Snow Rear blade size. Vs box blade size.

[Jtullis13]

So I am needing some advice on a rear blade or box blade for my 2210d. My main use will be for snow removal on my drive and my folks too. I was wondering if I should get a 5ft or 6ft rear blade? Or a box blade, also what size? Any input on either blades and the sizes you guys think would be best for my 2210d. Thanks a bunch a head of time.

 

[kenmac]

I can't speak for a rear blade.. I don't own 1. If you get a box blade,,Probably want to get a box blade as wide or a little wider than the rear tires...
I have a 5 foot box blade that is as wide as my rear tires... I wished it was a little wider

 

[4570Man]

A rear blade would be better for snow removal, but a box blade is better for heavier duty work.

 

[California]

Just random thoughts FWIW, not an entire answer: I bought a box blade immediately with the YM240, used it once to spread road gravel, and haven't had a need for it in the twelve years since. I didn't realize at the time I could spread gravel about as well with the front loader.

A smaller box blade came with the second YM186D, that one had been owned by a landscape contractor. For landscaping new subdivision homes, most of his tractor work was moving dirt around so the back blade was essential for him. I haven't used it for anything.

A rear angle blade came with the other YM186D. The seller told me he used it for snow clearing but without ballast or chains on that little tractor, he said it was more like a boat anchor. I'm pretty sure you need both.

I use this angle blade often for minor grading, ie keeping the lane smooth and in the orchard rearranging rain runoff where I want it to go. I consider it essential.

And as was said above you need any of these to be slightly wider than your rear tires. For the angle blade, its width when angled is the relevant measure. For the YM186D with wheel width of four ft, this 6 ft (measured straight) angle blade feels about right. I think you will find more uses for an angle blade than just snow.

Hope these thoughts helped a little. What do you guys who move a lot of snow find most useful?

 

[careyo63]

Being from the Northeastern US. a Blade would be best for snow removal. You can Angle it and move the snow to the side a pass at a time without having to stop. To were a box blade will get loaded up with snow and ice and your have to stop and remove it. My Box Blade gets used to keep up with my Gravel Rd.. And I used it to keep up with the neighbors gravel Rd. also. My Rd. is 600ft. and the neighbors 1400Ft.. After using my YM2000 on the neighbors with a 4ft. BB with the YM2000 and how nice of a job it did on Rd. of Her 700.000$ estate. A 7Ft. BB was bought for the JD5103. I don't have a FEL. on my 2000 and just use a rear scoop. But of course the 5130 has FEL. with a quick connect bucket. Which the bucket practically stays off knowing how much user friendly it is not to have to deal with it on the front when your mowing. It's 35 acres I'm on 11 which at least half the land on both is mowed weekly. And why I don't have a FEL. on the 2000 because a lot of my land is wooded and it's so much easier to maneuver. I bought my BB. also when I bought the 2000 so this ones over 8yrs. old and what I like about it because of all my trees is it's about the exact size of the rear wheel base of the 2000 so I don't have to worry about when I'm getting close to something and getting caught on it. In the pic you can tell it gets used a lot. And it's just a little wider. The neighbors Rd. Has to look nice this pic.. This is just part of the back yard. LOL. So all in all you actually may need both. You can find them cheap on Craigs list. One will work better for the type of application your doing,

 

[oosik]

I have both a rear blade(96" wide) and a roll over box blade(72" wide). My rear blade will offset, angle & tilt. The ROBB will basically do none of these three things. The offset and angle are used when removing snow from my driveway. I've never used the ROBB to move snow because it will simply load up and not move snow effectively( "roll the snow"). My rear tires are 80" outside to outside and without the offset feature the rear blade would have to be even wider than the 96" to be as effective. I seldom use the rear blade for anything other than snow removal because it only weighs 565 pounds.

For years I tried to maintain the driveway - one mile long & gravel - with a rear blade. It is not an effective implement for this use because of its weight. IMHO for a rear blade to be effective, in my case, it would have to be in the 1300 - 1500 pound category. My current rear blade simply bounces & shimmies around when used in the summer - creating a washboard situation rather than correcting anything. I also have a 400 pound cast concrete weight that can be placed on the rear blade that helps somewhat but it still is not an effective solution.

This is where either the ROBB or land plane grading scraper come into play. The ROBB will move larger amounts of dirt/gravel and the land plane grading scraper(LPGS) will smooth things out. BTW - my LPGS is 84" wide and is a fantastic implement for creating trails and driveway smoothing & repair.

As you will find - there is no such thing as the ultimate implement for all-season driveway maintenance.

In the summer my driveway "sets up" just like concrete because there is just enough volcanic ash and clay mixed in with the gravel. I am envious of those who have gravel driveways that can be maintained in the summer with just a heavy rear blade. But then, life never seems to be quite as fair as we would all like.

 

[Jtullis13]

Thanks for all the information everyone. I have the opportunity to get a new 5ft rear blade that tilts & angles for $150, it's County Line from TSC. A guy bought it and never used it in 2 years, looks excellent. Think I might buy that for my snow removal issue, but hope its wide enough when angled. I only say that because I put those rear wheel spacers on my 2210d which makes it 54 inches wide at the rear now. 6ft rear blades do come up on Craigslist every now & then, but this is a pretty sweet deal at $150. So not sure if I need a 6ft or not, I may hav to measure the distance from the rear tires and the blade when it's angled to see if I need a 6ft'r. As for the box blade I may need one at a later date when I have the need for it with some projects I plan on doing, but that is down the road still. Anyone think the 5ft is to short when it's angled for my 54" rear width or think the 6ft is to big? Also has anyone put weights on their rear blade to help keep the blade down when moving snow? Thanks

 

[silvertramp]

I think that you will be OK with a 5' blade. I run a 6' blade on my 276D. Rear wheels are set at 5'. For $150 I'd give it a shot.

 

[winston1]

I put weights on mine, definitely helps, however no need for snow removal around here.

 

[Todd8665]

Thanks for all the information everyone. I have the opportunity to get a new 5ft rear blade that tilts & angles for $150, it's County Line from TSC. A guy bought it and never used it in 2 years, looks excellent. Think I might buy that for my snow removal issue, but hope its wide enough when angled. I only say that because I put those rear wheel spacers on my 2210d which makes it 54 inches wide at the rear now. 6ft rear blades do come up on Craigslist every now & then, but this is a pretty sweet deal at $150. So not sure if I need a 6ft or not, I may hav to measure the distance from the rear tires and the blade when it's angled to see if I need a 6ft'r. As for the box blade I may need one at a later date when I have the need for it with some projects I plan on doing, but that is down the road still. Anyone think the 5ft is to short when it's angled for my 54" rear width or think the 6ft is to big? Also has anyone put weights on their rear blade to help keep the blade down when moving snow? Thanks

How much snow we talking? How long a drive? Do you plan on pushing back blade(BB) or pulling it?

IMO 5ft is going to be way to short with blade angled, even without spacers. I use a snowblower, the bucket, and a 6' back blade at different times and for different snows.