Snow Attachments Plowing snow with rear blade going forward

[mrutkaus]

...aside (or maybe not aside) from the obvious, that is you're plowing over the compacted snow of your wheels, how practical is it to plow FORWARD with a rear blade on a steep and sometimes level gravel driveway?

mike

 

[beenthere]

Depends......on the snow conditions (dry, wet, heavy, deep, drifted in, new, old....), the temps, the traction you can get, the ice under the snow, and numerous other things. Try it and give us a report how well it works for you.

 

[Gavman]

I would love to hear how it worked for you too, considering I just bought a Bison rear blade to do the same thing. I was wondering if the snow would get caught up in the rear wheels too quickly. I figured I would reverse the blade and go backwards to push it.
Wish I had a FEL!

 

[beenthere]

You are right, and how quick it 'gets caught up in the wheels' or 'full load of snow' depends on the area in front of the blade to the wheels, and how deep is the snow, and how long you can keep traction. Then you at some point will have to raise the 3pt blade and dump that snow, then likely push that snow out of the way. Heavy wet snow sometimes gets pretty hard to push after getting a 'chunk' of it together. Its all a learning game, and developing skills to move the snow depending on the snow itself, the tractor, and the room one has available to move it around.
And 'oh yes' the skills of the operator can enter in here too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Youare]

For the last 4 winters I have used a rear blade in the direction you ask about. Depending on the snow depth I find it works very well. If there is a foot or less of dry snow, something that will not make a snow ball, there is no problems.

When driving forward I always have the blade angled so that the snow slides off to the side. If the snow is wet then anything under 10 inches or so works well.

It sure is a lot easier to drive forward and move snow than to back up especially if you have a long distance to go. Try it you'll like it.

Randy

 

[cwarrix]

I just moved some snow the other day with my Yanmar 2210 and a 5' blade. I did it both ways and noticed it seemed like I had a bit more traction (2wd) if I was pulling the snow. I ended up pulling it to piles at the end of the driveway and then turned around and pushed it out into the yard. Be sure to pick the blade up a bit before it goes off the blacktop so you don't pick up a bunch of grass, don't ask how I know /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I had my blade at a slight angle as well, which allowed the snow to escape out the side somewhat. I might try it with it straight next time to see if it really make a difference. We only had about 4-6" to play with. So for fun I did my neighbors drive as well. Have to be careful if the blacktop is not in good shape, else you might dig up chunks of blacktop as you go. Again, don't ask how I know! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I tried to plow my gravel drive to the barn and made a bigger mess than anything. I guess after a while it looked ok, but come Spring, I'll bet there will be a bunch of gravel where I don't want gravel /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I saw a thread a few days ago that had a blade with some wheels on the back to keep it from touching the ground. That would probably be the way to do a gravel drive, it would sort of float leaving an inch or so of snow but getting the rest which would be good enough. But, without disrupting the gravel. At least that's what it looks like to me, I've never used one.

 

[Youare]

One other thing, before the ground freezes for those with gravel or dirt drives try turning the rear blade around if you are pulling it. With the curve facing back as you drive forward the blade will catch snow but not the ground.

The blade is not as effective in this direction but you will have far less damage and less clean up in the spring.

Randy

 

[cwarrix]

Thanks for the tip Youare, but seems like I tore it up both directions. I think you're right though, it was better pulling the blade backwards. Guess it just takes a little practice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[deere755]

If the snow is not too deep I plow going forward with the blade angled. If the snow is deep I turn it around and plow backwards. If it is really deep I turn it around straight and plow backwards this keeps the the snow from pushing the tractor around so bad.

 

[thatguy]

Will snow flow/roll off the blade going foward and angled like it will with a pickup truck mounted blade? Or do you need more speed to get it to roll off/

just wondering

b