Snow snow removal question

[MikeD74T]

raykos, You can have the best of both worlds. Get another walk behind snowblower. Bolt them togeather & mount in place of your FEL bucket. When your butt goes down it will be in a nice soft seat !!!! MikeD74T

 

[purpony]

i purchased a 2320 in Jan of this year and plowed my 145' driveway all winter long with just the bucket (no rear ballast, no filled tired) and it worked great.

I have been plowing my fathers driveway for the last 25 years with the FEL bucket on his 2wd 2440 but i have been using chains because without4wd you second you hit an ice patch your all done.

This year i will be using a snowplow on my 2320 that i made, not that the bucket didnt work great, i just wanted the side to side tilt that a plow offers. It makes plowing a little faster with not so many passes.

Is spending is a concern, i would just stick with the bucket for this season... woeks just fine, plus, you can stack the snow higher!

 

[diverdownrick]

I like the quotes to the effect of "once the bucket fills it pushes the snow". Isn't that sort of the point?

I have a 200 ft flat, paved driveway that I plow with my 2305 FEL. I place the bucket flat on the pavement then slightly curl it so the edge isn't touching the driveway. I push from the road to the end of the driveway (usually in 4WD). Once there I stop just short of the end so I don't dig up the lawn. I lift the bucket 6 inches off the ground and push the pile a few feet onto the lawn.

This gets the majority of snow. I have to go back and pick up the windrows and dump them but that isn't too bad. Nothing wrong with a little FEL work!

I agree that a snowblower would be cleaner and faster but I can't cost justify the $3,000. That buys a lot of beer!

 

[LBrown59]

I agree that a snowblower would be cleaner and faster but I can't cost justify the $3,000. That buys a lot of beer!

3000 will also buy a front blade and a tiller.

 

[jjmarotz]

$3000.00 for a blower? I was quoted over $3500.00 from my JD dealer and the local NH dealer for a 5-6' blower for my new 3203 also. Guess what---called the local Kubota dealer and he had one (Meteor 68" 3 ph mount) for only $1650.00. It was used 3 times last season and the guy traded it back in for the front mount. He had way too much road to open to want to stare backwards all day long. Even the new ones he sold were only $1800.00. Guess who got my business???? And it works awesome, I can clear my driveway and the front of my shop in less than 20 minutes, versus last years 1968 4010 (ag tractor) with a 7" wide bucket which took almost 1.5 hrs. The spill over from the bucket was a PITA to go back over time after time.

 

[jjmarotz]

Sometimes bigger isn't always better. Learned that one the hard way. Oh well, it's only money isn't it?

 

[rvtech]

I think it totally depends on your specific situation. I use my loader with no ballast and R4 tires. I have had no problems at all. I have 2 gravel driveways with small limestone. In the past I have used trucks with plows, a truck with a blower, tractors with rear blades, front blades, walk behind blowers and plenty of shovels. I have not used anything that is as effective on a gravel driveway as the 2305 with a loader. I just tilt the bucket back about 2 or 3 inches and go as fast as it will go. Tilting the bucket back keeps it from collecting any gravel. The bucket fills with snow immediately, but that doesn't affect moving the snow. It will just keep pushing. I cleared my 2 driveways after a 6 inch snow last night in about an hour. I even left the mid mount mower on (still mowing leaves here). It is easy to stack the snow and keep it out of the way. Last season I had piles over 10 feet high. I also clear several paths in my yard to my building. It works great.

 

[RWEST]

I like having both the blower and loader. Here in the hills of Somerset County, PA, we can get over 200" of snow annually, so, after the blower gets it piled so high it's starting to fall back in, I turn around and use the bucket to push the piles back. I'm fortunate to have mostly blacktopped or concrete driveways to work in, which makes it a heck of a lot easier. It seems every time I try to be nice and blow someone's gravel/shale driveway out, I end up replacing shear pins.

$1,500 - 1,800 will get a decent 3-pt mount, PTO driven blower.

Downside of the rear mount blower is, the ol' neck doesn't really like it after a few hours. For that reason, brother #1 has gone to a front mounted blower on his 755; brother #2 can't find one for his 755, so he's been using the 310D to push the snow. That 310D's not quite as 'delicate' around the yard, so every spring he's playing jigsaw puzzle trying to figure out which piece of sod goes where.

