Deere 855 snow plow

[Russ7127]

So, I'm tired of fixing my too-small and too-old Cub Cadet 123, but with a 42" plow and a 42" snow thrower, it's currently my only driveway snow removal machine. I just bought this Deere 855 MFWD, with plans that I'd like to someday fit a snow plow to it, but with the Cub broken down for the third time in as many weeks, I think it's time to kick that plan into high gear.

The Deere 855 is fitted with a model 52 loader, which I can have on/off in about 10 minutes. I'd love if a snow plow rig could make use of the loader attachment points / method, but know that's wishful thinking without some fab on my own. I have the ability to fab up my own plow rig, but having just moved, I have other / bigger fish to fry at the moment. I'd be willing to buy new or pay to have something fab'd at this point.

Adding to the above sentiment, SWMBO is getting mighty tired of me spending time repeatedly fixing the Cub, now that I have this nice Deere. I think it's time to spend some money and just make this happen... if possible.

Any ideas / advice? I don't think I want to make the loader my primary means of snow removal. I have approximately 6000 sq.ft. / 450 lin.ft. of smoothly paved driveway. I have considered one of the 59" snow throwers, but honestly believe a plow is a better compliment to the loader (and smaller to store, likely cheaper, etc.).

I use a rear scaler blade to plow my drive. The 350' straight has a small up hill section. The rear blade works well most of the time. When I get 8-12" of wet snow, I use the front bucket to open the first pass. Cleaning up some of the corners would take less time using a snowblower, the time savings is not worth the expense.

 

[WinterDeere]

Cool. Going to ask about buying the lighter blade rig at the Deere dealership tomorrow. Who knows... maybe it's still available?

 

[techwrtr2]

I believe JD755 has it right. The smaller snow blade and the 59 snow blower use the same front mount which can be installed without removing the loader mounting brackets. The beastly 380 blade has front mounts that use the same holes as the loader mounts. The 380 rear mounts use the same cross tube through the frame that the rear loader mounts use, so that would have to come off as well.

JDParts shows the lighter blade using the same part number as the snow thrower.

 

[WinterDeere]

Cool. Thanks. I talked with someone today who owns the snow thrower and an 855, and he says it only takes him 5 minutes (2 bolts) to change over from the mower deck hanger to the snow thrower hanger on the front of the frame. Sounds much simpler than the heavy 380 plow, as I hear people claiming that takes much more time to change over.

It looks like the small yellow 54 inch blade or the blower could be attached without removing the loader brackets.

Just got to look at the old advertisements you posted. Thanks!

 

[WinterDeere]

Arggh... went to the Deere dealer today, and did not get to talk with a salesman. The one who had promised to meet with me to discuss this was tied up talking with the village idiot, and the others were busy selling generators, in light of the coming storm. This guy tying up the salesman I had scheduled to meet was looking at everything from JD-labeled claw hammers to mowers and snowblowers, but the salesman's tone and face told me he's a regular there who never buys anything.

Oh well...

 

[WinterDeere]

After all I've read here, I guess my best bet for getting up and running in the next few weeks is a rear blade. Knowing I'll hate myself forever if I don't get hydraulic angle, and with a rear tire width of 54", that puts me in a Landpride RB1672H or a Deere RB2172H. I chose 72" because the 60" is less than my 54" rear tire width with any kind of angle on it, although I do worry about my 2400 lb. (with FEL) machine pulling a 72" blade. Thoughts?

Next step is figuring out how to add a third hydraulic control to a 26 year old 855. If I get a rear blade, I do want to keep my FEL installed and functional when the rear blade is on the machine.

 

[techwrtr2]

My blade is 72". At full angle it can force you to slide like a rear mounted ice skate, you'll have to adjust based on your situation. WR Long has made a 3rd function kit for the 855. While I think it's usually used for the loader, I'm sure you could use it for the rear. I know I would try that.

 

[WinterDeere]

Do you have skid shoes on that blade, or is the edge right on the pavement / gravel?

Would you try a 60" blade? With the loader, I keep my rear tires set wide at roughly 54" rear width. That 60" blade passes the 54" width mark at 25 degrees angle.

 

[techwrtr2]

No shoes on it, it's just a cheaper KK model acquired at TSC. All of the roads around the property are gravel, pavement is an expensive pipe dream.

 

[BigEddy]

I'm late to this thread but my recommendation for snow removal is a 3 pt blower. I have a 60" blower on my 855 and they are well matched. With the blower on the rear and the loader on the front you can reach in tight to the garage and vehicles with the loader and pull snow out then turn and blow it away. My driveway is 300' and we get plenty of snow most years. I usually take one pass out then do the neighbors and finish with one pass on the way back in.

The 3 pt blower takes 5 mins max to attach and they are reasonably priced around here. Lots of choice used too.

Some folks don't want to look over their shoulders blowing. It doesn't bother me.

Nice thing with a blower is no banks. Banks make a nice calm place where blowing snow can rest, which makes for bigger banks. ..... Where I am, blowing snow is an issue. Without banks it keeps on going by and often clears the drive for me.

