Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Best method for snow removal

[Jordanbear]

What's the opinion on the best means for using the tractor to move snow?

We have a gravel driveway, not level, with outcroppings of rock (not level, never will be.....)

Tractor is MF 451. The bucket is not currently quick release - so I'm looking at ease of use as well as cost, and how well the job gets done.

or should I just break down and put a plow on the big pickup.

The tractor bucket does not do a very good job.

We're in NH, so we get enough snow (frequency and quantity) that it needs to be a reliable method.

 

[Chuck_Lind]

What's the opinion on the best means for using the tractor to move snow?

We have a gravel driveway, not level, with outcroppings of rock (not level, never will be.....)

Tractor is MF 451. The bucket is not currently quick release - so I'm looking at ease of use as well as cost, and how well the job gets done.

or should I just break down and put a plow on the big pickup.

The tractor bucket does not do a very good job.

We're in NH, so we get enough snow (frequency and quantity) that it needs to be a reliable method.

I use a combination of a front loader and 84" rear blade on my New Holland TN65. After a little use...you get to learn how to use one or the other. The loader works great as long as you keep the bucket level utilizing the "level-rod" on the loader to ensure the bucket will not dig into gravel, or...slide on top of the snow. Only problem with the rear blade - which is a 3 point model -is the porpoising-effect of the front wheels running over a snow bank or a less-than-level driveway.

If I ever were to get a snowplow blade, I'd rig it up to the loader instead of buying one for the truck.

 

[diyDave]

In MD, the best way to get rid of snow is to buy snow removal equipment. Buy yourself a loader, blower, and back blade, and upgrade to a 4wd tractor. Then it won't snow for 7-10 years, minimum!

 

[Z-Michigan]

I use a combination of a front loader and 84" rear blade on my New Holland TN65. After a little use...you get to learn how to use one or the other. The loader works great as long as you keep the bucket level utilizing the "level-rod" on the loader to ensure the bucket will not dig into gravel, or...slide on top of the snow. Only problem with the rear blade - which is a 3 point model -is the porpoising-effect of the front wheels running over a snow bank or a less-than-level driveway.

I have an identical setup and identical experience. Rear blade works great on long level stretches - works poorly on bumpy/rough areas because it is a rear blade. A mid blade would be great, but no one makes them any more (???). A front blade, either frame or FEL mount, would also be good, but for my purposes and a fairly moderate level of snow (maybe 4' a year over 10+ snowfalls) my setup works well.

Price no object - either a snowblower on the 3pt/PTO, or a front blade.

One thing to know - if your tractor is stored in an unheated area, it may take several minutes after startup for the hydraulic system to be functional. Not ideal if you're trying to get to work in the morning. Only remedy I know of is a heated garage.

 

[LBrown59]

I use a combination of a front loader on a Kubota BX23 and a front blade on a Kubota BX1500.

 

[gotcha]

Now I use my bucket on the B26 and stick the blade onto it. My first thought was that the snow would push the front end around, but to my surprise up to this point I haven't had a bit of trouble. I love the way it will reach out and pile the snow just so high and push it back in the piles. With the HST one really has great control.
The Gotcha Man

 

[LBrown59]

In MD, the best way to get rid of snow is to buy snow removal equipment. Then it won't snow for 7-10 years, minimum!

This didn't work for me :
I bought a BX23 with a fel in 2004 and 3 years later we got 4'' of snow.

 

[laurencen]

the best way to remove snow is get someone else to do it, second live where it does not snow, as I do not have the first two options I use a snowblower, I have a payloader and fel on the tractor but one can only pile it so much at the side of the road, the blower puts it where neither tractor or payloader can go

 

[Dmace]

If the tractor has a rear 3pt hitch and PTO, then it's tough to beat a rear mount snowblower. I plow now with my truck since it's faster and easier, but I still use the tractor/snowblower to get the tight areas and move back the huge piles left by the plow.

 

[davitk]

Get two little bx1500's with front blades and weld them together side by side....LOL How about that combination....LOL!!!!

