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Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear?

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Mark Hendershot

01-07-2002 11:35:39

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There is a lot of talk now that the snow is here! Which type of snow blade is the best for drive ways "long ones" and which do you use. Is the front blade better than the rear blade? If you have had both which did you like the best and why. I use a rear 8ft. blade and find it works OK but people say you should get a front blade you'll love it and I have never used one in snow and wonderd which was best. It's a lot of money to set up a front mounted blade to find out the rear type was just as good. Can you push as much snow as you can pull? Weighted Tires with Chains on. Mark H.

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01-09-2002 06:52:03

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I live in the Tug Hill snow belt of NY state and I move all my snow with a back blade. The only time I really do much backing is when I pile snow. The looking over my shoulder is no differet than when I run a sycle bar mower or bale hay. I moved 40" of new snow the weekend after christmas.

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Mark Hendershot

01-09-2002 00:15:10

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

Thanks for all the post on the subject. By reading them all with my type of snow I should spend the money for a front end loader for the deep stuff and save my neck since deep snow is hard to deal with with a rear blade. Keep the rear blade for clean up and light normal snow falls and be able to move piles around with the front end loader. Sorry I got testee tonight, and I do listen to what is being said and weight the opinions the best I can. Thanks, Mark H.

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Harold Hubbard

01-08-2002 17:57:01

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

In my opinion , the first thing you should do if you're going to use a rear blade, is to find a good orthopedic surgeon and get a ball bearing implanted in your neck. If you don't have to plow very often, and not much snow at a time they will work, but for regular use with heavy snow you will suffer. Yes they will pull snow out of tight places better, but you should have thought of that before you built the stone walls each side of the garage door, and planted the roses right where you have to turn around. The other real drawback is the lack of springs or other protection from obstacles. I have repaired several back blades that had been damaged by snowplowing, but never one that was damaged by grading, ditching, or backfilling. The difference is that plowing snow you are moving a lot faster, and the obsacles are usually frozen in, not to mention hidden, in dirt work you usually go slower, the tractor is already well loaded, and when you hit something it spins or stalls, or can be stopped before the damage is done.

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Mark Hendershot

01-08-2002 20:38:51

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Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Harold Hubbard, 01-08-2002 17:57:01

Harold; First I don't have any rose bushes except for the ones that grow wild and I dig them up, as far as stone walls I only have bolders that were droped during the last Ice Age or ones that got dug up. But I do have fences to keep the dogs in the open range cows out and mine in. I am aware of back blading and will only push piles that way do to the design of a tractors lift assembly and hydralic spring control for presser releaf due to over loading when pulling. I find I only haft to look back when I drop the blade and I watch the front tire when plowing snow unless something goes wrong then I look back. I plow in 1st or 2nd at haft throtle in low range no need to go fast you can break things that way. I only asked a opinion of the two types of blades for plowing snow. Did not know I was going told I should not have planted roses or built stone walls, I understand that it would be nice if we all did not need to plow snow near where we park or up to a fence or building but I haft to walk to these places also and it is nice when the snow is removed from that area too. I guess I could start plowing from in front of my truck to the road and just back in and not be able to turn around at the building or back up to a door to unload things and this is how some people do it around here. They park on the road and take a snow mobil to there house with a sled but I like mine parked near the house. I prepare my areas befor winter and do not leave stuff sticking up where I intend to plow or snow blow like rocks over a certen size that will break my shear pins. I am 50 years old and have done a few things in life and screwed up a few too but I wasn't asking to be talked to like a teenager I was asking about to types of snow plows. Mark H.

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01-08-2002 21:26:15

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Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-08-2002 20:38:51

Touchy arn't you! I think you were off base. Harold gave his opinion and you took offence. If you didn't want the opinions of others you should not ask for them. The way your postings sound you just want justification for the way you are doing things not assistance to find a better way.

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BECK

01-10-2002 07:08:16

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Cj, 01-08-2002 21:26:15

I do my snow plowing with a back blade. It works for me.
Harold's personal observations were out of line.
Could be caused by a seasonal hormone imbalance. I'm on Mark's side.

