Melroe 600 with a plow, good idea?

Hi all, even though it is supposed to be spring, snow on the way tomorrow in Mass, I am looking to the future and next winter season. I am considering putting together a plow on my Melore 600. Is this a good idea? Have any of you guys done it? If so, what tips do you have for me? What size plow, 6 1/2", 7 1/2"? Will I need chains, etc.? Regards, Tim in Mass

Hi Tim, I also have a 600. i don't have a plow, however I made a 8'snow bucket for mine and absolutely love it. My bucket is made out of two old buckets. I took one bucket(54") and a second bucket and cut 22" off the outside on both sides. then welded them (the 22" ends) on the 54" bucket with a 1" overlap to give a little extra to weld on to. 21"+54"+21"=96". I was told the 600 was too light, under powered hydraulically and in the drive. It is not, it works great, even considering my hydraulics are weak and worn, this works fine. I think one thing that helps me with a bucket is when I do push too much i can lift the loaded bucket just a little bit to put weight on the tires ( I also use pick up truck snow tires7.50 x16"to help get less foot print and more ground pressure) , something you might not be able to do with a blade. I plow snow commercially for a friend with a New Holland 160 with a 7'6" blade and I think I move snow just as fast with my little 600 and bucket as the 160 does with a blade. I do not use chains, I bought some thinking I would need them but after two years have not needed to put them on. I live in northern Wi. so we get plenty snow, especially this year, so that may tell you how hard it will work in the snow. So, for the plow, I think it will work but give some consideration to a wide bucket. It is also awesome for back dragging and leveling topsoil but it won't dig into a pile of dirt or carry a full load,to wide/heavy, but no problem at all with snow. .

Hi, I don't know much about the 600 but I used to have a 630 that I set up a plow on. I bought an older 7 1/2' plow only that was in decent shape and set it up on a blank bobcat plate that I picked up on e-bay. I set it up to float like a normal plow but others set them up to be rigid so you can put down pressure on them. Works well for the lot I use it on and don't need chains but I would imagine if you are pushing uphill a lot you may. Total investment for me was about $600 including hoses/fittings etc. I am in MA also, this winter sucks!

ancomcabs said:

Hi, I don't know much about the 600 but I used to have a 630 that I set up a plow on. I bought an older 7 1/2' plow only that was in decent shape and set it up on a blank bobcat plate that I picked up on e-bay. I set it up to float like a normal plow but others set them up to be rigid so you can put down pressure on them. Works well for the lot I use it on and don't need chains but I would imagine if you are pushing uphill a lot you may. Total investment for me was about $600 including hoses/fittings etc. I am in MA also, this winter sucks!

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Mark, thanks, good stuff! I already have a 55" bucket, but I think it is too small for my whole driveway, maybe cleanup in small areas. Do you have any pictures of your double-wide bucket? Were you going to put the chains on front and back. It looks like there may be clearance issues on the front wheels, at least on mine, with the sides of the boom. I have 7.00x15" tires, decent chevron tread, on it right now. Thanks, Tim in Mass.

ancomcabs said:

Hi, I don't know much about the 600 but I used to have a 630 that I set up a plow on. I bought an older 7 1/2' plow only that was in decent shape and set it up on a blank bobcat plate that I picked up on e-bay. I set it up to float like a normal plow but others set them up to be rigid so you can put down pressure on them. Works well for the lot I use it on and don't need chains but I would imagine if you are pushing uphill a lot you may. Total investment for me was about $600 including hoses/fittings etc. I am in MA also, this winter sucks!

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ancomcabs, your setup is what I am considering, pick up a used blade, and fab up an attach plate, etc. I have a flat driveway, so no uphill at my house. I figure I could do this for around 5-$600 too. Yea, this has been a loooong winter in Mass, really ready for spring...

ancomcabs said:

Hi, I don't know much about the 600 but I used to have a 630 that I set up a plow on. I bought an older 7 1/2' plow only that was in decent shape and set it up on a blank bobcat plate that I picked up on e-bay. I set it up to float like a normal plow but others set them up to be rigid so you can put down pressure on them. Works well for the lot I use it on and don't need chains but I would imagine if you are pushing uphill a lot you may. Total investment for me was about $600 including hoses/fittings etc. I am in MA also, this winter sucks!

