JJKJ
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2009
- Messages
- 57
Hello all, I've been hanging out reading and researching my next purchase. I think I have things narrowed down a bit but have some questions.
I recently moved from a home with just under an acre to an acreage with a bit over 8 acres. I will mow about 2.5 acres of the land and the rest will be hay that will be cut and bailed by a buyer. I have about 500' of total driveway to clear of snow. The property is pretty open so snow drifting will occur regularly. The driveway surface is similar to sealcoat. It is a asphalt base with pebble cover. It isn't as difficult as gravel to clear but is much more challenging than a smooth surface.
We just had our first major snow here in IA. I have a 2008 X500 with the 44" blower. I spent too many hours clearing snow over the last week. I also think the X500 would do ok with mowing, but I'd like a faster mow than the 54" deck. I also have one fairly steep hill to mow.
After research on a X748, 2305 and 2320; I think I'm most interested in the 2320. For mowing I'm looking at the 62" MMM. My questions are regarding snow removal. The dealer suggested configuring the tractor with a FEL and rear mount blade. The idea is to use the rear mount blade for most clearing and use the FEL to move drifts and snow piles. However, I spoke with my Dad who has experience clearing snow with a FEL and he thinks I would get frustrated with snow packing into the bucket. I know what he's referring to as I had a heck of a time shoveling my walkways this week as the snow stuck to the shovel more than you'd think. My Dad's suggestion is to configure the tractor with a front blade and rear blower. The blade would do the work 90% of the time and if I got to a large drift or needed to move a snow pile, I can use the blower. I did see a tractor with that configuration in the JD implement catalog and it seemed to make sense. My dealer also told me the rear blower is much cheaper than a front blower.
I guess I'm really looking for additional advice on the best configuration. I know from reading many posts here, there is great appreciation for a FEL. I know I could find reasons to use one other than moving snow, but right now I think I'd rather spend extra cash on a cab.
Lastly, what tires would be the most appropriate for my use?
Anything I'm missing or should reconsider?
Thanks,
John
I recently moved from a home with just under an acre to an acreage with a bit over 8 acres. I will mow about 2.5 acres of the land and the rest will be hay that will be cut and bailed by a buyer. I have about 500' of total driveway to clear of snow. The property is pretty open so snow drifting will occur regularly. The driveway surface is similar to sealcoat. It is a asphalt base with pebble cover. It isn't as difficult as gravel to clear but is much more challenging than a smooth surface.
We just had our first major snow here in IA. I have a 2008 X500 with the 44" blower. I spent too many hours clearing snow over the last week. I also think the X500 would do ok with mowing, but I'd like a faster mow than the 54" deck. I also have one fairly steep hill to mow.
After research on a X748, 2305 and 2320; I think I'm most interested in the 2320. For mowing I'm looking at the 62" MMM. My questions are regarding snow removal. The dealer suggested configuring the tractor with a FEL and rear mount blade. The idea is to use the rear mount blade for most clearing and use the FEL to move drifts and snow piles. However, I spoke with my Dad who has experience clearing snow with a FEL and he thinks I would get frustrated with snow packing into the bucket. I know what he's referring to as I had a heck of a time shoveling my walkways this week as the snow stuck to the shovel more than you'd think. My Dad's suggestion is to configure the tractor with a front blade and rear blower. The blade would do the work 90% of the time and if I got to a large drift or needed to move a snow pile, I can use the blower. I did see a tractor with that configuration in the JD implement catalog and it seemed to make sense. My dealer also told me the rear blower is much cheaper than a front blower.
I guess I'm really looking for additional advice on the best configuration. I know from reading many posts here, there is great appreciation for a FEL. I know I could find reasons to use one other than moving snow, but right now I think I'd rather spend extra cash on a cab.
Lastly, what tires would be the most appropriate for my use?
Anything I'm missing or should reconsider?
Thanks,
John