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Mark Hendershot

01-08-2002 23:21:05

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Cj, 01-08-2002 21:26:15

Cj; I took offence to the part about the Rose Bushes and Stone Walls! I did not think it had any thing to do with what I was asking. I found most of the posts very helpfull in deciding my needs. I try not to belittle someone when they ask a question when I answer them. I do respond in same if it is done to me. Mark H.

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Rick in Indiana

01-08-2002 12:29:57

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I have both a front and rear blade. What One does not get, the other does. I have a Ford 861 with a Dearborn Equipment front blade. The front blade has downward pressure. The rear blade does not. I just don't get enough snow to see which works best for me. Lots of luck.

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JIM UPSTATE,NY

01-08-2002 10:25:10

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I HAVE A NEW HOLLAND TC33D WITH 6 1/2' MEYERS I GOT OFF A JEEP, HAVE A CHAIN FROM BLADE TO BUCKET TO RAISE IT AND JUST UNHOOK HOSES FOR THE TILE ON THE BUCKET AND HOOK UP HOSES FOR THE ANGLE. REAR TIRES ARE LOADED AND HAVE STUD CHAINS DON'T EVEN NEED 4 WHEEL. TOP THIS OFF WITH A 5 1/2' SNOW BLOWER ON REAR MAKES FOR A PRETTY NICE RIG. I HAVE 2000' DRIVEWAY AND 1 MI THROUGH WOODS TO MY MOTHERS I KEEP CLEAN AND IT WORKS GREAT

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john d

01-08-2002 08:55:49

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

If you're doing any serious snow blading, the front-mount is vastly superior. I built a 40" tall blade for the front of my Farmall M that mounts on the loader arms. I take off the bucket, drive it to the blade, put in two pins and fasten a brace at the top. It's amazing what you can push with that thing! Having on the loader also solves the problem of getting stuck. If I get it stuck, I simply raise the loader to maximum height, and back out. When the loader is up, more weight is on the rear wheels than there was when I got it stuck, so getting it out is not a problem.

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kraig WY

01-08-2002 07:43:01

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I have the blade on the back. I have a loader w/graffle on the front (I have to feed big bales) so I dont't have a choice but the setup works pretty good anyway.

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Mark Hendershot

01-08-2002 06:44:14

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

So far its been the front blade is best but while reading about the different set ups I gave it some thought. A blower would be nice but what do you do when stuff is on all sides of you and there is no place to blow the snow like up by the cars buildings ect. Another point is if you wanted to get up close to the start of of the drive by the fence end or buildings you would haft to back blade with a front mounted blade to pull all the snow out to where you could turn around and push it. A tractor with a front blade is long and if you backed into a area to plow you could not get all the snow that was under the tractor and blade. When I plow I just back up to where I want to start drop the blade and go if I need to push it I just go backwards with the blade. I have lots of places that you can't just drive thru and you need to pull the snow out from the area. I do see how the front blade would work nice for just driving down the drive way and moving the snow but it seems like it would be a lot harder to use in close places and where you could not get in front of the snow to plow. Now a loader would be nice for moving piles around and deep snow that you need to move to different places and it seems the best of both world would be a rear blade and a front loader. And the blower would be nice for deep snow just on the drive way where blowing it dosen't mater and would keep it off the sides. But when I used my walk behind one it used to leave a wall of snow on the sides that when the snow drifted it would fill up the slot insted of blowing by over the top. The county plows only bring in the blower when they can't get the road open and it is needed to clear the drifts. Thanks for the input and I think I will work on getting a front loader that will come in handy for other projects also. Mark H.

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Canadian Cowboy

01-08-2002 09:15:52

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Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-08-2002 06:44:14

Hey Mark How much Snow clearing do you do?????

listen, with a snow blower on the front or back, whens there no place to blow the snow off to the sides you blow the snow in front of you till you get to an other spot to blow of the side again.

