Snow removal-models with independent PTO?

[LakeEffect]

Hi folks, new here and on the hunt for a compact tractor. I've spent quite a bit of time cruising the forum here and other information sites, but haven't seen much information on Yanmar models with live or indy PTO.

Most of the hours on my future machine will be spent moving snow, as I live in the Lake Superior snowbelt in northern Michigan. We get several big storms per winter with 2-3 foot daily accumulations for multiple days, but mostly the nagging, every-other-day snows of around 3-8 inches. It's usually light, fluffy stuff except for a few Oct/Nov and April transitional storms.

Question is, w/o live pto, won't using a 3PT blower be a real hassle, or only possible in the creeper gears? What about with the powershift models?

I'm not in a rush to purchase, so I'm sitting back, stalking Craigslist and looking for a deal, but want to be darn sure I know which models to move on when they come along. Currently there's a 1401D and an 1820D that I'm considering, both with good loaders.

Please, real-world advice only. I'm not in scraper or plow country, I need to move snow far from the yard almost every day for 5 months of the year.

Edit: To give some perspective, I'm currently using a 18.5 Craftsman with a 46" front blower and I'm mostly happy with it, but I need a real (but small) tractor for many other things around our 50 acres. Thanks.

[jlinn1]

Well I can tell you, Ive only had a powershift model for about a month or so....... model (1610D) and I have ran several PTO implements with it, mostly just to try them out on the machine. The power shift tranny lets you use an implement and never use the clutch so it is ideal in my opinion to move snow, very handy for loader work as well. In my limited experience with it, the model I own is a little workhorse and very easy to shift with the left hand and run a loader at the same time with the right hand.

[kemary]

Any of the powershift model Yanmars that are 4x4 will work fine with a snowblower. I have a Ym 2500 which is full manual and my dad has a Ym 1810D. The powershift is much nicer with just about any pto implement. I finish mow and brush hog with both of them and the powershift just makes it much easier when changing speed or backing up, the pto does not stop as long as the clutch is not depressed.

[Tig]

Originally Posted by LakeEffect

Question is, w/o live pto, won't using a 3PT blower be a real hassle,

Yes it would be.

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