Snow Parking lot Clearing Tractor

Todd NE WY · Mar 2, 2011

Hi all,

A little background, I currently own a JD 4320 with loader, and loader mount blade. I use this at the house to move snow, primarily the blade but the bucket if it gets too deep. I am familiar with the larger tractors but not the smaller compacts and subcompacts.

After this winter of 2-3" of snow every few days for a couple months I am starting to re think my snow removal at my office. I have a parking lot that is approx 60' by 250' maybe slightly larger but not much. It is asphalt and smooth. Currently I pay $55 everytime they show up, usually it takes them less that 15 min to clear it. I dont mind paying but if they come back for another 15 min at lunch they charge again.

I am thinking about getting a 2nd tractor to use at the office for keeping it cleared. It is not feasable to use the 4320 due to the distance involved and hassel of loading it in the mornings. I was wondering which of the 4x4 compact or subcompacts the more experienced here would suggest. I am thinking primarily of using a front blade but have not ruled out a loader mounted front blade allowing a quick change back to the bucket if the snow is deep. I would like to keep is small enough that I could keep it on a small trailer in my shop(30x50) and be ready if it snowed over night. I could also keep it at the office but then it would be outside.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

Argosy · Mar 2, 2011

I'd also watch for a beater plow truck. It could be in pretty rough shape and last a long time clearing a relatively small lot. And on the plus side it comes with a cab and heater.

KennedyDiesel · Mar 2, 2011

I guess the first thing to consider is who is going to operate it and at what cost?

I might try contacting the company that plows and discuss the situation. Maybe they'll come up with a compromise where they charge a reduced rate for any follow ups within a set time period.

I know myself if I did not have a lot of travel time between locatios I'd be willing to do low to no cost intermediate plowings for a reliable, loyal customer especially when I'm billing at $220+ per hr.

Todd NE WY · Mar 2, 2011

Kenny,

I did talk to them, I am already getting the easy lot/long time customer price, the going rate is $85 per time. It really is a per hour charge but 1 hour is the minimum billed. I really don't want to go this route it is easier to sleep longer and let them do it. But each year it seems like we spend more and more. I think for this winter I have already spent enough to have made a years worth of payments on a tractor and loader.

Also I have considered the truck but I think I can get more uses out of a second tractor than a beater pickup. Also I wouldn't be able to go to much of a beater because it always has to start when I need it.

Todd

RoyJackson · Mar 2, 2011

Plow truck is the way to go. Warmer, cheaper and for most snows, probably easier to tranport from home to office and back.
You'll have to insure it, of course, but you'd probably have to insure the tractor too.

AKfish · Mar 2, 2011

Buying a dedicated tractor JUST to clear your lot during the winter months is a different question than asking what tractor to buy for clearing the lot AND other uses during the late Spring, Summer and early Fall months.

Clearing a small lot might = a small tractor. Maybe a 2000 series machine.

Clearing the lot and other uses during the off-season might = a larger tractor. Maybe a 3000 series machine.

Of course, if you just clear the lot of snow and when the berms and piles get too big for the smaller machine you trailer in the 4320 for stockpiling everything every 2 weeks, etc. you could get by with the smaller series machine just fine.

Much depends upon any additional uses for the tractor in the off-season.

AKfish

Duffster · Mar 2, 2011

Unless you want to do it for the fun of it you can't justify owning even a beater with a heater for $55 a push.

Todd NE WY · Mar 2, 2011

Duffster,

As I stated we are talking about $4-5,000 per winter. Even if I have to go in 30 to 45 min early to do it that is a significant savings for a small business once the cost of the tractor is recovered. I don't figure more than 3 years worth of plowing to cover the cost esp if I can find a used model. This doesn't count the other things I could do around the house that my 4320 is to large for.

Thanks,

Todd

Duffster · Mar 2, 2011

Todd NE WY said:
Duffster,

As I stated we are talking about $4-5,000 per winter. Even if I have to go in 30 to 45 min early to do it that is a significant savings for a small business once the cost of the tractor is recovered. I don't figure more than 3 years worth of plowing to cover the cost esp if I can find a used model. This doesn't count the other things I could do around the house that my 4320 is to large for.

Thanks,

Todd

You getting plowed 75-90 times a year?

You have figure in the cost of fuel, ins, deprecation, maintenance, etc.

Do you live close enough to know if it snowed and that you will have to go in early.

Does your liability cover you or will you need more?

Does your current service provider manage the ice?

$4-5k sounds cheap to me.

I would look into a fixed seasonal price and be done with it.

dmay · Mar 2, 2011

Todd NE WY said:
Hi all,

A little background, I currently own a JD 4320 with loader, and loader mount blade. I use this at the house to move snow, primarily the blade but the bucket if it gets too deep. I am familiar with the larger tractors but not the smaller compacts and subcompacts.

After this winter of 2-3" of snow every few days for a couple months I am starting to re think my snow removal at my office. I have a parking lot that is approx 60' by 250' maybe slightly larger but not much. It is asphalt and smooth. Currently I pay $55 everytime they show up, usually it takes them less that 15 min to clear it. I dont mind paying but if they come back for another 15 min at lunch they charge again.