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ancomcabs, do you happen to have any pictures with details of the mounting plate?

thynes said:

ancomcabs, do you happen to have any pictures with details of the mounting plate?

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I do have a picture I'm sure someplace, just might not be a close up of the plate, I'll check, actually there is a picture of it under ancomcab 630 in the media section, kind of in the shadow but you get the idea Not sure where you are in MA but I still have the same setup on my S130 if you want to take a look sometime

ancomcabs said:

I do have a picture I'm sure someplace, just might not be a close up of the plate, I'll check, actually there is a picture of it under ancomcab 630 in the media section, kind of in the shadow but you get the idea Not sure where you are in MA but I still have the same setup on my S130 if you want to take a look sometime

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I've used my old Melroe 610 with a larger capacity light materials bucket and had no problem quickly cleaning driveways off- in fact I find it easier than a blade because instead of pushing it into berms that harden later you can lift and feather it over the edge of the driveway while dumping. I similarly have not seen a need for chains when doing so.

Now if I had to do an entire parking lot or something like that or need to maintain an already plowed surface like in commercial operations I would consider the snow blades but for my driveway the bucket works great.

Tigerhaze said:

I've used my old Melroe 610 with a larger capacity light materials bucket and had no problem quickly cleaning driveways off- in fact I find it easier than a blade because instead of pushing it into berms that harden later you can lift and feather it over the edge of the driveway while dumping. I similarly have not seen a need for chains when doing so.

Now if I had to do an entire parking lot or something like that or need to maintain an already plowed surface like in commercial operations I would consider the snow blades but for my driveway the bucket works great.

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Also if you have an adjustable Cat 1 blade for a wheel tractor, they sell adapter plates to mount Cat 1, 3 point hitch implements to a skid steer. They even have hookups for hydraulics and some have PTO. While I haven't used them personally, I talked to a few people that have and I guess they work OK depending on the brand you pick. It's certainly cheaper than buying a skid steer-specific blade setup.

ancomcabs said:

I do have a picture I'm sure someplace, just might not be a close up of the plate, I'll check, actually there is a picture of it under ancomcab 630 in the media section, kind of in the shadow but you get the idea Not sure where you are in MA but I still have the same setup on my S130 if you want to take a look sometime

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ancomcabs, I live in Pepperell, but I travel all around the state for work. I will be in Duxbury tomorrow, Cambridge on Friday, Amherst next week, etc. It would be great to see your setup sometime. Where are you located?

thynes said:

ancomcabs, I live in Pepperell, but I travel all around the state for work. I will be in Duxbury tomorrow, Cambridge on Friday, Amherst next week, etc. It would be great to see your setup sometime. Where are you located?

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Tigerhaze, I am almost wanting one more snow so I can try out the bucket, so I can see how well it works. But it we don't get any more snow till the fall, well that will be just fine with me!

thynes said:

Tigerhaze, I am almost wanting one more snow so I can try out the bucket, so I can see how well it works. But it we don't get any more snow till the fall, well that will be just fine with me!

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I cant see pushing a plow without a set of chains, or even a snow bucket. Perhaps on pavement, but not over snow packed areas. I consider the chains I have on the rear wheels of my 753 the best aftermarket product I have. Two weeks ago I took them off thinking the snow was finally over, stupid me. It snowed another 6" and I tried plowing without. Non-stop spinning, and I have good rubber, but I'm also pushing a 100" snow bucket. Chains aren't something you will notice you are using when plowing as much as you will notice when your not using them. Especially this time of year when the snow gets heavy and immediately turns to ice as you drive. I found mine at a fleet supply store for $75.

reaperman said:

I cant see pushing a plow without a set of chains, or even a snow bucket. Perhaps on pavement, but not over snow packed areas. I consider the chains I have on the rear wheels of my 753 the best aftermarket product I have. Two weeks ago I took them off thinking the snow was finally over, stupid me. It snowed another 6" and I tried plowing without. Non-stop spinning, and I have good rubber, but I'm also pushing a 100" snow bucket. Chains aren't something you will notice you are using when plowing as much as you will notice when your not using them. Especially this time of year when the snow gets heavy and immediately turns to ice as you drive. I found mine at a fleet supply store for $75.

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Thynes 22 Bryan Way, Ayer MA a couple minutes from 119 near the Groton Line, you may practically drive right by on your way to Pepperell. Cell is 978 eight three five 0721, always best to call first as I'm in and out of the shop a lot

Can you give me a email to send it to? I am not computer literate enough to put them up on here. I'll be happy to send them to some one who could put them up for me so everyone can see them.