 

[Mechanos]

I'm late to this thread but my recommendation for snow removal is a 3 pt blower. I have a 60" blower on my 855 and they are well matched. With the blower on the rear and the loader on the front you can reach in tight to the garage and vehicles with the loader and pull snow out then turn and blow it away. My driveway is 300' and we get plenty of snow most years. I usually take one pass out then do the neighbors and finish with one pass on the way back in.

The 3 pt blower takes 5 mins max to attach and they are reasonably priced around here. Lots of choice used too.

Some folks don't want to look over their shoulders blowing. It doesn't bother me.

Nice thing with a blower is no banks. Banks make a nice calm place where blowing snow can rest, which makes for bigger banks. ..... Where I am, blowing snow is an issue. Without banks it keeps on going by and often clears the drive for me.

Do you just rely on the blowers skid shoes to keep from launching rocks everywhere? Or do you use a slit pipe on the scraper blade or other method?

 

[WinterDeere]

Hmm... had thought about a 3-point blower, but chose against it for a few reasons. Maybe I should reconsider. The reasons I had considered the rear blade over the rear blower are:

1. Cost. We do occasionally get a 24" - 36" storm, but most storms are only 4" - 6". More often than not, the snow from one storm melts before the next, although there are some exceptional winters that come to mind.
2. I can drive forward with a rear blade. Just chain up, and drag the blade behind me.
3. My driveway is a big "U". Essentially, 300' in to the house with a parking area, and then double back 150' to my shop with another parking area. I figured I'd have to be pretty selective in where I blow the snow, whereas a plow just sort of puts it next to the driveway.
4. I don't have a cab. Most folks I see using blowers insist on having a cab to stay clean.
5. I figured I'd be more nimble around vehicles and such with the blade, but maybe the FEL eliminates that factor.
6. I figured a blade could scrape the drive clean, especially with a rubber scrape edge attached. My experience with blowers is that they always leave something behind.
7. Storage space. I'd want to store that big expensive blower indoors. I don't mind leaving a $500 rear blade sit outdoors.

That said, please tell me where I'm wrong! I haven't made any purchase, yet.

Driveway aerial:

 

[RoyJackson]

Hmm... had thought about a 3-point blower, but chose against it for a few reasons. Maybe I should reconsider. The reasons I had considered the rear blade over the rear blower are:

1. Cost. We do occasionally get a 24" - 36" storm, but most storms are only 4" - 6". More often than not, the snow from one storm melts before the next, although there are some exceptional winters that come to mind.
2. I can drive forward with a rear blade. Just chain up, and drag the blade behind me.
3. My driveway is a big "U". Essentially, 300' in to the house with a parking area, and then double back 150' to my shop with another parking area. I figured I'd have to be pretty selective in where I blow the snow, whereas a plow just sort of puts it next to the driveway.
4. I don't have a cab. Most folks I see using blowers insist on having a cab to stay clean.
5. I figured I'd be more nimble around vehicles and such with the blade, but maybe the FEL eliminates that factor.
6. I figured a blade could scrape the drive clean, especially with a rubber scrape edge attached. My experience with blowers is that they always leave something behind.
7. Storage space. I'd want to store that big expensive blower indoors. I don't mind leaving a $500 rear blade sit outdoors.

That said, please tell me where I'm wrong! I haven't made any purchase, yet.

Driveway aerial:

View attachment 286673

Those front and 3PH blowers do take up a fair amount of room!!

You just bought your tractor. I know you have that initial owner's enthusiasm (we all did for the first machine...it's like losing one's virginity).
But you don't realize how capable that machine is now and you surely don't need to spend thousands of dollars until you get some time on the 855 and really determine what you want/need.
I would suggest getting those chains now though...at least the rear tires.

 

[WinterDeere]

Althoug well-intended, I'm not sure I see the point there, Roy. Snow's coming, and I need to be able to move it. Am I to wait until next year to buy a plow or snow blower? I have no other means of moving snow right now, aside from a 24" walk behind snow blower.

 

[RoyJackson]

Althoug well-intended, I'm not sure I see the point there, Roy. Snow's coming, and I need to be able to move it. Am I to wait until next year to buy a plow or snow blower? I have no other means of moving snow right now, aside from a 24" walk behind snow blower.

I should have been clearer...go for the blade, but not the blower (which is what the 1000's of dollars comment was all about.

 

[BigEddy]

Do you just rely on the blowers skid shoes to keep from launching rocks everywhere? Or do you use a slit pipe on the scraper blade or other method?

When I bought my blower many years ago I welded larger skids to the bottom. Probably 6" wide. I don't blow the first snow. I pack it in and let it freeze. Then I just let the blower run on the hard pack after that. I once brought in a load of fresh gravel late in the fall. That was a mistake. Other than that I have not had an issue.

My neighbors drive is paved. I scrape it down to the 1/4" thickness of the skids.

 

[JD755]

Do you have skid shoes on that blade, or is the edge right on the pavement / gravel?

Would you try a 60" blade? With the loader, I keep my rear tires set wide at roughly 54" rear width. That 60" blade passes the 54" width mark at 25 degrees angle.

