Snow Removal Options 5055E

[Agvg]

If you don't get enormous drifts a std rear pulled snowblower must be the easiest option.

 

[vtsnowedin]

VT, I wouldn't discount the side pushing. If you get a wet heavy snow it will easily push a tractor sideways without chains on the front end. The lever arm a plow has mounted on the loader is considerable and shouldn't be written off so easily. Throw in a decent hill and you could really hAve problems keeping things straight. I personally have all 4 tires on my 5083e so I don't ever have to worry about it but I'd bet with my 9 foot meyer, it would easily have its way with the front end with no chains.

I'm not discounting it just saying the tractor handles it even as far in front as I have my old eight foot Fisher with wings. I do plow both sides of the road to the down hill side switching from plowing left going up the steepest hill then plowing right going back down to roll the snow off the down hill side.
With better then a half mile of drive , thirteen percent grades and three winters experience with this tractor, plow and chain set up I can say with confidence that it is not much of a problem and can easily be dealt with. I've got a set of pickup chains I could add to the front any time I need them but they are still hanging new on the sugarhouse wall.

 

[bumperm]

In terms of operator comfort, functionality and sheer enjoyment, a front mount blower on a heated cabbed tractor wins hands down.

It's also more expensive, and worth it :c)

 

[vtsnowedin]

In terms of operator comfort, functionality and sheer enjoyment, a front mount blower on a heated cabbed tractor wins hands down.

It's also more expensive, and worth it :c)

You ain't lying!!! But some of us had to save some on the heated cab so we could aford some things to hitch on behind the tractor in the summer. Can't really do much without something on the hitch.

 

[jcummins]

You ain't lying!!! But some of us had to save some on the heated cab so we could aford some things to hitch on behind the tractor in the summer. Can't really do much without something on the hitch.

I hear that.

 

[jeremymr06]

In terms of operator comfort, functionality and sheer enjoyment, a front mount blower on a heated cabbed tractor wins hands down.

It's also more expensive, and worth it :c)

That would be a dream come true, Heated cab, hydrostatic. 60hp... that would be nice.

Here are some pics of my driveway. Give you guys an idea of what im plowing.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Nice view you have there. I'd be tempted to just do that with the bucket you have. Do you have chains for the rears and are they loaded?

 

[jeremymr06]

Loaded rears, and l like the view too,one of two reasons i still live were i do.
Would like something that will articulate to the ground and direct snow. originally was considering a snow pusher with backhoe tabs. thought it might move enough to follow the ground. Then found the worksaver plow that comes in euro quick attach.
I have plowed with the bucket before, just a pain doing multiple runs to get the spill over, then having to lift and dump the snow out of the bucket every push. very time consuming.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Loaded rears, and l like the view too,one of two reasons i still live were i do.
Would like something that will articulate to the ground and direct snow. originally was considering a snow pusher with backhoe tabs. thought it might move enough to follow the ground. Then found the worksaver plow that comes in euro quick attach.
I have plowed with the bucket before, just a pain doing multiple runs to get the spill over, then having to lift and dump the snow out of the bucket every push. very time consuming.

Well it is just a matter of your budget then. The plows you mention in your original post will serve well but they seam a bit pricey. I had the third function lines added to my tractor when I bought it so don't know what that will cost you as an after thought. Then I scored the plow off Craig's list for $600 and had the adapter plate maid up for about another $100. I need to get a new swing piston and add a cross over relief valve for this winters work as I have beat it up some. One of the drives i plow has exposed rocks you can catch on if your not careful and I've blown a hose or two. I'll see if I can find the thread where I built the adapter plate. Had to edit this as when I checked it cost me $600.
Your memory goes first and I forget what goes next.

 

[Farmer495]

Honestly for that, I'd just use your tractor and loader as it is, but I'd still be looking for a snow blower.

Not sure on demand in Maine, but $1K gets you one a used one "here" easy if you watch the ads. 3k gets a new one... (get hyd chute....)

No spill, one pass and no banks. Set shoes on blower to not dig in driveway.

 

[jeremymr06]

A snowblower is up there and same price if not less then a plow.
Having euro quick doesn't leave many options for local used equipment. Thought of having someone build a plow setup using a used plow. Just didnt know the price compared to a new plow that i can finance.

 

[jeremymr06]

A snowblower is up there and same price if not less then a plow.
Having euro quick doesn't leave many options for local used equipment. Thought of having someone build a plow setup using a used plow. Just didnt know the price compared to a new plow that i can finance.

 

[farm boy00]

I know alot are saying snowblower. I did not read the last 2 pages but I would go for a truck. They are my favorite. You got a cab to ride in, usually can take the plow off for using as a daily driver, farm truck, wood truck, or whatever.

My family is actually getting another plow truck. Our trucks are
79 f150 with v-blade. None running currently
05 duramax with 7.5ft unimount.
Newest is 04 f150 with front and back plow.

I have stacked over 10ft snow piles with my duramax. Yes it's a diesel so it does have power.
Now the bad. You have to be careful to not build up snow under your truck, but it does not beat trucks up like people think if you take care of them. The duramax has over 425,000 miles on it, has had I think only 2 alternators, and had the front 2 wheel bearing go out around 350-380,000 miles. And this truck has carried the plow all its life and was and is used for a few commercial places

 

[jeremymr06]

I dont have the cash on hand to buy a reliable truck. planning on next year buying a crew cab for the wife to drive. Traded my Titan in this spring for a car to commute to work in.
Should add next spring ill be up to 3 kids so expenses go up, another reason we decided against adding a third vehicle.

 

[leonz]

I dont have the cash on hand to buy a reliable truck.
planning on next year buying a crew cab for the wife to drive.
Traded my Titan in this spring for a car to commute to work in.
Should add next spring ill be up to 3 kids so expenses go up,
another reason we decided against adding a third vehicle.

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Jeremy,

Find out who your local Pronovost dealer is in Maine(I believe there are 3 in the state)
and ask about a rear mount for your mule with an extended chute or a pull behind rear mount.
the pull behinds get very pricey so be prepared to buy standard rear mount with an extended chute
as it will keep all the snow up and away from you when traveling in reverse.

Another option is the allied farm king snowblower which is also an excellent choice but I am unsure
if you can buy a chute extension for it.

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I dont know whether this is an option but a trade down to new mule-perhaps a Kubota 2370 with a heated cab, front loader and a rear mount Allied may be a better thought, but as you said you have a a third rug rat coming so........
You could put a five foot Pronovost or Allied on the rear and the loader would help with the crap the snow plow buries us all in.

You could make a slow first pass and then take half cuts at a faster pace. We have several members here that use a wider snow caster on a small mule and just go slower on the first pass if its deep.

A heated cab would make the job easier and you could work in shirtsleeve comfort, my dads neigbor loved her BX2360 with the front mount snow caster but she had a long 2 car wide blacktop driveway and she needed the 4 wheel drive because of the slope of her driveway too.

 

[Farmer495]

If $$$$ is a big issue, just use the tractor and loader as is. You have a far nicer tractor to plow snow with than a lot of people, I've seen people plow way more with way less. Full size utility with 4x4 is going to do more with a loader bucket than an ATV, compact etc with a blade or blower.

 

[vtsnowedin]

If $$$$ is a big issue, just use the tractor and loader as is. You have a far nicer tractor to plow snow with than a lot of people, I've seen people plow way more with way less. Full size utility with 4x4 is going to do more with a loader bucket than an ATV, compact etc with a blade or blower.

All things (and children) considered I have to agree with that point of view. You can certainly get by with what you have while keeping an eye open to Craig's list and auctions for a bargain plow or blower.