How are horse mats used on FEL

Tractor_Jim_CT · Sep 20, 2004

I read that instead of pushing snow with a blade or snow blower, someone used the FEL with Horse Matting. How is this done?

RonR · Sep 20, 2004

I didn't use horsematting, but wanted to use the FEL on concrete without scarring it.

I drilled four 3/8" holes in the bucket and bolted a 2x12 under the front lip. I could push snow loading the bucket or backdrag it.

We don't get that much snow, so my board lasted one season.

My guess is they installed the horsemat in the same fashion. I had 2x12s; I didn't have horsemat.........

Best wishes,
Ron

BubbaJr · Sep 20, 2004

There have been several discussions about using a horse mat on a back blade to remove snow. That's what I did. I took off the cutting edge of my back blade, cut the mat to 6-1/2" high, and the length of the blade. Drilled holes in the center of the mat to match the cutting edge, got longer carriage bolts, and bolted the mat between the cutting edge and the blade. That way I have 4 different edges to wear before I need to replace the mat. The unused portion makes an ideal mat for in front of my workbench.

One thing to keep in mind though, and that is that the mat edge doesn't work that well on wet heavy snow, and I usually remove it for that. The metal edge will cut to the concrete, but the rubber edge will ride up over the hard packed or wet snow.

I use the FEL with the original edge to clean up the piles, and also to scrape ice, and hard snow. Two years ago, I was out over 3 hours one day moving snow, and the smile was frozen on my face. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

timb · Sep 20, 2004

Anyone ever use a hunk of old conveyor belting? We still have a bit of that around of various weights. Very useful stuff. Haven't tried it yet on the loader, it seems to be a little harder rubber than a typical horse mat, but I wasn't sure if the woven core would help/hurt in a 'blade' application.