Snow Snow Plowing with 430 FEL

[bugstruck]

Good point on deep heavy snow, but do you, or have you had a blade? The frame mount blade version wouldn't add to, but rather reduce the length of your setup. That bucket fills up fast trying to move 2' deep snow. With a frame mounted blade squared up I bet I get down that road rather faster than you do with the FEL bucket. I'm not picking up, backing up, moving forward, and dumping, etc., but just angle ramming. In other words setting the tractor at an angle, not the blade. Also, if you could power angle and leave say 6 to 8" behind I would think the return plow would be rather painless and reasonably quick. You would have some fall in behind you though. Another option, if you can stomach the added length, (don't care much for that either) would be a FEL mounted blade, which would let you angle ram and raise (pile)

Not that I know much on this deep snow removal, just throwing it out as if on some kind of authority, for follow up comments.

Hey, if you need my 325 for 2' of snow I'll send it up. You can drop it somewhere and use it as a reference point /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif It sure won't move. Although it did take on that 28" storm a couple of years back with me in the saddle every 4 or 5 hours. Little bites. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dicker]

I agree with you. A front mounted blade would not be as useful as an FEL where I live. Maybe in areas where the snowfalls are moderate, but here, after a couple of snowfalls, there is nowhere to put the snow, so the FEL is needed. I find that the FEL and a rear blade is the best setup for me.

I have neighbours that get me to move the piles of snow for them after they have cleaned their driveways with a front blade.

Everyone has to make an assessment as to what works the best for them. However, I find by reading the posts on the subject, I get the sense that some of those that favor the front blade do not have enough experience using the FEL in snow.

Richard

 

[JB4310]

IB started a good thread here,

I've been using truck mounted plows for 25 years, we really can't do with out them for clearing roads and parking lots, but for clearing barn yards, contractor yards or work areas where you can't just pack snow in, the loader should be considered.

As far as Chris mentioned about power ramming snow banks with a front mounted blade well I would not do that with quick attach unit, you would rip your FEL apart in short order, just the thought of the stress that plow being that far out in front would excert on those loader arms scared me away. You could do it with a frame mount plow (which I think Chris was referring to) , only problem with that is you have to lose the loader mounts and replace with the undercarriage for the plow, very inconvienent ( had a chance to buy a new/used frame mount plow for the 4310, it was like a H.D. dozer blade w/power angle and down pressure, but it would be a pain in the neck to go from plow to FEL so I passed it up) Plowing even with frame mounts is rough on equipment believe me I became a pretty good welder early on.

Since IB is from Maine I assume they get alot of snow, I think the large material bucket is what I would want.

I mentioned we can't do with out plows, well I can since I'm not plowing for customers anymore my next work truck wil not have a plow which will save me close to $5,000.

Just a little more fuel on the snow removal debate, John
ps. I'm going to attach a picture to this post click on the attachment link above.

 

[MajMac392]

Ib, How did or is your snow plowing going from our latest storm? The 10-12" we got in Raymond was kind of dense and heavy. I did most of mine before coming to work and will finish cleaning up tonight. Did you ever consider a snowblower? I think that might be better than a blade. With a blade you almost need very good traction and a lot of forward momentum to get the benefit of it. If it was a light snow it would probably be fine but for heavy stuff you might not be able to get up the speed. One of the problems with the rear mount snowblower is having to twist the old trunk and I think that could get old fast. Just a thought.

 

[IbQuick]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ib, How did or is your snow plowing going from our latest storm? The 10-12" we got in Raymond was kind of dense and heavy. ight. Did you ever consider a snowblower? I think that might be better than a blade. With a blade you almost need very good traction and a lot of forward momentum to get the benefit of it. If it was a light snow it would probably be fine but for heavy stuff you might not be able to get up the speed. One of the problems with the rear mount snowblower is having to twist the old trunk and I think that could get old fast. Just a thought. )</font>
My 4310 handled that last wet snow with no problem but my body nearly froze doing it, using the FEL only just takes so much time, too much to clean up after a pass down my 300' driveway with the 61" bucket. I really think I need some kind of front blade, either the boom mount or the JD frame mount. I need to speed up my plowing time some how, I have been thinking maybe winter was over and I could wait till this fall before I had to buy another attachment but March is really wild right now.
I priced the blower front and rear and the rear one is the one I can afford but the backing up all the time in the cold would kill my neck. I know they work well but you need to be under 40 to handle pain. I lived right on the ocean and we get high winds here always.
What do you use up there in Raymond on your JD to move snow?
I had a front blade on my JD4100 that I sold when I got this 4310 and that would move all the snow that we get here, I up graded only cause I convinced my Wife that bigger was better and the 4310 would cut my outside time in 1/2,but so far it takes longer using the FEL on the 4310 then when I used the blade on the 4100.

 

[gbick]

IB, That 61" bucket is the cat's as_ for dirt, but for snow,repete after me"I NEED THE 73" HI VOL (.6yd) BUCKET" My dealer generously included the 73"HD dirt bucket with the loader purchace. I found that I prefered a narrower bucket for hard digging. A 61" cutting edge is so much easier to push through sod than a 73". (not to mention the reduced stresses on the loader) Greenway Equip was happy to let me exchange the 73 for a 61 even though it was a little "broken in" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifI then ordered the hi vol bucket ($800), which is bigger(deeper) than the 73" dirt bucket. As you know, the 61" is just wider than your tires. With both buckets, your loader is so much more versital, and you will reduce your "freeze time" Two coats of automotive paste wax in that snow bucket will further boost your snow removal efficiency. After those blackflies start biting you'll forget how cold and long this winter has been.

 

[Green4Me]

I too traded a 4100 for my 4310. It had the frame mount blade and 50in Allied 3pt blower. I used the blade early on until around mid Jan. then the blower after that. I looked like a snow man after cleaning the drives. Don't get me wrong, I liked the 4100 and it did the job but there is no comparison with the bigger tractor bucket combo. I am retired and generaly wait for the snow to get all done before venturing out. I took the $1800 or so for the Curtis blade and put it into the softside cab with heater...... Green

 

[MajMac392]

I agree Ib a blower may be made for young bones. I don't like turning around any more than I have to but I have thought a blower would be nice. I have a Cub Cadet 23 HP I plow with the standard 60"? bucket. I didn't mean to give you the impression I was a JD owner. It sounds like the the bigger bucket that Green4me has would be nice. Actually the heated cab that he got instead of the Curtis blade sounds very nice as well when we have to sit out there "playing" in sub-zero temps. I would like to upgrade a little bigger w/HST and the 4310 sounds like a good size...........but that isn't in the budget for many moons at this point. By the way what does your wife say to you that it takes you longer to plow than with your smaller tractor?

 

[JB4310]

Green4Me, Where did you get the softside cab ? I've been thinking about one also. How much $ ?, was it hard to put on? does the company have a web site to see their products? I posted the question not to long ago but had no response. I don't think I would even need the heater if I were enclosed in the cab, or will the windows fog up ?

Very interested, John

 

[MajMac392]

Get Ready Ib. Here we are in another 12"+ snowstorm to clear. Shine up your 4310 and get ready to roll!