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Case 580K 4x4: Snow pusher for mountain property?

DualsportWA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
120
Location
Washington
All- getting geared up for winter, and am thinking about what to use for snow clearing. My Case 580K is setup well with 4x4 and chains, but it's not really great for clearing long stretches of road. Here's my setup post:
https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/580k-is-ready-for-snow-duty.48381/

I've thought of putting a plow on the front (perhaps power angle using extendahoe hydraulics), but that seems like a huge project. With the pusher, I could clear large areas great, but am wondering about the road (over a mile) - obviously a plow would be better for that, but for the most part, I can drive forward and "angle off" to the side to push the snow into the ditch or away from the road. There's one stretch (steep on both sides) where that would be a challenge. Then there's the question of 10' -vs- 12' for this class of machine (70hp, 17,500lb GVW).

Thoughts???
 

Rob Gunn

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2013
Messages
163
Location
Buchanan, MI
Iv pushed a lot of snow with a home-made non-angled blade on the front of my Bobcat, with chains on the rear. Then I upgraded to a blade with adjustable angel and that was a MUCH better scenario. No more having to push to the side and backup for another run. My newest setup is a 6' wide snow blower, this is the way to go! Cant beat a blower for moving snow and getting it out of the way.
 

franklin2

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2016
Messages
309
Location
Virginia
Why not build a triangle out of wood and be able to drive up to it with the bucket and attach it to the bucket somehow? That's all they used in the old days, a triangle made out of wood pulled by horses.

I have found with my truck and pushing deep snow, I have to keep the blade straight anyway, and push off to the side in baby pushes. If I angle the blade too much snow gets in front of the truck and the rearend comes around. Then I am really stuck. This probably would not happen as soon with a heavier backhoe, but it probably would eventually. The vee on the triangle should keep you straight.
 

DualsportWA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
120
Location
Washington
Thanks guys. I agree that a power angle blade would be great, but don't want to go to that time or expense. Seems like a pusher box is a good/simple/affordable compromise, especially when you consider how easy they are to attach/remove. I'm just wondering if anyone uses these on roads and hilly areas (my backhoe does fine with 4x4 + chains).
 

franklin2

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2016
Messages
309
Location
Virginia
Of course something homemade out of wood is not going to cut down to the pavement. It knocks most of it out of the way and packs it for driving over the snow. You will have to get a metal blade with a edge to cut down to bare dirt or pavement. A gravel road/drive presents it's own set of problems, especially in the spring.
 

El Hombre

Senior Member
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
377
Location
SF Bay Area
Do you get enough snow that it's not really obvious where the road is? Do like the DOT and drive stakes about 3 feet off the road. I watched someone make a real mess because he couldn't tell where the road was.

I think I would have some kind of metal blade and put the bucket in float. Is this asphalt or dirt?
 

check

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
800
Location
in the mail
I live in the mountains and have a mile of driveway. I use a dedicated old F350 plow truck with power angle that stays chained all winter. It never gets driven on public roads. Also use an ATV plow for light snows.
In the mountains, the biggest problem you'll have is the berm on the downhill side. The snow has to be pushed to the downhill side, but getting it thrown over the side is nearly impossible. When there's a foot and a half of snow on the ground you really can't make out exactly where the edge of the road is so you keep your distance. Also, plows work best if you get the speed up to 20-25 MPH (another reason to stay away from the edge) so it throws snow rather than making a windrow at the trailing edge of the plow. When you have that big berm or windrow on the downhill side, it sits there and melts and is not a problem unless you get another big snow, in which case the plow becomes pretty useless as far as throwing any snow off the side of the mountain, you can't get it over the berm. I tried fabricating a wing that attaches to the plow but the leverage served to self destruct the plow. Last year we had big snows and I used my skid steer and large bucket to remove the berm, but that was a 20 hour project! Using a backhoe would be much worse because they aren't maneuverable like skid steers, plus they're top-heavy.
Plows without angle are OK for parking lots, back and forth gets the job done. If you attach a plow without power angle to your backhoe, I would attach it at a permanent angle and make two passes. Make sure you have chains on all four tires.
 
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