Snow Attachments Rear blade converted to snow blade

[sld]

Has anyone ever sandwiched a 1/2 to 1 inch thick piece of rubber between the cutting edge and mold board on their rear blade?

I want to use mine to clear a concrete driveway this winter and am afraid of what the cutting edge will do to the concrete.

I have thought about using wood as a scraper also, but I can get a 5 foot long by 6 inch tall 1/2 inch thick rubber for about 20 bucks. I thought I would heat up a piece of tubing and press it thru the rubber for the bolt holes. I am still not sure how much to leave hanging below the cutting edge. Maybe about 1 inch. Should be just like a big squeegee.

Any thoughts?

 

[bigdad]

I tried the rubber gig last winter and it left skid marks on my concrete. Wears quick too. Had better luck with (wood) 2X8's. I personally like gauge wheels adjusted a tad off of the surface.

 

[Steve_Miller]

Has anyone ever sandwiched a 1/2 to 1 inch thick piece of rubber between the cutting edge and mold board on their rear blade?

I want to use mine to clear a concrete driveway this winter and am afraid of what the cutting edge will do to the concrete.

I have thought about using wood as a scraper also, but I can get a 5 foot long by 6 inch tall 1/2 inch thick rubber for about 20 bucks. I thought I would heat up a piece of tubing and press it thru the rubber for the bolt holes. I am still not sure how much to leave hanging below the cutting edge. Maybe about 1 inch. Should be just like a big squeegee.

Any thoughts?

I used 3/8" and 1/2" conveyor belt for several years on my original blade. Depending on how abrasive the surface is dictates how long it will last. I never noticed any marks on my concrete pad in the spring. Can't see it very well but this was 3/8" at that time and it was getting pretty ragged. I tried leaving about an inch once and it folded over and wore off in no time. I tried a piece of straight one inch thick rubber once and it also wore off very fast. I found the conveyor belt to be about the toughest thing I could find, I had a source of old conveyor belts from my work place.

Steve

 

[joes_427_vette]

I use a 6' back blade for snow removal on the concrete drive and haven't noticed any scrapes or scars. The front blade has a steel surface also. I think you worry too much or... you have some real cheap concrete.

 

[Rusty]

sld - I tried a 3/4" thick piece of rubber cut from a horse stall mat. The rear blade chattered so badly on both asphalt and concrete, that I gave up and installed fixed skid shoes. I was much more satisfied with the skid shoes. I have since bought a heavier blade with the mushroom-type skid shoes, and am even happier. In retrospect, the chatter may have been lessened by adjusting the cutting edge angle with the top link, but I also was not happy with the damage that the rubber edge did to my lawn when I got off the pavement.

 

[sld]

Thanks for the replies.

I may just try it with the steel cutting edge at a shallow angle. At worst, I may cut a piece of wood to replace the cutter.

Either way will be better than shoveling. I have too much concrete!

 

[mike194]

You need a piece of UHMW polyethlene

it will take a lot to wear it out, it is not the cheapest thing but should last a long time

you can get it from mcmaster-carr or any industrial supply


i tapped the bottom edge of my bucket and attached a piece and it glides over anything

 

[jsboening]

Hey mike,

What thickness polyethlene did you get? I'm looking to do my loader bucket edge and back blade. Thanks.

 

[Bousez]

You need a piece of UHMW polyethlene

it will take a lot to wear it out, it is not the cheapest thing but should last a long time

you can get it from mcmaster-carr or any industrial supply


i tapped the bottom edge of my bucket and attached a piece and it glides over anything

that is exactly what i had in mind , this or a piece of teflon

 

[AndyMA]

For years snow plows have had steel edges, hardened at that. Me thinks some of us worry too much.

Andy