I think I'm going to need snow removal equipment

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Since it's likely to be a rare occurrence, I'd go with tractor bucket for the bulk of it, and a walk-behind snowblower for the house/shop-immediate area.
Once you're built and steady there, you may find that that rare 12-18" snow doesn't need to be cleared at all since it's likely to disappear before you need to go to town!

After 2-3 years, you can decide if it's worth going up a notch to say a rear blade, a bigger jump to a front blade or a truck plow, or a pole vault to a tractor blower.

 

[RjCorazza]

I plow 15 long rural driveways in a moderate to low snow area. I enjoy having a wide variety of options, so I own a rear blower, front and rear plows, bucket, truck plow, and a 30"'walk behind blower.
If time (a lot of it) were not a consideration a bucket will get through anything at minimal cost. Next in line, a rear mount plow would be much quicker, and this would be my recommendation for the OP. The rear blade would be nice to have in maintaining a gravel driveway year round.

 

[RobertEH]

I get between 4 and 8 feet of snow per year.

I have a blower and LOVE it, but it would be the last snow implement I would get in terms of priority.

I find that conditions need to be right for it to be useful:
-Cold enough to freeze/solidify my gravel driveway
-Deep enough to make it worthwhile.

For my situation the top priority would be a blade. Either front or rear (I ended up with a 3 point blower so a front blade was perfect for me as I can have both mounted at the same time.)
Second priority would be chains
Third priority would be hydraulics to move and level the blade (as well as set angle of attack)
4th priority would be a blower.

Everyone has different circumstances, but this works best for me with a 200 yard gravel driveway on a slope (rises about 50 feet over 100 yards) that sees between 4-8 feet of snow on a typical year.

 

[ericm979]

Everyone here told me last winter's big snow was never going to happen again. Well, it happened again last night. We measured 10" of snow this morning. Thanks to the people who responded to this thread last year, I got some helpful tips.

I used the Branson with bucket to clear 1400' of driveway. The snow was light and fluffy which probably made it easier. I'm guessing as this is the first time I have moved snow with a tractor. It took me about five hours.

The hardest part was finding places to put the snow. Part of the driveway has a 8' deep irrigation system ditch next to it. While that's a tempting place to dump snow the banks are very steep so I didn't get anywhere close to it.

Maybe a skid steer mount plow with hydraulics to angle it might be a lot better than the bucket. Assuming I can drive straight and push the snow off to the side with it. If this keeps happening I'll look into getting one.

 

[RjCorazza]

Everyone here told me last winter's big snow was never going to happen again. Well, it happened again last night. We measured 10" of snow this morning. Thanks to the people who responded to this thread last year, I got some helpful tips.

I used the Branson with bucket to clear 1400' of driveway. The snow was light and fluffy which probably made it easier. I'm guessing as this is the first time I have moved snow with a tractor. It took me about five hours.

The hardest part was finding places to put the snow. Part of the driveway has a 8' deep irrigation system ditch next to it. While that's a tempting place to dump snow the banks are very steep so I didn't get anywhere close to it.

Maybe a skid steer mount plow with hydraulics to angle it might be a lot better than the bucket. Assuming I can drive straight and push the snow off to the side with it. If this keeps happening I'll look into getting one.

The great thing about a bucket is that it will get through practically anything... Eventually.
There are a lot of SSQA plow options. I run an HLA 2000 front blade, which is a medium duty plow. I added fabricated side plates so that it gathers snow like a pusher, plus I can angle the plow to dump off to the side when it fills up. For heavier snows I can easily remove the side plates.
A rear blade is still going to be the least expensive option for faster plowing than a bucket though. They're also easier to use on gravel than a front blade imho.

 

[jyoutz]

I hold my bucket about 4” off the ground and follow with my rear blade flipped backwards to clean my gravel road.

 

[BlueKnife]

Maybe a skid steer mount plow with hydraulics to angle it might be a lot better than the bucket. Assuming I can drive straight and push the snow off to the side with it. If this keeps happening I'll look into getting one.

That will work in light, fluffy snow. Once it gets heavy it just shoves the tractor off to the side. The heavier the tractor, the less of an issue that is. I have a SSQA plow with hydraulic angle for my wheel loader and plow almost two miles of road. Once the snow is deeper than 6 inches or so, I usually end up just keeping it straight and using it like a pusher. Eventually I'll probably just sell the plow and get a pusher. For one or two snows a year, I'd just use the bucket.

