Trying to keep gravel where it belongs

[mtg65]

Now that my road is thawed out from this mid-winter break, I am a little concerned about peeling off layer #2 of my gravel road with my rear blade.

I've read many posts regarding snow removal on gravel roads and there are a lot of good tips and suggestions out there. I've added skid shoes to my rear blade but I wanted to make sure the blade did not catch on the uneven spots. One such suggestion was to cut a pipe lengthwise and slip it over the cutting edge,which is what I did. I also added weight to the rear blade to keep it from floating up on the snow.

I've tried the rear blade on my road (without snow) and I'm pleased to say that I did not move any gravel to speak of. I look forward to see what it will do with the snow.

 

[SkunkWerX]

That looks like it will work, also looks like it may have some compacting effect working your loose gravel down into your base driveway.

Show us some pics next time you use it for snow removal?

How wide is your rear blade, and how much weight do you think you have in that concrete cylinder?

 

[newt92]

Thats a slick idea!

 

[4720 OWNER]

Nice! How did you get such a clean slot in the pipe? I take it the spring holds the pipe in place on the back blade? How is the pipe held on the FEL?

Guess when all the snow melts will know what to do with all that pipe laying around. (Last owner was a pig (no disrespect to swine, they are best on weekends for breakfast, next to the baby chickens)).

 

[rjgogo]

Where did you get the skid shoes, All the ones that I can find are very expensive?

 

[diyDave]

Nice cut on the pipe, but I would have used a thicker wall pipe. Oh well, you can always replace it if it wears out!

 

[mtg65]

That looks like it will work, also looks like it may have some compacting effect working your loose gravel down into your base driveway.

Show us some pics next time you use it for snow removal?

How wide is your rear blade, and how much weight do you think you have in that concrete cylinder?

I tried it with a few inches of snow on the road and it worked very well. Moved the snow and NO gravel BUT the pipe was to thin to withstand the weight. I will replace it with a thicker piece.

My blade is a six footer and I estimate the cylinder at 150 lbs. The cylinder was an old footing that I pulled out when I replaced my deck. Its not very pretty but it does add weight.

Thats a slick idea!

Thanks, I hope it will do the trick.

Nice! How did you get such a clean slot in the pipe? I take it the spring holds the pipe in place on the back blade? How is the pipe held on the FEL?

I used a piece of angle iron (see picture) to use as a guide. The springs do keep the pipe in place on the back blade. On the FEL, I used springs with a chain attached to bucket hooks on the back.

Where did you get the skid shoes, All the ones that I can find are very expensive?

They are actually a woods accessory. $180.00 for the pair..not cheap but they are built well and seem to do the job.

Nice cut on the pipe, but I would have used a thicker wall pipe. Oh well, you can always replace it if it wears out!

Can't agree more..ya know, the old saying at first you don't suceed...

The concept worked very well but the choice of materials fell short. I tried it on my road with a few inches of snow and it worked very well without disturbing any gravel, however the pipe was to thin to withstand the weight.

I have increased the pipe thickness to "schedule 40" and so far things are holding up good but I'm still waiting for the next significant snow fall. I will post pics of the results after the next dumping.

 

[elad]

What would happen if you swung the blade 180 degrees and let the cutting
edge trail behind. I plow backward to get that effect. Seems to help keep
the gravel in place. Just a thought. Good Luck elad

 

[charlz]

I have chains for lift arms and that seems to help the blade 'float'. It will allow the blade to lift and twist though so you have to watch it in certain circumstances. Flipping my blade around lets it rise over the snow and leaves more than I would like. My blade does chatter quite a bit but doesn't relocate much gravel.

Charles