What size LP snow blade?

thephantompatriot · Nov 30, 2014

I have a IH 354 gas, 35hp engine, have the tires set up 5.5' from outside edge to outside edge, cat 1 hitch. My driveway is 7' wide, maybe 8' if I reclaim the overgrowth of grass. Anyhow I'm looking to get a Land Pride snow blade for my tractor.
http://www.landpride.com/products/118/rb15-series-rear-blades

I was looking at the RB1584, which has a 7' blade. From my understanding I would be running this blade at full angle so the hypotenuse would be 7' but the actual tread width would be way smaller running at a 45^-60^ angle.

What I'm worried about is if I put the blade straight and push the snow backwards will my tractor will be able to handle the 7' blade?

Is the 6' blade more ideal for my tractor?

All comments and advice appreciated, I'm looking to purchase by the end of this week.

Thanks.

Nebraska Cowman · Nov 30, 2014

Let me give you my two cents (which will be worth just what it costs you) I've plowed lots of snow with a Ferguson 30 (pretty comparable with your 354)
That landpride in the pic is WAY more blade than you need but if you want to spend the bucks fine. Yes, a 7 ft is sure all you want. A 6 might actually push more snow. But you are going to find out right away that the tractor won't push much. Especially with the blade turned around so it cuts in. The way to push snow is to back up with the rear edge of the blade back so it rides over knobs and does not dig in. On your finish pass you can leave the blade the same only do your work going forward. In light snow you may be able to do all your plowing going forward but be aware, too much snow dragging ahead of the blade can get you stuck. Of course on cement or blacktop this advice may not apply. I routinely plow my cement parking lot with my little 154 Leyland and the 7 ft blade facing rearward. I do have to watch out for any lips of cement it can catch on.

Wheatfarmer · Nov 30, 2014

Is your driveway flat,on the side of a hill, or with ditches. I plowed snow for several years with a JD MT and a 7' blade. I even off set the blade so I could roll snow off the outside edge with out getting the tire off the road. The trick to moving snow it to get it to roll IF YOU CAN.

VicS · Nov 30, 2014

When I first read your post, I thought a 6 ft blade
was fine. But I went out and measured mine and it
is a 8 ft. JD. The moboard on it is really good. It
will roll the snow and get rid of it. We use it on
a Compact JD. About 50 hp. Our tractor is 6 ft wide
so blade will kick show past the rear tires. I push
off some church yards, wish had a 10 ft push box on
the loader. One other thing a set of car chains for
the front really makes a difference and don't cost
much. Vic

VicS · Nov 30, 2014

I'm sorry I assumed your tractor was a 4X4. I plowed with a 2 wheel drive for years. I did have chains on the rear. Same blade.

BushogPapa · Nov 30, 2014

A lot depends on just how DEEP you expect the snow to drift...
You are not going to move much snow with the blade "angled", all you will do is slide the front sideways, etc.
Most blades you buy will need some re-welding and reinforcement, if you expect them to last long or stand up to any real use (unless you go way above the rated HP rating for the tractor).
I installed supporting drag chains to the front and welded in additional steel and Grade9 1 1/8" pivot and stop bolts, then re-welded most everything else and added hard steel washers to the grade 2 3-point pin-mounting areas.
Breaking anything is pretty much last on my list, when it comes to moving snow or dirt/gravel.
Ron.

M Nut · Nov 30, 2014

I think your tractor will be fine with the 7ft. I have used
everything from 35hp to 75hp on my 8ft blade. Just have to
use common sense and all goes well.

Rich_WI · Nov 30, 2014

(quoted from post at 16:25:18 11/30/14)What I'm worried about is if I put the blade straight and push the snow backwards will my tractor will be able to handle the 7' blade?

You will be fine. I use a Farmall 460 with a 8 foot blade, which is maybe 1500 pounds heavier than yours. I plow at high idle to half speed and rarely spinnout and when I do, its solid ice not just packed snow. You have to remember, snow WILL come over the top so you will have to take a couple swipes at it to clean the drive anyway. I drop down all the way and whatever comes over the top does and I get it next pass.

If you push up big piles of snow, you will need full rpms to build up a little speed (if you can call it that in using reverse) but doing that I can make piles as tall is the roof of a small truck and I dont see why you cant do the same given almost as much weight and a slightly narrower blade.

I dont think you will regret getting the wider blade...

Tim in New York · Nov 30, 2014

Be careful pushing snow with the blade reversed. That's the best way to bust stuff up, especially if you have the blade straight. I usually keep mine angled in the first hole and almost always pull the snow going forward.

Tim

Geo-TH,In · Dec 1, 2014

I use a 7 ft blade on my Jubilee, which is under 6 ft outside wheel to wheel. I think an 8 ft would be too much for me. I need chains. 7 ft at an angle, heavy wet/ice/snow will cause my back wheels to slide sideways.

What size LP snow blade?

thephantompatriot

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Nebraska Cowman

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Wheatfarmer

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VicS

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VicS

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BushogPapa

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M Nut

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Rich_WI

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Tim in New York

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Geo-TH,In

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