I guess that the blade isn't going to work very well. Your tractor doesn't have enough weight and pushing power to move heavy snow. I remember a few years ago when I tried to blade through the snow with my BX23S with a blade on the front. It didn't work out very well when the snow stopped the tractor and the tractor went off the edge of the driveway. I put the snowblower on and blew the snow into the field. Once I had the heavy snow gone, I could use the plow to clean the pavement. My tractor has Rim Guard in the rear tires and over 600# in the weight box in the rear of the tractor with turf tires. This year I am going to try R4 tires to see if they work better in the heavy wet snow that we traditionally get.
Loader bucket or snow pusher
- Thread starter Chadwiseman
- Start date
The best thing about trial and error is you find out what works best for you!
This will be more trial and error. The 3 point with the 6 foot blade has been working great. Had the bucket on to scrape away from garage and push snow beyond the edge. This should work on 5 inches or less. If I get bogged down, lift the front blade a few inches to move the majority of the snow and let the rear blade do the rest. Nice thing about the front blade is I can change the pitch with the loader. If we do get real heavy snow, the bucket will go back on. Winter is anyone’s guess. Everyone states different amount of snow. If it doesn't work out, can use it to level off gravel instead of using the bucket and scratching the crap out of the bottom.
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ajschnitzelbank
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L4701, BH92, Frost Bite grapple, Logosol M8 mill, Stihl MS661
I agree: using the bucket for snow in my opinion is much like driving a nail with a crowbar. Works fine, but when you switch to a hammer/snowpusher it’s WAY better!
I prefer a snow pusher to the bucket because it’s easier and much faster to not have to constantly readjust the curl angle of the bucket to be just right so as to scoop up the snow without peeling up the gravel or grass. I have one on my L series, but also liked my first one I had on a B series.
I prefer a snow pusher to the bucket because it’s easier and much faster to not have to constantly readjust the curl angle of the bucket to be just right so as to scoop up the snow without peeling up the gravel or grass. I have one on my L series, but also liked my first one I had on a B series.
Thanks.. I have a fully paved driveway. I'm assuming the regret was with regard to having to use it on the gravel/dirt driveway?
Yes. Have not a a solid brutal cold winter since getting it so my driveway hasn't frozen solid. Trying to have wider shoes made for it. For paved surface, this things are great though.
Helps with the weight plus I can actually see the blade so I don't ram into something.
ajschnitzelbank
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L4701, BH92, Frost Bite grapple, Logosol M8 mill, Stihl MS661
Doesn’t everything suck when the gravel isn’t frozen? I mean, if the ground ia above freezing and the snow is like glue, my snowpusher can be kinda annoying. But so it the bucket, or an angled blade. Maybe snowblower is better I don’t know.
Not sure how others do it, to each their own I guess, but I never rush clearing gravel driveways, etc until an inch or two of compact base has been built up. A nice solid base seems to make plowing, blowing, or pushing much better, and the chances of piling, throwing or digging the gravel much less. A paved drive is nice to get it down to the black, I find it certainly isn't necessary to see the gravel over winter. YMMV.
I do let the first couple inches freeze and compacted. But need the temp to stay under 20 or less to keep it froze. Am hoping for a colder winter so I can actually try my pusher again.
I turn my rear blade backwards, then adjust the pitch. Works fairly well. With the front blade on the loader, should be able to adjust the pitch to work as good as the rear blade. I used to use a walk behind snow blower on my driveway. Sucked watching gravel come out the shoot. After a few years doing that, came to the conclusion to get my 1880. No regrets!
I think it depends on how long of a path you are clearing and how wide. If it's short path/driveway, it won't make much difference and if it's long and narrow, I'd prefer an angle blade.
I always angle my rear blade to 45 degrees. Works well. Will do the same on my front one when snow hits the ground. I deal with long driveways.
Chad.... When I lived in northern BC, I had a used, very nice, 50" 3pt snowblower and a Piranha tooth bar on my bucket.. I used the tooth bar to keep ware off the bucket edge on our long gravel drive.. There will be a significant learning curve to using the tooth bar regardless of the surface you have, but this combo worked well.. I did all this with loaded turf tires and 2 link V bar ladder chains..
Again, this combo worked well on a compact tractor horse power and weight.. It took some time to do the job, but I didn't need ...one pass and done... kind of results..
The bucket teeth worked well for making grooves in packed snow and ice..
What part of the north are you in ??
Good luck..
Again, this combo worked well on a compact tractor horse power and weight.. It took some time to do the job, but I didn't need ...one pass and done... kind of results..
The bucket teeth worked well for making grooves in packed snow and ice..
What part of the north are you in ??
Good luck..
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
I turn my rear blade around 180 degrees and then float it on the road bed and drive forward. It will skim over the road and move snow, but won’t move your gravel.
Have been doing this last couple years. I adjust the pitch so the blade can contact the ground. Works great. Just received my front blade and plan on doing the same thing with it.