What's this for on top of my blade?

norite · Sep 29, 2010

I have some ideas what this is but I am not sure. (tow cable protector, tree/truck pusher, equipment mount).

AFAIK I am the third owner of this dozer, the guy I bought it from didn't know.

It is not in the way of anything and it is very well welded in place. I intend to leave it there just curiosity makes me wonder if anyone has seen this before.

maddog · Sep 30, 2010

Well it had horns at one time but someone got hurt and they figured it be better to cut them off :tong :laugh

cps · Sep 30, 2010

Id say its for attaching something like a land rake or something!

YELLOMTLMILITIA · Sep 30, 2010

Some times its nice to have something smooth on the top sticking just slightly over the front of the blade in land clearing applications to keep the timber rolling forward rather than having one come back over and fall between your radiator and blade. it wont affect the efficency of the dirt rolling but sure helps keep the timber infront of the blade

tuney443 · Sep 30, 2010

Only thing I come up with is maybe those welded on end caps weren't always there and a round bar was installed inside that tube for lifting purposes.

digger242j · Oct 1, 2010

Is the pointy part on the back normal for that blade, or is that also part of the mystery?

handtpipeline · Oct 1, 2010

digger242j said:
Is the pointy part on the back normal for that blade, or is that also part of the mystery?

I believe the tilt cylinder is mounted to the pointy part you are talking about.

Kgmz · Oct 2, 2010

The pointy part is a mount as mentioned and is also a shield for the cylinder.

John C. · Oct 2, 2010

That's what the grizzly bears use to rub against when they itch

norite · Oct 2, 2010

John C. said:
That's what the grizzly bears use to rub against when they itch

No grizzly bears around here but the black bears have come to the back door.

The "pointy thing" is standard on old JD six way blades. The photo (from the internet) shows it on a 450c as well. (Mine is a 450d) It serves as both a guard and the pin boss for the rod end of the tilt cylinder below it.

I appreciate all the thought that has gone into the replies so far. I was sort of hesitant to post this thread in the first place. I thought I probably overlooked some obvious function that the first reply would identify. Amazed to see no one is doing any better than I am

(guessing) :beatsme

I am just curious about the pipe with end caps mounted at the top center of my blade. Anyone?

OneWelder · Oct 2, 2010

I am just guessing like the rest of you- But if was foe a cable i would think after going to the work of putting on pipe they would have added a attachment point.
Yellow has a good suggestion but I would think it would be mounted further ahead.
I would think more likely it was built to come up underneath and lift something .John deere has traditionally had a lot of lift on their blades to stack logs.
Could this have been used to raise beams under buildings being moved, or come up under trailer goosencks to move trailiers ?

powerjoke · Oct 2, 2010

digger242j said:
Is the pointy part on the back normal for that blade, or is that also part of the mystery?

It protects the Tilt cylinder.

My guess would be to move Semi Trailers around?? Measure the width of it and see if anything around the farm or shop to see if anything matches up.

i would guess it was for picking something up like a semi-trailer and pushing on the kingpin or attachment of a slip on brush rake or something.....I may change my mind later but for right now that's what I'm going with lol

EDIT: Looks like I should have read a little,.... I guess I agree with Welder and CPS and just reposted thier post in my own words lol

EDIT #2:.....After looking at it again.....How about maybe to Carry ToolCarrier (or other loader) attachments around the yard with?? or maybe one time they needed to use a set of wheel loader forks on it for a wet muddy job or something?? the "end caps" would assist in not letting the attachment slide off the side

Pj

YELLOMTLMILITIA · Oct 3, 2010

Lol you guys have never done much land clearing with a small dozer I assume. Go take it out and start pushing a brush pile and you should figure out what it does in about 15 minutes.

Taylortractornu · Oct 10, 2010

I agree on pushing brush but also had one on a TD9 on a company dozer that was used for laying cable. THe cable reel mount had a u mount like a quick tach on a tool carrier. THe bottom of the reel carier fit on the cutting edge. It worked good for feeding cable to the train also on the scarifier had a boot on one of the shanks to feed cable into shallow aplications.

Digga Dave · Oct 12, 2010

This probably not the answer but something for you to think about.
When I was a little tacker (a fair few years ago) my father had either a D5 or D6 and wanted a tree pusher attachment. Living in the bush, about 400km from the nearest town, he built his own which mounted (removable) to the track frame in a "Y" shape that came to a single shaft in front of the grill and then "slid" on top of the blade using a slide much like what is on top of your dozer blade.
SORRY - before you ask there are NO PHOTOS as this was 30+ years ago.

Bluedrc · Oct 12, 2010

I just dont know but it does make for an interesting thread!! So far I have to agree with YELLOW as I've pushed timber with small dozers (PAT blades) and it sucks. The blades are so short the trees constantly try to take you on when you're rolling them and yes I've fixed broken hose fittings because of it. I know I know a good operator shouldnt let that happen right??:beatsme

The Farmboy · Oct 19, 2010

man to me it seems we should label it "the multi use tube"

DirtHauler · Oct 20, 2010

Only thing that i can think of is something for a set of forks to hang off of for moving palets or maybe a spool carrier mount.

dynahoescott · Oct 20, 2010

I cant believe you guys dont know what that was for, the second I saw it I recognized it. We all have used them many times before and the answer is so blatantly simple.

buckfever · Oct 20, 2010

and the punch-line is???????????

What's this for on top of my blade?

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