so i might have to run a almost new 872 plowing snow this winter, witch i would love to do but i have never ran a grader befor. So can you guys give me some pointers on what not to do and what to do to make it as easy as it can be. we will be plowing for the rail road clearing the switch yard and access roads the grader is 6 wheel drive and has a new set of chains on it. thanks
Hi trainwreck, does your grader have a wing and front plow?
no wing or front plow just a normal grader
Sounds like you have quite a machine there. Gee, where to start..all you have is the moldboard so that might be a good thing. What I mean is you don't have any attachments to try and learn all at once. Best time to learn how to operate a grader is in the winter plowing snow. There is nothing fancy to do with the blade and it's a great chance to learn the controls etc. Find your blade float, with the Deere I believe you just shove the lift levers ahead. When the ground is froze up good and you're just plowing snow, float is the answer. Just take your time and have fun!
Thats a great Job. I do not understand why in the USA public works depts do not rely on motor graders for open roads as well. Grader4me is correct. The float controls are the key. Beware of frozen chunks of snow/ice, they can damage the turntable and/or gear quite a bit. I plowed for years with CAT and Champion graders in Toronto Canada and had no problem with them. If you get sick of it Trainwreck, I'll come out there and plow no problem
take out every other bolt on th cutting edge so it you have any high manhole covers it will just pop off.
well i didnt get to run the grader much over the past 2 weeks, only an hour or 2. but it was fun so i hope i get to spend more time on it this winter. we started plowing snow the week befor christmas in portland oregon and know its new years day and i am in spokane wa. we also have been into northern Idaho as well, its snowing like mad here right now so i better get back to work.
just start grabbin' gears and levers, you'll eventually get the right combination :drinkup
True that! Im at home for Christmas up here in Napels, ID. Woke up to 6 more inches this morning. This is kind of a repeat of last winter, just colder so far.Jason