Snow blade vs FEL

[whistlepig]

Unfortunately, sometimes a guy has to drive a distance to work and work those kind of hours for the property he owns and the lifestyle he wants...that's the trade off.
As much as I enjoy operating my tractor...and pushing snow, it's work. If I was in Dave's situation, I'd get that plow for my truck. Warmer and quicker then a tractor for snows up to 8" (or thereabouts) and save the tractor for those heavier snows that cannot be plowed by the truck.

Dave, are you doing 12 hours, 5 days a week? Or does your company have a short workweek?

As far as Whistlepig's original post: I have a 150 foot hard packed gravel drive. I also do a neighbor's drive (asphalt) occasionally. I use the FEL almost exclusively. I have a rear blade, but that puts ore gravel on the lawn then the loader bucket. I've a hankering for a loader mounted plow, but just don't have enough drive (or frequencies of snow events) to justify the cost. If I found a deal and I had the money, I might go for one, but the bucket does a pretty nice job.

12 hours 5 days a week. Not year round. Overtime comes in spurts. It was an 8 month spurt this year. It is as you say. I have a good job (a blessing these days) a nice place in the country and the trade off is well worth it to me. The ground wasn't frozen when I plowed my first snow with the FEL this year. Also this is my first year with my super duper studded chains. Before I had the chains the tires would slip before I damaged ground. With the tire chains on it cuts through earth as easily as snow. I got some serious divots to fix when the ground firms.

 

[whistlepig]

I have factory FEL and factory quick-hitch front blade, and have moved snow with both. The FEL is fine for picking it up, moving it, dumping it, coming back, and doing it all over again. The only time I use the FEL now is to build a snow mountain for my kids. Like you, I dont have alot of time during the work week to move snow. The quick-hitch front blade is amazing fast at moving snow, just like a pick-up truck, but you can see alot better. I put the blade down and push at 8 mph. Two passes and a little clean up here and there, I can have the job done in a fraction of time compared to the FEL. Changing out from blade to FEL is not too big of a job. Blade takes about 10 minuts, FEL about 5 minutes. Philip.

Pictures make a difference. You have a nice set up. If I do go to a blade it would be the factory set up. Also the change over times are very helpful. This is all flat farm land here and sometimes the wind drifts the snow so badly changing the blade out for the FEL could become a necessity.

 

[whistlepig]

It all depends on your amount of snowfall per year,weight of tractor and tires type.I had a L3130 with the sub-frame mounted plow(About $2500) and a six foot rear blade.My current set-up is a eight foot Curtis Fel mounted and a seven foot Bush-hog rear blade...but my tracor weights 6500 lbs.
I have run a B7800,fairly lite weight.....but with your snowfall a heavy rear blade and FEL should work.Sub-frame mounted is nice but you loose the FEL.
My tractors had R1 tires,you may have to chain if you have Turfs or R4's.
I would try a quailty (heavy) rear blade first.

You are right about the B7800 being light. I added studded chains and a ballast box this year. I wouldn't even be considering a blade with out the chains and ballast box. This has given my B7800 enough oomph now that I feel that it can handle a blade. I can handle $2500.00.

 

[Popster]

Over 6" -especially if wet, and on my gravel lane, the rear blade -run reversed, seems more effective and less destructive.

When you say run reversed, do you mean going in reverse with the tractor, or going forward with the blade reversed?

Thanks.

 

[longshot47]

When you say run reversed, do you mean going in reverse with the tractor, or going forward with the blade reversed?

Thanks.

Have done both, but in my situation I often get best results while driving in reverse, with the blade reversed -convex into the snow.
An after-market utility light mounted in the rear and a coupla suitcase weights bungeed to the three point serve well.

 

[nhkabotab7800]

here is my set up works much better now that i have skid plates mounted, and tire chains!

 

[Behrend II]

Looks like a nice spot you have there!

-Tom

 

[Behrend II]

here is my set up works much better now that i have skid plates mounted, and tire chains!

What do you mean by skid plates?

-Tom

 

[RoyJackson]

What do you mean by skid plates?

-Tom

I'll wager he meant skid shoes (on his rear blade).

nhkabotab7800, nice looking set up!!

 

[IKE76]

nhkabotab7800: Did you haave to get spacers for your wheels in order to get the chains on?

 

[sixgun]

I have the factory blade setup on my 2710 and just went through my first storm with it, and it worked great. I was worried about the front end being pushed around but it didn't happen. I wish the blade was wider than 60"!

 

[jeepfreak1972]

gdh, 60 inch or 72 inch plow?

This is my first winter with a front hydraulic angled snow plow mounted via a factory subframe to a B3030. It works awesome. I find myself wishing I had a longer driveway than the 80 yards that it is. Because I can angle the plow I am able to push more snow that I thought possible. When the side wind-rows get too big, it is FEL or snow blower time. I recommend it!

 

[gdh]

gdh, 60 inch or 72 inch plow?

My plow is 72"

 

[jeepfreak1972]

Thanks for the reply. What tires do you run? Are they loaded? Chains? I'm happy to hear you like the plow.

 

[gdh]

I have R4s, and a ballast box full of concrete. Tires are not loaded and no chains. Slippage really doesn't seem to be a problem while using the plow in "float" mode. This allows for the front tires to maintain good traction. The weight of the plow is sufficient to cleanly scrape the driveway.
gh

 

[jeepfreak1972]

Good to hear. Thank you for the reply. I think a 72 inch plow is in my future.

 

[AJL]

JeepFreak

I just picked up a used 60" inch front mount for my 3030. Love it, but wish it was the 72 inch. I have turfs and in any kind of corner the rear tires run well in to the bank on the inside making it hard to do a nice clean job. Other than that it's awesome.

 

[jeepfreak1972]

Thanks for your reply as well. My mind is made up. Getting the 72 incher when the tax money comes in.

 

[donn12]

The width of the plow also depends on the surface. Now that mine is set up right it will lift up the front and push the tractor slightly to the side on asphalt. If you are plowing over gravel you would not lift the front up and not have that problem. I personally would not want a 72 but I have a B2920 and my driveway is 1200 ft of asphalt and about 9 ft wide.

 

[Gizmo2]

The width of the plow also depends on the surface. Now that mine is set up right it will lift up the front and push the tractor slightly to the side on asphalt. If you are plowing over gravel you would not lift the front up and not have that problem. I personally would not want a 72 but I have a B2920 and my driveway is 1200 ft of asphalt and about 9 ft wide.

Went to a 72 hydraulic angle this year and I am happy as a clam. Wonderful setup I have if I say so myself. Main driveway is asphalt other two are crusher run and the barn area is grass and dirt.
<<Old blade was a 66 inch manual angle.