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

[Kioti Dave]

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.

 

[ning]

The steepest section is about a 35ｰ angle

That's a 70% grade - sounds frightening!
Any pictures?

 

[BigBlue1]

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

 

[ruffdog]

My dad uses a x749 with a blade on a drive that has a off camber slanted part....just weights and 4x4.

 

[adriand]

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.

 

[adriand]

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

 

[airbiscuit]

It has 281 hours and it is a front mount. The cab has no conditioning but removable doors.

What kind of tires?

 

[Kioti Dave]

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.

 

[Kioti Dave]

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.

 

[adriand]

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.