Garden tractor appropriate for snowblowing?

[spinfire]

A bit of background. Our property is 3 acres total, mowable area a bit under 1 acre. Currently I mow it using a 1986 Toro 32" cut rear-engine mower. It works fine for mowing, but is definitely aged.

The driveway is 700' from road to the house, with a small parking area. The driveway is gravel and is in poor shape now but we intend to add gravel and rent a compact tractor to regrade the driveway in the spring. Right now we pay for plowing, which is OK, but the "plow guy in a hurry" phenomenon means that the gravel gets really chewed up and the cleared area is not as neat or extensive as I'd really like.

My understanding is that a blower - when used properly raised up a bit until the ground freezes - will do less damage to the gravel driveway. It would be nice to switch to a gentler snow clearing method after we redo the driveway.

I have been looking at garden tractors with snowblower attachments. Is this a bad idea? Is the driveway much too long to use a garden tractor and blower attachment on, reasonably? A compact tractor the size of the Kubota BX is much too large for our lawn, and it seems expensive and silly to have the much-too-large tractor solely for winter use. I'd like to have something that can replace both the aged Toro for summer mowing and the plow guy in the winter, without going overboard in the cost department. Am I dreaming?

 

[js5020]

Gravel drives in poor shape can be hard on a snowblower,,, but if you can keep the blower high enough and still get most of the snow why not. 700ft drive,,, least you will put some hours on the machine in the winter, just depends on how much time you can devote to the task actually,, could be done with a walkbehind just take longer. Despite our desires sometimes a big machine is more of a hassle than a smaller one when all tasks to be done are considered and brought into the equation, and then there is the cost of the equipment to consider, bigger usually means more expense.

 

[20 20]

It'll work, just depends on how much time you want to spend doing it?

 

[bp fick]

The typical garden tractor (GT) is not 4 Wheel Drive. Those that are, include the big Kubota or Deere type GTs. They are terrific machines for what you intend. A word of warning, perhaps. They aren't cheap. An X500 series Deere is not an inexpensive machine, neither is the Kubota GR series. Plan on $6500-7500 before the blower cost.

Plowing with a lower priced, (think $3000) two wheel drive GT will require you to push at 4" increments during a snow storm. You will need chains, more than likely, to assist with 2 wheel traction. Lots of folks have done it this way for years and years. A plow is also just something to consider. A blower is an expensive option. A inexpensive plow can be equipped with a simple plastic pipe edge that almost eliminates moving any gravel around. You just have to have room to push snow, whereas a blower will throw it up high if you don't have that space.

 

[Thomas]

Welcome to TBN Spinfire.

There older garden tractors still blowing snow today..10hp +.
Some of todays walk behind blower are quicker also blow the snow future than yesterdays garden tractor blowers.

About how many times during the winter you need to blow snow.
Good name snowblower also taking care of thru the years,you my save $$'s in the long run compare to older garden tractor/blower.

Driveway,could also pack the snow than raise the snowblower skids/slides..should help.

 

[FlaDon]

Look for an older Gravely with a 48" snowblower. The 16/18 HP Onan powered and 16/18/20 HP Kohler twins can't be beat for snow throwing.

Example is this 16-G. YouTube - Gravely G16 Snowblower

 

[Egon]

We had a 1975 16 HP Sears tractor that mowed and blew snow for quite a few years. It worked well in my opinion.

 

[Steve C]

A bit of background. Our property is 3 acres total, mowable area a bit under 1 acre. Currently I mow it using a 1986 Toro 32" cut rear-engine mower. It works fine for mowing, but is definitely aged.

The driveway is 700' from road to the house, with a small parking area. The driveway is gravel and is in poor shape now but we intend to add gravel and rent a compact tractor to regrade the driveway in the spring. Right now we pay for plowing, which is OK, but the "plow guy in a hurry" phenomenon means that the gravel gets really chewed up and the cleared area is not as neat or extensive as I'd really like.

My understanding is that a blower - when used properly raised up a bit until the ground freezes - will do less damage to the gravel driveway. It would be nice to switch to a gentler snow clearing method after we redo the driveway.

I have been looking at garden tractors with snowblower attachments. Is this a bad idea? Is the driveway much too long to use a garden tractor and blower attachment on, reasonably? A compact tractor the size of the Kubota BX is much too large for our lawn, and it seems expensive and silly to have the much-too-large tractor solely for winter use. I'd like to have something that can replace both the aged Toro for summer mowing and the plow guy in the winter, without going overboard in the cost department. Am I dreaming?

I have 3 Craftsman garden tractors. They are cheap and work well. They are exactly the right size machine for your needs. They are 14 to 18 years old. I bought my last one a couple years ago used from a guy I used to work with for $500. It came with a front 48" dozer blade, wheel weights and tire chains and of course it also has a mower deck. The blade is a lot faster than a blower, but only if you have a place to push the snow. I angle the blade and push it 6th gear and the snow just flies. If you chose a blower make sure it is a 2 stage unit and you will be very happy with the results. With a blower you won't build up the banks that invite further drifting. I have to push my snow back a ways to make sure I have room to put it later in the year.

This is my first season with a "real" 4 wheel drive tractor and a 7 foot back blade. I anticipate my snow removal seat time will be cut down to about 1/3 of what it used to be.

 

[jimmyj]

We had a little 12hp JD 2wd lawn tractor with a blower on the front. It worked great for our 400' lane. I had to take smaller bites in deeper snow but it had a soft sided cabin and frankly it was awesome to just be sitting down, out of the snow and driving it along, even if it was a bit slow.

 

[Speedbump7]

My dirt drive is 650' and I have been doing it for 20+ years with a 12 hp Wheelhorse and plow. On rare occasion I have a 24" walkbehind blower. Driveway shape varys per year. The blower works real good if the drive is in good shape, the plow, if snow is not really deep, is almost always faster and more fun. But the 20 years has proved very tuff on the tractor. I am going to try a blower on the tractor next year (restoring it now). I have shied away from larger tractors as the lawn mowing would be tuff with a larger tractor (lots of trees). All I can say is each application is different but you sound similar to mine and with some repairs the garden tractor works well. Good luck and tell us how you make out.