To be perfectly honest no one snow plow tool will do "ALL" of the jobs, That a why all profesional snow clearers have a combination of the both!!! loader/blower , loader/back blade, blower/back bald, frontplow/back blade.

Take your pick, they all work.

The choice is your's.

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Mark Hendershot

01-08-2002 09:51:41

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Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Canadian Cowboy, 01-08-2002 09:15:52

Normaly I only haft to clear 3-6 inches at one time, since I am home most of the time soon as it stops snowing I go out and clear it. That way it dose not get deep or build up. Every once and a while we get 12 inches in one shot then it is harder to move (rare) but when we get blowing snow thats differnt and I use this 12 hp snow blower I have but I haft to walk with it. Since I got the tractor now I have been lazy and use it most of the time. The total area I haft to clear at one time is 20' X 600' ft and that includes the drive way too, so it isn't that much unless you haft to walk with a 36 inch wide blower then it is a good work out. I don't think with the 3-6 inch snow fall it would warrent a big blower since my 12 hp one likes it 6-12 inch deep to throw it 20-30 ft. Now when it is drove all over or wet that's a different story all together. I don't do this professionaly or for a living I just take care of my snow most of the time. Mark H.

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Jim WI

01-08-2002 10:21:50

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-08-2002 09:51:41

I think you're stuck just about where I am. I use a back blade because it handles most of the snowfalls that are likely. 'Course this means that every once in a while I spend a long time clearing the drive when there's 12 inches on it. That's when I wish I had the loader that my dad's 2N had on it (had it one winter -- sure was nice in deep snow). I just can't justify the money for a loader when I'd *MAYBE* use it once or twice a year.

Front blade sounds nice (except for some tight spots) but I haven't checked prices.

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B.C.

01-08-2002 06:16:09

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I grew up in the middle of Wisconsin and lived near Duluth for 6 years.

I think a rear blade used with tire chains will get the job done fine. Yes it's a pain to keep backing up and looking back but it works.

If that's not good enough or enough capacity then think about a 3 point hitch snowblower, unless you already have a loader on the front or were going to get one anyway.

One of the neighbors up north had the ultimate rig: a wide front Farmall 460 with a loader up front and a 3 point snowblower in the back. Nothing fazed him. But he was a pharmacist and could afford toys like that.

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PAUL FROM OHIO

01-08-2002 03:31:05

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I HAVE A SUPER A WITH THE BLADE IN THE FRONT ,AND PLENTY OF WEIGHT IN THE BACK. I RARELY GET STUCK.EASY TO SEE AND PLENTY OF TRACTION. MY DAD HAS AN 801 FORD WITH THEBLADE IN THE BACK OFF THE 3 POINT. ALWAYS END UP GOING BACKWARDS TO GET GOOD TRACTION. PUSHING BACKWARDS IS NO FUN. THERES A PICTURE OF IT IN HERE SOMEWHERE WAY IN THE BACK.

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Don

01-07-2002 19:59:52

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I have a rear blade, but I would rather have a front blade. For one thing your tractor would be moving in a clear path, rather than the wheels plowing through snow and pulling the snow also.
Without the tractor itself running in snow you would have all the power to use on pushing the blade. It would make it easier for the tractor to move.

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RWK in WI

01-07-2002 18:49:15

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

The tractors that I use in the Lake Superior Snow Belt are:
Ford 640 with front blade and rear weight.
Ford 860 with front blade and rear blower
Ford 3000 - front loader and rear blade
Ford 3000 - front blade and rear blower
MM U302 - front blade on loader and rear blade
All the tractors have wheel weights and tire chains. In my opinion there is no comparison - the front blades are better. You can see where the blade is working and what it is doing. Also the front blades have trip springs that protect you and your tractor when you hit something - tree roots or stumps, rocks, culverts, etc.
Rear blades are better for grading or dealing with mud during spring breakup but you can use front blades by overriding the trip feature.

Just my opinions.