 

[shooterdon]

That will work in light, fluffy snow. Once it gets heavy it just shoves the tractor off to the side. The heavier the tractor, the less of an issue that is. I have a SSQA plow with hydraulic angle for my wheel loader and plow almost two miles of road. Once the snow is deeper than 6 inches or so, I usually end up just keeping it straight and using it like a pusher. Eventually I'll probably just sell the plow and get a pusher. For one or two snows a year, I'd just use the bucket.

My LS is a bit lighter than the R410 and an angled blade will cause the tractor to get pushed around when there is a lot of snow up front. Same would happen with my plow truck.

I purchased a pusher this year and when there is a lot of snow to push it does not steer. I will be adding chains next year to the front tires but do not have enough clearance to put chains on the rears. I might stud the rears if the chains on the front do not work well enough.

The "easy" solution has been to take less of a "bite". At times, I have lifted the pusher a bit, then come back for another pass. Other times backed up and pushed 1/3-1/2 of the mound of snow in front of the pusher. Not elegant but it works.

BTW, I have oversized turf tires on the tractor.

I have used about every method and none are perfect. Front and rear blade on tractor, inverted blower, and a contractor blade on an F250. For my needs, the pusher (with back drag) has been the best option. It is not only affordable but has zero maintenance unless I do something stupid and run into a stump. I can store it outside as it has no cylinders or hoses. The downside is you need a place to pile snow. I cannot comment on how it works on grades as my area is flat.

IMO people look for a 100% solution and can spend a lot of money in the search. Find a 95% solution and deal with the 5% by spending an extra 30-60 minutes one or two times a year.

 

[BlueKnife]

I purchased a pusher this year and when there is a lot of snow to push it does not steer. I will be adding chains next year to the front tires but do not have enough clearance to put chains on the rears. I might stud the rears if the chains on the front do not work well enough.

Is the clearance issue on the tread side of the tires or the sidewall? I used to have a Kubota L35. On that I had enough clearance on the tread side for chains but on the sidewalls the chains would rub on stuff. A set of 3/4" hub spacers solved the problem. Rear tire chains make a huge difference pushing snow.

 

[shooterdon]

Is the clearance issue on the tread side of the tires or the sidewall? I used to have a Kubota L35. On that I had enough clearance on the tread side for chains but on the sidewalls the chains would rub on stuff. A set of 3/4" hub spacers solved the problem. Rear tire chains make a huge difference pushing snow.

There is very little clearance between the top of the tire and bottom of the fender.

 

[GrandpaSmurf825]

The very best advice I've seen is talk to and observe what the locals use. Everyone is an expert, on what works where they live. If they don't live where you do then most of the advice isn't worth what you paid for it.
I know what works here. I don't know what your conditions are like. What's your driveway like once you get to the edge. If it has steep inclines then that might make a difference in your choices as well. R-4 tires might not be a good choice but see what is in use locally. There isn't a one size fits all.

Take a drive and see what is in use, what the dealers selling tractors and equipment stock, and how much you want to spend. If you can hold off until summer it's it's easier to find deals on snow removal equipment then. Peak season is a bad time to buy. Unless a dealer is trying to reduce inventory after the demand is gone used is usually the best bargain depending on what it is.

 

[civilian]

One thing no one has mentioned is a rear mount snowblower where to back the tractor down your drive. Think about having to crank your head/body around for 1400 ft of drive. Not fun. For a 20 year old, not bad. But as you age, then neck/back problems start. If you need a blower, does your tractor have a front or mid PTO arrangement? Now there are also rear mount blower that blow snow by driving the tractor through the snow going forward. Also a cab is nice for blowing snow. Jon

 

[leonz]

A rear mounted snow blower has been mentioned, we have not heard from ericmcm979 since 17, February.

 

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A rear mounted snow blower has been mentioned, we have not heard from ericmcm979 since 17, February.

omg that's like 2 weeks

 

[34Willys]

The very best advice I've seen is talk to and observe what the locals use. Everyone is an expert, on what works where they live.

His neighbors all told him it would never snow like that again.
They probably know he's from California, so......

Patrick

 

[nittanyjd]

Seems like every snow is different and need a different tool every time it snows. I tend to use my rear blade on my 4320 and front blade on a x748 for most of my jobs. I have a 6' rear blower that comes in very handy for the deeper stuff and no piles to leave

Too bad you weren't closer I'm going to a smaller property and won't have a use for the 3pt 6' blower. Like new and someone will get a deal.

Best of luck and agree with the previous comments on plowing or blowing forward not reverse is more fun..