I used my new FEL to remove the snow today because it was already on the tractor. Also I wanted to play with it and learn how to use it. Normally, I would use my 54" front blade and I also have a 47" front-mount snowblower and a 54" rotary broom.
I offer this comparison of the four implements:
Snowblower - Pros: Best for really deep snow or drifts. Can easily remove any amount of snow I will ever get here in MN. Snow can be placed fairly far away from the driveway and is spread out so that there are really no piles. Less likely to damage turf along edge of driveway.
Snowblower - Cons: Snow always blows in my face and covers my body. I get a lot colder using the snowblower. A cab or weather enclosure might make a huge difference on this. Sometimes not as good at scraping all the way to the pavement. Slower than the blade on light snowfalls
FEL - Pros: Is more likely to already be on my tractor. Best choice when back-dragging is required.
FEL - Cons: Limited visibility of working edge. Not really useful to move snow to the side - can only push it to the end. Can only get piles a few feet from the driveway (but maybe this is just my whimpy, worn-out front turf tires not being able to claw their way up the pile any further). Slower than the blade at the end of each pass due to lift & dump cycle required.
Blade - Pros: Fastest way to remove our typical 5-8 inch snowfall. Can push the snow into big piles or side-cast it along the edges of the drive. Most manuverable. Easiest implement to mount (lightest to man-handle).
Blade - Cons: Sometimes I wish I had a wider blade. I wish my blade had more down-travel when trying to scrape clean uneven parts of the driveway like where it dips down into the gutter at the end.
Broom - Pros: Gets the pavement totally clean. Sometimes I use this if I want some more seat time after clearing the snow with the blade.
Broom - Cons: Worthless if there is more than 1/2" of snow to be removed.
Bottom line:
I will try to keep the blade on the tractor more in the winter for convenience.
The FEL can always be used to remove anything too deep for the blade to handle.
I think I will be selling the snowblower - maybe next fall to get a better price.
- Rick
I offer this comparison of the four implements:
Snowblower - Pros: Best for really deep snow or drifts. Can easily remove any amount of snow I will ever get here in MN. Snow can be placed fairly far away from the driveway and is spread out so that there are really no piles. Less likely to damage turf along edge of driveway.
Snowblower - Cons: Snow always blows in my face and covers my body. I get a lot colder using the snowblower. A cab or weather enclosure might make a huge difference on this. Sometimes not as good at scraping all the way to the pavement. Slower than the blade on light snowfalls
FEL - Pros: Is more likely to already be on my tractor. Best choice when back-dragging is required.
FEL - Cons: Limited visibility of working edge. Not really useful to move snow to the side - can only push it to the end. Can only get piles a few feet from the driveway (but maybe this is just my whimpy, worn-out front turf tires not being able to claw their way up the pile any further). Slower than the blade at the end of each pass due to lift & dump cycle required.
Blade - Pros: Fastest way to remove our typical 5-8 inch snowfall. Can push the snow into big piles or side-cast it along the edges of the drive. Most manuverable. Easiest implement to mount (lightest to man-handle).
Blade - Cons: Sometimes I wish I had a wider blade. I wish my blade had more down-travel when trying to scrape clean uneven parts of the driveway like where it dips down into the gutter at the end.
Broom - Pros: Gets the pavement totally clean. Sometimes I use this if I want some more seat time after clearing the snow with the blade.
Broom - Cons: Worthless if there is more than 1/2" of snow to be removed.
Bottom line:
I will try to keep the blade on the tractor more in the winter for convenience.
The FEL can always be used to remove anything too deep for the blade to handle.
I think I will be selling the snowblower - maybe next fall to get a better price.
- Rick