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chris

01-07-2002 19:09:20

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Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to RWK in WI, 01-07-2002 18:49:15

How are the hydralics on the U302, does the loader seem responsive or are they slow, I'm looking at buying a U302 and wondering if they are a handy tractor with loader and a rear blade. thanks for your time chris

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RWK in WI

01-07-2002 19:50:53

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Re: Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to chris, 01-07-2002 19:09:20

For its size the U302 is OK. The hydraulics are good - better than the loader on my 3000 that uses the tractor system. The 3000 is much more manuverable as the U302 has a much bigger turning circle. The higher clearance under the 302 is helpful at times but the exposed oil filter hanging down gets snagged easily. I don't like the long axel shatts sticking out beyond the tires on the U302 as they easily catch shed doors and trees. Ask if you have more questions.
Dick Kraus

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Canadian Cowboy

01-07-2002 17:59:19

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

They both have there uses,

Ask your self this "how many cat bull dozers do you see with a blade mounted on the back ? " . A Blades does its best work when its pushing not pulling. My back blade has its place, for clean up work and light snow other than that it just hangs there doing nothing.

The best combination is a loader with blade where the bucket should be, you won't even need the back blade, might as well part trade that off for a snowblower.

Put a blade on the front of your tractor, bet your neck won't be sorry for it, maybe your pocket book won't either if your a decent home brew builder!!!!!

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Wayne Woods

01-07-2002 17:40:25

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

Mark, you've got quite a few variables here. I would guess that the snow that we get in South Central Pa is nothing like the snow that you deal with! However, for what I deal with I prefer the blade out front. I have a Farmall Super A with front snow blade, Ford 8N with Sauder front blade and Farmall 504 with rear blade. I like the Farmall Super A set up the best. I can control the depth much easier, see what I'm doing, and most of the time push the snow where I want to go instead of the snow pushing the fron of the tractor all around. One thing often overlooked, you gotta have weight! If I understand history correctly, the Ford and Furgeson tractors were designed with the 3ph so that the implement would help provide traction. You don't get that on the snow. Plowed some pretty wet and heavy stuff today with the 8N, and had to use the breaks to help steer. Went back and got the Farmall 504, and still had to use the breaks to help steer. Didn't use the Super A, as it's not currently running - waiting overhaul. Just moved that project up several notches on the old "to do list"!

I like the blade in the front!

If I had to deal with the snow that you probably get, I'd be looking for a tractor with slow enough ground speed so that I could use a snow blower! Those are really nice.

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paul

01-07-2002 14:37:44

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Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to Mark Hendershot, 01-07-2002 11:35:39

I never used a front mount, but I would think you would have problems with all the weight up front, easier to get stuck. Then the front wheels (esp. a light tractor) would not have enough traction & push off to the side instead of steering.

But I imagine it is easier to see what you are doing, & use it like a bulldozer to mound up the piles.

Just don't see any front blades around _here_, loaders, rear blades, & snow blowers here in Minnesota.

For the money, you might want to consider a loader with a a blade attachment, get use out of it all year long....

How big of a tractor do you have, and I would assume wide front?

--->Paul

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Mark Hendershot

01-07-2002 16:23:22

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Re: Re: Best Snow Blade to use?? Front or Rear? in reply to paul, 01-07-2002 14:37:44

Paul it is a Ferguson TO-30 and when pulling snow it will plie up under the seat area and I will see snow breaking loose on the surface under the front axle. It is a wide axle type, I realy don't know how much more you could move at once being as the rear wheels work like the sides of a loader and just keep allowing more snow to be moved when the blade is strait. I have pulled enought to cause the rear end and transmission to lift the tires up and I had to dig under it to get traction again. Leared that it is nice to have a shovel mounted on the tractor after walking back to get one a few times! When the blade is angled No problem the snow moves off to the side after it builds up some. If I try to blade off the high stuff on the edge (2-3ft. compacted) sometimes it will push the tractor on a angle. So I haft to work it down a little first. Mark H.

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