Snow Attachments WORKSAVER VS HLA Snow plows

[Kennebago]

I have a Kubota L5030HSTC and am debating between two snowplows: a 90" Worksaver with hydraulic angle and a 96" HLA with hydraulic angle. Both are used. The worksaver is about 4 years old and the HLA about 10 years old. I would appreciate any comments on how they compare and which you would choose and why.
Thanks

 

[varmint]

FWIW, I have a HLA 78" plow, the basic model, but with the hydraulic angle, and it seems like it is made well by people who know plows. I am learning that chain suspended plows are good, so you are working with only the weight of the plow digging, and I can't see anyway to convert mine. It works, but floating on gravel isn't an option with my "small" L3400.

 

[Kennebago]

Thanks for your input. I have a gravel drive but I am hoping the shoes on the plow will be a big help in preventing digging out too much of the gravel. Plus, I now live in Maine and the driveway is getting well frozen. Late spring snows may be more of an issue. I don't know much and cant find out much about the "Worksaver" plows so unless I get some really positive inputs I will probably go with the HLA.

 

[Scooby074]

Dont know much about the worksaver brand, but I know that the HLA plows are a quality unit. Probably the most common tractor plow in my area by far (larger tractors).

 

[Coyote machine]

I have a HLA plow and it's great! It does everything I've ever asked of it, and I don't baby it at all. Used it since new 3-4 years now- can't recall which.
See my signature for size of my plow blade: 7'/84".
I try to allow a frozen base before plowing, which isn't always possible, but it is right now.

The blade doesn't need to be hung from chains like truck plows, as long as the loader is strong enough to carry the plow without problem. The weight of the blade helps with plowing heavier snow, and the HLA design, with crossover valve, reduces shock to the FEL. Their plows are designed to be used on tractor FELs.

 

[joe04785]

I have a worksaver snowpusher that I just purchased this past fall and I love it. I know that your looking at the worksaver snowplow and if its built anything like the snowpusher, you wont be disappointed.

 

[Kennebago]

Thanks for the inputs. Sounds like either could work, but I am leaning to the HLA. Everyplace I look all I see is positive comments and I definitely like the idea of getting the blade back closer to the QA plate on the loader.
Thanks, you guys are great!

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks for the inputs. Sounds like either could work, but I am leaning to the HLA. Everyplace I look all I see is positive comments and I definitely like the idea of getting the blade back closer to the QA plate on the loader.
Thanks, you guys are great!

Yes, the closer the less strain on the loader. My plow setup is virtually unstoppable. With my Aquiline MPC rear chains and loaded tires I can climb Everest. Pics to follow. :laughing:

 

[FatTire]

I have a 96" v-plow on an MX5100 with R4's I imagine the widths of our tractors are pretty close. Even with the 8 foot plow, on a tight bend with the blade angled to max, 8 foot width is barely enough. Obviously 3 inches per side isn't a huge deal, but if you were looking for something to tilt your decision one way or the other, maybe go with the wider plow.

 

[varmint]

Might not be an issue, but consider that the wider the plow, the more it will push around a tractor when angled. The L5030 isn't that heavy a tractor, at 2 tons, but with wide wheel spacing, you should be okay with an 8' blade (I think- check it out?) Paul Short has a similar sized Kubota with a trick front snow plow: his videos, and posts here as 4shorts, if still available, are interesting.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been dealling with Horst since the days you could walk in there and get them to build you something. Now they refer you to a dealer. But I still buy from their stuff. They were heavy built if not a bit crude at times. I think that may have improved somewhat. Tha last bad thing I heard about Horst (HLA) snow equipment was from a displeased customer saying the paint job was of very poor quality. Came off after the fist use.

 

[Avondale]

I just got my HLA, it is well built and no problems so far other than learning how to use it correctly. The angle of the blade to ground (curl) is very important to avoid digging in. Also, the relief valve works but once it relieves, you must manually return to your previous angle, it will not automaticly return. As mentioned, works better on frozen ground, tends to dig into loose gravel/grass on some farm lanes. I added a third skid, at the rear in center to allow it to sit flat.

 

[LD1]

Not familiar with either, and being that they are used plows, even searching their current models may be different.

But I would let the choice come down to brand. Look at each plow. If one of them is a floating plow (by chain or other method) that is a huge plus. Look at other build features and qualities. Dee if something stands out as being superior to the other. Buy the one that is better assuming price is similar.

 

[Kennebago]

Once again -- thanks. Got the plow today. Went with the HLA. As you have all said it sure is a rugged piece of gear. I will spend some time tomorrow going over it and looking for any issues I missed. Very well built, great shape - my only concern is that it has fixed shoes. I would much rather have adjustable but it looks like if i fire up the torch and the welder I could change these out. But as soon as we get some new snow I will try it out and see if there are problems with the fixed shoes. They appear to set the blade about 3/8" above the bottom of the shoe. So I am not too concerned.
Thanks again - I will let you know how I like it -

 

[varmint]

Interesting! I didn't realize that they had made plows with fixed skid shoes! Like to see a photo... All the HLA plows I have seen (catalog + in person) have stacked spacer shoes.

 

[devildog1]

Here is link for HLA Snow Blades, they do not make one without adjustable shoes/skids. Maybe you bought an older model or clone? Just saying, my 2000 has adjustable skids/shoes and my friends 1000 also has them. Picture please? HLA Snow | 2000 SnowBlade
DevilDog

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

HLA plows are a lot more HD than the worksaver stuff, as others have said there only real fault is the paint job. It seems as though they don't do a great job prepping the bare metal before painting. Given the choice between the two I'd pick the HLA all day long and twice on Sunday.

Matt

 

[Deerherd]

I purchased a HLA 2000 new 4 years ago that had set on the dealers lot and the paint job was bad. I had it painted to match my Kioti and it worked great. I then purchased a new HLA 3000 and have had it for two years and the paint job on this one is holding up much better, it still looks good. Both have similar type adjustable skid shoes.

 

[Avondale]

..and mine has barely been used this winter. Like buying very expensive snow insurance, currently raining and +8c. I wonder if I can convert it to a squeegie?

 

[Kennebago]

Hello Again - I see some questions here on the shoes for the blade. Tomorrow I will grab a few pics. The Snowblade has all the characteristics of an HLA and was sold to me as a Horst Welding snow blade. My assumption was that Horst and HLA were one and the same, but I am only making an assumption on that. I will check this out tomorrow and post photos. Anybody know if and where there would be a model / serial number tag?