1/2 Ton Pick up vs. Kubota L3710 for snow plow, etc?

[Paul Thornton]

I have been plowing with my 2000 F150 7700 series since I bought it. I have also plowed with an open station tractor and I have to say I like my heater. The tractor is great for clean up and pushing back banks when the sun comes out.

 

[nybirdman]

Three years ago we got about 30" of very heavy wet snow,more like concrete.A 3/4 ton truck with a plow couldn't touch it.I removed the snow with my FEL and this was the only way it could be done.
The people in town that had anything with a bucket made a killing.

 

[Blackgreyhounds]

Thanks guys. Good advice. I'll work with the tractor. I was worried my 1500 was a little under built for plowing and you all confirmed it.

 

[Code54]

I have a 2500 diesel but only use the tractor to plow. Figure it is a LOT cheaper than the truck plow setup and a lot less abusive to my eqpt. We have a good 3/4 of a mile of driveway to plow as well as several driveways and the tractor is more maneuverable. I also have slid off the road twice now over the years and at least with the tractor I really didn't worry about it - just get another piece of eqpt and pull it out - no real body work to worry about or "how am I going to get to work", etc at least with the tractor....

 

[masscity]

If you have the room to push the snow, people up here buy a plow truck. Usually dented, rusted, but for $1-3000 they're fine and never go on the road.
I don't have any room for the snow is why I got the L3540 with the front blower and cab.

 

[Thomas]

I like my 2016 GMC 1/2 ton w/7.5' plow for quick clean up.
Big storm 12"+GMC double plowing,tractor once but I sure do like the heated cab.

 

[Piston]

I would go with the truck , you can move faster and go to other locations if need be . I have had plows on 1/2 tons , 3/4 tons . jeeps , and small toyota trucks . Plowing doesnt hurt the truck , the driver does . I only use tractors for clean up and piling snow . I prefer heat and a radio with the truck

Sprinklerman nailed it. The driver is the one who hurts the truck, not the plow. Using a truck for your own driveway is not going to hurt anything or wear anything appreciably more than not using it. If you aren't going commercial and plowing others, don't consider your truck not being up to the task! I'm not saying use the truck, but just know you absolutely can if you wanted to. The ONLY thing you really need to do, is learn how to properly plow, there is more to it than just dropping the blade and hitting the gas...


I use my tractor for plowing, with a 8' heavy duty rear blade and skid shoes, and my FEL bucket. I could use my f350 with 9' blade but I have more fun using the tractor. The truck would be a lot faster, less fun, warmer.

 

[Rustyiron]

I use my tractor for plowing, with a 8' heavy duty rear blade and skid shoes, and my FEL bucket. I could use my f350 with 9' blade but I have more fun using the tractor. The truck would be a lot faster, less fun, warmer.

:thumbsup: Me too. Plus the visibility & maneuverability of the tractor makes for a better clean up, not to mention it is a lot easier to stick a truck!

 

[Oldpath05]

One big advantage I find plowing with tractor is when backing up I can lift the plow up extra high so the blade wont catch in the snow bank. In a pickup, backing up, a lot of times the blade will catch in the snow I just plowed and faster then I can blink the blade will swing the rear end of the truck in the snow bank. One big advantage of a pickup is you can get from point A to point B lot better, quicker and legally.

 

[Deadman]

Thats especially true on a light duty truck because the blade will suck the front suspension all the way down and the plow ends up pretty low.
If the rear of the truck is swinging around, you need to add rear weight to truck. I fill the box of my 3/4 ton full of green Oak.