Craftsman 14 in. High Lawn Tractor Snow Blade Review

Bought about 3 years ago and will be buying another one to replace it.  An excellent little plow that I have abused in all types of snow / ice / snow banks.  Install was straight forward on my 2004 DYT4000, 27HP ELS B&S.  I added wheel weights and chains, but still need more traction so I add free weights off my 3-bin bagger support- about another 35 lbs and its adequate, but could still use more (i'm about 180lbs).  Plowing all types of snow is no problem and the tractor / plow combo works excellent. I have a 220ft paved driveway and plow when the snow is about 4-5 inches deep.  Itry to not let it get deeper than that or it becomes tough to plow and pushes my tractor off course under the heavy snow load.  Never let it ice over or you may as well forget about plowing with this blade.  Snow banks are tackled in two passes, I usually ram them full speed to move or break them up.  Also, the next day, if they are melting, this will easily clear them.  As someone else posted, start in the middle with the blade angled, making successive passes to clear the snow to either side and you'll clear a normal driveway width in 4-5 passes up and down.  The blade will throw the snow if you have good momentum or are plowing down hill.  The blade cleans well and evenly at first, but eventually bends and does not get the pavement perfectly clear.  There is a $18 replacment metal strip at the bottom you can change to help this. 

Don't get me wrong, I once spent $75 for a plow guy to do my driveway (one time!) before I bought this so its paid for itself several times over, but the plow blade quality could be better.  It bent the 1st season, and I've nursed it along for the remaining years.  The trip spring tends to trip frequently ( I lashed mine with pipe clamps to stiffen it) and it plows better and bigger loads that way, but I'm sure this has contributed to its early demise.  Also, the spring rod mount is cheap metal and bends on day one.  Skid shoes have not worn out at all.  After several years, the lift/tilt as well as swivel mechanism work, but not nearly as well as they did when new.

I am buying a new one this year, but will reinforce the plow with angle irons as it tends to bend on the outer edges.  This modification will help it to last many more seasons and provide a cleaner clearing ability on the pavement as it will keep the blade straight.  You can buy replacement parts, but by the time I add them all up with shipping, it costs more than half of a new one, so I'd rather have everything new for difference in price.

I highly recommend this blade, even if it does need replacing somewhat regularly, it is still much less than having it done professionally.  This blade has saved me thousands of dollars in snow removal costs.  it is easy to remove and store and is easy to maneuvre from the tractor chair.  You won't be disappointed, just have realistic expectations of the plow and its lifespan.