Snow Snow removal: LMB or plow

[smartguyz]

I have the LMB and the power sweeper. Power Sweeper is great for light dusting to snow, perhaps an inch or two. Fast, and can push stuff to the side. I would assume it would be similar to the snow blade in speed and efficiency.

The LMB is a much more general-purpose tool, which gets used virtually anytime the tractor is in use. Even if I'm doing something else, I usually end up with the LMB at some point in the day, just to move stuff.

That said, the LMB worked pretty well for moving about 24" of snow we got last year, mixed along with 2-3" of ICE! I would say that the LMB was great, because you can lift the snow/ice and dump it out of everyone's way. I ended up digging out most of my neighbors. We live on a private road which is not maintained by the county, so I have a couple of thousand feet of roadways and driveways to help my neighbors get out of their drives.

There is one neighbor with a tractor with a blade on the back, but he got really stuck last year. The PT with its low stance and LMB was completely unstoppable, even without chains. When the ice got really thick, I did have to chain the wheels, but it just to get down the drive.

My opinion? If you don't get a lot of snow, get the LMB. If you expect to have a lot of snow, get both.

-Rob

P.S. If I had to do it again, I would probably not get the LMB and the small bucket. I would trade both for a 4 in 1.

-Rob

 

[MossRoad]

I have both the LMB and the power angle plow for our PT425. For snow, the plow is king. Having a power angle plow that lifts 60" in the air is just about unbeatable. We also have the wheels, but they were standard in 2001. The power angle plow with wheels was $450.00 back then. We have asphalt and turf tires. It works fine and gets fresh snow down to the pavement very well.

There are several videos of our plow in action on my website. Click on my animated signature below and that will take you there. On the left side, click on the videos link. There are some shots of the plow coming and going, hooking up the quick attach, power tilt and power angle. Unfortunately, there are no shots of me stacking snow 6' high. I can't figure out why I never posted those.

 

[DCWhitley]

I maybe one of the few who have bought the snow blower, but the past 2 years it paid for itself when we had several storms of 10"-14" when we had 120" and 100". 2 years ago I used it on 5 of the neighbors driveways when their paid plow guys ran out of room to push the snow. I find that anything over 4" it works better than the plow for my area. I do use the snow plow when the storms are 3"-4" deep, it is quicker. Unfortunately this year I have used only the plow, not the snow blower. We are envious of the mid Atlantic state so far this winter, send the snow up this way!

 

[pharmon]

What is an LMB ?

Paul

 

[Marks481]

LMB = Light Material Bucket.

It is the large bucket, which 10 cu ft on the PT422/425. The rest of the buckets (4n1, rock, and grapple) are either 4 or 5 cu ft.

 

[Marks481]

Follow-on question: chains on two tires or four? I have the 23x10.5-12 turf tires on my PT422.

Any suggestions for where to buy tire chains? Peerless 1063156 seems to fit, probably get them from sears (or Ebay), but they are not cheap at $60-70 a pair.

 

[pharmon]

Thanks for the explanation on the LMB. I was drawing a blank.

I have a pickup w/ plow for longer stretches and deep snow. I use the tractor and bucket for small accumulations on the paved driveway. I still use the walk behind snowblower when I have to move snow over tall banks close to the buildings.

Paul

 

[tracdoc]

Follow-on question: chains on two tires or four? I have the 23x10.5-12 turf tires on my PT422. Any suggestions for where to buy tire chains? Peerless 1063156 seems to fit, probably get them from sears (or Ebay), but they are not cheap at $60-70 a pair.

Last year, Tim, I had chains on 2 tires. A fellow with many years experience in DOT w/ front-loaders, hydrostatic drive, AWD, etc. recommended that if your are going to use only 2, then you should mount them on the FRONT wheels. I did that, and I was overall very pleased with the performance. On the steepest portion of my uphill drive, the rears would occasionally break away, so I picked up a second pair at the end of the season. Boy, am I gald I did, as they really came into good use so far this winter.

I got my chains from www.tirechains.com out of Johnstown, PA. I've ordered stuff from them twice and they are excellent to work with---the stuff you want is in their own inventory, they ship same day, and prices are best I found. From their shop to my house was 2 days by UPS. For the PT425 I am using the GT18-2 --a 2-link Heavy Duty Tractor Chain fitted to my standard BAR tread tires. When I got them, they ran me ~$55/pair (+S/H), including a pair of 5-point spring spreaders.

I would caution about two things:
1) think twice or three times before buying chains more aggressive than the HD, such as the "cleated link pattern", especially if you have an asphalt or concrete driveway. Those chains will eat your driveway for lunch. I've had no traction problems with HD chains. My PT will stall before she'll break loose.
2) I would also caution that if you get chains for your PT, avoid getting ATV-type chains if you can. ATV chains are designed to fit the profile of ATV tires which are much rounder at the shoulders than the standard turf or bar PT tires which are squared at the shoulders. A tractor chain will fit much better, and will not slap.
Hope that helps.

 

[Marks481]

hmm, now I remember why I never buy stuff from Power Trac.

Shipping from Tazewell to DC: $459.59 for the LMB and blade/rubber lip.

Ouch; just about makes it worth it to make the 6 hour drive (350 miles). It makes for a long day, but it just hurts to shell out that sort of money for shipping.

Anybody else in Eastern Maryland making the pilgrimage anytime soon?

 

[ernemats]

Tim you might check uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Vehicles or Moves to get a shipping quote. I had my 1845 with a boom mower , 72 inch mower 10 wheels and tires and some other parts for the tractor delivered to PA. from the state of Indiana for $500.