shoe or not to shoe?

[yooperterry]

Was going to upgrade my snowblower on my 2025 john deere to a front mounted blower. However after being told by my dealer that it was "no big deal" to change between the blower and bucket, I seen that it was quite more than I would want to do in the winter here in the U P of Mich. So after selling my old agrotrend blower, than finding out about the amount of work changing over/back to blower and or bucket I purchased a new J D 54 rear blower. Unlike the old agro, JD has shoes on it. Driveway is gravel, seems the shoes cause more trouble than the agrotrend without shoes! They dig into driveway, sod on edge of driveway. Thinking I might just remove the shoes and use it that way. Agrotrend did not seem to be so damaging?? Any Ideas on this? Yooperterry

 

[5030]

Run shoes on my Lucknow but I fabbed and welded my own brackets on and I use the mushroom shaped shoes from a Meyers plow blade.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

You may need to run an inch or two high until the ground hardens up or you get a layer of hard pack snow.

 

[seville009]

Adjust your top link so the the edge of the blower is either tilted up a bit or flat vs tilting down (which would tend to make it dig in easier)

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Here you go...

Snowblower Skids For Sidewalks and Gravel Drives

 

[Cycledude]

yes until the base is very well frozen it will be pretty difficult to blow snow without picking dirt and gravel. I usually use a rear blade turned backwards so it doesn’t dig in until the base gets well frozen.

 

[johnsayen]

Shoes vs not always a big debate, especially if you don’t have fancy custom fabricated ones. Sorry I’m not much help. I’m also in the UP.

 

[PILOON]

I DIY'd a pair for my blower.
I welded 10" strips of 2.5 X 12" with both ends shaped like ski tips to the bottoms of the flimsy factory skids.
That was some 5 years ago and since then I've reduced my sheer bolt usage to but 1 or 2/ year* while B4 I'd need dozens.
I simply lower my blower and let it float as I blow my way along.

Luck was with me as I had some T1 (hardened cutting edge material) to make my oversized skids from.

*and that is usually from something the city plowed into my entrance.

It is simple easy DIY project for those that weld.

 

[yooperterry]

Thanks all! No time today for fabing or working on adjustments. Storming over here in the E UP! Lots of wind, snow sometimes whiteouts. Then just wind. Lots for a old man to take care of when it stops! I have threatened to leave here cept after 70 years I'm either too dumb, or just smart enough to not sell off the homestead! WOrked outside for over 32 years in all kinds of weather, use to enjoy it lots! Funny, a guy gets a little older and things change!

 

[oosik]

I've used/use three implements to clear snow on my mile long gravel driveway, mailbox area and year.

FEL bucket - tilt the bucket up and it will not dig in.

3-point mounted blower - same as the bucket - tilt the cutting edge up

Rear blade - if the driveway is still soft - reverse the blade. Otherwise - use offset and angled in normal configuration.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Was going to upgrade my snowblower on my 2025 john deere to a front mounted blower. However after being told by my dealer that it was "no big deal" to change between the blower and bucket, I seen that it was quite more than I would want to do in the winter here in the U P of Mich. So after selling my old agrotrend blower, than finding out about the amount of work changing over/back to blower and or bucket I purchased a new J D 54 rear blower. Unlike the old agro, JD has shoes on it. Driveway is gravel, seems the shoes cause more trouble than the agrotrend without shoes! They dig into driveway, sod on edge of driveway. Thinking I might just remove the shoes and use it that way. Agrotrend did not seem to be so damaging?? Any Ideas on this? Yooperterry

Don’t give up on shoes until the ground gets frozen if it freezes in you area. Also if you have a gavel driveway shoes can be adjusted so you don’t pick up the gravel. I have my shoes set low but a lot of times I tether k(keep the blower up by raising the 3pth. Also I put driveway stakes in so I know where the lawn is.

 

[ruffdog]

I have an old blower that has small round shoes that will dig into soft ground. If I were going to use the blower more than I do, I would be getting some of those large aftermarket shoes to bolt on. If I do have to run the blower, I just lift it a bit so it doesn't dig in.

 

[PILOON]

Hey, a while back I posted my cure.

I welded some 12 inch 3/8 X 3 inch 'skids' onto my factory skids.
I bent both ends like ski tips.
My blower no longer tosses stones onto my grass.

 

[yooperterry]

Have not given up on the shoes! Had a pretty good base set up and things were working out better,however last week we had a warm spell here in the U P and wouldn't you know it most of the base melted!!!! Has since tightened up again so will be going at it again. Thanks for all the help!