Snow Using a FEL to plow snow?

[Kodiak]

You work for the Dept. of Corrections? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a whole lot of shovels, hint, hint.

 

[Charliebrn]

Wait a minute guys. It seems to me that I remember a post somewhere about some guy who bent his FEL frame doing something like this. If I remember right, the deal is the that FEL is designed for straight on loads, and not loads that would push on the frame to one side or another! Unless you have an extremely heavy duty FEL, such as on some of the L series, I would think that plowing snow with an angled blade could do some damage, especially through heavy snow or banks. I don't think I'd want to risk springing the FEL frame.... /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

 

[Thomas]

I agree..but if one uses some common sence..go at a slower speed & not a full plow of the heavy wet snow etc..

 

[drcollie]

Thanks for all the tips everyone ! TBN is THE # 1 source for good tractor info on the 'net.....by far.

I got my chance to try out my first driveway clearing with the BX22 FEL. We had 8" last week and I had so much fun I did seven other driveways for the neighbors @ no charge. <g> Stayed out on the tractor 5 hours straight.

The FEL works fine on the 2-year old driveways we have in our community. I think a front plow would be much quicker as you could cut to one edge then just back up and keep working the rows forward. I called around and there are no Curtis attachments for the single boom FEL of the BX series, so it looks like one would have to buy the $ 2,400 Kubota setup. It takes me about 35 minutes to do a 250' driveway, with the FEL, so I guess I can't justify the cost of the plow attachment for the minimal time savings.

I also pulled a neighbor out of a swale when she missed her driveway with her minivan with the mightly little BX. I cleared off the blacktop so I'd have good traction, hooked up a Snatch Strap to her truck, and then with my BX in 4WD low and the rear diff locked, puller her right out.

I'm up to 80 hours on my BX22 in the 9 months of ownership and this is STILL the best tool I've ever bought. I can't imagine ever going back to my old crappy Cub Cadet Garden Tractor.

-Duane C.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I also agree about slowing down! But, you'd think that it wouldn't be too much of a problem, because if it were, then companies wouldn't make plows for the fel if it were going to do damage. I'd think.

Blake
WA

 

[Youare]

I used a front mounted snow plow on my 8N for many years,
trip springs were really nice when an unexpected obstruction is encountered.

However, I traded the snow plow for a rear blade to use on the Kubota L3000 I have. The rear blade has a few advantages and disavantages. I have a dirt driveway so in the late fall and early spring it gets soft.

Using the rear blade turned around backwards and driving frontwards usually removes enough snow without taking the dirt too. The rear blade can also be used in the warmer months of the year to grade whatever needs to be graded.

Having both the rear blade and the FEL allows me to push back or move unwanted snow banks. I have found that once the ground freezes driving foward with the rear blade works well, not much more backing up with the rear blade than with the snow plow mounted on front.

Whatever you use it sure beats using a shovel. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Randy

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here you go, just lift the bucket up and use that other part to plow. No attaching, detaching etc. etc. For once, a good use for a 4 in 1 bucket. In my opinion.

Blake

Picture is attached.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

BTW, it's for sale. Not mine.

 

[cwave]

<font color=blue> Using the rear blade turned around backwards and driving frontwards usually removes enough snow without taking the dirt too. </font color=blue>

Turning the blade backwards worked fine for me plus I still have the FEL for the heavy snowfall. I have Turf tires and 4wd. Now I need a way to add some weight to the rear blade. I'll have to view the pickup truck posts using sand bags.

 

[gordon]

Kodiak Wrote:
<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

You work for the Dept. of Corrections? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a whole lot of shovels, hint, hint

<hr></blockquote>



We do use as much manual labor as possible. But it's a large complex and alot of the areas are restricted so it's up to us to keep it clean and safe. Plus there are a few miles of roads and all the parking lots to keep clean outside the fence as well, just alot of area to keep clean. Keeps us busy every snow storm thats for sure. Both inside and outside the complex.

Gordon