Snow Parking lot Clearing Tractor

[Todd NE WY]

Hi all,

A little background, I currently own a JD 4320 with loader, and loader mount blade. I use this at the house to move snow, primarily the blade but the bucket if it gets too deep. I am familiar with the larger tractors but not the smaller compacts and subcompacts.

After this winter of 2-3" of snow every few days for a couple months I am starting to re think my snow removal at my office. I have a parking lot that is approx 60' by 250' maybe slightly larger but not much. It is asphalt and smooth. Currently I pay $55 everytime they show up, usually it takes them less that 15 min to clear it. I dont mind paying but if they come back for another 15 min at lunch they charge again.

I am thinking about getting a 2nd tractor to use at the office for keeping it cleared. It is not feasable to use the 4320 due to the distance involved and hassel of loading it in the mornings. I was wondering which of the 4x4 compact or subcompacts the more experienced here would suggest. I am thinking primarily of using a front blade but have not ruled out a loader mounted front blade allowing a quick change back to the bucket if the snow is deep. I would like to keep is small enough that I could keep it on a small trailer in my shop(30x50) and be ready if it snowed over night. I could also keep it at the office but then it would be outside.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

 

[Argosy]

I'd also watch for a beater plow truck. It could be in pretty rough shape and last a long time clearing a relatively small lot. And on the plus side it comes with a cab and heater.

 

[KennedyDiesel]

I guess the first thing to consider is who is going to operate it and at what cost?

I might try contacting the company that plows and discuss the situation. Maybe they'll come up with a compromise where they charge a reduced rate for any follow ups within a set time period.

I know myself if I did not have a lot of travel time between locatios I'd be willing to do low to no cost intermediate plowings for a reliable, loyal customer especially when I'm billing at $220+ per hr.

 

[Todd NE WY]

Kenny,

I did talk to them, I am already getting the easy lot/long time customer price, the going rate is $85 per time. It really is a per hour charge but 1 hour is the minimum billed. I really don't want to go this route it is easier to sleep longer and let them do it. But each year it seems like we spend more and more. I think for this winter I have already spent enough to have made a years worth of payments on a tractor and loader.

Also I have considered the truck but I think I can get more uses out of a second tractor than a beater pickup. Also I wouldn't be able to go to much of a beater because it always has to start when I need it.

Todd

 

[RoyJackson]

Plow truck is the way to go. Warmer, cheaper and for most snows, probably easier to tranport from home to office and back.
You'll have to insure it, of course, but you'd probably have to insure the tractor too.

 

[AKfish]

Buying a dedicated tractor JUST to clear your lot during the winter months is a different question than asking what tractor to buy for clearing the lot AND other uses during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall months.

Clearing a small lot might = a small tractor. Maybe a 2000 series machine.

Clearing the lot and other uses during the off-season might = a larger tractor. Maybe a 3000 series machine.

Of course, if you just clear the lot of snow and when the berms and piles get too big for the smaller machine you trailer in the 4320 for stockpiling everything every 2 weeks, etc. you could get by with the smaller series machine just fine.

Much depends upon any additional uses for the tractor in the off-season.

AKfish

 

[Duffster]

Unless you want to do it for the fun of it you can't justify owning even a beater with a heater for $55 a push.

 

[Todd NE WY]

Duffster,

As I stated we are talking about $4-5,000 per winter. Even if I have to go in 30 to 45 min early to do it that is a significant savings for a small business once the cost of the tractor is recovered. I don't figure more than 3 years worth of plowing to cover the cost esp if I can find a used model. This doesn't count the other things I could do around the house that my 4320 is to large for.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[Duffster]

Duffster,

As I stated we are talking about $4-5,000 per winter. Even if I have to go in 30 to 45 min early to do it that is a significant savings for a small business once the cost of the tractor is recovered. I don't figure more than 3 years worth of plowing to cover the cost esp if I can find a used model. This doesn't count the other things I could do around the house that my 4320 is to large for.

Thanks,

Todd

You getting plowed 75-90 times a year?

You have figure in the cost of fuel, ins, deprecation, maintenance, etc.

Do you live close enough to know if it snowed and that you will have to go in early.

Does your liability cover you or will you need more?

Does your current service provider manage the ice?

$4-5k sounds cheap to me.

I would look into a fixed seasonal price and be done with it.

 

[dmay]

Hi all,

A little background, I currently own a JD 4320 with loader, and loader mount blade. I use this at the house to move snow, primarily the blade but the bucket if it gets too deep. I am familiar with the larger tractors but not the smaller compacts and subcompacts.

After this winter of 2-3" of snow every few days for a couple months I am starting to re think my snow removal at my office. I have a parking lot that is approx 60' by 250' maybe slightly larger but not much. It is asphalt and smooth. Currently I pay $55 everytime they show up, usually it takes them less that 15 min to clear it. I dont mind paying but if they come back for another 15 min at lunch they charge again.

I am thinking about getting a 2nd tractor to use at the office for keeping it cleared. It is not feasable to use the 4320 due to the distance involved and hassel of loading it in the mornings. I was wondering which of the 4x4 compact or subcompacts the more experienced here would suggest. I am thinking primarily of using a front blade but have not ruled out a loader mounted front blade allowing a quick change back to the bucket if the snow is deep. I would like to keep is small enough that I could keep it on a small trailer in my shop(30x50) and be ready if it snowed over night. I could also keep it at the office but then it would be outside.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

What do you drive? If you have a truck or SUV I'd consider installing a front receiver hitch snowplow. This would be 1/10 the cost of a new compact tractor and very quick and easy to use to clear 2-3" snowfalls in your parking lot.