Winter storage / to buy or not snowblower?

[canoetrpr]

Fall is starting to set in. I've had a blast with my Kubota L3400 that I bought this year with advice from others here.

Last winter when we didn't have the tractor we paid someone $400 to clear our driveway. Worked out well.

Now I have the tractor but no snowblower. A new blower would cost me about $2200 CDN or so. I've been looking for used but nothing has come up close enough.

I'm considering parking the tractor for the winter and hiring the same guy for $400 this year as well.

One reason I am concerned about doing this vs. biting hte bullet and getting the blower, is that this will mean that the tractor is parked for much of the winter - about 5 months or so. Having the blower would mean that it would be occasionally started and put to work.

It is stored indoors in a workshop.

Is there much to be concerned about here? I'd prefer not to have to disconnect the battery etc. as I might want to occasionally do this or that chore in the winter. Just might not be regular enough.

Thoughts?

 

[john_bud]

Well, seat time in the winter can be a blessing and a curse. Dang, it's cold! But, you get that warm feeling from a job well done.

Unless you have a LOT of driveway, you may want to consider a back blade in the 7' range. It will do the snow, but won't toss it out of the way, so you may make tunnels.

As far as winter storage, I just block the clutch (manditory), put stabil in the last 2-3 tanks of fuel, top off the tank and use a trickle charger for a weekend around new years day and again at the end of February. If you might want to use the tractor, be sure to put in some additive to keep the fuel from gelling.

I've only ever had problems due to an obsolete design of the HST filter. Always starts, runs and works well - even at -30F. Now, you have to let it run at about 1400 rpm for up to 20-30 minutes before you give it a load.

With all that said, I use a 8hp snow blower that I push. By the time the tractor would be warm enough to use, I'm already inside warming back up!

jb

 

[MadReferee]

canoetrpr,

I had the same discussion with myself a few years ago. I decided to pony up $2000 and buy a snowblower. I figured it would pay for itself in 4-5 years.

I determined that there were advantages to having a blower, 1. I could do it the way I want it done when I wanted it done, like real early in the morning, 2. no more big piles of snow that ended up blocking parts of my driveway parking area, 3. elimination of sloppy plowing causing ice problems, 4. seat time.

Right now, it will have payed for itself by the end of this snow season, my 4th.

 

[Dmace]

I love snowblowing. It may be because of the heated cab, but it leaves a crisp clean edge on the driveway and I can put snow where I want (like the neighbors yard... down the street... . I can put the snow where it will melt faster and not make mud and no big piles of snow.

http://dmace10.tripod.com/kioti/785756-100_0592-1.JPG

 

[firemanpat2910]

Wow I cant believe y'all are talkin bout snow already. Its 90 degrees here and we have at least 3 months left before its too cold to get on a tractor, 40 degrees. BRRRRRR when it drops down that low it cant be good for the tractor (or operator) to be outside.

 

[canoetrpr]

canoetrpr,
I had the same discussion with myself a few years ago. I decided to pony up $2000 and buy a snowblower. I figured it would pay for itself in 4-5 years.

Mad, did you really have to put that photo in there? Now I might have to go out and get one! ;-)

Nice setup you have there. How big is the blower, what make/model and are you happy with it?

Gotta tell you, I really regret not just biting the bullet and buying most of the implements, adding remotes etc. right up front with the tractor. I was financing it for 3 years anyway. I could have financed it for 4 for the same payment and got all that stuff done right away. Much of it was lack of experience on my part as I figured I didn't know exactly what I would need / could I get a used deal on stuff etc.

 

[canoetrpr]

Wow I cant believe y'all are talkin bout snow already. Its 90 degrees here and we have at least 3 months left before its too cold to get on a tractor, 40 degrees. BRRRRRR when it drops down that low it cant be good for the tractor (or operator) to be outside.

Winter comes early in Canada and the northern states I'm afraid. In another few weeks I'll be getting my tires changed on the cars and so on .

 

[MadReferee]

How big is the blower, what make/model and are you happy with it?

The blower is a 64" Pronovost Puma with hydraulic chute rotation and hydraulic chute deflection. Made in Canada. I am very happy with it. Tractor is a Kubota B2710 (same as a B2910/3030/7800).

Based on problems that others have had with the chute design, the Puma appears to be one of the best and most efficient. There have been plenty of posts discussing the cute design and the Puma design is a winner.

 

[canoetrpr]

The blower is a 64" Pronovost Puma with hydraulic chute rotation and hydraulic chute deflection.

There have been plenty of posts discussing the cute design and the Puma design is a winner.

Mad, are the problems with chute design limited to hydraulic operation of the chute or not?

I'll do a search as well.

What did this blower cost you if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MadReferee]

Mad, are the problems with chute design limited to hydraulic operation of the chute or not?

Nope. Strictly design. Basically the angles, bottom opening and length of the chute determine it's performance. The Puma wins on all counts.

Cost in Sept 2003 was $2000 US with hydraulic chute rotation. I added the chute deflection cylinder for under $100. It bolted right on. I already had the remotes.