Snow Removal Frustration

   / Snow Removal Frustration #1  

coldstream

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
47
Location
NW MO
I'll explain my frustration and listen to your all's expert advice! B2920 with FEL and R4 tires purchased spring 2010. Tires are not loaded and I don't have chains. I've got a 4' king cutter (i think that's the brand) blade on the 3pt, blade turned "backwards" with a 3" ABS pipe installed on the blade to minimize gravel displacement. Gravel driveway, 500' long. I've removed several 2 and 3 inch snows over the time I've owned the tractor without much trouble. I use a combo of running the blade down the drive (set at the middle angle) and then cleaning the piles with the FEL. However, in the last 2 weeks we have had two 10 inch snows about a week apart. Trying to move this much snow took me to near the limit for this tractor. The first snow was pretty dry and I was able to move it OK but my blade isn't heavy enough so I never got clear down to the bottom of the snow, even without the ABS pipe installed. Would adding weight to the blade help with this? Of course if I add weight I'll dig more snow and come up against the most significant problem which is lack of traction. The second snow was so wet that the blade would just pull a few feet of snow before I broke traction. So I tried using the bucket to "skim" the snow and I also quickly lost traction after traveling just a few feet. I am open to loading the tires and/or adding chains but I wanted input from you all as to how much these will really help me. And yes, I know some will say "buy a bigger tractor" but that is not an option due to 1: finances, and 2: these big snows have been relatively rare recently so I'd like to adapt the equipment that I have as much as possible. Well, enough rambling for now, lay it on me!
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #2  
B2920 is a nice size tractor, R 4 tires like turf tires are not great in snow. I think that both adding weight and chains would be a help. My tractor is a 25 HP Deere on a paved driveway with a hill. having turf tires i had problems until i added weight to the back of the tractor and rear chains. now have little difficulty unless it ices up under the snow on the hill. Gravel driveway in some ways helps with traction but heavy snow I would go with both.
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #4  
Traction..or scape w/rear blade close as you can,you may find when the wet heavy snow arrives the task will be more painful...how much snow are you leaving over the gravel.
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #5  
I would look for a old snowplow and adapt it to fit your loader. I do not like p,owing snow with a bucket, it is very inefficient. A front plow will work well and you will be able to stack snow 12 feet in the air. Chains will also be a good addition
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #6  
Don't wait until the storm is over to plow. Plow every 5 inches of accumulation, or whatever your equipment can comfortably handle.
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #7  
Definitely load the rears, and if the money's there, buy some wheel weights. If the rear blade isn't absolutely needed, buy or build a weight box for the 3pt. hitch. I work my snow with a 2wd, and wouldn't even leave the garage without the tires loaded and weight on the back. I assume yours is a 4x4? Either way, little weight will go a long way...
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #8  
Buy chains for all 4 tires!!!
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #9  
are you pulling the snow forward? or pushing backward? you mention both in the first post. also, it sounds like a 4' blade is way too small, it can't
cover your wheel width while angled, let alone straight? a larger blade would be heavier, but, then again, if you are having traction issues
you probably still need chains and more weight.
the front blade would certainly give you some down pressure, but they are pricey, esp if you wanted to get it setup with hydraulic angle.

i'd stick a 54 or 60 inch rear blower on the back and forget about the blade. then use the bucket for banks if needed or
light snows that just need a quick swipe out of the way
(the best would be a front blower, but that's more $$$)
 
   / Snow Removal Frustration #10  
I never felt that extra weight was much help on snow and ice.
Chains is the way to go.
 
 
Top