front plow and rear blade

[chuck172]

I like using both the front plow and rear blade for snow. Problem is the rear blade doesn't add enough ballast to counter the front plow. What's a good way to add weight to the rear? I do have loaded tires.

 

[Thomas]

Are you using rear tire chains?

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

What is the purpose of using both at the same time? Is your rear blade off set to give you a wider path?
If you keep the front blade off the ground, it would add weight to the front drive wheels and then you could scrape with the rear. At least that is what I do.

 

[chuck172]

I have ag tires, don't really need chains. Just need to add some rear ballast.
Very convenient to use both the front and rear blades.

 

[GLyford]

Wheel weights?

 

[nybirdman]

That is my set-up for winter plowing,8ft.front FEL mounted and 7ft.rear.I run R1(AG) tires that are loaded and no chains.My rear blade only weights 500lbs and by itself is not enough rear ballast(loaded tires make the difference).
You could fabricate a weight box on top of the rear blade.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have ag tires, don't really need chains. Just need to add some rear ballast.
Very convenient to use both the front and rear blades.

I would say that tire ballast (filling the tires with liquid) would be the least costly and cleanest. How heavy is your rear blade? Always go to a heavier constructed rear blade, something in the 800lb + range, typically hydraulic actuated functions which sure make it nice for making those adjustments that should be made, but one often does not when you have to stop & get off the tractor.

Good luck with your decision.

Sorry, passed over that you already have loaded tires.:ashamed: Heavier blade or wheel weights. I would go with the heavier blade.

 

[RNeumann]

I have ag tires, don't really need chains. Just need to add some rear ballast.
Very convenient to use both the front and rear blades.

Please explain the symptom. Why do you need more weight? Weight doesn’t typically equal traction on slick surfaces- maybe the weight is for some other purpose though?

 

[oosik]

Believe me, AG tires and added weight are a weak alternate to a good set of chains. If you are having side slipping - get a good set of AG chains for the rear tires.

 

[nybirdman]

Believe me, AG tires and added weight are a weak alternate to a good set of chains. If you are having side slipping - get a good set of AG chains for the rear tires.

I don't use/need chains myself and I have to "road" my tractor to do my plow route.I have never had a traction problem with my set-up.Ice is a different matter for sure and chains would be recommended.

 

[arrow]

I like using both the front plow and rear blade for snow. Problem is the rear blade doesn't add enough ballast to counter the front plow. What's a good way to add weight to the rear? I do have loaded tires.

I'm not understanding this. You want to use both blades at the same time? You want to push better when using just the front blade? When you say "counter" the front plow do you mean directional control when the front is angled or are you slipping and losing traction?

 

[oosik]

Thats one reason I got the bigger tractor. More weight( 10,100# across the grain scales) and I can bust frozen berms with my rear blade and don't need chains or using a 3-point blower.

I finally realized I don't understand what Chuck wants to do either. Use front plow & rear blade at the same time or one or the other independently.

 

[chuck172]

I primarily use the front snowplow, but I often use the rear blade to clean up tight spots. I generally push with the rear blade and I have lots of control. I have to sneak by parked cars and wood piles. I love the loaded ag tires for snowplowing. I normally have no problem, but have experienced some slight fishtailing at times. I know some rear ballast would help. I'm probably just looking for the perfect setup, if that's possible.

 

[ovrszd]

I primarily use the front snowplow, but I often use the rear blade to clean up tight spots. I generally push with the rear blade and I have lots of control. I love the loaded ag tires for snowplowing. I normally have no problem, but have experienced some slight fishtailing at times. I know some rear ballast would help. I'm probably just looking for the perfect setup, if that's possible.

I totally understand what you are doing.

I don't have any pics, but I welded two bolts on top of my blade frame, pointing upward head down, between the 3pt tower and the angle pin. I then lay two suitcase weights over the bolts, stacked on top of each other, laying flat on top of the blade beam. Adds 250lbs to the blade. Build could be altered to fit your application.

 

[arrow]

I primarily use the front snowplow, but I often use the rear blade to clean up tight spots. I generally push with the rear blade and I have lots of control. I have to sneak by parked cars and wood piles. I love the loaded ag tires for snowplowing. I normally have no problem, but have experienced some slight fishtailing at times. I know some rear ballast would help. I'm probably just looking for the perfect setup, if that's possible.

So when the rear blade is down, you are scooting over (fishtailing) when you use it to push? Putting weights on the rear plow would only help when the rear blade is up as far as tractor control. You would need either wheel weights or chains. I have chains on my ags. They make it a different tractor traction wise. You think you don't need them but you end up kind of surprised what they do for the tractor. I'm pretty happy with this set up. The bigger the tractor, the bigger the implements but you can run into the same problem as loads increase that the bigger tractor can muster over the smaller one. Chains would cure your problem. I leave mine on all the time.

 

[motownbrowne]

So when the rear blade is down, you are scooting over (fishtailing) when you use it to push? Putting weights on the rear plow would only help when the rear blade is up as far as tractor control. You would need either wheel weights or chains. I have chains on my ags. They make it a different tractor traction wise. You think you don't need them but you end up kind of surprised what they do for the tractor. I'm pretty happy with this set up. The bigger the tractor, the bigger the implements but you can run into the same problem as loads increase that the bigger tractor can muster over the smaller one. Chains would cure your problem. I leave mine on all the time.

My understanding is that he's losing traction when the front blade is being used, and the rear is in the air. Well, that's the situation in which rear ballast might help. As you say, the ballast isn't going to do anything with the blade on the ground. I'm speculating here, but I would imagine that when you're using the front blade, the front tires are gonna get pushed out of line, not the rear. So, maybe i don't understand what the OP is trying to fix. I agree with everyone about the chains though. I run them just on the front tires of my snow removal tractor (TC29D with 7' rear blade), and it makes a huge difference in steerability.

 

[RNeumann]

I’ve had the best luck putting the extra traction on the axle that is closest to the snow plow. IE- front blade=front chains. Rear blade=rear chains

 

[nybirdman]

I like using both the front plow and rear blade for snow. Problem is the rear blade doesn't add enough ballast to counter the front plow. What's a good way to add weight to the rear? I do have loaded tires.

If your front plow is "fixed" and doesn't float(like a truck plow) it will take the weight off the front and be difficult to steer so counter weight will not help in this situation.

 

[Thomas]

" I generally push with the rear blade and I have lots of control"
I found BIG differents when it came to pushing w/rear blade than pulling...much better traction pulling and easier on 3 pt. hitch.

 

[Fallon]

I built a smaller truck plow with a SSQA for my L3200. Ran it and the LandPride back blade for a bit. Ended up selling the back blade as it didn't give me anything over the front blade. Ended up getting a 3pt blower for heavy snow. I plowed 85% of the time still as it was faster & didn't kill my neck. Still needed the blower for drifts, windrows & stuff.

Chains on the front got steering back while plowing & increased my push 20% or so. Rear chains wouldn't fit without wheel spacers.

Upgraded to my new L4060 for the cab, but there was no snow worth plowing last winter.