "grease" the metal with something else?
Would some of you guys with experience share what has worked best for you? Thanks in advance. Burt

 

[ronjhall]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

I have not used any thing to get snow to slide off blade. Others have posted that Pam works. It may be speed the make the snow slide off blade. I have a front blade which lets me use speeds fast enough to make snow slide in direction that blade is angled.
My rear blade does not have the problem either.

 

[Marlowe]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

I'm just guessing here, since I see snow once in a blue moon, but it seems to me that the sticky nature of the stuff depends on the temperature. The closer it is to the melting point, the more likely it is to stick to whatever.

 

[NIXON]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

Burt, This is what I do. I use Johson's wood floor wax to "prep" the blade before winter . Then I use the generic "PAM " throughout the rest of the season . Seems to do the job . John

 

[beenthere]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

I think a lot of variables contribute - temp. of the blade, condition of the snow, temp of the air, humidity of the air, surface of the blade, shape of the blade, etc, etc. Keep poking at the problem, and you might find the answer to each of the variables, and hopefully the answer covers most of them.

 

[burtalm]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

The blade is brand new. I never figured that Waxing the blade would be needed but next season I'll try it. It was pretty cold today ... seems like temperature shouldn't be an issue. Tractor is stored in an unheat barn so the metal should be as cold as the snow. Humm .... still want to hear the ideas of others... Thanks guys.

 

[Paddy]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

The deeper the snow, the more angle you need. I all ways start at 1 setting tilting. If it piles up and starts to get close to the rear wheels, I add to the angle.

Never have tried lube. Just note as you add angle you lose width. With my 72" blade it's not a problem

patrick

 

[burtalm]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

Thanks Paddy. I know you set the vertical angel with the top link but about at about what angle??

 

[Paddy]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

On all grader blades I've seen pivot at the center. This can be adjusted to be paralel to perpendicular to the axel. In fact many can spin all the way around for pushing. There is a large pin, 1" dia, that holds position.

So the deeper the snow more angle away from paralel

 

[Deerlope]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

Snow plow wax, that is what our state DOT uses. I have with good results used just a liquid floor wax.

 

[daTeacha]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

DANG! I never would have thought of waxing the blade in a million years! I knew there was some reason I spend so much time here! Thanks a lot, guys! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

If your tractor is in a heated building, pre-chill the blade and bucket by setting it outside while your tractor warms up. Wait, that sentence sounds ridiculous! But seriously, lowering the temperature of the blade and bucket helps a lot, as does wax.

I just use cheap car wax and don't bother bufffing it off once it is applied evenly.

 

[Scrounger]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

I use a silicone spray and wipe off the excess. After a few 'treatments' its seems to work really well. I also keep the angle of the blade working the snow. Deeper snow means more angle. I also push backward rather than pulling. I can clear around the mailboxes easier and if I start to push too much snow when it starts to stick, its not an issue. I'm using a 60" blade on my BX.

 

[53gravely]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

I do this on my Snowblower with perfect results in wet snow

Automotive car wax (turtle wax or such) at the beginning of the season then get PINK (warm weather) ski wax and rub it on the whole blade then heat it on with a typical propane torch or heat gun til it melts then brush it with a nylon stiff brush in the direction parallel to the direction that the snow will slide. (old ski racers waxing trick that gives "texture") Snow crystals are ABRASIVE, believe it or not and the wax creates friction to melt the snow...texture leaves tiny "channels" for the melted water to slide down. Thats why when you're on the ski lift and you look down at a set of ski tracks they look shiney....snow under the moving skis has melted briefly.

You can then touch it up with a spraying of Pledge furniture polish over the season. works slick...pun intended.

You may even want to sand the plow blade paint lengthwise with 220 grit sandpaper to put the texture in the paint then just use the ski wax.

Even Candle or Canning Parafin will work but temperature specific SKI wax is better.

 

[Deerlope]

Re: \"Sticky back blade\'

Snow is very abrasive and any thing you put on wears off. I just keep a garden pump-up sparyer in the garage and when the snow starts sticking, clean it off and spray it.