Section 3: Operating Procedures
1/25/21
STB0554 & STB0560 Snow Trip Blade 301-701M
19
2. Adjust bottom of the skid shoes to be about 3/8" to
3/4" (10 to 19 mm) below the blade cutting edge when
working snow. On soft surfaces such as gravel or dirt,
set skid shoes closer to 3/4" (19 mm). On hard
surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, set the skid
shoes closer to 3/8" (10 mm).
3. Set loader lift arms to float so that the skid shoes and
blade can follow the contour of the ground.
4. Set blade angle straight if pushing snow into a pile.
Set blade angle to the left or right if moving snow to
one side.
5. Lower blade down and drive forward. When at the
end of travel, raise blade up and back tractor up to
get a new load of snow.
•
Straight Blade:
Push snow up into piles by setting
the blade straight and pushing the snow towards the
pile. Raise the blade up slowly while pushing the
snow onto the pile to make the pile higher and
bigger.
•
Angling the Blade:
Clear large lots of snow by
setting the blade at an angle and making a single
path through the lot. Then make successive passes
pushing the snow to the outer edges of the lot.
•
Unmanageable Snow
: Remove snow before it
accumulates too deep or becomes too wet. Wet
snow weighs around 12 lbs/ft³ (190 kg/m³) and will
add several pounds of weight to push. Deep snow
is heavy and unmanageable to move; both cost
time and wear on equipment.
Raise blade up to shear off the top 6" (15 cm) layer.
Lower blade 6" (15 cm) to clear off another layer.
Continue lowering blade until a working area is
cleared. Then work small areas making multiple
passes pushing snow to the outer edges. Use the
following as a guide line:
6" (15 cm) Snow: full blade width to push snow.
9" (23 cm) Snow: 3/4 blade width to push snow.
12" (30 cm) Snow: 1/2 blade width to push snow.
Snow Trip Blade Level to Ground
Figure 3-1
74870
Frame
Turntable
Ground
Always operate with frame and turntable parallel to the ground.
Operating while angled forward or backward can affect
performance and damage the Snow Trip Blade.
Plowing Snow
The Snow Trip Blade is primarily designed for snow
removal operations in the forward operating mode only.
The trip blade design provides improved protection
against blade damage when unexpected ground
obstacles are encountered.
DANGER
!
To prevent serious injury or death:
Do not drive up to anyone standing in front of a fixed object
such as a wall or bench. Never assume the brakes will stop the
power equipment in time.
WARNING
!
To prevent serious injury or death:
•
Never let anyone near the Snow Trip Blade while operating.
•
Never carry riders on the attachment or power machine.
Riders can obstruct the operator’s view, interfere with
controls, be pinched by moving components, become
entangled in rotating components, struck by objects, thrown
about, fall off and be run over, etc.
•
Always wear your seat belt when using the Snow Trip
Blade. Not taking these precautions can cause serious
injury if the Snow Trip Blade was to come in contact with a
solid object.
1. When possible, thoroughly inspect the area to be
plowed ahead of a snowfall. Otherwise, search the
area for potential problems before moving the snow.
a. Mark all potential obstructions with stakes or flags
that can be seen above the snow.
b. Identify emergency equipment and utility outlets
that will need quick access. Make a plan on how to
clear the area so that emergency crews can
access them quickly in the event of a storm.
c. Identify areas where snow can be piled safely
without obstructing traffic visibility and without
obstructing access to fire hydrants, utilities,
mailboxes, property, and parking areas. Also,
don’t pile snow on streets, sidewalks, or someone
else’s property without permission from the
proper authorities.
d. Identify tight areas that will be hard to turn around
in and make a plan for clearing such areas.
IMPORTANT:
For best performance and to prevent
damage of the Snow Trip Blade, keep the frame and
turntable parallel with the ground. See
IMPORTANT:
When pushing snow into a pile,
always do so with blade in the straight forward
position. Piling snow with the blade angled can
damage the blade and tractor.
IMPORTANT:
When working snow, the blade must
be unlocked. See page 15 for locking and unlocking
instructions.
