Get the thick stuff!! I think gravel wear is the issue more than temp.

I'm sure there is a better way to attach it instead of ratchet straps, but it is pretty quick, and I did not want to drill holes in the bucket or weld on stuff if I didn't need to. As long as I don't back drag, it holds OK. Might be able to use one strap across the back of the entire bucket... have to look at that.

I have an update on the blade edge treatment. The PVC lasted 1.5 seasons before breaking up. I intended to just buy more, being pretty cheap, but can't seem to remember where I got it and not many places carry Sched 80 HD (Lowes, Menard's). Next idea is to buy a piece of 2.5 - 3-inch angle iron to replace or supplement the cutting edge. Hopefully, with the up-angle of the iron, it will "glide" over the gravel like the tube did. Will update when I get to the scrap yard and find a piece.

I have done that for dirt. I believe you have to adjust the side-to-side tilt (rear view) to keep the blade level when rotated to an angle (plan view). There are times I flip the angle from one direction to another, which would force adjusting it again. For that reason, I try to keep it level (side view) for snow plowing so the rear-view tilt doesn't change with the plan view angle. My tires are loaded. Our road has some inclines, not too bad, but when wet and heavy, it gets iffy. Our approach off the main road has a good incline, and it is paved, so the tires will not grip there. I ended up with 4 wheel chains as it really improves the steering in iffy conditions too. If I push too far and end up with the front wheels in the ditch, its good there too. I tried without the first snow this year and put them on right after. I wish I didn't need them as the ride is pretty crappy with them on.

Nice 👍👍😂

Sorry, mostly classic or "southern" rock, maybe blues or not-too-deep jazz. I like gals doing country though. Great voices there.

Are you using schedule 80 pipe? I had an 8 hp 26 inch blower, but it took so long to the do the drive and circle drives near the house, I sold it and bought my first tractor (B7300) with blade. When I did use the blower, I really tried to orient the output to keep whatever gravel it threw, right next to the drive for spring cleanup. Still, that was a lot of extra work, so I went to the blade/tractor combo. I also acquired a Stihl paddle broom for the spring cleanup. As long as it isn't pushed into the ground, the paddle will push it back. I should do a video on that too.

I agree. I use it on grass to clear a path to the barn where it is stored. Nice not tearing up the grass but having a clear path.

I had the same issue last year with PVC on an ATV plow. Worked great the first 2 plowings, but gravel got rough, and the blade started hopping a bit after the 3rd snowfall which caused it to start breaking apart. Used a section of exhaust tube this year. Mounted the same as the PVC- cut a slit with a cutting wheel and slid over the cutting edge with help of a small deadblow hammer. So far so good.

Sorry I haven't responded to comments so far. Haven't checked my channel in a while. I tried "feet" on the blade, but loose gravel still got pushed around. We added gravel to our road, so until it got packed well (2 years), there was a lot of loose material that feet and wheels would go through. My neighbor's truck plow had feet and he dug up a lot. He got fed up and sold the whole rig. I don't have down pressure on my tractor, and tried to not lower it all the way, but unless really flat, it would push any high spots around. My first attempt was with schedule 40 that lasted several plowings before it wore through and broke up. I upgraded to schedule 80 and now make one slice for the blade fit. That first split design gave it a place to break more easily. I don't think it was cold that did it in, but having the split to initiate the crack. Just plowed in ~10F weather. Not much snow this year, but so far it is holding up well without much evidence of wear. I bought a 10 footer, so I have two sections when it finally wears out. Pretty cheap option for all the spring work it saves. I looked at that edge tamer or something similar, but I just set my bucket angle so it glides on the bucket bottom and doesn't dig in. Being able to use the bucket without filling it is nice for some areas, and also nice for deep snow - put it within a few inches of ground to plow a path and let the rear blade clean it up.

Sorry I have not kept up with responses as this is not my primary email account. I follow your use of the bucket. I blocked off mine, so I did not fill it and have to dump it every time I pushed something. There is good and bad with that. I like it doesn't fill the bucket, but I cannot back-drag with it as it tears off the straps holding the blocker (obvous lesson learned). Using the bucket is nice for pushing versus dragging, especially when the snow is deeper. It is also easier to get near mailboxes. However, having the rear blade is definitely faster as it pushes off to the side obviously - less redoing the same area. I have an update on the blade edge treatment. The PVC lasted 1.5 seasons before breaking up. I intended to just buy more, being pretty cheap, but can't seem to remember where I got it and not many places carry Sched 80 HD (Lowes, Menard's). Next idea is to buy a piece of 2.5 - 3-inch angle iron to replace or supplement the cutting edge. Hopefully, with the up-angle of the iron, it will "glide" over the gravel like the tube did. Will update when I get to the scrap yard and find a piece.

You need to use a metal pipe. Not PVC. They just crack up..

@@mattsbrute I ended up buying the "Edge Tamer" from r2manufacturing.com/ to install on the bucket still waiting for snow to see how they work.

Sorry, I thought I responded, but evidently not. I did make some tweaks from the original attempt. As suggested, schedule 40 did not last long, but proved a point. I've since gone to schedule 80 and did not split the tube at centerline for installation. One slice and some "lead-in" corners allowed me to install it in one piece. Although we did not get a lot of snow this year, plowed 6 or 7 times so far, it has held up much better. When my 10 foot tube second half wears out, I might look into a steel pipe if I can find a size and price I like. Still liking the concept! The bucket mod is a big help too. One "flaw" with my bucket attachment is you cannot back drag with the bucket much at all. The ratchet straps do not hold up to that load. Had to re-sew the strap hooks back on once or twice.

Tried "feet" but the gravel was too soft. Now that it is packed down, the crushed limestone is almost like concrete, except for the edges where folks rarely drive, so it might work now.

I wanted to prevent having to dump the bucket every time. We rarely get a 12 inch or more snowfall, so I really only need to push it some. I do float it with this method - works good.

Can't force it to snow, did you not get the concept of the video?