Back blade for ice removal

[mtnplower]

I have a L5740 that I run a front blower on.

We get lots of ice built up on our Asphalt driveway thats 4+ inches deep.


Would a back blade be an effective way to clear the ice off the driveway ?

 

[ken erickson]

I also have a black top drive , run a blower up front and back blade. My B7100 is lighter and less HP than I would guess yours is? The ONLY time that I can clear ice from the blacktop is in the spring when it starts thawing underneath and looses its grip on the asphalt surface. The back blade does very well in not letting ice build up in the first place but of course at times it does happen.

 

[jimh406]

It can scrape ice, but it will take a long time to go through 4 inches. It's similar to use an ice scraper on a windshield. I suggest it will be really slow going. You'll also need chains to get traction. Frankly, I think making the ice smoother will make traction worse.

 

[je1279]

The main problem is the three point hitch does not apply downward pressure to assist with scraping so you are relying solely opon the weight of the blade. I ended up purchasing a spreader to deal with the ice buildup on my driveway.

 

[mcfarmall]

Short answer...no.

 

[Daferris]

Just a suggestion after you use the snowblower. Go over the driveway with the back blade to get the last bit of snow off. I only use a back blade for mine but rarely do I get more than 8-10" at a time. Once yo have some of the blacktop uncovered. The sun will take care of the rest ( if it's in a area that gets sunshine).

 

[skeets]

A box blade with the rippers down will, but then it will muck up your drive way,,, a back blade not so much. If you load it up with a lot of weight it might cut through,, but I doubt it

 

[nbryan]

I have a L5740 that I run a front blower on.

We get lots of ice built up on our Asphalt driveway thats 4+ inches deep.


Would a back blade be an effective way to clear the ice off the driveway ?

My thickly iced up parking area got the boxblade treatment with the scarifiers lowered. Went across it once or twice in different directions to create some roughed up creases which greatly enhanced footing traction and eventually sped up breakup of the ice sheet in the sun. Gravel parking area.

 

[jyoutz]

If you spread a de-icer such as granulated fertilizer to start melting ice first, then you can scrape it off with a back blade. But all de-icing products are corrosive, so be sure to wash your equipment afterwards.

 

[leveraddict]

If you use the blade before it turns to ice it will take it down to the pavement. A snowblower and back blade combination is hard to beat. Our last storm was not snowblower snow thats for sure!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Kinda curious as to HOW you get 4" of ice buildup ?
I use a front mounted snowblower and it'll remove 99.44% of all the snow, the rest Mr. Sun takes away.
The 'skids' are set to 1/4" below the cutting edge as I only have pavement to deal with now.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The main problem is the three point hitch does not apply downward pressure to assist with scraping so you are relying solely opon the weight of the blade. I ended up purchasing a spreader to deal with the ice buildup on my driveway.

My experience is a back blade is totally worthless on ice buildups.

My solution is the loader bucket with down pressure helped along if needed with a little ice melt to loosen the grip.

My backuo solution is a liberal dusting of sand.

My overall strategy is to prevent it forming to begin with. At 4" thick I would be in front of the fire waiting for help from Ma Nature.


Dan

 

[je1279]

I tried convincing my wife that we needed one of these to deal with ice buildup on the driveway but unfortunately, she wasn't on board...