Poly Blade on a BX FEL for Snow

dalola · Nov 9, 2017

Considering adding a 1"x4"x48" urethane (UHMW) strip to the bottom lip of my FEL bucket, for snow clearing on my blacktop drive.

Wondering if anyone has done this, and the results they have experienced? They are pricey at ~$100, so wondering if this is my best option.

bdhsfz6 · Nov 10, 2017

My neighbor used a poly cutting edge on a FEL plow to clear his 300' driveway. It cost $280 and lasted 2 years. The driveway was pretty rough though. There was no question that it was easier on the pavement that a steel edge. This is a bit different than what you propose but I believe the results would be similar.

mmancuso13 · Nov 10, 2017

I ran a 60” setup on my L3800 for years. I was even able to get orange UHMW to match the bucket (not that that matters

).

It works very well except that because you are using your bucket you will have to stop and dump more offer because you have no angle to “shed” the accumulated snow like you would on an angled blade.

I mounted mine with carriage bolts countersunk 1/4” into the UHMW but be careful not to go too deep or else you will weaken your strip.

You can also use rubber and I saw a listings on Craigslist of many people with used rubber belting precut and drilled for use as a wear edge.

Any of those methods will work for you.

captronr · Nov 10, 2017

I noticed after one winter of clearing snow from driveways that I had worn the bottom of the cutting edge quite a bit. I first tried bolting a 2x12 pine to the cutting edge--that lasted about a week before it split and fell apart.

My neighbor had a saw mill. I asked him for 8 ft of the hardest 2 by wood he had. He gave me 2x12 rough cut solid Oak. He was using it for threshholds in his rentals for permanent solutions.

I've run that same hunk of wood on the FEL for 5+ years now. It shows some wear on the front edge, but should last longer than I'll ever need it for snow removal.

Oh, costs was I cleared his driveway for free.

Ron

ray66v · Nov 10, 2017

You can just use a piece of treated 2x4 or piece of oak.

Recess some stove head bolts up in it, and you're good to go.

$8 with bolts. Cheap and effective.

My dad uses the same piece of wood for many winters.

dalola · Nov 10, 2017

I like the wood idea....never thought of that! I think I can probably find an old pallet made from oak, and repurpose one of the support boards thats about the right size.

Thanks for the tip!

am122 · Nov 11, 2017

I have a steel pipe that a slot was cut in the four foot length and two pieces wielded on to bolt on. The slot slides over the cutting edge and it bolts on like a tooth bar. Works great on blacktop drive, gravel drive, and grass.

ray66v · Nov 11, 2017

am122 said:
I have a steel pipe that a slot was cut in the four foot length and two pieces wielded on to bolt on. The slot slides over the cutting edge and it bolts on like a tooth bar. Works great on blacktop drive, gravel drive, and grass.

You need to cut a slot if you use plastic pipe, if you use steel, it's totally unnecessary, (and a lot of trouble), to cut a slot in it.

Just weld a couple of tabs on it, and bolt it on.

Zick · Nov 14, 2017

dalola said:
Considering adding a 1"x4"x48" urethane (UHMW) strip to the bottom lip of my FEL bucket, for snow clearing on my blacktop drive.

Wondering if anyone has done this, and the results they have experienced? They are pricey at ~$100, so wondering if this is my best option.

I bought a piece of UHMW 1/2"x24"x60" back in 2013 for $135. I cut it down into either 6 or 8" strips (can't remember off the top of my head right now). Each edge of the strip would last 1 season, then I would flip it over for next year. So each strip lasted 2 yrs.

It worked pretty good but didn't scrap as well as steel and sometimes I couldn't scrap down to the concrete if it was driven over and packed down by the vehicles a few times.

Bought mine from InterstatePlastics.com

Edit: whoops, didn't realize you were talking about attaching this to the FEL. I was thinking you were referring to a snow plow blade.