Implement width is always an interesting discussion. Blade angle is important to this. Too shallow and snow just builds up in front of the blade. Too steep and it can push the tractor to the side as techwrtr2 said. The wider the blade the more pronounced these effects. In my case the optimum setting with my 60 inch blade is fairly shallow and is wider than the 54 inch tire width. A 72 inch blade may work OK, but could require a steeper angle and more chance for side push. Also somewhat decreases the extra width advantage. I expect some others may have had good luck with the wider blades, but these are things to keep in mind. Tires, chains, and weights also come into the discussion here.

Also by now you have probably figured out one reason why that yellow 54 inch front blade is generally considered to small for these tractors. With any kind of an angle there is no way it will clear your tire width.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yep... thanks guys. I guess I'm shopping for a 60" rear blade... for now. I'll get pricing on the snow thrower as well, but I'd really like to try one before commiting money to it. I'm just not sure how well one would work in my situation.

If I get a blade instead of a blower, it's not unthinkable to just plan to move snow twice during a big 30" storm. That's what I always did with my garden tractor or walk-behind on my smaller driveways. We really only get storms over 24" maybe once every second year.

 

[RoyJackson]

If I get a blade instead of a blower, it's not unthinkable to just plan to move snow twice during a big 30" storm.

That's what I normally do with my 4400, and that machine is a fair bit larger then an 855. No need to work the tractor any harder then necessary.
BTW, the worse is at the end of the drive after the municipal plow trucks go by. In a good storm, that can really get piled up and packed solid if you don't keep it plowed out. It's advisable, if at all possible to do safely, to plow about 50-60 feet on the road too. This would reduce the amount of snow the trucks push on to your drive entrance.
If you don't get out early, the FEL will be invaluable when working the entrance to your drive.

 

[BigEddy]

Hmm... had thought about a 3-point blower, but chose against it for a few reasons. Maybe I should reconsider. The reasons I had considered the rear blade over the rear blower are:

1. Cost. We do occasionally get a 24" - 36" storm, but most storms are only 4" - 6". More often than not, the snow from one storm melts before the next, although there are some exceptional winters that come to mind.
2. I can drive forward with a rear blade. Just chain up, and drag the blade behind me.
3. My driveway is a big "U". Essentially, 300' in to the house with a parking area, and then double back 150' to my shop with another parking area. I figured I'd have to be pretty selective in where I blow the snow, whereas a plow just sort of puts it next to the driveway.
4. I don't have a cab. Most folks I see using blowers insist on having a cab to stay clean.
5. I figured I'd be more nimble around vehicles and such with the blade, but maybe the FEL eliminates that factor.
6. I figured a blade could scrape the drive clean, especially with a rubber scrape edge attached. My experience with blowers is that they always leave something behind.
7. Storage space. I'd want to store that big expensive blower indoors. I don't mind leaving a $500 rear blade sit outdoors.

That said, please tell me where I'm wrong! I haven't made any purchase, yet.

Driveway aerial:

View attachment 286673

Addressing your comments in order.

1 Cost - A good used 60" blower would run $1000-$1500 around here and new ones $2000 to $2500 and up. A new blade will run $600-800 and a used one $500. I have both.
2 Drive Forwards. Yes - you can drive forwards with the blade. You will have to drive through the snow to do so and that can cause issues with traction depending on depth.
3 Driveway shape. If you can plow it there, you can blow it there. You can blow it places you can't plow it to. That said - you don't want to blow it towards your windows and you only blow downwind!! But with the blower you can start on the upwind side and blow it across and over the drive to the downwind side, clearing the other side on the way back. Trying to plow all the snow to one side is a major pain.
4 Cab - Wear a toque, don't blow upwind and check your chute before engaging. Other than that - it's no colder with the blower than the blade.
5 The blower is actually better in tight quarters. You're looking at it and where you're going at the same time and it doesn't try to pull you sideways into your wife's car door.
6 Both the blower and the blade have the same cutting edge technology. Depending on the way you set it up you can scrape right to the surface or leave a small amount behind. I leave 1/4" to 1/2" on purpose to form a hard packed layer of snow over top of the gravel - I scrape the neighbours paved driveway clean.
7 Storage Space. My blower is the same width and depth as my blade, but it is taller with the chute. Both of mine live outdoors.

Maintenance - The blower needs a shot of grease on the chute and bearings and lube on the chain every month during winter, and I check the gearbox oil every fall. It eats 3-4 grade 3 bolts a year (shear pins) when I catch something I shouldn't. The blade gets greased once a year too.

Fuel - I use twice as much fuel blowing as using the loader (or a blade) but I get done twice as fast.

Traction - I DON'T have chains for my tractor. I have turfs on the rear and R4s on the front. Traction is not an issue on my slightly sloped drive.

I know everyone has their own needs and preferences. Not trying to convince you either way - just want to make sure you have as much info as possible. In 15 years I've plowed snow once with the rear blade, 25+ times with the loader alone, and the rest of the time I use the blower. Most snowfalls are 6-8" but we do get drifting and I've seen 30" overnight.