2305 Advice Needed - Loader vs. Snow Thrower

[tkenney65]

Long time lurker close to a purchase on a 2305. Here's my deal (please advise your thoughts):

2305 w/Turfs, 200CX Loader, 54"MMM, Ballast Box $14,050

I have a 200' flat driveway and will need to use the 2305 for snow removal during the New Hampshire winters. My question is whether or not the loader alone will cut it for snow removal for me as I would like to avoid spending another $2.5K for the snow thrower. I realize I will need chains as well or a second set of tires.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!!!

 

[friedlake]

Welcome Kenny. I guess it depends on wether it puts a strain on the pocket book. I use my loader ( 410 on a 4010 and a 6' rear blade) to move my snow on 700' of driveway. It works well.(angle the blade) The loader by itself can take some time but does the job and is fun to play with. Any really big snow falls my nieghbour with his giant 7' blower cleans my driveway out for $20.Gravel flys everywhere to with the blower. Blower is a real nice piece to move large snow falls fast but for me it just isn't worth the 3000 (cdn). PTO blowers are a lot cheaper but can kink the neck. So in short got the $$$ get the blower if you get huge snow falls. If not get a blade which can be used year around and have somebody clean out the big snow falls for you if possible! We had a really light snow fall up hear (toronto,Canada) this year and only cost me $60 for my neigbour.just my thoughts

Good luck

 

[JDFANATIC]

Kenny,

Your pocketbook may not like this, but, go with the 62C MMM (IMHO a much better match for the tractor. It will have better overlap, make trimming easier, reduce the uncut circle to 36" and, perhaps most important, move the ROPS further from trees etc); then go with a blower: single stage for gravel, 2-stage for paved. You won't look back . . . that is, until you get a cab! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Stretch]

I have used a 2210 for three years for mowing and snow removal. I agree with the previous post on the 62C deck over the 54, worth the extra bucks. Saves time and will enhance resale. For plow the driveway I found the FEL to be difficult and the back blade rough on the surface (dirt driveway). The backblade has no give where a spring loaded plow does, so it digs or spins the tractor. I am looking at the boom mounted plow for $1300, the blower is a little salty at $2500, especially considering the winter we just had. Did get much mileage on the sleds this year. I see old pickups with plows on them for sale alot. Might go that path and make it a farm truck. Just some thoughts.

Enjoy the tractor, won't be longer before your saying "If I trade this in I can get a bigger tractor with more attachments"

 

[Lobo56]

Before I bought my 2210, I pushed snow with my 650 JD with a FEL and rear blade. The loader worked ok; when I bought the 2210 I decided to go with a JD 47” two stage blower. It’s so much easier to do snow with a blower then a FEL. If you’re thinking about a rear blade, better have a good chiropractor your neck and back will pay for it. Go with either the blower or thrower depending on the surface your doing.

2210 --200CX 53" FEL, 62c MMM, 47" Two Stage Snow Blower, 48" Tiller, Speeco PHD, 5' back Blade, I-match Hitch, ballast, and PTO driven model 854 TRAC VAC
JD Deere 140 H-1
JD Deere 140 H-3

 

[kljunior]

Some thoughts...... I agree that a 62" mmm is a nice fit if you have the yard for it. Do consider a 54" front blade with a quick hitch and power angle. It will handle the snow with ease, won't hurt your neck, wont cover you with snow, and is easier on the wallet. There is a rubber scraper blade for it that is very forgiving and if the banks begin to build up, drop the blade and put the fel on for a little bank maintenance at your convenience. The switch from blade to fel is about 5 min. total and not a chore cause it's a Deere! The 54" blade on this little tank will push a lot of snow. I have a 500 foot stone driveway in upstate NY, so fear not. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tkenney65]

Keith,

Now that sounds like a plan to me. Is the 54" blade a Deere product or 3rd party? Any ideas on a source or a ballpark price?


Tim

 

[RoyJackson]

With a 200' drive, I'd go for the FEL (which you can use year long for many tasks) and use a rear blade for most snow removal.

I suggest you get out there when the snow is 6" deep or so...use good judgment. If the snow is wet and heavy, you may want to get out sooner.

By rotating your rear blade 180° so the convex side is facing forward (actually, you want it angled 30° or so), this reduces the potential for the blade digging in (if you've a gravel drive) and practically eliminates any need to look behind you when plowing. I should mention, you'd be operating in a low forward gear, not running in reverse.

