Snow Attachments Snow Removal with loader

[firemarshal]

I am taking delivery of a new (left over) B7500 on Thursday.
I had planned to remove snow from the driveway using the loader bucket this year since I had to lay out the doe for the tractor. I was thinking I would shop for a used rear mount snow blower for next winter. Good or bad idea. I live in Southern NH.

 

[NIXON]

No doubt about it , It will do the job . But it will be a slow process . I don't know how much snow you get . But would you consider getting a rearblade in addition to your FEL ?
It makes for great ballast while using the bucket ,and when angled it will move a decent amount of snow . John

 

[SeymourBota]

If you expect more than a half dozen decent snowfalls during the average winter, I would buy the snowblower now.
This might be a good time, as people look to upgrade before winter- some reasonable used units might be on the market

 

[BGL990]

I've moved quite a bit of snow with my old Ford 9N over the last 3 years (got a new 990 this year to replace it). The 9N has both a loader and rear blade and I find the rear blade MUCH easier to use and it moves more snow.

The loader is good for scraping snow back away from against walls and that sort of thing, but going forward I always find it digs in too much, or if you try to keep it from digging in, you don't get down to the ground. Perhaps if you have a paved driveway it would be better, but for me the rear blade at an angle is by far the best.

 

[pekabu]

I did it last year with my TC24. My biggest issue is that my driveway has two planes to it. So when I put the bucket down so it would clean well, the tractor would wonder off not going straight down the hill. When I lifted the bucket enough so the front would steer, the driveway wasn't cleaned as well. I am picking up a used snowblower tomorrow to try.

If I didn't get the blower for so cheap, I would be doing it again this year. I have borrowed my brothers plow truck to do it, but my driveway is tight so the tractor worked much better.

One thing is does the Kubuta bucket have wear strips on the bottom of the bucket? It seems my neighbors bx22 doesn't.

 

[henryjacobjosh]

Hi,

The loader should do just fine for removing snow. I have been using a FEL for the last 7 yrs or so and it has never disapointed me.Once you get good with the loader controls you can feather and work the bucket to avoid gouging or digging in.
I think the big question would be, how big of a driveway are you going to clear. If it is a long lane or driveway, it might be worth checking out a snowblower.
Hope to see some pics once you get you're new machine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MikePA]

Need to know;

How much snow do you get?
Is the area to be cleared paved?
Are the areas where you can push/dump the snow?

A FEL can be used to remove snow (I use it), but answers to these questions will assist in recommending whether it's the best long term solution.

BTW, if you have not checked into prices for 3ph snow blowers you might want to. They are not cheap. This might also figure into your decision. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PhilNH5]

Firemarshal,
I live in SE NH and use a FEL for snow removal. It is fun but it can be slow. I use a walk behind blower as well. For the long straight away the blower is quicker. But up by the house and garage I use the FEL - don't have to worry about where I am throwing it. If the snow is not to deep I use the FEL for the whole drive. Or if I am not in a rush I use the FEL - did I mention it is Fun?

Phil

 

[Boondox]

Well, it depends. The FEL will work, but slowly. And if your driveway isn't level your snow removal won't be either. I live in northern Vermont next to a cross-country ski resort, so we get a bit of the white stuff. But for me, personally, the rear blade on my Kubota has done such a great job over the years I simply can't justify the cost of a blower. If we lived in the UP where the lake effect snow buried us on a regular basis my feelings would be different, but for the foot deep storms we typically get I just lower the rear blade at an angle and drive forward thru the snow. Three passes and my road and driveway are clear.

That said, after spending several hours last winter in a driving wind at thirty below zero on an open tractor, this year I bought a Chevy so I can plow in heated comfort!

Pete

 

[MadReferee]

I am also a southern NH resident and last year I could have gotten by with just a rear blade and the FEL. However, I used my 64" Puma blower for each of the snowfalls we had that were more than 1 inch. If your driveway is long and we get a big storm you will be spending almost all of the day clearing the snow with the FEL (while I sit back and have a brew after spending only 45 mins doing the same. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

As others have said, the effectiveness of using just the FEL is dependent on the type of driveway you are attempting to clear. If you driveway is paved it will be easier. In any case it will take you a long time so be prepared with warm clothes and bundle up.