Snow Attachments SNOW REMOVAL HELP

[chrispratt11]

What could I expect to pay for a front blower? What size?

 

[zzvyb6]

I suggest you also consider what happens after you plow your driveway. Is it out to a county road? Or, will you also need to occasionally do a mile or so of county roadway to get where you need to go? That's the deal in my case. Getting to the road is 800 ft. I can do it with my plow in 2 minutes or less. So what. If the snow storm is that bad, I also need to do a mile of township road (and back) in order to get out. Then there are the neighbors who appreciate a plow's quick response.

A snowblower at crawl speed isn't going to cut it for us. Chances are that when you are done, you'll have to start all over because of the hour it took you to clear the drive and the roads.

 

[irvingj]

This works for me, haven't met a storm yet it couldn't handle, and I believe your 4310 has more HP than my 2310 (23HP).

I have a gravel drive, about 250 feet; yes, it will throw stones, but as was mentioned, lower skids to raise the blower for the first few times and/or pack first few storms down to create a base. I lose a shearpin once in a while, but simply carry spares with me. No biggie.

Advantage is no high snowbanks, and it really is pretty fast- perhaps not as fast as a plow, but I like the "no snowpiles & banks" aspect of a blower.

However, a front-mount blower, including its front-mount assembly and mid-PTO driveshaft, is not cheap! Expect it to come to around $3500, perhaps more. I still consider it worth every penny. (Does your 4310 have the Mid-PTO option?)

Chris- if you're anywhere close to Leb/Enfield, come on over and see it!

 

[WayneB]

Hello Chris,

I agree with the snowblower and if you can swing it go with the front mounted blower. I have a rear mount blower and it is much slower and a bit tough looking backwards all the time.

Main reason I purchased the rear blower was the price. I picked up a used one for under $900 in good shape. I also felt I wanted the FEL for use, but I don't think I've used it more than a dozen times in four years. Prior to that I used a rear blade and the bucket to move snow around with and it was certainly a major task!

By the time you purchase a front blower, sub-frame and PTO kit you could be talking anywhere from $3.500 to $4,500.

I have a Kubota and the sub-frame so I will be adding a front plow this rear for handling the small snowfall situations and then just blow the edges, at least that is the plan.

The blower works great with 6 or more inches of snow, but small amounts or extremely wet snow can be a bit of a pain to handle.

 

[Ford850]

A front plow blade is definitely the fastest, but you'll need space to accumulate the snow banks through winter. It also depends on the size of your tractor. A larger tractor has the weight advantage for a plow, and can drive through 2' or snow with the plow raised if needed. A plow works for me without chains but some storms I can't move much snow on the return trip back up the hill/drive. Plowing the drive in 3rd gear/medium range is about the same speed I drive out with my car or truck. Down and back, and the drive is passable but I continue to dress it up and move the main bank off the drive so it's ready for the next storm. I push all the snow to one side to reduce drifting.
There are heavy storms that a blower would be better, but I keep the blade up 6" or so and plow the whole drive that way. Then drop it down and plow it again. I don't have a cab so the plow keeps me drier.

 

[chrispratt11]

Thanks everyone. I'm really thinking I want to spend around $2500 for the whole set up. It would seem like the front plow might be the only choice with this budget eh?

 

[Dead Horse]

Chris, where are you in 'Hampster? I am mid-state near Plymouth.

My drive is half a mile long and changes elevation significantly (200+ feet).

In the last 12 years I have been through the gamit of snow removal equipment. Plow blade + rear blade + Loader work fine, but you will put a lot of hours in, especially as a heavy snow winter lingers on. The biggest issue is moving the built up snow banks that occur using a plow, time and time again.

FWIW I recommend you get chains as one of the first acquisitions you make. Nothing brings on "pucker factor" faster than a tractor sliding on ice down a hill...........NOTHING!

The blower idea is a great one and once acquired, will save you countless hours of dicking around with "old snow" because you put it well beyond the edge of the drive, pad, whatever.

The best solution is having options to make the best of each situation.

However, Starting out and in respect of your budget, I would recommend you acquire a used, power angle Fisher plow and mount it to the FEL. That and a rear scraper blade will do a fine job 90% of the time. Any additional work you need to do can be managed with your FEL. Takes a couple minutes to remove the Fisher and you are good to go.

My stuff includes two tractors, a big 100hp Hesston and a 3710 Kubota, a small fixed angle plow, a rear scraper blade, a Meteor blower and a 7' Fisher w/power angle. I have chain sets for both tractors, and conveniently the rear tires on the 3710 are the same size as the front tires on the Hesston. I also have a Herd sander for the 3710. see pickies below.

Get the chains!!!!!!!!!

 

[chrispratt11]

Wow, Dead Horse, that is a great set up you have. Will look into the plow. Just got a estimate for a front blower 59 H $5,500! I think my wife would move out if I tried to slide that by. Def. getting chains, but they seem to run the gamet as far as price. Any suggestions? JD also gave me a estimate for a 7 foot hydrolic front blade for $2000.00 any thoughts on that?

 

[beenthere]

Really, I thought a front plow would be the fastest and most popular but that does not seem the case?

I have a similar drive, with a section at 12% grade. Also, same size tractor with my JD4300.

I use a Western 7' front mount blade and have a wing for winging the snow "over the edge" or further back to tier the windrow back. Worked great for gravel drive, but now have asphalt and use chains a bit more often now. Sometimes, need to push the snow going downhill and buzzing back up empty if snow conditions are just right and don't have chains mounted.

Made a short video of the wing plow in action (going very slow as it was the maiden voyage) but if we get enough snow will make a better one this year.
YouTube - Wing_plow.MOV

 

[beenthere]

For chains, I fabbed my own as I didn't want them draped down along the sides of the tire and so close to the fender on the inside. Bought cross links, and side chain, assembled from there with the additional connecting parts. At the time, about $200.