 

[Mayor]

I also use my 2305 with the FEL to plow and it works great. Just take your time and get used to using it on a driveway. Never got stuck in 4 wheel drive with the turf tires. I do run my box blade just for weight but I do not have loaded tires or wheel weights. The weight box is over kill.

This year I might try a carry all and put my walkbehind snowblower on it. That way if I need it I just drop the 3 point and clean a walk with the blower. I have to see if the weight will work.

 

[Bob_Young]

Haven't read this whole thread, but thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.

We just got about 16" of lake effect snow here in NY and I had no trouble clearing it with my Kubota B7610 (24HP) with FEL, loaded turfs, a Woods RB60 rear blade, and NO chains. I normally clear four driveways; two of my own, about 150' each and two neighbors, both 100' or less...all are flat, two are paved.

This combination works so well, I keep putting off the snowblower that I intended to buy. With the right angle on the bucket, the FEL makes a very effective snow pusher for getting accumulation out of the way; while the rear blade lets me get down to bare pavement.

Beyond 4WD, the key seems to be the fluid in the rear tires and the fact that the RB60 can be allowed to float on the tilt axis. Cheaper rear blades don't allow this, so if the tractor is tilted (side-to-side), so is the blade....potentially causing the low end to dig in. Floating on the tilt axis allows the blade to conform to the angle of the plowed surface regardless of tractor tilt. The RB60 is more than a KK or Howse blade, but at $450 plus tax it shouldn't break the bank....and it'll be more help than carrying a box of rocks back there.

On the unpaved drives and when I wander off the side onto the grass, the rear blade will, of course, dig in if used normally. If the ground isn't frozen hard, turf comes up. But if you back into the snow with the convex side (rear) of the rear blade moving forward, you ride up over the gravel and turf doing little or no damage while still clearing the snow.

I have a larger 4WD tractor with 7' blade, FEL and loaded Ags. When I first saw this recent snowfall, I thought I'd need it for sure. Not so. The little B7610 had zero problems and did an excellent job. What you're proposing should be easily possible with the right rear blade and some fluid in the tires.
FWIW
Bob

 

[jcmseven]

Surprisingly we get quite a lot of snow where I live, and I have used most types of snow removal plowing equipment available. So far, my favorite is my Gator XUV and plow, but tractor-wise, the boom mounted front 6' blade works really well. The problem is that the blade takes up quite a lot of storage space when not in use. I would love to have a snowblower for my 3720, as it would likely blow the snow about a mile and running PTO attachments is its strength. Unfortunately, it is expensive and when I asked my dealer about it, he laughed. Said he did not want to be the first JD dealer in NC to sell a snowblower.

John M

 

[NewJDGuy]

I guees I"m in the minority here as I use my 2520 and the FEL with the 61in bucket. During a large storm last year (for this area) I plowed my parents black topped driveway (300 ft) uphill with 20in on the ground. No chains, and just the I-Match box loaded with concrete and elevator weight. It quickly began to turn the snow over in the FEL and produced a rolling mound of snow that eventually obscured forward vision. My brother guided me forward and the 2520 didn't even groa or slip on the blacktop. Pushed the entire roll, now 15ft in height off the driveway. The neighbors driveway, which is essentially the same, save for being gravel - stopped and stuck my brothers F-250 and snow plow (back end loaded with weight and wearing 33in good M/T tires). I use it to plow my driveway (concrete with an incline) with no problems. The driveway previously caused problems with my IH Low Boy, chains and a plow. I use the loader to create snow piles in the yard for my kids to play in. It does take longer to leave the driveway spotless clean than with a plow, as snow tends to fall off the sides of the loader. However, I don't kill my shrubs up against the edge of the driveway. Finally, I like the fact that I can put the piles of snow where I want them. No more pushing bushes or piling it up across the street in the neighbors yard. I do have access to a back blade (for my Dad's Ford 8N) and utilized both at the same time to clear the "leftovers". But have found the time it takes to hook up the backblade is about the same time it takes me to clean up the "leftovers", so I don't bother with it.

