3000 Series and a snowblower?

[larry1965]

I recently acquired a 2003 Cub GT3235 with 248 hrs. I have a 2550 with 950 hrs., that has worked very well for me. One reason I bought the 3235 was the low hours and the traction control. It has a 54" deck and appears to be in very good shape. After mowing with it several times I started thinking about a snowblower. I searched some old threads that discussed the hydraulic controls needed. Now I would like to hear from anyone using a 3000 with a snowblower and how it works for them and any concerns on a model this old.

 

[Vernonator]

I have a GT3235 ('07 I think) with the front quick-hitch. I have abandoned using it as a mower - the deck had an awful habit of throwing bolts, belts, pulleys etc. However it ROCKS as a snowblower - I have a 350' gravel drive and live in Iowa, so we see some heavy snow. The GT3235 powers thru anything we have seen in 11 winters. Snow, Ice, heavy, light its the bomb as a blower. Get the chains for it (if you are running turf tires) and you will be set.

 

[larry1965]

Thanks for the reply Vernonator. That confirms what I thought, it is a lot more heavy duty than my 2550. Cub doesn't make the snow blower for it anymore but I may have a used one lined up. If not I know there is an aftermarket blower from Bercormic. Our snow in sw ohio can vary from year to year. I'm sure its not like what you get.

 

[ngzcaz]

Thanks for the reply Vernonator. That confirms what I thought, it is a lot more heavy duty than my 2550. Cub doesn't make the snow blower for it anymore but I may have a used one lined up. If not I know there is an aftermarket blower from Bercormic. Our snow in sw ohio can vary from year to year. I'm sure its not like what you get.

I have a 3184 I purchased a few months ago. I sold the mower deck that would have seen zero use for $ 200 that was in very good shape and with the money i WANTED to buy a snowblower but couldn't locate one anywhere near my area. I also called Bercomac but the price for a new one was just to much for my budget. I was able to get the CCadet mounting bracket, front hitch, blade, front disconnect hoses the whole works for my $ 200 budget. I just have to buy 2 hoses and hook them up in the rear and run them to the front disconnects. I can then use the former lift lever to the mower deck to lift the blade up and down hydraulically in stead. I live in NE Pa Pocono Mt area and we can see from a few inches to a foot or more. Good luck finding a blower, they are out there and I'm pretty sure Bercomac has one for your machine. Would have loved to have one.

 

[larry1965]

ngzcaz it sounds like you will have a nice plow when your finished. I plow my driveway to the main road, but around my house I wanted a blower because I run out of places to put the snow if we get two heavy back to back snows. Doesn't happen often but when it does it is a pain. Good luck with your blade.

 

[ngzcaz]

ngzcaz it sounds like you will have a nice plow when your finished. I plow my driveway to the main road, but around my house I wanted a blower because I run out of places to put the snow if we get two heavy back to back snows. Doesn't happen often but when it does it is a pain. Good luck with your blade.

Actually, I finally finished it. Cost me another $ 100 for the extra hoses and fittings, however it works perfectly on a few trial runs, obviously no snow plowing yet ( I can wait ). FYI, I also got an extra set of weighted tires when I bought the tractor. They were 24x1050x12 inch, liquid filled and quite heavy. I was going to put chains on them but saw that clearances between the tires and the plastic gas tank were very close. At first I thought I might get away w/ some extra weight in the rear but the more I think about it, using the stock tires with chains ( much better clearance ) will do far better than just the weighted tires even with extra weight in the rear. Stock tires are 23x950x12 inch.
I admit I rarely get on these forums but I think this would be a topic of discussion come winter time. Always new people ( like me ) getting the 3000 series tractors. I mean has no one slapped a plastic tank with a chain ?

 

[larry1965]

Sounds like you got the blade finished in time to test it ngzcaz. It looks like there is snow in the upper Midwest today. I also have the 24X1050X12 tires. I got wheel weights with the tractor. I will try that setup first and see how it works. The traction control should help a lot. I have also thought about the rubber chains. I think they can be tightened closer to the tire and may not hit anything.

 

[elfiero50]

I have a gt3235 with every accessory except the tiller. The 45" snowblower is amazing- nothing will stop it. I had the blower on a 3184(18hp), but the engine would start to bog down when the snow got to be more than a foot deep or so. The 3235 however has a 25hp engine, and it NEVER bogs down for anything. I have measured it, and it will easily toss the snow over 75ft! This setup(3k series with a 45" blower) is most likely the best set up that MTD ever put out.

 

[savageactor7]

Thanks for the report and continued good experience.

 

[DeepBranch]

Info. needed I have a 3235 that has lost the lift power. P.steering and transmission are ok for power, it is just the hydraulic lift. Ant help would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

That would suggest that the hydraulic pump is working OK. Perhaps there is a problem with the lift valve. They are quite expensive. I had one leaking on my 2004 3235 and valve replacement by the dealer cost me about $600.

Bob B.