Rear Blade Rear vrs. front blades

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm new to this, just moving up from a GT235 with front blade to a JD 4300 mfwd. I'm planning on a front blade, but I'm not clear on the advantages of a rear blade. Is it simply a matter of being able to keep it on while using a FEL? In short, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[beenthere]

I don't like looking back while pushing a rear blade, or driving over snow to pull a rear blade. I put this Western plow on my 4300 and it works GREAT! Not as cheap, but many times better. It quickly detaches if I want or need to put on the FEL. Pic shows the plow and the quicktach that I designed and had fabricated. The quicktach stays with the plow, hooks onto the MMM plates, pivoting up to take two bolts through the weight bracket on the front. So other than the hose connections, it is just two bolts to deal with.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That looks great! It looks a bit bigger than the 12" high one Deere sells?

Thanks....
Bob

 

[JJT]

Bob, I don't know if you live in snow country, but where
I live I need a blower. We often get 12" - 18" snow storms, with the blower you don't have to plow every 6" and no snow banks. My 78" blower cost less than my previous Meyers truck mounted plow.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I live near Rochester, NY.. in an area where we get some lake effect snow. Pushing it with a garden tractor last year worked okay, but I also have a backup 2-stage blower (JD724) just in case. I like the idea of the blade because I can use it year round.

Perhaps I worded my question poorly.. what jobs do a rear blade do better than a front blade?

Regards,
Bob

 

[Von]

Hi Bob,
I'm in Fairport, NY so I can tell you what has worked for me. In the past I have used an 8 ft. rear blade to clear my driveway and an almost full size ice rink. This year when I got my new to me tractor it came with a 5ft. rear snow blower, but as you know I haven't had a chance to try the snow blower yet! I have used the rear blade for lots of grading jobs and it makes one hell of a counter-weight for the FEL. Here is photo of the beast! It is an old one but I couldn't bend it if I tried. I plow the snow going backwards, and pull it to do the grading.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks, Von..

That looks like a solid blade alright!

Don't you have a sore neck after plowing an entire skating rink going backwards??

Bob

 

[Von]

Bob,
It goes pretty fast with such a wide blade and I don't have to look back that much, as I sit sideways in the seat as much as I can.

 

[MikePA]

The seat on some tractors, like my NH TC25D, swivel to make things a bit easier on the neck.

 

[winchman]

I have experience plowing with front and rear mounted blades. Both will get the job done, but if there is an option the front blade is the way to go. No stiff necks, less crashing into something, and then you can add a heavy implement to the 3pt for extra weight. More weight=more push. The backblade is of course the cheaper method. Just my 2cents.