 

[jcmseven]

The FEL is a good snow removal option if one has a lot of snow and/or not a lot of distance to cover. The FEL is nice because one can pile snow where one wants it to be, and option not available with other modalities. Unfortunately, for the volume of drive and road I have to plow, it would take quite a long time to get done. I must admit, though, that I have used my FEL to move snow banks created by my plow. Still, no tractor I have ever used has proven to be as efficient moving snow as my Gator. I suspect other UTV's would share the same benefits. I am excited to get in my new 6' plow for my XUV. If it plows half as well as my older HPX did, I will be very happy.

John M

 

[a37b]

The FEL is a good snow removal option if one has a lot of snow and/or not a lot of distance to cover. The FEL is nice because one can pile snow where one wants it to be, and option not available with other modalities. Unfortunately, for the volume of drive and road I have to plow, it would take quite a long time to get done. I must admit, though, that I have used my FEL to move snow banks created by my plow. Still, no tractor I have ever used has proven to be as efficient moving snow as my Gator. I suspect other UTV's would share the same benefits. I am excited to get in my new 6' plow for my XUV. If it plows half as well as my older HPX did, I will be very happy.

John M

John
Which plow did you get for the xuv? I am going to John Deere this weekend to look at or order a plow for mine. Which one did you have for the hpx?
I have a JD 4410 but the heated cab for the xuv is nicer for the winter time.
MM

 

[jcmseven]

I bought the EaglePlow for mine. It is a really nice plow. Mine is winch operated. The new JD heavy duty plow with the hydraulic lift coming out this year is probably the NICEST plow, but it is much more expensive. The Eagle Plow is durable and reasonably priced. I bought mine through my JD dealer. It looks better made than the current JD marketed plow. It is a manual angle but the angling lever is padded and it is a snap to angle. If I used my Gator for other plowing I would probably get the JD plow (I do not think it is available yet) but for snow removal this is the ticket. It also is easily stored and very durable. It takes about two minutes to hook it up and I plowed a lot last year. The XUV and HPX both take the same plow, a 72". They handle it fine and the plow is not so heavy as to effect the steering when it is up. Curtis also makes a nice plow, but it includes the lift mech which I did not need and also is much more expensive.

John M

 

[a37b]

I saw the new JD plow on ebay its called a powertach I think, it is hyd. angle and lift but they want 2499.00 for it.
That is as much as a 7ft pickup plow. That seems too much for a 72 in. plow. I think I will look at the older JD plows.
MM

 

[hemiguy]

Raykos,
Gosh this is a long thread and I haven't read it all but I would say definitely try out the FEL first before you spend big bucks on a blower or plow.

My setup is a 2520 with R4's , 61' 200CX FEL and 46BH and thats what I use for my driveway and it works excellent. Mine is paved, 2 cars wide, flat, and probably a little shorter than yours at about only 100'. Actually, I don't usually even have to use the 4wd. The BH mounted is a lot of weight and weight means traction on these small tractors so don't even bother to store it, just leave on the tractor. And of course this is stating the obvious but use L hydro range.

Keep in mind that many guys here have driveways that are several hundred feet long and with turns, hills, etc and for that the plow or blower is probably better. In your situation though I'll bet your 2305 and FEL will do just fine.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[jcmseven]

I would look seriously at the EaglePlow. They are really nice and are reasonably priced. Given the fact I plow a very long drive and over two miles of private service road with each snow, I can attest to their durability. I am not advertising for them, I just have been pleased in general with the performance of the plow, and I have used a lot. The larger picture though is that I really like a UTV for snowplowing. I like it over a tractor--big or small--or a pickup mounted system. I can tell you our neighborhood plow guy has a Dodge HD truck (dually) with a 7' Boss plow. He cannot plow as well or as fast as I can on our steep, slick and tight roads. He also will call me if he has a steep drive to plow to gauge my interest. Although I am not supposed to, I can legitimately plow at 15 mph and make turns fast. The UTV's manuverability makes it tough to beat in my conditions.

John M

 

[a37b]

John
I dont know any dealers in my area,NW Montana, how much are they? Do they come with a winch? I guess I will take a look online for them. I have heard alot of guys have them. Thanks for the tip.
MM

 

[jcmseven]

They do not come with the winch. I had that already. I do not know that it matters whether they have a dealer in the area, as my JD dealer is not an official dealer for them either. He has ordered exactly two blades from them, both for me. They apparently have not complained about this.

John M