Wheels instead of shoes

cchoate · Jan 18, 2003

Here's an idea I came up with using my 6' rear blade for snow removal. Using swiveling wheels instead of shoes seems to work better for my 400' gravel drive. The blade sits about 1" above the ground and can be removed.

gerard · Jan 18, 2003

Guess my concern would be how well they're going to swivel after getting packed with snow and backed into snowbanks. I use shoes and do about as much pushing snow backwards as I do frontwards and the shoes take a pretty good beating. I think I'd like you're idea easrly in the season before everything freezes up solid cause they won't dig in as much. Good luck with them

cchoate · Jan 18, 2003

They have turned and swiveled everytime so far. I don't think it would be a big deal if the wheels didn't turn as long as they swivel. I do believe the weight of the blade will make them "self clean" the snow forwards or backwards.

MossRoad · Jan 18, 2003

We have swiveling wheels on our Power Trac snow blades. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://users.beanstalk.net/godollei/pt425/PT425Pictures/PT425SnowBlade.jpg> Click here to see mine </A> They work fine on pavement and in crushed limestone.

cchoate · Jan 19, 2003

I new I wasn't the only one to try this. I like the tires instead of hard wheels.

OkieG · Jan 19, 2003

Does your blade have trip springs?

MossRoad · Jan 19, 2003

No trip springs.

OkieG · Jan 19, 2003

I have read one other post recently of a frontblade user who has had no problems without trip springs. I am slowly building a DIY blade, but am not convinced a trip spring would be that helpful. Have you had any trouble not having a trip mechanism?
Thanks

OkieG

powershop · Jan 19, 2003

Ask a guy without his front teeth how he likes plowing without trip springs, don't do it. You and the tractor will get hurt.

MossRoad · Jan 19, 2003

I haven't had any trouble with no trip springs, but that doesn't mean I won't /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif I always wear my seat belt, just in case. Even a small section of frost heaved pavement can stop the tractor in its tracks. My PT425 is a relatively light weight tractor. When plowing with the blade angled, if I hit an immovable object, it deflects the tractor. I never plow 'at speed' with the blade set straight forward. If I had a larger tractor, I would definately want trip springs. I've plowed with a pickup truck plow many times. It seems like that would be great on the front of a set of FEL arms.