I had built a mid-mount 42" grader blade for my Wheel Horse lawn tractor a few years ago. It worked very well for what it was but had very little use since I got my B7100... even less after I build the boxblade! I'd tried moving snow one winter with it but found it to be more fun than actually effective. 3-4" of unpacked snow would plow OK. I'd push snow until the front wheels were getting lifted off the ground, then try to turn (?) off to the side of the driveway. Backing up meant having to get the front wheels back up and over the pile I'd just moved. I didn't have enough height under the lawn tractor to lift the blade off the ground more than about 2" which meant I couldn't really stop plowing . It made getting unstuck a real challenge, but that kept me warm while "playing" outside.
So fast forward a couple years to yesterday. It snowed 4-5" bringing back to the forefront of my brain that I should get around to building a proper plow. I've been (or should have been) keeping my eye out for a scrap waterheater tank to cut in half for the curved blade, but haven't got it yet so was thinking of a plywood or 2x10 quickie across the FEL bucket. Anyway, I got to looking at the grader tucked away in the shop... hmmm, looked close... so hauled it out, cranked the engine on the 'Bota to lift the bucket and shoved the blade and frame under the tractor... Couldn't believe it - it's a perfect fit. The blade tucks in between the loader bucket and the front wheels. I could lift it with a chain off the loader, plow snow with the blade, then lift the blade and hook it to the front tractor frame to keep it held up, freeing up the loader to use to pile snow without having to remove the blade. I'd just need to fab and weld on some simple mounting tabs to the loader subframe, add a chain attach point on the loader arms crossmember and a shackle hole to the top of the blade and I'm ready to go... but it was time to leave for Thanksgiving dinner at the in-laws.
It warmed up and rained all night and now the snow is gone. Now that I think more about it, a larger (taller, wider) blade with more curve to "curl" the snow is really the right thing, and that's not going to fit between the front wheels and the loader. I may still mount up the grader since it's so close and give it a try. The blade frame "telescopes" (tube in tube) to be able to set an angle and (hopefully) push to the side, although when angled it'll probably crash with the loader arm when the bucket is fully curled.
(The hinged sarifier toothbar is removable)
Dusty