One for forward, one for reverse. Remember Dr. Suess' Push-Me-Pull-You?

 

[LBrown59]

Get two little bx1500's with front blades and weld them together side by side....LOL How about that combination....LOL!!!!

Sounds about rite since it would take 3 JD x700s or 5 Cub Cadet 5234Ds to do the same thing!

== L B ==

 

[LBrown59]

One for forward, one for reverse. Remember Dr. Suess' Push-Me-Pull-You?

Use 2 JD x700s with AWS and go sideways left and sideways rite.
Don't need no reverse or forward with that combination.

 

[jjmarotz]

the best way to remove snow is get someone else to do it, second live where it does not snow, as I do not have the first two options I use a snowblower, I have a payloader and fel on the tractor but one can only pile it so much at the side of the road, the blower puts it where neither tractor or payloader can go

FINALLY someone who knows how to move snow other than me, (and my dad), snowblowers RULE. Piling, pushing, shoving, cussing, beating the he## out of your tractor, just to end up with a snowbank that is there for the entire winter is just NOT worth it. Blow it out of the way and be done with it already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[454shooter]

This setup works good for me. I also have a 8' power angle rear blade that I use if the snow is not too deep. I also chain all 4 tires.

 

[mapmaker]

For my situation a front mount snow blower works the best. I have a steep driveway and very few places to pile the snow. I bought a JD 4115 with a 47" front mount blower and have had no regrets. All the snow gets blown into the woods so I have no big piles to deal with. I personally like the front mount blower, because it allows me to keep a cone type spreader on the 3pth to spread sand and salt. I also really like the HST for clearing snow.

 

[lhfarm]

What's the opinion on the best means for using the tractor to move snow?

We have a gravel driveway, not level, with outcroppings of rock (not level, never will be.....)

Tractor is MF 451. The bucket is not currently quick release - so I'm looking at ease of use as well as cost, and how well the job gets done.

or should I just break down and put a plow on the big pickup.

The tractor bucket does not do a very good job.

We're in NH, so we get enough snow (frequency and quantity) that it needs to be a reliable method.

Unless you have a cab on your tractor, the one major advantage to the idea of a plow for your truck is heat! My gravel drive is pretty smooth, but I don't think I could ever run a blower over it without picking up stones. Up to 4 or 5", I use my Cub with a front blade. It has shoes, but still digs into the gravel if I don't watch it.
For heavier snow, I use the NH with a back blade. I just have to make a couple of passes (always down hill), lowering the blade more each pass. For real snows - 10" or more (and rare around here), I'll use the bucket, then the blade.
If you don't have a rear blade, I'd buy one, since it can be used year-round. There are lots of posts on using a rear blade for snow removal and drive maintenace.

Stay warm!

 

[Runner]

My limited experience with a rear blade to this point leads me to believe that it needs gauge wheels to be very useful for a gravel drive, whether for leveling or snow removal. I'll be making a pair ASAP.

 

[Jordanbear]

Thanks! Yes, living in NH makes you scratch your head no matter what the season - we have heat, humidity, cold, snow, ice, bugs, mud and about 10 days of pretty leaves in the fall....

So is there a means of putting a plow on without taking off the bucket? Or do you switch.

 

[LBrown59]

So is there a means of putting a plow on without taking off the bucket? Or do you switch.

Depends more on what tractor you put them on than where you put them on the tractor.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Here in Northern Indiana I use my 4 wheel drive Jinma 28 Hp 4x4 with the 7' Woods Rear Blade. I use the FEL to move some piles but mainly the blade. The reason I say Woods 7' blade is I had a 6' TSC blade and it was crap. I broke it the first year and it was not very heavy. The woods is so heavy it can be used rotated the wrong way to "groom" the snow on my gravel drive. I pick up very little on my 280'x40' wide drive. The other reason I went to the 7' blade is it allows it to cover my tractors width even with it set at a good angle.

Chris