Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Rear Blade and Snow; Nice Surface

[JDGreenGrass]

After much discussion and debate I put off buying a pto snowblower. This winter I am using the bucket and a rear blade. I am super happy with the finished surface. This picture shows the results after about 6 inches of fresh snow.

Not bad.

 

[Opti-Mist]

Yup, looks good. Kind of like mine. Depending on the year and how cold it gets, I've simply packed down the first good snow to create a "skin" to allow the surface to freeze to avoid scalping. That was not an issue this year, as we got a good freeze along with the first snow. I did get a snow blade (Curtis) for the FEL. Cheers!

 

[Plow Jockey]

Nice job JDGG! I just added some weight to my back blade and wow what a
differnce that made. It stays on the ground and doesn't do any hopping.
We've got a blower coming,but until then I'm happy with the back blade.
The wet heavy snow is the only thing that seem to throw me off.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Ya, the wet 'n' heavy snow has hit yet. That may be a different result.

Nor has the 15" to 25" storms. More time to clean up when those storms hit.

 

[Low Bucket]

Your blade done a great job!

I used a FEL and rear blade for a long time.- Now I use a Meyer blade on the front and still use my rear blade on the rear.

Is your rear blade a "County-Line" from TSC ?

I just bought my brother one for Christmas.- I didn't know much about this kind of blade.- He didn't have one and I thought it was a great price.- I bought him the 7' blade.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Your blade done a great job!

I used a FEL and rear blade for a long time.- Now I use a Meyer blade on the front and still use my rear blade on the rear.

Is your rear blade a "County-Line" from TSC ?

I just bought my brother one for Christmas.- I didn't know much about this kind of blade.- He didn't have one and I thought it was a great price.- I bought him the 7' blade.

Yes, it's a CountyLine blade from TSC, 6 feet. I can appreciate the comments of the "better" attachments but not all of us can afford them. I am a newb at this tractor thing and I have TSC 10 miles down the road. I'll beat on my CountyLine blade and rake and if they break I will consider "better." I paid $319 for the blade. So far so good.

You bought your brother a nice gift.

I find I can move a lot of snow pulling the blade. When I get near to the "finished product" I spin it around and use the back side of the blade to leave the surface flat with no windrows. It's a great surface but I can see that it could become slick, reducing my traction. When I am done with the blade I put my ballast box on and use the bucket to pile it up.

I love my tractor and all it has done for me. Quite a tool.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very nice. I moved snow with a 6' Howse grader blade and a Ford 861 then my Jinma 284 for about 9 years. I then upgraded to the front truck type plow last year and rebuilt it this year. It does not do a better job, just quicker. I also upgraded to a 7' Woods rear blade about 3 years ago. It in combination with the plow really allows me to fly.

Anyway what I am saying is with that rig you have you can do everything needed. Keep your eyes open for a old truck plow and upgrade with the time is right. I got mine for $80 and it took another $300 to rebuild it later on.


Chris

 

[eastexan]

Doggone it!
You guys make me jealous with all your snow moving seat time.

Here, if we ever see snow, it usually melts when it hits the ground. And if any does stick, it melts before I can get out and enjoy it.

Ronnie

 

[GPintheMitten]

That drive and parking area does look good. I used a 6' back blade with my Ford 2N for probably 20 years and I had very long drives out in the country with drifting. I had chains on the rears. It did a great job.

Later I got a 4wd Dodge Ram 2500 and put a used plow on it and that was much more convenient, needless to say, warmer.

 

[JB4310]

You bought your brother a nice gift.

I'll say!!! I got a "Man Purse" from my Brother in Law one year

Don't ask, it's an Eastern European thing, I married into it

But seriously, JDGG what is under that nice surface, gravel? if so that is a great job. The problem with my gravel drive and yard areas is that here in southern New England we can't count on it freezing once and staying frozen, it can freeze/thaw 10 times over the winter. I hear all this talk about grading and prepping the first couple snows then they have a perfect base for the rest of the winter. That's not happening here.

JB.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I'll say!!! I got a "Man Purse" from my Brother in Law one year

Don't ask, it's an Eastern European thing, I married into it

But seriously, JDGG what is under that nice surface, gravel? if so that is a great job. The problem with my gravel drive and yard areas is that here in southern New England we can't count on it freezing once and staying frozen, it can freeze/thaw 10 times over the winter. I hear all this talk about grading and prepping the first couple snows then they have a perfect base for the rest of the winter. That's not happening here.

JB.

A "Man Purse".?? That kinda talk just doesn't fit in here at the tractor forum.!! lol. Have you put it to use.?? Please say "no."

JB, yes, that is gravel under there. I restored my driveway with a coat of 1" gravel just before the cold weather hit in late November. The gravel was somewhat wet when I put it down and then the cold froze it up solid. Real tight. I lucked out in that regard.

We are in a deep freeze up here for the next few days. I thought the smooth surface would become slick but, it hasn't. It's acting more like "styrofoam" with a good grip.

Very happy with the rear blade and bucket but, we have a lot more winter to get through and then spring happens. So far so good.

 

[dcole]

I noticed you have R4 tires on your tractor. Are your tires weighted? If so, with what?

 

[beersngars]

Those look more like R1's to me.

That looks great for gravel under there. Nice place.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I noticed you have R4 tires on your tractor. Are your tires weighted? If so, with what?

I have AG tires...12.4x16. No, they are not weighted. I have a JD ballst box filled with cement which helps a lot with traction and really helps me move a lot of snow with the bucket.

No chains required as my drive is quite flat.

My tractor weighs roughly 3500lbs.

 

[sixgun]

Bucket and rear blade for me, too, though with inspiration from guys like JB4310 and several others who have adapted frame mounted front blades to their rides I may try that. Hey JB, how's that working out?

I'm a bit "luckier" here in south central NH as my gravel drive generally stays frozen once mid-December arrives. I've seen some posts from guys that have tried ABS or HDPE pipe on the blade (both f&r) edge to minimize pushing gravel around. Seems like a convenient way to deal with squishy gravel at the start of the season

It sounds like you've been satisfied with your Countryline blade. I am considering a carryall fork frame from the same manufacturer. $129 bucks is inexpensive for such an implement, isn't it? Anyone know the carrying capacity of this model?

 

[Thomas]

JDGreenGrass.
Nice!!!

Like Diamondpolit mention attaching older snowplow to frontend..easier on the body also quicker than you won't need blower..you wouldn't want that nice walk behind blower to be come jealous.

 

[JB4310]

Hey JB, how's that working out?

Stay tuned, I'll update my thread I started tomorrow. Well that's if this storm ever gets here, it's almost 10 pm and not a flake. Was supposed to start at 2 pm?


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