Split pipe on cutting edge of my MT125 for pushing snow.

[mslisaj]

I was admiring the snow plow that "Smoreau" built and I did not want to hijack his thread, but there I read a suggestion by "bp fick" about putting a piece of pipe on the cutting edge for pushing snow to keep the edge from catching on cracks and raises on a asphalt or concrete driveway. Well I have pushed snow twice with my new MT125 and the cutting edge really caught in the expansion joints in the concrete and the joints in the asphalt. I bought a beautiful set of "Edge Tamers" and they did a great job but they raised the bucket about 5/8" and it leaves that much snow behind to get compacted by the tractor. I read about the pipe idea and "messaged" bp fick and he gave me detailed instructions on how to do this. I used a 5' piece of 1 1/4" black iron pipe. I used my 4" grinder to cut a slit along the entire length of the pipe. I then used chisels to spread and bend the pipe wide enough to pound it on to the cutting edge of my bucket. I think it's going to take a big hammer and pry bar to get this back off in the spring but for now I'm ready for the snow and give it a try. I have pictures of what it looks like on the bucket and I will report back on how this works with some fresh snow.

Thanks again to Mr. "Smoreau" for his plow build and a thank you to Mr. "bp fick" for his idea here of the pipe on the edge. I think this will work great. :thumbsup:

 

[Doofy]

Interesting concept. While you are testing, please try on a gravel driveway also and see what it does.

 

[mslisaj]

Interesting concept. While you are testing, please try on a gravel driveway also and see what it does.

Hi Doofy, the gentleman that coached me through this design - bp fick - says he uses it on his gravel driveway perfectly. I have a neighbor that has a short gravel driveway and I'll try it there too IF we get some snow. But I certainly will report back. As I mentioned that pipe/edge is jammed on there to stay and probably will wear out this season on float if I get a chance to use it. But it is an interesting idea.

 

[Doofy]

Hi Doofy, the gentleman that coached me through this design - bp fick - says he uses it on his gravel driveway perfectly. I have a neighbor that has a short gravel driveway and I'll try it there too IF we get some snow. But I certainly will report back. As I mentioned that pipe/edge is jammed on there to stay and probably will wear out this season on float if I get a chance to use it. But it is an interesting idea.

I normally need to pack down the first couple of snows to keep from plowing up all my gravel. Even with the plow shoes on I still scrape some gravel off the high spots. At least I have a box blade to put that gravel back.

 

[mslisaj]

I normally need to pack down the first couple of snows to keep from plowing up all my gravel. Even with the plow shoes on I still scrape some gravel off the high spots. At least I have a box blade to put that gravel back.

When I had a gravel driveway that worked so well and I could blade it with my lawn tractor and make it smooth and easy to clean too. Now I have asphalt and concrete to deal with and they have their own issues too. I think this pipe edge would worked perfectly on the packed ice surface as it would not dig it up or damage it. Just my thoughts.

 

[Doofy]

When I had a gravel driveway that worked so well and I could blade it with my lawn tractor and make it smooth and easy to clean too. Now I have asphalt and concrete to deal with and they have their own issues too. I think this pipe edge would worked perfectly on the packed ice surface as it would not dig it up or damage it. Just my thoughts.

Out of curiosity, why not galvanized pipe and did you make one slit or two in the pipe?

 

[mslisaj]

Out of curiosity, why not galvanized pipe and did you make one slit or two in the pipe?

Interesting question. My first thought would be that black iron would be cheaper. Cost of this was on my mind as it's a total experiment; if it doesn't work then I have a nice cheater bar. Also another reason would be is I have a paved driveway and the pipe will be wearing away rubbing on the asphalt surface, so there was no advantage to galvanized.
I only put one split in it. If I did it again that would be all that I would do. If you were putting it on a thicker cutting edge you might want to remove more material with a second cut (slit) but for my little bucket this worked perfectly. It wasn't rocket science and I'm anxious to try it. Hope that answers your questions and the finish product looks good on the bucket being black iron.

 

[Doofy]

Interesting question. My first thought would be that black iron would be cheaper. Cost of this was on my mind as it's a total experiment; if it doesn't work then I have a nice cheater bar. Also another reason would be is I have a paved driveway and the pipe will be wearing away rubbing on the asphalt surface, so there was no advantage to galvanized.
I only put one split in it. If I did it again that would be all that I would do. If you were putting it on a thicker cutting edge you might want to remove more material with a second cut (slit) but for my little bucket this worked perfectly. It wasn't rocket science and I'm anxious to try it. Hope that answers your questions and the finish product looks good on the bucket being black iron.

Thank You. Makes perfect sense. Also, galvanized pipe fumes are nasty when welding or cutting and should not be breathed. At any rate, I look forward to your feedback after the trial.

 

[mslisaj]

Thank You. Makes perfect sense. Also, galvanized pipe fumes are nasty when welding or cutting and should not be breathed. At any rate, I look forward to your feedback after the trial.

While I hope it never snows again here in Klamath Falls, they keep promising something in the very near future. I promise to report on how this works. If it works as good as expected it's well worth the <$20 a year if that's what it takes. I promise to post with pictures. The SCUT is sitting in the shop just waiting to go IF necessary.

 

[Doofy]

While I hope it never snows again here in Klamath Falls, they keep promising something in the very near future. I promise to report on how this works. If it works as good as expected it's well worth the <$20 a year if that's what it takes. I promise to post with pictures. The SCUT is sitting in the shop just waiting to go IF necessary.

Spitting snow in Utah at the moment. You may get lucky in the near future. Haha