Snow FEL Snow removal?

[SharonJD2210]

Hi, I am new to this forum and new to owning a tractor. (JD2210) I used my 2210 all summer and absolutely love it! The FEL is great so far for the chores/jobs I needed to tackle. I live in Upstate NY and of course, as usual, expect a lot of snow this winter. This may sound like a stupid question but I am wondering if someone out there could please tell me if my FEL will work for snow removal? I keep reading the posts on here about plows and blowers etc. and wonder why I may need to use one of those rather than use my FEL? I have about 100 feet of driveway, (no slopes) and another 150 or so of grass from my pole barn leading to the driveway. I had the pole barn built 150 back and have not added a driveway yet. In other words, when I open the door on the pole barn, I will need to plow/push/move 150 of snow (on grass) or drive over it, to get to the driveway (paved) . I tried this last year with an ATV and what a joke that was! Not only did it take forever to move the snow with that little plow, but it kept getting stuck. I am worried about getting stuck with the JD and not being able to get it out. Whats a girl to do?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I hope someone out there could give me some advice, PLEASE! Thank You for reading this post.

 

[MikeD74T]

The FEL will work fantastically for removing snow. You should have a bucket that is a little wider than the tires for a good cleanup. Many have a "snow bucket" which amounts to a lighter duty oversized bucket. Since snow is much lighter than dirt and you usually push more than carry a heavy bucket in unnecessary. I've seen some made from oil tanks. Another mod is mounting a plow blade in place of the bucket. You'd be amazed at how high you can push up a bank with a FEL mounted blade. Angling doesn't add much unless you have a long run. Chains may be necessary when the ground is frozen. Tractor tires aren't very good on ice. I "studded' the tires on my Ford 800 with short hex head sheet metal screws for icy hottop use for a couple of years, also worked great on frozen ground. I don't use chains for pushing snow normally on flat ground but have ring chains for winter woods work. They are overkill for driveways. The FEL is also great for getting unstuck. You can lift the front of the tractor & roll the bucket to move the tractor a few inches forward or back. You can cover a great distance this way if necessary.
It'll work so fine you'll be praying for more snow!!

 

[RoyJackson]

Hi Sharon...

If I were you, I'd go for a 4 or 5 foot rear blade...probably a 5 footer.

You can do the work with the loader, but it takes longer. With 100' of drive, you can operate in reverse to push the snow, or rotate the rear blade 150° and drive forward. For the first 4 years of tractor ownership (on a 150' drive), I pushed it. My old blade is heavy duty, but doesn't rotate 180°. Now I drive forward with the blade a ½ to ¾ inch above the drive. My drive is more gravel then paved, so I don't want the blade to dig in...hence the ½ to ¾ inches above the ground.

Just had a post in the JD owning/operating forum which you can view here.

With your 2210, I'd start plowing when the snow is 6" deep...no more then that. If you have turf tires and get a wet heavy snow...might want to start before you get 6". As time goes by, you'll find out what your tractor is capable of doing. I'm probably being a bit conservative with the accumulations.

 

[jcmseven]

Sharon,

I think a FEL would be a nice choice for you. If you had more volume to plow, I would say go for the blade (front), but with only 100' of flat ground and high snow amounts, the FEL should be OK. The JD will do a lot more than an ATV with regard to snow removal due to its weight and diesel engine. I had a 595 once, and that machine would plow snow off areas that one could not walk up, and did it with ease. It is about the same size as a 2210, but had the advantage of the HDAP tires, which get great traction on snow. My advice: the FEL will be a bit slower than the same machine with a front blade, but you gain the advantage of being able to lift the snow where you wish. Buy a set of rear chains and use them. Also, consider rear ballast with the FEL, say a 48" rear box blade for example. Almost everyone needs one of those; they are inexpensive, and have other uses as well. That combination should give you a marked improvement over the combination you have used.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

Sharon,

I just read Roy's post. He gives great advice and has much experience in these things. I would mention one thing. I have not had great luck with the rear blade on the smaller machines, mainly due to the Limited Cat 1 hitch. They have a harder time lifting the blade high enough to clear snow piles, etc. Roy's advice is good, if you decide to couple your FEL with a rear blade, start early, not because of tractor power, but due to clearance issues. I would consider a 60" also if you do that, because when angled, it actually plows 50" or so. Still, my advice, chains, chains, chains and chains. While some get good plowing results without them, everyone with them get good plowing/removal results. And they probably give you the best performance per dollar ratio.

John M

 

[SharonJD2210]

Hi again,
Wow, this forum is great! Thank you so much for the replies so far! I have one more question that I forgot to mention. I just learned that diesel fuel turns to gel in the winter? Will this cause a problem with starting my 2210? I just filled the tank and have a diesel can full of fuel. Do I need to add some sort of additive to the diesel fuel? Oh also, I have a ballast box on the back right now. If I do not purchase a back blade this winter, should I leave the ballast box on for the winter or will it cause a problem or get in the way? (I guess that was more than one question)

As for the snow removal, after reading a few replies so far, I am already feeling a bit more confident about getting out there and tackling whatever old man winter decides to dump on us. Please feel free to pass along any more advice or tips . It is greatly appreciated! I still have a lot to learn about the 2210 and tractors in general and this seems like the best place to learn.

Thanks again and LET IT SNOW!!

Sharon in Upstate NY

 

[RoyJackson]

If you park your 2210 in a heated garage...probably no problem. However, to be safe, get to your local truck stop or parts store and get a couple of cans of an anti-gel additive...one for the tractor tank, the other for your stored fuel. Read the directions...might not need much.

When I bought my first tractor, I had all kinds of thoughts about getting a 55 gallon drum and keeping the fuel on hand. However, that's not a particularly good idea.
These tractors are quite economical when it comes to fuel economy. I suggest you keep no more then a 5 gallon container (make sure you, your spouse or significant other) doesn't put gasoline in the tractor tank. A container that is a different color and clearly marked as Diesel might be a good idea. I'm sure you've already thought of this though, Sharon.

If your tractor doesn't have a block heater...that is a worthwhile addition, especially in your neck of the woods.

By the way...you do not want to use any kind of starting fluid (ether) with these new Deeres! They have a heater element in the intake...not like the old glow plugged engines. Using a starter fluid could result in a very nasty backfire.

 

[Casco1]

Sharon, I had my first experience with FEL snow removal last winter including one 30" storm (according to local weather) the FEL allows you to pick it up and put it where you want and pile it as high as you want, something you can't do with a plow. It may take you longer to do your area but in my case I don't mind that.Best of luck.

 

[JDFANATIC]

Sharon,

Another 2210 owner -- congrats! I agree with the above advice, since your driveway is small. If it were larger, I would be recommending the front plow, or even the front blower (expensive, but really nice!). I use PowerService as my additive. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[44trxfun]

Ahhh winter. As I sit here with a tornado and thunderstorm warning in effect, I can only wonder when in November the flakes might start falling. I'm sure it'll be here soon enough...

Anyway, I don't have a 2210, but the MF GC2300 is similarly sized. I have used the backblade / FEL combo quite effectively. Remember to plan your snowpiles so you have enough room to pile it over the course of the winter. In other words, you might push/pile the earlier snows back further to make sure you have room for snow later in the season.

Another thing I did was to have a welding shop weld a post for that would hold numerous weights onto my blade (see pic). It helps to prevent the blade riding up and over the heavier snows.

Good luck and have fun this winter!