3720 with snow blower for 1500' gravel driveway?

[Dave2425]

My wife and I are scheduled to close on a new place at the end of October. We'll have a 1500' private drive that we'll need to maintain. We live in central North Dakota so we'll likely have a lot of snow to deal with.

My plan right now is to buy a cabbed 3720 with a loader and a 66"-78" snow blower (leaning towards Lorenz right now). Is this a good option and will that setup handle everything?

A friend that has a Bobcat Toolcat is trying to talk me into buying one. He doesn't blow snow with his but thinks it might be a good fit. I don't know much about Toolcats other than what I've researched online and read on various forums. We have two kids so the side by side seating would be nice but I don't know if it's worth the extra money.

I've added three pics that show the driveway. It is relatively flat with around 1100' running east/west and 400' running north/south.

Any comments, suggestions, recommendations, etc are greatly appreciated.

Dave

 

[nybirdman]

I would stay with your idea of the cabbed tractor...especially with a blower.
Looks like a lot of drifting snow..I plow,but in your case a blower sounds like the right fit.Lot s of reading here on the debate between front($) and rear blowers.

 

[Henri88]

Beautiful property! I would also go with your idea including the cab and the front blower because of the size of the driveway. 1500' going backward could be painful on the neck. :thumbsup:

 

[Pipestone Kid]

I am not familiar with the 3720 or the Toolcat, so I can't comment on that. I can comment on two things--1. If a front blower is available I am all for it. Thats a long way to be backing up. 2. What ever you go for, if at all possible let the first couple of inches of snow pack down before you start plowing or blowing. You don't want to be trying to retrieve all that gravel in the spring!

 

[Henri88]

Yep, good point Pipestone. There are usually adjustable skidplate on the blowers to lift it up a few inches for your first snowfall. You also have all kind of space on both side of your driveway to blow the snow depending of the direction of the wind.

 

[beenthere]

For me, the snowblower will be too slow and I'd go for a 7-8' front plow and a wing.

For sure not a rear 3 ph snowblower.

Neighbor has the Toolcat with a blower and likes it a lot.

Snowblowers are higher in maintenace than a simple blade, which may not be a consideration. But they can be great for drifts.

 

[Henri88]

For me, the snowblower will be too slow and I'd go for a 7-8' front plow and a wing.

For sure not a rear 3 ph snowblower.

Neighbor has the Toolcat with a blower and likes it a lot.

Snowblowers are higher in maintenace than a simple blade, which may not be a consideration. But they can be great for drifts.

True, but he also have to take in consideration that the blade even with a side blade will bank snow on each side of the driveway and every time that the wind pick-up those drift of snow in the driveway will come as high as those banks of snow.

 

[catdozer]

I would go with the toolcat. attach a blower to the front and/or a V-plow for the lighter stuff, 5610 with the 3pt will be like a tractor too.

 

[beenthere]

True, but he also have to take in consideration that the blade even with a side blade will bank snow on each side of the driveway and every time that the wind pick-up those drift of snow in the driveway will come as high as those banks of snow.

Good point, but I always put the snow bank on the down-wind side of the drive.

Ideal would be both pieces of equipment. I'd think a blade on the front, wing to the side, and snowblower on the 3 ph would be a great combination. With much snow, there will be long hours behind a snowblower alone. Most snows will whistle right off and maybe a pickup truck with blade and the snowblower as a backup.

Lots of decisions, and time and experience will lead to the right combo.

 

[AKfish]

Grew up in central SD - along the Missouri River. Countryside looks familiar!

Couple of questions... before you decide on tractor versus toolcat or blower versus blade and front loader. What other chores are you likely to have on your new place? Future plans for your acreage?

Answers to those questions could lead you a clearer decision.

AKfish