Yeah I know, but I am wondering if anyone here uses the pipe on the snow plow cutting edge for gravel drive ways. Did it work? What size pipe was used? How did you cut it and fit it on? And how was it held in place, welded on bolted on friction holding it ?
Steel pipe on snow plow cutting edge
- Thread starter skeets
- Start date
Skeets, I,m sure others will chime in, but from what I remember reading about this, they used a 3-4 inch thick walled pipe with a slot cut into it that fits over the lower portion of the blade, welded tabs onto the pipe, and then bolted it to the blade. They did use it to run over gravel, and most guys seemed happy with it.
Everything I've seen was 2" with a slot cut out of one length and attached by whatever was easiest for the moment... either welded ears or just pounded on as a test.
I have steel pipe on the cutting edge of my back blade, I think it works great on my gravel driveway, I have even plowed on the lawn some and it does not dig in. I used a 2" steel pipe and cut a silt and welded a tab on each end and bolt it on, I use it to grade gravel too so need to take it off some times.
I was just about to say I've seen it done on YouTube for atv plows and truck and tractor plows.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Premium Member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
I just turn my back blade around backwards so the cutting edge is facing the rear and plow snow. It will skim off the snow without removing gravel.
Lil Foot
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
1979 B7100DT Gear, Nissan Hanix N150-2 Excavator
In regards to the video, that's probably the way I would do it, but my gut tells me it needs to be bigger pipe, say 2" minimum. (maybe more?)
In my cinder driveway, the cinders are a lot lighter than gravel, so I think I would need something with more surface area.
YMMV.
In my cinder driveway, the cinders are a lot lighter than gravel, so I think I would need something with more surface area.
YMMV.
I have not tried it out yet. Our first snow hit before I got mine done. I have a nine and half foot snow bucket I run on my 100 HP skid loader. I just installed a two inch, quarter inch walled pipe on my bucket cutting edge. I had the metal fab shop I buy a fair amount of steel from over the years use a plasma cutter to cut a one inch slot in the pipe and then I welded three straps on the pipe and bolted it down to the bucket. We will see how it works. I could of torch cut the slot as I don't have a plasma cutter but for the fifty bucks they charged to do the slot it was worth it.
Skeets, I'm old fashioned and just practice fundamental operation of equipment. I don't use skids on the corner of a bucket, or pipe to deep from cutting too deep, or even a rod to tell me the angle of the bucket.
My philosophy is to practice (correctly) a task, and you will eventually, and usually quickly, solve the problem as the equipment was meant to do.
My philosophy is to practice (correctly) a task, and you will eventually, and usually quickly, solve the problem as the equipment was meant to do.
I can only speak from my limitations, which are many. Things some take for granted as no big thing I marvel at, like welding, took a course at the votech the instructor, a young guy ,said I should take anything I need to a welder and not try it my self.
Don't let negative comments by others determine your lot in life, even if they are suppose to know better.
A real simple test to determine one's ability to weld is, can you hold a match to a cigarette and light the cigarette? If you can you have a steady enough hand to weld, stick or wire. After that is learning details, and you don't have to be perfect.
I will say this welding isn't something you're going to get really good at in a vo-tech course you might learn some basics skills and some important safety rules of thumb but there are so many variables it takes years to really get good that said if you are only welding the same materials in the same conditions it wouldn't take to long to get pretty good at it.
I am not what you would call a good welder but I still weld my own stuff it don't look pretty but it mostly holds together. I have to do all my welding flat, I can't get the up hill to work which is fine, one way or another I can roll most any thing to get it flat. I have a over head hoist in my garage where the welder is and with the tractor I have now I can use the bucket to roll stuff out side that's to big to get in the garage. Just need to practice and you will get better.
Most folks who can't weld simply lack confidence and then basic knowledge.
I took a welding class years ago at the local high school. Reason was because I used things on the weekend and often something would need a repair. I couldn't do the repair and couldn't get it to some one who could during the week.
There were seven guys in the class and one of them was a professional welder. I'm thinking what is he doing here, or why am I here? So my skepticism and confidence went even lower!
First thing was a bunch of safety info/procedures. Then everyone got a work area, and some equipment and some instructions on using it. Had a piece of metal and asked to just weld a bead to see what we could do. I remember the instructor went to each table and watched for a bit then made a comment. When he got to me and watched for a bit he said, "You have a steady hand, you'll do fine." That statement changed my total outlook on welding. I knew I could do OK from then on. Just need to listen, practice, learn what needed to be corrected, and keep going.
I'll say it again, if you have a steady hand you can weld!
I took a welding class years ago at the local high school. Reason was because I used things on the weekend and often something would need a repair. I couldn't do the repair and couldn't get it to some one who could during the week.
There were seven guys in the class and one of them was a professional welder. I'm thinking what is he doing here, or why am I here? So my skepticism and confidence went even lower!
First thing was a bunch of safety info/procedures. Then everyone got a work area, and some equipment and some instructions on using it. Had a piece of metal and asked to just weld a bead to see what we could do. I remember the instructor went to each table and watched for a bit then made a comment. When he got to me and watched for a bit he said, "You have a steady hand, you'll do fine." That statement changed my total outlook on welding. I knew I could do OK from then on. Just need to listen, practice, learn what needed to be corrected, and keep going.
I'll say it again, if you have a steady hand you can weld!
Instead of making comments like this the instructor should have shown you how to do it correctly.
I have the feeling in some courses the instructors expect to get all seasoned professionals in their classes so that they don't have to do anything. They have to cater for beginners too and should not expect any pre-existing skills or knowledge.
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Yes, I would agree 100% with that, but even if your hand is not that steady (like mine) you can rest it on something that is and still get acceptable welds.