Snow Parking lot Clearing Tractor

dmay · Mar 4, 2011

I think you need to define and list all the roles, chores and scope of chores your new tractor is to perform. This thread started with a role to clear parking lot snow and the scope was very minimal, '2-3" of snow every few days for a couple months'. Now you are adding additional roles 'landscaping and work in the barn'. All very different roles and these new roles are very undefined in scope.

Todd NE WY · Mar 4, 2011

Slowzuki,

Its not the per plow cost per se thats the issue. If you look at an annual total approaching $5000 thats over $400 per month for a tractor payment. Not only that but the tractor payment would be $5000 over 12 months not the 6 months that we now have to pay for the snow removal in. Also to be considered is the fact that in a few years that amount shrinks considerably (down to just insurance, maintenance and operation costs) when the tractor is paid off. As it stands now I will pay that same $5000 per year until I retire or sell my building.

Thanks,

Todd

revitupfaster · Mar 4, 2011

Todd.....I used to plow snow with my X495, with front quickhitch and blade. I did have to use chains on it, but considering it was only a 2wd, she did a good job. I don't know how much snow you would normally get at a time, but my 495 would easily handle a 6" fall. I'm sure one of the 4wd garden tractors would work even better, and since they are relatively small, would do a decent job with your sidewalks. If you went this way, and ever got a dump you couldn't handle, you could then call in the professionals.

That being said, my neighbor has a Kubota 29hp 4wd, (not sure of the model #, but it is only a couple of years old) but he plows his driveway (about 300') with an ATV, which really amazes me how well it works. The plow on his ATV has a power up and down, using the front winch, but he has to manually angle it. This route would at least give you something you could play with at home in the better weather.

I assume you would have a secure place to store whatever you get at your office, nice little ATV's or CUT's have a way of dissappearing when your not around.

REV

dynasim · Mar 4, 2011

Here is an example:

2007 NEW HOLLAND TC30 Less than 40 HP For Sale At TractorHouse.com

but there are lots of options:

Tractors, Used Tractors, Tractors For Sale At TractorHouse.com - Page 1

If you keep an eye out locally, something will pop up. The key is to be ready when it does.

Good luck.
Chris

RoyJackson · Mar 4, 2011

Although I recommended a pick up with a plow, since the OP is pretty insistent he needs a tractor, then maybe a subCUT (used BX2000, older Deere 755...something like that) would be a good choice. A 60 x 250 lot isn't really too big (as long as you get out there before the snow gets too deep) and the subCUT could be used for mowing any lawn around his building.

kebdvm · Mar 4, 2011

I own a veterinary hospital where I plow the snow with my 1986 Ford 1510. I have a box scraper on the back and a snow pusher on the front. It does a better job than a plow truck and I am able to partially clear the sidewalks, thus reducing the amount of shoveling. I do have to get up a little earlier to plow but I do not have to worry if the parking lot is going to be plowed or not. I have been doing this for 20 years and would not have it any other way. I am in Western New York and we get lots of snow. The tractor is very fuel efficient, have only run 20 gallons of fuel through it this winter. It is 4WD and has a shipping weight of 2200#. The rear tires are loaded and it has a FEL.

kebdvm

ruren · Mar 4, 2011

I have a very similar situation to yours. I used to pay someone but a few years ago decided to do it myself. You can make economic arguments against it, but personally I like using my machines and I'd rather put the money into them than pay someone else to plow for me.

I used to have a Kubota B21 (21 HP TLB) that I kept at the office in the winter. I took the backhoe off and plowed with a five foot back blade and the loader. My office is a pain because it is in town and I have to push most of the snow around the back of the building since there is nowhere to store it around the parking area. It took me 20 minutes to an hour depending on snow depth after the tractor warmed up. It worked fine but seemed kind of small, it took a lot of passes when the snow was deeper.

I since traded that in for a B3030 with a blower that lives at the property we are building on and bought an older full size backhoe that lives at the office in the winter. It now takes me about 15 minutes with the 65 HP backhoe, a half hour or so with two feet of snow, mostly because the bucket is that much larger. I was concerned about the backhoe being only two wheel drive at first but have never had a problem. Since the parking area is mostly level the two wheel drive does just fine.

Some thoughts from my experience:

- Get a cab and heater if you can. I froze many a morning with a 10 below wind chill on the B21. On one frigid day I decided the $12,000 I paid for the backhoe was worth it for the heater and glass alone.
- Get as big a blade as you practically can. You started talking about a loader mounted snow blade and that sounds ideal if you can afford it. I bought the five foot back blade because it was the 'right' size for the machine. But that was based on dirt and I wished I had a wider one for the snow in the winter. I don't know what your winters are like but around here a lot of people use a snow pusher on the loader. Might consider that if you have a straight shot to push the snow.
- If you get a machine to keep outside at the office, figure out how to start it in the winter. The Kubota had glow plugs and would start in just about anything. The backhoe needs to have the block heater plugged in to start below about 20 degrees (most of the winter). I ended up getting a plug in timer so I can plug it in when I leave work and have the block heater kick on four hours before I get there in the morning. Without that I was out of luck. If you get a cheaper (older) machine you might need to consider that.

Hope that helps.

Todd NE WY said:
LD1,

Thanks for the ideas. Yes this is my business and it is a chiropractic office so I have to keep the snow plowed off. We are in a smaller town so there are not a lot of options (ie competition). I should have been clearer, the primary purpose would be to plow with but if I could get some use out of it at the house that would be great. As I said I do currently have a 4320 but I don't want to lose it. Sometimes we get enough snow I have to plow to get out. Because I have the 4320 I was hoping to get by with something smaller that would be more maneuverable and smaller for landscaping and working in the barn.

Have a good night

Todd

slowzuki · Mar 4, 2011

5000$? How many times per storm are they coming? I live in Canada, and one of my clients whose driveway is long and blows in, I charge 65$ per clean out. I don't think they have been over 700$ total per season in the last 5 years.

Todd NE WY said:
Slowzuki,

Its not the per plow cost per se thats the issue. If you look at an annual total approaching $5000 thats over $400 per month for a tractor payment. Not only that but the tractor payment would be $5000 over 12 months not the 6 months that we now have to pay for the snow removal in. Also to be considered is the fact that in a few years that amount shrinks considerably (down to just insurance, maintenance and operation costs) when the tractor is paid off. As it stands now I will pay that same $5000 per year until I retire or sell my building.

Thanks,

Todd

Todd NE WY · Mar 4, 2011

Slowzuki,

Thats the whole issue. It isn't necessarily that they come multiple times per storm, yes they sometimes do in the larger ones. But more than that this year and last year we have had a bunch of small storms 2-5 inches. There have been several stretches where we have been plowed daily for 5 -10 days. Like I said above this is a chiropractic office so I have to keep the snow removed from the parking lot for the patients.

Todd