Trick to plowing snow with FEL ??

[cvcman]

Soooo do you float the bucket level ?? Or tipped up a little ??

 

[square1]

Level. I'm able to see the 1/4" thick plate welded vertically flat against each side of the bucket. When that plate is making an ever so slight impression in the snow the cutting edge is set to skim the ground without digging or floating up. Process is set the bucket, put in float, start forward, make minor adjustments to set cutting edge, finish out the run. Rinse & repeat.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

What size pVC ?? How did you slit it ?? And what holds it on ?? Do you put the bucket in float ?? And do you keep bucket level ??
Thx

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/389435-slit-pipe-way-go-gravel.html?highlight=

above should answer your questions.

I can put down force on the bucket and still pick up very little gravel. Had edge keepers or soemthing similar on my blower got rid of them went to slit pipe. just recently did it to the bucket. should hav done it long time ago.

 

[polemidis]

I used to do it with the bucket, but was so much insufficient. What I did, was to buy a used plow blade (craiglist has them for $200 or less), buy this plate from amazon, weld a few pieces and voila! I have a regular plow. 5x times faster!

 

[jdom84]

the SSQA plates are slightly less straight from the company. Mount Plates - Skid Steer Attachments


I've been wondering about the different ways to do the float for the plows and the affects they have on the tractor. I noticed when using a fixed plow on the front of a loader with it in float, it will causes front of the tractor to lift, then you cant turn. I attribute this with the loaders pivot point being up high and in the center of the tractor. Do the plows that have built in float suffer from the same issue? In my research I have seen some of the SSQA plows have the float pivot point even further back then the SSQA plate.

Pivot further back

Pivot at SSQA plate

Fixed to SSQA plate - Loader float

 

[ovrszd]

I built a "fixed to SSQA plate" plow. I don't like it. I'm cleaning uneven gravel roads and lots. Had to make VERY large shoes before it would work on float. Too much weight having to lift the FEL frame with the plow.

I added 3pt brackets so I can use it on the rear of my Ford. It floats much better there but is a pain to push going backwards.

If building again I'd put the pivot at the SSQA plate and lift with a chain. Then the weight on the plow is minimized. Also minimizing the pitch change as the plow floats along.

 

[sdquick]

You need "Edge Tamers"
Go to: R2 Manufacturing - Home Of The Edge Tamer
$45 ea., you need TWO.

100% go for the Edge Tamers. I moved to a new home with a long gravel lane and no experience. I had no problems using the FEL with the Edge Tamers. I know many can do it with practice but the Edge Tamers made it "no brainer" easy the first time for me.

 

[jdom84]

I built a "fixed to SSQA plate" plow. I don't like it. I'm cleaning uneven gravel roads and lots. Had to make VERY large shoes before it would work on float. Too much weight having to lift the FEL frame with the plow.

I added 3pt brackets so I can use it on the rear of my Ford. It floats much better there but is a pain to push going backwards.

If building again I'd put the pivot at the SSQA plate and lift with a chain. Then the weight on the plow is minimized. Also minimizing the pitch change as the plow floats along.

Plowing in reverse makes my neck hurt! but it works really good on a tractor... I was trying to figure out if building a pivot mount for the front of the tractor to attach a plow to and using the loader and chain to lift it work better then FEL mounted plow. It wouldn't stick out nearly as far either.

most people moving snow with their FEL and bucket are moving a couple inches at a time which seems hardly worth the fuel/effort to me. Anything more than a few inches and they have a dedicated snow removal machine... that's how it is here anyways. I normally don't plow but this year we have gotten more snow then we have ever gotten before, and it just keeps coming!!! I think its time for me to move further west and maybe a bit more south :thumbsup:

 

[LouNY]

the SSQA plates are slightly less straight from the company. Mount Plates - Skid Steer Attachments


I've been wondering about the different ways to do the float for the plows and the affects they have on the tractor. I noticed when using a fixed plow on the front of a loader with it in float, it will causes front of the tractor to lift, then you cant turn. I attribute this with the loaders pivot point being up high and in the center of the tractor. Do the plows that have built in float suffer from the same issue? In my research I have seen some of the SSQA plows have the float pivot point even further back then the SSQA plate.

Pivot further back
View attachment 539660
Pivot at SSQA plate
View attachment 539661
Fixed to SSQA plate - Loader float
View attachment 539662

As far as mounting a blade to the front end loader these 3 pictures just about cover it, and in my opinion the order of the pics is the order of desirability close couple and able to freely float.
The 3rd picture is how my blade is configured and by carrying the loader there is enough pin slop to have limited blade float.
The second pic has nice shoes which would help to protect the loader arms.

 

[ovrszd]

Plowing in reverse makes my neck hurt! but it works really good on a tractor... I was trying to figure out if building a pivot mount for the front of the tractor to attach a plow to and using the loader and chain to lift it work better then FEL mounted plow. It wouldn't stick out nearly as far either.

most people moving snow with their FEL and bucket are moving a couple inches at a time which seems hardly worth the fuel/effort to me. Anything more than a few inches and they have a dedicated snow removal machine... that's how it is here anyways. I normally don't plow but this year we have gotten more snow then we have ever gotten before, and it just keeps coming!!! I think its time for me to move further west and maybe a bit more south :thumbsup:

This Winter's weather has sure been unpredictable. We have had cold temps. We are wayyyyyy behind on moisture. Very dry here. Guessing we've had 10" of snow total. Never had more than 4" at once.

If you don't mind me asking, what part of the State are you in?