[AT] Front quick attach snow blade

[Herb Metz]

Looks like a nice set of equipment and just the right size for your needs.
>From just one photo one can not predict the feasibility of reducing the 
"mechanical disadvantage" of the front wheels being pushed sideways by 
attaching the blade directly to the endloader (by removing the bucket) 
instead of attaching the blade to the bucket. It appears as though that 
would shorten this lever arm by approx one foot.   Such project would be a 
problem for me beause I have very limited experience with a cutting torch.
Herb


-----Original Message----- 
From: Stephen Offiler
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 10:33 AM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group  Subject: Re: [AT] Front quick 
attach snow blade

Almost forgot I had this picture.  Here is my tractor last winter.

SO

On Wed, Oct 7, 2015 at 10:31 AM, Stephen Offiler <soffiler at gmail.com> wrote:

> I agree with Jason's comments.
>
> I have a Worksaver clamp-on snow plow.  I was forced to the clamp-on style
> because my work tractor does not have the quick-attach loader bucket.
> Picture (not my tractor) attached.
>
> The plow ends up far ahead of the front wheels, which can be a problem if
> you are trying to push snow with the blade angled.  That distance from the
> front wheels is like a cheater bar; in other words, it is mechanical
> advantage to push the front wheels sideways.  This season, I am putting
> chains on the fronts (already have chains for the rears).
>
> Also, echoing Jason, the FEL arms aren't really designed for side-loads.
>
> In addition, my loader cutting edge is somewhat worn and thinned, and that
> slotted arrangement where the plow mounts to the loader puts a lot of
> stress on the cutting edge.   Mine cracked, in fact.
>
> Final comment, the heavy winter of '14-'15 in the Northeast (we set a
> bunch of records) was too much for my work tractor, which is a 23HP 
> Ford/NH
> 1520 HST.  I found I did not have enough HP to get the speed I needed to
> actually throw the snow off the angled blade and get it out of the way. 
> As
> winter progressed, high snowbanks formed, and I was forced to remove the
> clamp-on blade so I could use the loader to move those banks back.  It was
> very time-consuming with my 1100' of driveway.  But, then, if I had a
> higher HP tractor and more speed to throw the snow, along with that comes
> higher side-forces on those loader arms.
>
> SO
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 10:06 PM, Jason DeJoode <dejoodster at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Yes they work but care must be used. They extend several feet beyond the
>> end of the loader and when angled can but a lot of side stress on the 
>> boom
>> of the loader, for which it's not really designed for.  That said, with
>> careful use you should be fine.
>>
>> Figure out with style of quick disconnect you have and find a blade to
>> match.  Hydraulic angle is really handy.
>>
>> On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 8:49 PM, Mike <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Does anyone have any experience with quick attach snow plows for their
>> > compact utility tractors? My new tractor has the quick attach bucket,
>> > that means with the throw of 2 levers it comes right off. I would like
>> > to have a front mounted snow plow for this winter, and was wondering if
>> > anyone had any experience with these, brands, styles etc.  I've done
>> > some looking on the internet and come across some skid steer blades, 
>> > but
>> > I'm not sure if these are compatible with my tractor.  Any help would 
>> > be
>> > appreciated, I have about 1000 feet of driveway and barn area to keep
>> > clear.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > Mike M
>> >