Snow XB Back Blade for snow?

proudestmonkey · Sep 4, 2006

I am thinking about adding a back blade to attach to my BX 2230 for light snow plowing on my gravel driveway. I know they are not the most well-built, but you get what you pay for and I don't want to spend much money (60" is on sale locally for $189). Has anyone used one to push snow around, and if so, what do you think? Is it up to the task?

salopez · Sep 4, 2006

I think you would be fine for pushing snow. just turn the blade backwards to the gravel freezes so you don't dig in.... have fun and keep warm!

Berniep · Sep 4, 2006

I think my back blade is an XB. It should be well up to snow.
Mine does fine with grading the driveway. I even hooked a chunk of concrete in the edge of the driveway that stopped the tractor without hurting it. I wasn't running wide open but it was a pretty good jerk.

rosey · Sep 4, 2006

For an inexpensive method to clear your gravel drive a back blade is the way to go...again you will have to experiment to find the proper way to use it depending on the condition of the surface of the gravel...if frozen use with the convex portion of the blade facing the tractor. If soft turn the blade around facing the other way so that it dosen't dig into the gravel.

proudestmonkey · Sep 4, 2006

rosey said:
For an inexpensive method to clear your gravel drive a back blade is the way to go...again you will have to experiment to find the proper way to use it depending on the condition of the surface of the gravel...if frozen use with the convex portion of the blade facing the tractor. If soft turn the blade around facing the other way so that it dosen't dig into the gravel.

Hey Rosey, thanks, that's good to know. I am considering a rear-mount snowblower too, but am concerned about spitting a lot of gravel. I guess if I get a real heavy snow, I can use the FEL to move snow around (kind of a pain probably) and if we get lighter amounts, just go with the backblade.

proudestmonkey · Sep 4, 2006

Berniep said:
I think my back blade is an XB. It should be well up to snow.

I went to look at them, but did not buy. I think it will be fine for snow, and it is pretty cheap. The only one they had was in pretty rough shape for something "new." I'ver read plenty of posts that say King Kutter implements have terrible paint jobs, and that seemed very true today. But the blade looked kind of beat up, like someone used it and returned it. So, I'll go to TSB, pay an extra $30 and get one in slightly better shape (I've got plenty of Kubota orange paint for touch ups).

cabinfever · Sep 4, 2006

Any opinions on using this blade for clearing snow on an asphalt driveway? Is it best to get something with skid shoes? I would also use it for some light grading.
I also looked an this blade and had about the same thoughts as proudestmonkey...

RayH · Sep 4, 2006

I use a back blade to clear snow from my asphalt drive and it works, not great but ok. My drive is one lane about 120' with a turn around area in front of the garage that I can park about 6 vehicles. I can do the drive in about 15 minutes depending on snow depth and weight. The FEL is also handy, in conjunction with the blade, for stacking snow.
For asphalt you dont need shoes.

proudestmonkey · Sep 5, 2006

cabinfever said:
Any opinions on using this blade for clearing snow on an asphalt driveway? Is it best to get something with skid shoes? I would also use it for some light grading.
I also looked an this blade and had about the same thoughts as proudestmonkey...

Cabin, Since I noticed you live in Stillwater, I thought you might want to know where I went to look at that XB Blade. I went to the Mills Fleet Farm in Hudson, WI. That's the closest one to where I live in Cottage Grove.

AceDeuce · Sep 5, 2006

I use a back blade with my BX and would recommend it as a good low cost option. It took me most of the first season to figure out the best technique. I've had the best luck turning the blade around so the concave side of the mouldboard faces the front of the tractor and going in reverse, pushing with the back side of the blade. As long as you aren't pushing super wet snow the weight of the blade should be enough to keep it from riding up. If you want to angle the blade you'll need to spend some time setting it up on a flat, level surface. Otherwise it will tend to dig in on a corner.