Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Tips on using FEL to remove snow

[gary d]

Can anyone share some tips on the best ways to use a front end loader for snow removal. I'm sure there are some do's and don'ts you have learned from experience that would save me some grief on the learning curve.
I have a MF 1532 tractor

 

[blackie65]

check out this thread
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-clearing-snow-front-end-loader-new-post.html

 

[Thomas]

Many threads over weeks.months,years,but mostly take your time until you get good feel of operating.
Don't get to close to ditches/shoulders when pushing..try leave yourself/tractor way out.
Pushing..try keep cutting edge level or tip back little so doesn't dig in or hard shock.

Stay tune for more great advice from TBNer's.

 

[MF 1532]

I have a new MF 1532 and am in the same situation . I have been reading a lot of post on this subject . Thomas pretty well covers the subject . Others also say go slow , being careful not to damage fel arms . I hope you like your 1532 as well as I do mine .

 

[JD5210]

If you go to turn and just skid forward. Unlock your brakes and use them individually and you will turn with no problem. As said before go slow, keep the tip of the bucket up. When you go to push the snow to the side raise the loader a little, so as to not pull up the grass. If you have to raise the loader up high with snow in the bucket, you will need to lower the bucket on the way up to kept it level.

 

[Jay4200]

Can anyone share some tips on the best ways to use a front end loader for snow removal. I'm sure there are some do's and don'ts you have learned from experience that would save me some grief on the learning curve.

Lift it up into the air, then remove snow in reverse using 3pt blower.

Really. I tried to use my loader once, got so frustrated I gave up and simply used it as a skid to mash the snow down flat so I could drive on it. If your drive is short and fat, like a parking lot, it might be OK, for a long and skinny drive (mine is 1000' x 10'), forget it, IMHO.

JayC

 

[George2615]

On paved or concrete driveways I tip the bucket edge down just a hair to scrape it clean.

On dirt or gravel drives lower bucket flat to the ground and tip cutting edge up slightly so it does not dig in.

Use float mode for the bucket.

If when pushing a lot of snow you turn your wheel but continue going straight just pick the bucket up slightly which will put weight back on the front wheels or use your brakes individually as mentioned.

 

[pat32rf]

Don't bother trying to remove the fresh dry fluffy stuff. You will wind up spending all day moving 500lbs of snow, making a dozen trips to do so. Just push it to the side with your back blade set on an angle, then after it has a while (weeks) to settle down and compact then remove it to your snow storage area. You will then be carrying 500lbs per bucket load....

 

[JIGBUILDER]

I found the best way for me to clear my 1/4 mile long driveway is with my box blade. I made sled runners that I bolt on the sides of the BB. Keeps the rear blade from digging in. Backing up with the BB in dry snow lets the snow flow around the 6' BB. Wet snow is a different story. My tractor weighs around 8500 lbs and its to easy to remove all the gravel and snow from the driveway. My driveway isn't flat. I've tried the PVC pipe on the FEL blade but it also removed all the gravel. If my driveway was flat or paved the PVC would work better IMO.

 

[dave1949]

Keep the drive/road clear behind you - meaning don't go too far just pushing one bucket width. It's easy to get stuck - especially on a slippery slope - clearing one bucket wide for more than 20-30 feet.

Also, should you need to get to your tractor with another vehicle to make a repair, tow it or whatever; in deep snow a pickup truck might have a problem with a 6' wide snow chute. I did end up once with my tractor and truck stuck :laughing:

If you do get stuck, put the bucket down on it's cutting edge and curl the bucket up while keeping down pressure with the loader arms to push the tractor backwards.
Dave.