Walk Behind Rome Plow

[old-buck]

Has anyone ever tried to modify a Gravely walk behind snow plow blade to function like a 'Rome Plow'. I'm wondering, if a Rome Plow type edged cutting blade were attached to the lower edge of the snow blade, whether it could be used for light trail clearing work in the woods? You would have to pick the trail location to miss heavy brush and trees.

 

[old-buck]

Rome Plows were used in Vietnam to clear jungle. The attached photos give an idea how they were used. The edges were sharpened each day. My question is has anyone ever tried to scale one down for light clearing with a walk behind Gravely.

 

[Tony_S]

The way I see it, "no modification required!" :laughing:
Of course, you could hone a bit more edge on the wear strip to get more "slice". The limiting factor will be traction ,obviously.
Try it as is. Maybe it will do what you need.
ymmv

 

[old-buck]

Although I'm looking for a snow blade right now I don't have one yet. I have a Professional 12HP Gravely with lots of power but as you say the traction is the key. Your comments suggest that the blade may work as is so I'm encouraged to go ahead and get a blade and try it.

 

[FlaDon]

Set the blade on an angle and you should be good to go. Steering brakes would make it easier to control.

 

[old-buck]

Thanks for the replys. I'll give it a try after a round up a blade.

 

[romeplowboy]

As an ex Rome plow salesman I think modification would be required
For what it's worth, I have few suggestions.

Relocate the angle of attack of the cutting edge to near 30 degrees, add a horizontal cutting edge of T1 steel ( 1.5 to 3 inches wide should do it) and sharpen it to a knife edge at least as sharp as sharp axe. A heavy vertical stinger should be on the leading end or the blade with a curved web of sharpened T1 plate welded between the cutting edge and stinger.

The Rome K/G blade is a classic piece of engineering and the closer you copy it the better your chances of pulling off your idea.

Add a push bar along the top of the blade positioned slightly forward or the moldboard to throw debris to the side. You may need to and increase horse power and weight of the tractor to approximate the D7 tractive effort scaled down for the relative width of cut. Then put a cage over the operator that can withstand the weight of the biggest thing you want to shear. Better yet get someone else to operate it.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[old-buck]

Thanks for the fascinating reply Romeplowboy. Given that I'm not going to approach the tractive force of a D7, do you think that it is a worthwhile feasible upgrade for a 2 wheeled 12HP tractor intended to clear trails with up to 2"D saplings. I can use loaded AG tires, counter weights and even add chains but there is still a practical limit to the traction available. I think the 12 HP Kohler engine can provide all the power I need up to the point the wheels slip.

On a real Rome Plow did the horizontal cutting blade just cut brush or did it also cut small trees. In other words, approximately what size tree/sapling dictated switching between using the cutting edge and the stinger? Although I'm a Vietnam vet I never did actually see one in operation. They sure did do a job clearing jungle though.