Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Plowing Snow Facing BACKWARDS

jtn · Jan 20, 2003

For the second time this year we had a major snow of 3" (better than noth8ing at least) so I thought I would take some pictures. I angle the blade and work in reverse then use the FEL to plow the turn around and in front of the garage.

JT

jtn · Jan 20, 2003

I like working this way even thought the neck can get a little stiff. I use the blade for the driveway and the FEL for the turn around and in front of the garage.

JT

Thomas · Jan 21, 2003

Nice photos.

Wouldn't it be easier to turn the blade around for plowing to remove small snow fall faster.

snowman · Jan 21, 2003

JT;

With that amount of snow, you should be able to plow the snow facing forward okay (turn the blade around, of course). Is a little easier on the neck and easier to drive in a straight line.

I have a rear blade on mine (5') and a front mount snowblower.

Sometimes I'll just use the blade (driving forward) and it does a really good job of windrowing even though you're moving slow. The blade really scrapes down to the pavement good (looks like you're on pavement versus gravel) - peels up the tire tracks and everything else (doesn't harm the pavement at all though).

hazmat · Jan 21, 2003

I like working this way even thought the neck can get a little stiff.

The last time I was doing this, I cought the blade on the transition from the road to the driveway, stopped the tractor cold. Wacked my head into the ROPS pretty hard. I managed a direct hit on one of the hinge bolts. You can still see the imprint of the bolt on my forehead (2 weeks later).

Wife said she heard me scream bloody murder and a few other choice words. But then I stopped so she figured I was OK & went about her business. I told her if she hears me yelling while out on the tractor. she should come investigate, never know If I'm stuck under it or something./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Trev · Jan 21, 2003

Wife said she heard me scream bloody murder and a few other choice words. But then I stopped so she figured I was OK & went about her business. I told her if she hears me yelling while out on the tractor. she should come investigate, never know If I'm stuck under it or something. 

I often wear a very loud whistle on a thong around my neck. I figure if I get in a real jam I can just blow this thing until somebody comes to investigate. My wife knows to come if she ever hears this. Just a thought..

rdbrumfield · Jan 21, 2003

Good idea. When cutting timber a whistle is part of our standard gear.

hazmat · Jan 21, 2003

Great Idea trev! I've got a couple signal whistles kicking around (always carry them when kayaking or hiking).

Option 2 would be the horn I just bought the wife for Christmas (she loves it). Assuming I can reach the button. beep, beep, help!

Richard · Jan 21, 2003

wear a very loud whistle on a thong around my neck

uggggg.... shuddering at the thought.... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Trev · Jan 21, 2003

wear a very loud whistle on a thong around my neck

uggggg.... shuddering at the thought.... 

ROFL!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Yeah, bad choice of words!! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Mosey · Jan 22, 2003

hazmat - "Wacked my head into the ROPS pretty hard. I managed a direct hit on one of the hinge bolts."

I've noticed that could be problem and have always thought it was a bad design. The TC25/29/33 is even worse with part of the hinge sticking out in front of the ROPS. It's in perfect alignment with my head if I lean back and off to the side. I wonder if anyone from NH ever visits TBN?

beenthere · Jan 22, 2003

That's just a built-in attention-getter, to let you know you are going too fast for conditions, and being rough on the equipment. Otherwise, one might keep doing it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

jtn · Jan 23, 2003

I can turn my neck further to the right than the left from plowing snow backwards for years. I used to do 20 driveways; now, sadly, I only plow my own and miss the extra seat time (but not the cold and wind).

JT

thcri · Jan 23, 2003

I guess I just like using the FEL. Yes I get some spillage but it is just one more trip back over everything and I am done. I keep the bucket tipped some but not much so I can get more snow in the bucket. I have plowed like that in a snow fall of 16". I am 46 and just can't imagine turning my head around especially on a long driveway, and yes I did hit the hinge on the ROPS

Anonymous Poster · Jan 23, 2003

Pushing a rear blade by driving the tractor in reverse is more effective in removing snow than pulling it going forward. When driving forward, you're driving over the snow which causes it to compress and stick, and the blade won't remove it.
Having to pivot to drive in reverse isn't that big a problem.
Using the FEL to plow snow isn't effective on a surface that is sloped or not flat because the FEL won't float laterally. I find it's best used after pushing the snow into a pile with the rear blade, then FEL'ing the pile to wherever you want.
jim

Knight9 · Jan 23, 2003

Jim,

When driving forward, you're driving over the snow which causes it to compress and stick, and the blade won't remove it.

This is true in some cases but is more a function of the snow and weather than anything. It is -20 to -30 Celsius here over the last week or so. I have driven over the snow with my tractor with no consequence as it is too dry and light to pack at all. My blade, pulled backwards has no problems removing all of the snow I've driven over and I haven't even had to invoke the "cutting edge" of the blade.

Kevin

frank_f15 · Jan 24, 2003

have to agree with u , i use the fel 90% of the time to remove snow, a few extra passes to clean up the spillage. sometimes i do use the rear blade, but only going forward. can't turn my neck that far, damm shame getting old/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

snowman · Jan 24, 2003

When driving forward, you're driving over the snow which causes it to compress and stick, and the blade won't remove it

Jim;

My rear blade does an excellecent job of scraping right down to the pavement.

I usually clear the snow when I get home at night, so there's always tire tracks compressed in the snow, My snowblower generally will not scrape that off. I usually use the back blade as I'm snowblowing and it scrapes the tire tracks clean away, as well as any tractor tire tracks.

I think that plowing driving forward may be a little easier on the equipment too, because if you're driving backward, the weight of the blade, snow, and anything obstacles you will, are pushing against the 3 pt arms. I bent one of mine somehow during the summer pushing dirt.

The only "problem" with driving forward with the blade is that you can't pull it to the edge of the driveway unless you're driving off of the driveway. I then just turn around and snowblow that little pile or will push it back with the blade in reverse.

Hoeman00 · Jan 24, 2003

I always plow forward w/ rear blade, if plow is
wider than tractor helps but some blades have offset
or adjust sway bars to let blade stick out as far as
possible toward side snow is exiting blade.
I tore up a rear blade pushing backwards and hit
frozen sod beside drive, it dug in and sheared pin
at same time twisted moldboard.

deepsnow · Jan 26, 2003

JTN, I also plow pushing snow backward. Once your banks build up you can push back large chunks of snow. Prior to the gravel road freezing driving foward with the blade reversed reduces the chance for significant damage(to the road). I attached the Loftness 3pt snowblower too early this year. We have had only three snowfalls where more than 5 inches have accumulated. The blade would have been more efficient, but less fun.