2305 + boxblade/rake + this driveway

[VTtractorguy]

2000' VT driveway
Hardpack surface
Gentle grade

Hi folks... I'm thinknig of buying the 2305 to grade/snow blow the below driveway. Is this too much for this tractor? What's best... boxblade or York rake?

Also... Should I get the 54" or 62" deck? Lots of contours in the lawn.

Thanks for your help.

 

[dieselram]

Too much and both!

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'll second the too much. I'm thinking at least a 3000 series. You might even want 4000 with that much grading.

Matt T.

 

[Rara Avis]

2000' VT driveway
Hardpack surface
Gentle grade

Hi folks... I'm thinknig of buying the 2305 to grade/snow blow the below driveway. Is this too much for this tractor? What's best... boxblade or York rake?

Also... Should I get the 54" or 62" deck? Lots of contours in the lawn.

Thanks for your help.

You have the problem of TIME vs HP...since you appear to work away from the home...YOU need HP to reduce the TIME, YOU are performing the TASK...

 

[JiminGa]

I'll go the other way and say it will do the work just fine...get the bb and rake. If you are blowing snow I don't see where you'd have a problem aside from no cab to stay warm. 62c deck for sure, you'll find ways to smooth the rough spots.

 

[JCB]

VT,

It will really only come down to time. The 2305 will do the work no problem. I've got about 1200' gravel driveway: snowblower, landscape rake, bb and rear blade. All have applications where they shine.

The photo shows us getting started clearing out after a big storm. The snowblower is awesome, and is the ONLY way to move significant amounts of snow with these little tractors. In low range ,full rpm, half speed the 2210 and blower will march all the way to the road, no stopping. The rear blade works great for lighter accumulations and allows use of high range for speed.

I use both the rear blade and rake on the driveway in the summer. You could get by with only the rear blade, as it is useful year round, however if you are willing to store the rake all winter, it doesn't cut your driveway as much and is better at maintenance than the blade. Neither is probably as good as a dedicated road grader tool.

The BB I only use for significant dirt work.

Joe

 

[VABlue]

Time vs HP, as stated earlier...

The 2305 will handle the jobs adequately, but will take a long time on them. Road grading work may take several passes, as well. But the bigger machines cost more...

Choices are tough and delicious!

 

[VTtractorguy]

Decisions, decisions Thanks for all your help guys I think at this juncture it will be the 2305. I looked at the 2320 which I'd really like to have, but the CFO (wifey) says not right now So on the time v. HP thought, it just gives me more seat time on the toy which I'm not opposed to. I will take whatever time it needs to do the grading, but I just don't want to damage the machine by over taxing it (transmission, frame, etc.) It's a long, long driveway with lots of hardpack.

Very sweet little machine though. I just got back from the dealer and was playing with the FEL. At first I was going to wait on that, but in thinking about the projects I have around here, and the fact that I don't want to waste $$ renting a machine with a FEL, I think it makes sense to buy it now. I have walkways and stone walls to build, plants to plant, brush to clear all for this ridiculously over budget house we built (that's why I can't get the 2320 yet). But if I take my time on the 2305, I think it will do fine. I just can't go into the woods and snag the plastic fan

Thanks for helping me make this decision.

- Stew

 

[Rara Avis]

Are you working with Mike Hendy at Hendy Brothers in Middlebury, VT?

 

[ChuckinNH]

Are you working with Mike Hendy at Hendy Brothers in Middlebury, VT?

I stopped in there a couple of times when I was up that way, and they seem like good folks to deal with. They are nice to talk with anyway!