Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway?

   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #11  
I found a JD 4100 with cab and 47" snowblower for $9k. Do you think that is a good deal and enough to get the job done.

Seems like an ok deal. How many hours on tractor? Is it a front mount? The JD is similar in size to my B7800, just a little less hp. It all comes down to how much you are willing to part with. The cab will really make your life easier. I always came back like a frozen icicle. Does the cab have heat and A/C? In the summer a cab without A/C can be tough. You are in a 'greenhouse' and it gets hot really fast. You can probably move more snow with that JD than with a bigger tractor that you push snow with.
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #13  
i smell trouble right away, you are going to be disappointed in the traction of a tractor vs the gator getting back up the hill. You will likely need chains just FYI. A tractor with most any tire is helpless on snow pack/ice. The tires are even more stiff and worse traction when cold. It wont matter what kind you have Ag/R4/Turf they will all be challenging on traction.

I don't know, the HDAP tires on something like an x7-series Deere garden tractor do really well in snow & ice, even on sloped driveways. I have a buddy with an x728 and what I consider a fairly steep driveway (maybe not as much as the OP's) and he has never needed chains. You can certainly add chains to such a tractor. And, of course, get the AWD version (x728/x748 or x738/x758). Load it up with ballast, of course.

I've never used a Gator with a plow but I find it hard to comprehend that a Gator would be that much better than a x7-series JD.

Rob
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #14  
My dad uses a x749 with a blade on a drive that has a off camber slanted part....just weights and 4x4.
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway?
  • Thread Starter
#15  
Seems like an ok deal. How many hours on tractor? Is it a front mount? The JD is similar in size to my B7800, just a little less hp. It all comes down to how much you are willing to part with. The cab will really make your life easier. I always came back like a frozen icicle. Does the cab have heat and A/C? In the summer a cab without A/C can be tough. You are in a 'greenhouse' and it gets hot really fast. You can probably move more snow with that JD than with a bigger tractor that you push snow with.

It has 281 hours and it is a front mount. The cab has no conditioning but removable doors.
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway?
  • Thread Starter
#16  
That's a 70% grade - sounds frightening!
Any pictures?

Yep, you nailed it. Here's a picture. I have realized it is impossible to capture hills with cell phone cameras
Capture.PNG
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #17  
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #18  
It has 281 hours and it is a front mount. The cab has no conditioning but removable doors.

That's low hours. The cab will make it worthwhile in winter.
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway? #19  
Does it have a loader? That is my highest used attachment. If it doesn't, maybe price one out. I remember looking at tractors and thought I found a good deal, except it did not have a loader.
 
   / Tractor suggestions for primarily snowblowing a long, steep, windy driveway?
  • Thread Starter
#20  
R4 tires loaded for ballast. No loader. I'm sure it is useful but I can't even think of a use for one. I live in the burbs with a small yard. Just trying to solve the driveway issue in the winter.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2010 International 7300 Bucket Truck, VIN # 1HTWBAAN0AJ212190 (A48836)
2010 International...
19010 (A48082)
19010 (A48082)
2015 Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A48081)
2015 Ram 1500 4x4...
UNUSED CFG SKID STEER PALLET FORKS (A50460)
UNUSED CFG SKID...
8ft x 6ft Container with Side Door (A48837)
8ft x 6ft...
2017 CATERPILLAR 304E2 EXCAVATOR (A50458)
2017 CATERPILLAR...
 
Top