Get a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply and cut it into 6" wide strips, then drill holes down the center that match the spacing on the blade. Reinstall the wear plate to hold the rubber mat strip in place (it's about 3/4" thick, so it's pretty robust.) It will act like a squeegee and will clean right down to the pavement and do no damage to your asphalt.

I used this set-up all last season and by the end of the year I needed to flip the rubber edge over to use the top side. I've got enough mat to use for the next 10 years for a total $40 investment.

 

Scott has a good idea . Just curious , though , what does Deere want for a new OEM one .

 

Mats may work if someone hasn't driven over the snow or it has turned to ice, then you need some thing else.

I put a blade off a commercial snow plow.

These were taken sometime before 2007 , blade still looks the same today ,till 2010 or 11 ,blade was only thing I used to remove snow.l

 

The replacement Deere cutting edge is part #M42868. Roughly $65.

I'd buy a new one (just so that you have a straight part that isn't worn at the ends) and then do the stall mat recommended above. Skip the skid shoes. They're really not intended for use on asphalt and I managed to grind a pair down to nothing about half way through last winter. They just don't last.

The stall mat (rubber cutting edge) will wear but, you flip it over next year and, as mentioned, for the $30 it costs to buy one, you should be able to cut 6 strips from it. 6 strips x 2 edges on each = 12 years of use.

 

Skid shoes worked for me. The OEM pair lasted 15 years. I replaced them with the heavy duty ones. If set right they will last. they are pricey. However, the rubber edge is better unless you get a lot of ice. You can also get an UHMW edge, which is stiffer than rubber, but not as cheap.

 

slush and ice

here in St. Louis we see as much sleet as snow or overnight freeze of slush. The mat idea sounds great but I wonder how well it will hold up with ice.

etcallhome do you have any idea what grade of steel that snow plow is?

 

here in St. Louis we see as much sleet as snow or overnight freeze of slush. The mat idea sounds great but I wonder how well it will hold up with ice.

etcallhome do you have any idea what grade of steel that snow plow is?

Not really sure what grade of steel but just did a quick search here is some what close to what I'm using .

8' x 5/8" Thick Cutting Edge, 8 Mounting Holes, 1/2" Bolt. for Fisher

Mine came from a State highway snow plow , SIL found one from a road grader from a construction site. The blade had a hair line so manufacturer was replacing . Check scrap metal dealer in your area may find a cheap one, plus they would probably cut it to the size needed .

FIL cut mine to size and then we cut the remaining pieces to fit inside the ballast box. I have 3 truck blades cut to fit inside ballast box plus several other pieces of metal plus a metal anvil .

 

If you don't want to deal with buying, hauling, handling, cutting and drilling a horse stall mat, Artillian hsd rubber cutting edges and wings ready to go including the needed hardware.

54 Plow Products

 

HeavyHitch sells one made out wear resistant steel. $69

 

Thanks, I had forgotten about that option: https://heavyhitch.com/store/heavy-...tore/heavy-hitch-accessories/replacement-parts/wear-bar-for-john-deere-54-plow/

 

We have an AR400 steel 54" wear bar with stainless mounting hardware as well as a UHMW 54" 2 side wear bar with stainless hardware. Soon to have AR400 steel wear bars and hardware for the 47 and 54 Deere blowers as well!:good2:

 

last dance

I'm planning to run around the lot with the mower for the last time this weekend. Then I'll drop the mower and put the front blade on the 420. I ordered 2 wear plates from Heavy Hitch. They completed the order easily and the package arrived quickly. The machining looks well done. I'm planning to mount one this weekend but may not get a chance to use it for a month or two - this is St. Louis after all. I'll report back after I have used it.