Snow FEL bucket plus Back Blade?

[PJL13]

I am in the process of getting an XJ2025 and have started to think about snow removal of my 250 ft long gravel driveway, even though it is only June. A friend suggested floating the FEL bucket a couple of inches and get a somewhat cheap forward facing back blade to "scrape" whatever is left behind by the FEL bucket. I just wanted to see what others have done or think about this suggestion. I am not handy enough to weld or modify any attachments, so trying to find/plan for the simplest solution. Thank you for input!

 

[TheSpoon]

If you want to use the bucket, do a search for the "edge tamer" by R2 Manufacturing. But, you'll also be able to do it by just turning the back blade around and scraping.

 

[Thomas]

That good setup long as you don't get lot of snow.
Pushing snow w/rear blade okay long as your gentle,for scrape blade really made to pull.
You may want to consider front blade of sort that swing to L&R either by hyd. or manual...cold w/howling winds in open cab 250' driveway can seem mighty long.

 

[sandman2234]

That good setup long as you don't get lot of snow.
Pushing snow w/rear blade okay long as your gentle,for scrape blade really made to pull.
You may want to consider front blade of sort that swing to L&R either by hyd. or manual...cold w/howling winds in open cab 250' driveway can seem mighty long.

I don't know SQUAT about shoveling snow, but I do know that "keeping warm" is possible even when subjected to extreme cold (here that is 25-40 degrees)
Electric clothing seems to work on a motorcycle, seems like it ought to work on a tractor, just saying...I have Gerbing coat, pants and gloves that I wear on my motorcycle. Keeps me warm, and I don't do a lot of layering, or a coat over it. Before electric clothing years ago, I drove a forklift outdoors alot, and took a small heater core, built a wooden box around it and put a 12 volt fan in it. Piped it into the forklift hoses that warmed the propane regulator and I had heat at my feet. Amazing what you can figure out to do when your cold!
I would, as was suggested, that you seriously consider not using a rear blade in reverse, as bending the lower lift arms is expensive (been there, done that)
David from jax

 

[PJL13]

OK, I think maybe I got my terms mixed up. Sounds like if I get a grader/scrape blade (such as the one here: 6' Heavy Duty Rear Blade scraper blade ) opposed to a rear blade, that I can use the FEL bucket to push the snow in front of me, while also dragging the blade on my 3 pt hitch to "clean up" whatever I am not pushing with the bucket during each pass. Does that sound about right?

 

[nybirdman]

You will soon hate doing snow removal with just the FEL;definately get a rear blade wider than your rear wheels when the blade is angled.

 

[airbiscuit]

You will soon hate doing snow removal with just the FEL;definately get a rear blade wider than your rear wheels when the blade is angled.

Times 2. I would recommend a 6' rear blade as a 5' blade will barely extend wider than your rear wheels when angled. If the snow is less than 6" deep, no need to lower the bucket - just plow away pulling the angled rear blade.

A rear blade is relatively inexpensive and versatile for a number of uses.

 

[atsah]

I have tried about every way shape and form trying to find the best setup for removing snow, my 48 inch OEM bucket was just about worthless with a storm of 12 inchs never mind our normal 20 inch storms, I bought a bigger bucket "60"inch and a back blade, tried that last year on my 300ft driveway, didn't like the results of that setup, I am convinced at this point that my bigger bucket and a 54 inch Blizzard 3ph snowblower is the answer for me, I bought a new one three weeks ago, I have a backup camera and I don't mind turning in the seat to see what's going on, I would rather turn sideways to see snow blowing 30-40ft than sit on a tractor for hours on end bucketing snow, the way I see it is I will be inside near the wood stove drinking coffee in better than 1/2 the time it takes with a bucket and blade on the back.

 

[oosik]

I have a mile long gravel driveway that I plow the snow with my rear blade. When I had a smaller tractor I also used a PTO snow blower to clear the berms that would develop. With my larger Kubota there is no need for the snow blower - the tractor with rear blade is heavy enough to keep the berms cleared.

If I have to move snow from some weird location - I will use the bucket on the FEL rather than pushing with the rear blade. I don't want to hit a "frozen something" and damage the 3-point system.

The rear tires on the tractor are 80" - outside to outside. The rear blade is an 8 foot Rhino 950. Even with a 96" rear blade, the offset and angle will not completely cover the 80" rear tire width. Its close enough - unless we get a really deep snow, two passes will clear the driveway.

My advantage in plowing with the rear blade is total tractor weight - with rear blade and grapple it weighs 10,050#. Even the tallest berms that can form down the driveway don't push the tractor around.

 

[CalG]

I have a mile long gravel driveway that I plow the snow with my rear blade. When I had a smaller tractor I also used a PTO snow blower to clear the berms that would develop. With my larger Kubota there is no need for the snow blower - the tractor with rear blade are heavy enough to keep the berms cleared.

If I have to move snow from some weird location - I will use the bucket on the FEL rather than pushing with the rear blade. I don't want to hit a "frozen something" and damage the 3-point system.

The rear tires on the tractor are 80" - outside to outside. The rear blade is an 8 foot Rhino 950. Even with a 96" rear blade, the offset and angle will not completely cover the 80" rear tire width. Its close enough - unless we get a really deep snow, two passes will clear the driveway.

My advantage in plowing with the rear blade is total tractor weight - with rear blade and grapple it weighs 10,050#. Even the tallest berms that can form down the driveway don't push the tractor around.

oosik

How does your experience with a 5 ton tractor set up help the OP with his 1 ton XJ2025?
Just curious as to the connection. I don't seem to see any.