I am thinking about getting a 2nd tractor to use at the office for keeping it cleared. It is not feasable to use the 4320 due to the distance involved and hassel of loading it in the mornings. I was wondering which of the 4x4 compact or subcompacts the more experienced here would suggest. I am thinking primarily of using a front blade but have not ruled out a loader mounted front blade allowing a quick change back to the bucket if the snow is deep. I would like to keep is small enough that I could keep it on a small trailer in my shop(30x50) and be ready if it snowed over night. I could also keep it at the office but then it would be outside.

Thanks in advance,

Todd

What do you drive? If you have a truck or SUV I'd consider installing a front receiver hitch snowplow. This would be 1/10 the cost of a new compact tractor and very quick and easy to use to clear 2-3" snowfalls in your parking lot.

Todd NE WY · Mar 2, 2011

Duffster,

With all due respect I didn't ask for advice on what I should do, I have spent quite abit of time crunching numbers and looking a different options before I asked this question. No the current price does not include any ice remedy, I made the $225.00 mistake of reqresting that once, it also does not include shoveling the walks. A small tractor with a spreader on the back would make quick work of the ice and depending on the size could eliminate my shoveling as well.

I am not interested in a plow truck or adding a plow to my pickup.

I do appreciate the input but if we could limit it to what tractors are appropriate I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Todd

MaJYk · Mar 2, 2011

2305 should be enough for the light snows, plus u may be able to pick up a trade in on the cheap if/when they release the 1k series. Have you ruled out an ATV or Gator type vehicle ( lots of '07-'10 Gators have been traded in the last year too)?

KennedyDiesel · Mar 3, 2011

Todd NE WY said:
Duffster,

As I stated we are talking about $4-5,000 per winter. Even if I have to go in 30 to 45 min early to do it that is a significant savings for a small business once the cost of the tractor is recovered. I don't figure more than 3 years worth of plowing to cover the cost esp if I can find a used model. This doesn't count the other things I could do around the house that my 4320 is to large for.

Thanks,

Todd

YIKES that's a lot of clams!

I used to plow our cabin drive the two-four times a season that we needed, but it's 70 miles away and 1/4 mile long. Add to that, I have 1/8 mile cleared along the edge of the woods so we can get in and do firewood. The tractor was OK, but the Boss plow on the truck was warm. I now have the local Excavator plow it with his end loader. He has a 12' wide push blade with shoes and he does it for about $60 a time.

For $4-5,000 a year I'd be doing it myself too. Big key is to keep it high and dry clean and safe. Depending on snow moisture, depth, and length of plow swaths (60' vs 250' direction) I'd suggest something in the next frame down like the 3x20 or 4310 and a 7' to 8' width lightweight snow bucket. I don't think anything that angles will be any fun when the snow gets deep or heavy. On the small end, I have a 54" blade for my 455 that does well, but it would take quite a while. I REALLY like my Boss V plow on the truck and have been tempted to do one for the tractor.

Off the wall and expensive, but do you have use for a UTV that could maybe serve double duty?

Glen Watkins · Mar 3, 2011

If you wind up getting a tractor to do this make sure it's big enough it has a cab with heat and use a box plow with rubber cutting edge!

drg1 · Mar 3, 2011

How about a 4wheeler with plow?

dynasim · Mar 3, 2011

I clear an area about your size in about 15 minutes using a 45 hp tractor with loader with no issues(So far the max has been about 10 inches). It takes 15-30 minutes(depending on how clean I want to get the neighbors driveway).

Any small tractor with HST and loader that starts reliably in the winter would do. My suggestion would be a 30 hp tractor. New Holland's economy version would be the old TC30(its new hollands economy tractor). Other makes have the equivelant.

From my perspective, and HST is critical for snow clearing. I get to within 4 inches of our garage doors(repeatedly), with no fear. I would never do that with a gear or shuttle tractor.

Chris

LD1 · Mar 3, 2011

So is this YOUR business or just the business where you work??? I am a little confused.

And in your first post, you mentioned buying a tractor to KEEP at the office. But then mention that it might be used for other tasks. What might some of those other tasks be???

I tend to agree with some of the other posters here. @ $55 a push, buying a $20,000 machine JUST to push snow in the winter ISNT a good descision IMO.

I am in the plowing business myself. So let me ask you a few more questions.

Is this a business where JUST employees work, OR do you have customers in and out all day???

Reason I am asking is because IF you dont have customers to worry about, you could either raise your trigger OR set up your account to be plowed on call ONLY. This will save you some of them plowings where they plow it multiple times per event. Just have them wait till the snow is done falling. If your trigger is @ 2" and you get a 6" snowfall, if they show up every 2", you will be billed 3 times.

But if you are dead-set on buying a tractor, ANY 4wd tractor and loader will push the snow just fine. But obviously the bigger you go, the faster you can get it done.

Todd NE WY · Mar 3, 2011

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

Think about 55$ vs a tractor payment? What does a whole winter cost you? Do you make more an hour than you would save? One breakdown could cost the same as the whole winters plowing. Just your insurance probably will cost half your winters plowing.

I'd say if you love plowing and tractors, go for it, business wise, I doubt it makes sense.