Snow plow wheels vs skids

[oldnslo]

Looking at putting some form of depth limiting device on my plow and am looking into the pros and cons of shoes/skids vs. caster wheels.

My initial thoughts are:
Cons:
Shoes/skids:
wear along with cutting edge so the yboth may require replacing around the same time.
Would they have a tendancy to push gravel if it is not froze? probably depends on the design.

Wheels:
Would they have a tendancy to follow the contours of the ground and potentially exagerate any blade chatter?

Would they have a tendancy to wobble of shake from uneven ground. Figure travel speed around 5 MPH with the BX.

Should have sealed pivot bearings which increases the cost.

any other thoughts.

TIA

Roy

 

[ihuntbear]

i always use shoes.Never replaced cutting edge yet.Six years,still in g:thumbsupod shape

 

[Dirt Farmer]

I have similar experience with shoes. I have also been plowing my driveway for 6 years without any appreciable wear on the shoes or cutting edge. My driveway is dirt/gravel. I usually let the driveway build a little base and harden with the first couple storms. I do not experience any carving up of the driveway using the shoes with this approach.

 

[beenthere]

And I never use shoes on the plow (7' Western). Been plowing with this plow for 12 years, and have about 1/4 mile of drive and roadway, plus three good size turnarounds.

Before topping my drive 8 yrs ago, it was gravel and also didn't use any devices. Just as mentioned, let it freeze in before plowing snow off the gravel.

And just recently there was a good thread on adding wheels to blades and to snowblower. Might find some good info there.

 

[oldnslo]

Problem where I live it is not uncommon to have snow wth out the ground being froze or it goes through freeze thaw cycles where the top inch or so unthaws and then we get snow. Older lighter smaller plow this wasn't much of an issue. The bigger heavier plow now wants to push dirt and snow.

looks like shoes/skids in the most common so will see if I can scrounge some materials since the cheapest thing on a Kubota is the operator.

thanks again

Roy

 

[beenthere]

OK
But if the ground isn't frozen, then plowing just makes tire ruts with the tractor wheels in the mud in addition to the plow wheels or skid tracks in the mud.

 

[Argosy]

Spin the blade around and back blade your drive. Because of the shape it will ride up instead of digging in but still clear the snow.

Keeping you top link short will also lessen the amount it digs into the gravel.

 

[lhfarm]

Here in central Indiana, our weather swings so much that ground rarely stays frozen. I have a new to me snow plow and the skids are useless on gravel that isn't rock hard. Looks as though I'll be changing to wheels.

 

[Chilly807]

I added some cupped shoes to mine this year. It still drags a little bit of gravel until the ground freezes, then it works fine. Much less damage than using the plow without shoes.
Flat shoes would be worse. There's a thread here on the process, a search will get you there.

Sean

 

[oldnslo]

Here in central Indiana, our weather swings so much that ground rarely stays frozen. I have a new to me snow plow and the skids are useless on gravel that isn't rock hard. Looks as though I'll be changing to wheels.

IH, your weather is a little worse than ours here in Northern, IL but we still have the swings.

I am considering using old curved disc blades. They are rounded so no matter if the blade is turned or straight they should float the same. Just have to track down some from one of my still farming friends. Ahh to have the old junk pile again.

Argosy: I should have stated this is a front mount plow so no option for spinning the blade.