Snow Snow, can I overwork my 4115

[Newtogreen]

My setup includes my 4115 with a 6 1/2 ft power angle Curtis fel blade and a six hundred pound disc harrow on back for ballast. Call me a cautious but can I overwork my tractor? I am clearing up my 200' driveway which I already cleared twice to get ready for maybe 12 more inches of snow. This is the hardest I have worked my tractor except for alot of mowing. Anyway I've been going full speed ahead pushing alot of heavy snow around. Also what is the best rpm I should be using for heavy snow removal? I don't want to treat my tractor as a toy but I don't want to tear up my wifes lawn mower either.

 

[beenthere]

You can't overwork it, but you can abuse it. They are two different things. Knowing the difference is the key.

If you are getting a run at a pile of snow just so you can get it moved...I call that abuse and something may break. If you are spinning the tires to get something to move a bit more, that borders on abuse. Once the tires break away and spin, it is time to come up with a different plan i.e. more weight or chains, or take a smaller bite.

But steady seat time, is not abuse to your tractor nor is it overworking it.

Green is built to handle work. Everything can be abused.

 

[brin]

beenthere....What a perfect answer and clear explanation..I totally agree ! Good advice.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I'm clearing almost 1200 feet of driveway with a 455, so no, I don't think you're overtaxing your 4115 with 200 feet.

Notice beenthere made mention of getting a run at something to get it moving. That's bad, but pushing snow "at full speed" is something quite different. If you're not stalling or slipping, just keep doing what you're doing. Or, alternatively, push a little more/deeper/faster until you do start slipping or lugging a little, then back off a touch.

I'm amazed at how tough my little 455 is in this job. I have the 54" blade on it, and it will push through a foot of snow going up hill and show no sign of working at all -- that's with the hydro mashed to the floorboard. Ag tires, no chains, 240 pounds of ballast on the 3 point, and 260 pounds of ballast in the yellow seat

 

[LBrown59]

beenthere....What a perfect answer and clear explanation..I totally agree ! Good advice.

Indeed very good

I'm clearing almost 1200 feet of driveway with a 455, so no, I don't think you're overtaxing your 4115 with 200 feet.


I'm amazed at how tough my little 455 is in this job. I have the 54" blade on it, and it will push through a foot of snow going up hill and show no sign of working at all -- that's with the hydro mashed to the floorboard.
Ag tires
no chains, 240 pounds of ballast on the 3 point, and 260 pounds of ballast in the yellow seat

Do you have
Ag tires on the front also ?

 

[jeffinsgf]

Do you have Ag tires on the front also ?

Nope. I'd like to get some straight ribs (Vredstein 61's, I believe) for it, but right now they're just turfs. Be kinda pointless to put bars on it -- its 2WD.

 

[etcallhome]

I'll agree with everyone else. I've seen some guys go like a mad dog into a pile of snow or mud, gravel and then complain to the dealer than something broke on there machine.. there own fault.
jeffinsgf had a 425 with similar setup ,and one winter we had a 18" or better of wet snow..Coming up around my house was a job,but once I got on my driveway ,It worked great I did have chains on mine..There was no way I could do anything without chains.. tried my 2210 without chains with ag tires. Nope came to close to removing new garage doors with both tractors .
Plus like we have agreed when your spinning the tires on every push time to quit the abuse and get some chains..

 

[Wayne_H]

I've pushed snow this year with my 4400 about 40-50 hours now (in a state where we go two years with no snow)

I run in mid range on the trans for the most part, and with the ballast box full of concrete and chains on the back I can get traction and work the tractor. I keep the rpms around 2200-2400, and it will drop down to 1800 sometimes, but I try not to bog the engine too much, and never let it stall, that has got to be the worst thing for a diesel engine.

Wayne

 

[Thomas]

When it doubt smaller bites lower range..listen feel as the tractor works.

I believe if one..example..high range pushing w/plow heavy snow w/little to no mercy will be purchasing parts sooner or later.

1800rpm..mid range..3/4 plowing..half pedle.

 

[kennyd]

I think you are doing your machine a lot of harm/damage-I will come over and rescue it from the brutality you are putting it through before I call PETT (people for the ethical treatment of tractors) on you.

But seriously...go for it. It will like being worked hard from time to time. Like others wrote just don't be ramming into piles or lugging the engine and you will be fine.