deere 47 blower on X585

[BaerEssentials]

Hi folks,

Simple question... I am comsidering purchasing a new 47 snowblower for my X585 deere tractor. I have a moderately inclined 200 foot concrete driveway that I just spent, what I consider, alot of $$ getting installed. I am worried that the blower will mark up the concrete. Yet, I am also concerned that it won't clear the snow all the way to the concrete; i.e. it leaves a layer of snow.

Will you knowlegable folks shed some like on these concerns?

Thanx

Scott

 

[North585]

I have the same set up as you do. My blower works well and doesnt leave marks on the concrete. It takes a bit of practice to get the skid shoes (I think that's what they're called) adjusted to have the right amount of distance beween the bottom of the blower and concrete. I find if I have the shoes provide about an 1/8th of an inch clearance and "float" the blower, it works great. I in essense scrape the concrete with no marking.

Good luck!

 

[beenthere]

If worried about marking the concrete, get some wheels for it.

The X585 I believe has some down-pressure on the front attachments even when in "float". So dropping it down on wheels (similar to the brush attachment) may be the perfect solution.

You may make more marks with the tire chains than the snowblower.

 

[BaerEssentials]

Thanx for the input.

I went to the dealer today to check out the 47. I live in Pittsburgh suburbs and we don't get a crazy amount of snow, just your average 6-9" a couple times a year. Everything else in 2-3". The guys at the dealership told me that the plow might be better suited for the area cuz th 47 might not do well in 2".

Any thoughts? Should I go with the plow instead? (they have a JD rubber stip that will attach to the bottom of the plow to protect the driveway suface. kinda slick)

Thanx again

 

[BaerEssentials]

.. actually I would love to get the 60 rotary broom. It's like 5k, though.

 

[Wildbill34]

My drive is similar to yours and I have no problems. However, there is something to be said about the small amount of snow you referred. I suspect that if you typically are getting 2-3 inches at a time then a blade would probably work better. The blower doesn't seem to do as well with small snowfall like that. However, with 3 inches or more the blower is great. With the lake effect snow machine kicking in here in West Michigan, you can get up to 20 inches over night. Then the snow blower is a lot of fun! We had over 130 inches last year. Way above the normal snowfall.....

 

[beenthere]

.. actually I would love to get the 60 rotary broom. It's like 5k, though.

That broom does do a good job. And other uses for it besides snow. I use it to clean up hickory nut husks and sticks at times, and sweep off the drive at other times, including the snow when it is light.

 

[Deadman]

I LOVE my rotary broom on my X475. Its the absolute best snow machine in the 2 inch snows. It scrapes the sidewalk BARE, and sweeps all the dirt away with the snow, so you are left with a sparkling clean sidewalk/driveway.
I have a 47 Blower that goes on for the deeper snows!!!!!

 

[BaerEssentials]

Watched every Youtube vidieo of deeres blowing and plowing. still can't decide between the two.

for those that have the 47 blower... is it true that it is less that "ok" for light snows? i.e. does it do a satifactory job w/ 2"?

 

[Pipestone Kid]

I have a 47 and have used it for everything from 1 inch up. Granted, it isn't throwing the amount out of the chute as a 6 inch snowfall, but it does the job. I usually go a little faster with light snows.

 

[kennyd]

Watched every Youtube vidieo of deeres blowing and plowing. still can't decide between the two.

for those that have the 47 blower... is it true that it is less that "ok" for light snows? i.e. does it do a satifactory job w/ 2"?

I think that is true for all blowers...they shine in heavy snows.

 

[pennwalk]

I have a 47 on my 425. It is a great blower.You will be amazed at how well it works in all kinds of snow. I have cleared slush with it. My dealer has one personally and told me there was no need for anything else.

Chris

 

[jimgerken]

If you decide to go with the blower, here's a suggestion: Take the feet off it and install a strip of some kind of plastic on the bottom of them. I did this to my old blower years ago and it works slick. I did it by bolting on the strips, with the boltheads in counterbores. I would think that you could by that UHMW stuff in strips with adhesive on it, for use on woodworking machines if I remember correctly, and get everything clean, dry, oil-free, and warm, and stick them on. Especially if the feet are still clean and painted (new). The plastic will slide on the concrete way better than steel feet and will leave almost no marking. The lighter the color of plastic the less visible marking it will leave.
After a couple years your concrete will get harder and will be less prone to marking. If you do mark it now, the marks will gradually show less and less over the years.