Unless you expect hellacious snow storms and blizzards, I think it'd be tough to justify a rather expensive implement to use on a 200' drive.

You mentioned you're getting turf tires. If bar turfs are availible for your machine, go for them. They're easy on the lawn (for mowing) but give good traction in slippery conditions. You may still need chains...maybe not. An extra set of tires and rims for a Deere are going to be pretty expensive.

 

[kljunior]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Keith,

Now that sounds like a plan to me. Is the 54" blade a Deere product or 3rd party? Any ideas on a source or a ballpark price?


Tim )</font>

54" blade and quick hitch are JD items. List price for the blade, hitch, and power angle kit is $1185. I'm thinking you can get in for around $1000 or less. The rubber edge is also a JD item and very nice on stone and grass. The blade has a spring loaded trip feature, or you can lock it in for "dozer action". It will actuallly push top soil and stone well with the steel cutting edge installed.
Get the front blade and never look back again.
The same quick hitch is used for several front mount implements, including the snow blower, rotary broom, and kubota incinerator torch...lol /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[megotatractor]

Does New Hamster get a lot of snow? snowblower. If not, front blade. Or I have had some luck with my rear blade with optional skid shoes but it's hard on the neck. FEL loader? might consider a wider snow bucket for winter. the thing abuot the FEL its' too difficult for the wife to use.

 

[tkenney65]

Yes...New Hampshire gets a lot of snow, although we were fortunate not to get too much this winter.

 

[EasyE]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Long time lurker close to a purchase on a 2305. Here's my deal (please advise your thoughts):

2305 w/Turfs, 200CX Loader, 54"MMM, Ballast Box $14,050

I have a 200' flat driveway and will need to use the 2305 for snow removal during the New Hampshire winters. My question is whether or not the loader alone will cut it for snow removal for me as I would like to avoid spending another $2.5K for the snow thrower. I realize I will need chains as well or a second set of tires.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!!!

)</font>

Everything looks OK to me except my only concern I see and no one else has brought this up is the Turf's. I have the R4's and I would imagine if you are going to be moving snow on a regular basis you may want to reconsider the turf's and go with something more agressive. Just my .02 cents worth /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MikeD74T]

Also in NH, I have used a 1973 JD 110 with a 38" snowblower for my 150' driveway since 1978. I think a snow blower does a cleaner job because the FEL has to have a place to push to. In my case I have trees along the driveway & the snowblower puts the snow between them. I'll admit that when the banks at the road end get too tall to blow over my Case 580 comes in handy. This does not mean you shouldn't have the FEL. If I had only one it would be the FEL.
Get chains for the turf tires. Ag tires aren't any better on icy ground than turfs, & chains always work. Another low cost traction idea is to stud the tires with specialty sheet metal screws. Most 4-wheeler /ATV catalogs carry them.

 

[Wildbill34]

Well, let me tell you a lil story. Once I had a blade for the front of the 2210. I found myself building large snow piles along side of the drive way (500ft long paved). I then decided on a 47 dual stage snow blower. Worked like a champ, cleared the drive and did everything I wanted it to do....except I froze my face off. Snow blowing back at me. Then I said...self, don't freeze get a cab. Well then I went and bought the cab this last winter. We had picked up 60 inches of snow by mid December and I didn't think my frozen mustashe or eyebrows could take any more. Not to mention the frozen pants. The wife (oops, the boss) felt sorry for me, but I really think she got tired of me putting my cold hands on her when I got back in. She said can't you get a cab for that thing to stay warm???? I couldn't slam the door fast enough on the way out to the dealer. Ordered it before she had time to think about what she just said. So it finally came in and I had it installed. Don't you know it didn't hardly snow 8 inches after getting the dang thing installed! However, I was toasty and warm and without a coat for what little use I got out of it this year. But I based my decision on total number of years I will use it rather than the one time cost. If you have the cash, get them and you won't be sorry. If not, get the 54 inch front blade witht he power and kit. The lake effect snow here is a bit much for a blade.

 

[Wildbill34]

One other thing I forgot to mention. I have yet to need chains. In 2 years of winter and deep snowfall, haven't had a problem getting through. I even have a pretty good size climb near the house.