Grading Should a back blade have feet?

[SUPERNUG]

I am a newbee using a back blade to move snow. My BX22 doesn't have a float position for my Land Pride 5' back blade. I am moving snow on concrete and gravel. My back blade doesn't have the feet on it that my old Deere front blade did to help keep from digging and catching. So far it is working ok but is it good to just drag the blade on the concrete? Will it hurt the blade or concrete? Should I install some feet on it? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Junkman]

The "feet" are refereed to as "shoes" and you don't need them. If the knob that adjusts the 3 point hitch is turned to the complete open then the 3 point will float. No it won't do any harm to the blade other than to wear the cutting edge a little. It might scratch the concrete, but it will just give it some character...... I wouldn't worry about it.....

 

[Rick Jay]

SUPERNUG,

Which "direction" do you have the blade when plowing? If you're driving forward, try reversing the blade so that the back of the blade (convex curve) is towards the tractor. If you're plowing while driving backwards, have the blade forward (concave curve) facing the tractor.

It might look strange, but it allows the blade to ride over obstructions without digging in. If that doesn't work, then you could look into skid shoes of some type.

~Rick

 

[cpicton1]

SUPERNUG, Land Pride makes skid shoes to fit your blade. The dealer you bought the blade from should be able to order a set for you. They run around $100.00 per pair plus shipping. They are very heavy duty and will fit your blade nicely. To keep from wearing your concrete and steel edge of your blade you would have to set them to where the blade edge is off the surface 1/2" or so. When you do that, it leaves a thin layer of snow on the surface. I have done with my Land Pride 5' rear blade as some others have done with their front push blades. I removed the steel edge and replaced it with a strip of 3/4" thick rubber and a 3"X5' piece of flat steel to hold it on. Works great for moving snow and doesn't leave any damage in your wake.

 

[SUPERNUG]

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. CURRENTLY MOST OF THE SNOW PLOWING IS PULLING THE SNOW GOING FORWARD WITH MY BACK BLADE.

 

[BXMMCC]

Do you use the skid shoes when you use a rubber blade?

 

[cpicton1]

<font color="blue"> Do you use the skid shoes when you use a rubber blade? </font>

No, I don't use the shoes with the rubber blade. The rubber will prevent damage and also clean right down to the bare surface. It also won't dig into gravel drives and even works on grass. Our Miniature Schnauzer thinks I need to keep a nice bare area for him to use when he goes out to do his thing. I don't blame him, short legs and deep snow don't go well together. I used a rubber blade (squeegee) on a push blade that I had on a JD 318 for 13 years and never wore it out. The rubber on the rear blade works the same but will probably wear faster because of the greater amount of weight put on it. If I had known that I would end up using rubber for the rear blade I probably wouldn't have bought the skid shoes. I bought the rear blade & shoes at the same time as the BX2200 and the dealer didn't charge for shipping on the shoes. Cost me $100.00 for the shoe kit. You can buy a lot of rubber for $100.00. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Trev]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My BX22 doesn't have a float position for my Land Pride 5' back blade.)</font>

If the rear 3pt hitch doesn't have "down pressure", but can only lift, like my JD4300, then wouldn't it always be in "float" mode?

As an aside, a guy I work with has an old 8N with rear blade, and his do have feet. He says he just adjusts the angle of the blade to adjust whether the feet actually hit the ground.. don't know if you can picture this?

Best,
Bob

 

[Junkman]

[quote......................
As an aside, a guy I work with has an old 8N with rear blade, and his do have feet. He says he just adjusts the angle of the blade to adjust whether the feet actually hit the ground.. don't know if you can picture this?

Best,
Bob )</font>

Do his feet have shoes or is it barefoot?????? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Trev]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do his feet have shoes or is it barefoot?????? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )</font>

oops.. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif .. meant "shoes". Although they may have once been feet and the toes froze and broke off! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif