Using dirt buckets for snow removal

[jmfox]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using a 4-in-1 bucket for snow removal. I still have my Polaris Ranger with snow blade but it would be nice to use the ASV SR80 with a heated cab. My concern is the fixed and unforgiving blade on the rubber track machine causing damage. Probably okay for dirt driveways but the cutting edge could mark blacktop surfaces.

jmf

 

[john_bud]

Not from using a 4n1, but a normal dirt bucket will scrape the soil right off along with the snow. Just did it yesterday and it's been below freezing for the high for 2 weeks now. Shhhh, don't tell my wife. It will be a little surprise in spring....


jb

 

[McCaskey]

Plowing snow with a bucket is very difficult. The cutting edge will either ride up over the snow, or dig into the driveway. Compound the experience with limited visibility. Snow tends to load up the bucket until the machine loses traction because it can't roll off to one side. Adding a snow pusher to the loader bucket is good solution.

 

[BizDoc]

I've tried using my bucket for plowing snow. It's alright for an inch or so, but any more and it builds up and just moves off to the left or right, and the only thing you can do is push it straight ahead. A blade is much better, and that's an understatement. I've also tried it with 6 to 8 inches and it was just grief.

 

[Builder]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using a 4-in-1 bucket for snow removal. I still have my Polaris Ranger with snow blade but it would be nice to use the ASV SR80 with a heated cab. My concern is the fixed and unforgiving blade on the rubber track machine causing damage. Probably okay for dirt driveways but the cutting edge could mark blacktop surfaces.

jmf

I had great results. I simply open the 4 in 1 until the front half curls all the way up and all you're left with is the back of the bucket (which looks like a small dozer blade or fixed snow plow blade). Once it's open all the way, you just push with it like a fixed snow plow blade. Then after you get piles of snow you want to move, you close the bucket and use it as a scoop.

I wouldn't suggest it for plowing long driveways or frequent commercial use. A power angling snow blade or a pusher box would be better. But for around the house on a couple driveways, etc., a 4 in 1 works good! It's like a mini fixed plow blade and a snow scooper in one package.

 

[jmfox]

I tried the 4-in-1 today on some wet snow and it worked pretty well. Even the blacktop drives cleaned up without any scraping that I could see. The only casualty were uneven lumps of grass. The plow tends to leve things off rather than bounce over.

jmf

 

[mike69440]

I tried the 4-in-1 today on some wet snow and it worked pretty well. Even the blacktop drives cleaned up without any scraping that I could see. The only casualty were uneven lumps of grass. The plow tends to leve things off rather than bounce over.

jmf

I plow about 1/4 Acre area total at my home. 10" of snow with a B7200 took over 8 hours!. I clear two larege driveways and turn arounds. The B7200 has loaded tires, a weight box and frame weights, tire chains, so it pushes well. Weight is your friend. A 4 ft bucket just spills snow off the sides on a long run. I like wet snow as it sticks in front better. Up at our other place up north, I can do 1/4 mile of road in an hour with the weighted but no chains L39. It has same problem as B7200 same problem but bigger bucket. You can get a 4'-5' high pile in front of the bucket before you have to push it off the side. L39 lack horsepower and A HEATED CAB.

 

[diyDave]

If you want to do minimal damage to gravel roads, get yourself a piece of 3 inch steel pipe, the same length as your bucket is wide. Cut a slot out of the pipe, so that the pipe will fit snugly over the cutting edge on the front of your 4n1 bucket. It may be necessary to rig a bracket that will hold it on, with a bolt or 2. The pipe will allow you to clear 90 % of the snow off of road surfaces, without having to rake your gravel out of the road edges in the spring. My $0.02 for $0.

 

[jmfox]

get yourself a piece of 3 inch steel pipe, the same length as your bucket is wide.

Is this the voice of experience?

jmf

 

[gotcha]

Plowing snow with a bucket is very difficult. The cutting edge will either ride up over the snow, or dig into the driveway. Compound the experience with limited visibility. Snow tends to load up the bucket until the machine loses traction because it can't roll off to one side. Adding a snow pusher to the loader bucket is good solution.

I have one of these and it's for sale now. It is fantastic going down a slight incline, level ground, but forget trying to go back up a slight incline. It will not make it without tracks.
The gotcha man

 

[diyDave]

jmfox- yes, my experience. The pipe allows you to ride over little snags that would otherwise catch the bucket's edge. Hardest part about the modification is cutting that slot in the pipe straight across the width of it.

 

[MikeD74T]

jmfox- yes, my experience. The pipe allows you to ride over little snags that would otherwise catch the bucket's edge. Hardest part about the modification is cutting that slot in the pipe straight across the width of it.

Great idea Dave. I might just have to torch a few holes in a pipe to cap my tooth bar rather than take it off. MikeD74T

 

[rexcramer]

I have a full sized 580 Case TLB and lets just say my 12hp Wheel Horse tractor and three way blade does a much better job on my 500+ foot driveway.

I only use the Case for the driveway pads in front of the barn and garage where I can scoop the snow and put it in my ditch. I dont have any problem digging into the stone if I tilt the bucket up slightly put it all the way to the ground. Its gets closer than a snowblower would anyways

 

[Builder]

I have a full sized 580 Case TLB and lets just say my 12hp Wheel Horse tractor and three way blade does a much better job on my 500+ foot driveway.

I only use the Case for the driveway pads in front of the barn and garage where I can scoop the snow and put it in my ditch. I dont have any problem digging into the stone if I tilt the bucket up slightly put it all the way to the ground. Its gets closer than a snowblower would anyways

I have one too!

Mine's a snow removal beast, but I don't like using it on a delicate driveway!

 

[D7E]

4in1's were standard in the UK and we had 100's of JCB's snow clearing and all had toothed buckets and it was never a problem (Pretty much all roads in UK are tarmack).

 

[tandttravis]

I have a 300' long driveway, plow or pusher? I also have the B-26, love it!

 

[Builder]

I have a 300' long driveway, plow or pusher? I also have the B-26, love it!

1.straight drive-pusher
2.curvy drive-plow
3.straight or curvy paved drive with very light snow-power broom
4.curvy drive, banks on both sides, many feet of snow-snowblower

 

[tandttravis]

sounds like a lot of new toys!, thanks!

 

[ccdck20hst]

Might have already been mentioned here but for short distances (perhaps 40 feet or less) you might try back dragging your bucket. I do not have a 4-1 bucket but use back dragging with decent luck on my little Kioti CK 20 with a 54 inch bucket. The resutls are not perfect but it beats shoveling.