Ok , i'll try this . No guarantees I get the pics here but i'll give it a shot. this link should give you some pics of my snow bucket. This bucket is home made with two junk buckets for about $100 and works perfect. Like I mentioned earlier I also plow with a New Holland 160 with a blade and I prefer my little 600 to move snow with. As for the tire chains I don't think some guys are taking into consideration that we have skinny tires. I have 7.50x 16 on my 600 and the New Holland I run has 7.50x16.5 in the winter. I don't use skid steer tires to plow snow, too wide and give to much flotation and not putting enough ground pressure to provide traction. these are the same tires that a pick up truck might use. If your 600 is the one in your profile photo, I think you will be good without chains also, as it apears you have skinny tires also. If I was you, I would try it with out chains you can always put them on if you want to, but I'll bet you won't need them. Here is the link to the bucket pics, hope it works. http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/kralicek/library/?view=recent&page=1

mark18mwm said:

Ok , i'll try this . No guarantees I get the pics here but i'll give it a shot. this link should give you some pics of my snow bucket. This bucket is home made with two junk buckets for about $100 and works perfect. Like I mentioned earlier I also plow with a New Holland 160 with a blade and I prefer my little 600 to move snow with. As for the tire chains I don't think some guys are taking into consideration that we have skinny tires. I have 7.50x 16 on my 600 and the New Holland I run has 7.50x16.5 in the winter. I don't use skid steer tires to plow snow, too wide and give to much flotation and not putting enough ground pressure to provide traction. these are the same tires that a pick up truck might use. If your 600 is the one in your profile photo, I think you will be good without chains also, as it apears you have skinny tires also. If I was you, I would try it with out chains you can always put them on if you want to, but I'll bet you won't need them. Here is the link to the bucket pics, hope it works. http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/kralicek/library/?view=recent&page=1

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I agree with the chains. I have a small skidsteer about this size. I bought a set of chains from the interwebz for about $200. Excellent investment. My plowing is up and down steep driveways, all angled the wrong way. The new chains are easy to put on, and come with spring tensioners. I could not have done much of the plowing without the chains.

mark18mwm said:

Ok , i'll try this . No guarantees I get the pics here but i'll give it a shot. this link should give you some pics of my snow bucket. This bucket is home made with two junk buckets for about $100 and works perfect. Like I mentioned earlier I also plow with a New Holland 160 with a blade and I prefer my little 600 to move snow with. As for the tire chains I don't think some guys are taking into consideration that we have skinny tires. I have 7.50x 16 on my 600 and the New Holland I run has 7.50x16.5 in the winter. I don't use skid steer tires to plow snow, too wide and give to much flotation and not putting enough ground pressure to provide traction. these are the same tires that a pick up truck might use. If your 600 is the one in your profile photo, I think you will be good without chains also, as it apears you have skinny tires also. If I was you, I would try it with out chains you can always put them on if you want to, but I'll bet you won't need them. Here is the link to the bucket pics, hope it works. http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/kralicek/library/?view=recent&page=1

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mark18wmn, thanks for the pictures. I have saved them for future reference. I hear what you are saying with plowing and skinny tires. I think I might get away without chains, but I can always get a set if I find myself spinning my wheels. Regards, Tim in Mass

thynes said:

mark18wmn, thanks for the pictures. I have saved them for future reference. I hear what you are saying with plowing and skinny tires. I think I might get away without chains, but I can always get a set if I find myself spinning my wheels. Regards, Tim in Mass

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Update: So I think I found a plow nearby that I may buy. But the attach plate is the newer style and measures about 45" wide. My attach is about 42" wide, so there is about a 2" difference between the two. Here is a link to the ad: http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/4421355480.html Will this work if I put 1" spaces on the plow attach? Do I even need to bother with the spacers?

thynes said:

Update: So I think I found a plow nearby that I may buy. But the attach plate is the newer style and measures about 45" wide. My attach is about 42" wide, so there is about a 2" difference between the two. Here is a link to the ad: http://nh.craigslist.org/grd/4421355480.html Will this work if I put 1" spaces on the plow attach? Do I even need to bother with the spacers?

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as long as the wedges in the bobtach line up it doesn' matter about the width