Best snow removal tool for this winter

[JasonMac]

My favorite setup for lots of snow removal is, Loader in Front, 74" Snow-Blower in the Back, and a nice quiet Cab on top w/ Radio & Heat!

Seriously I do like keeping my loader on for scraping packed down snow, and turning over piles, and I love the the clean paths of the snow-blower. I would say I use both Loader and Blower 50/50... So if I had a front blower on my machine I would surely miss the loader. And if I didn't have the rear blower, I would miss shooting snow at a distance of 40 feet at 210 degree angles....Hydraulic chute is the best option I've done.

 

[neverenough]

Well, I've used them all, so I will throw in my OPINION on all of them.

1) Front mount snowblower. Far and away the best set up for snow removal. IMO, nothing can compete with it. Never a pile to deal with. Your alway's in the ideal operating position as you don't have to keep looking back, steering with one hand (nice when working near obstacles and drop offs).

2) Front blade. Just like plowing with a truck. Your in the ideal operating position (forward), but it can be a little time consuming with larger snowfalls. If you have areas that have little to no place to push the snow, you can run into issues quickly also. Also, plowing is also a higher speed operation. Ideally you want speeds of 15-25+ MPH for plowing.

3) A lower cost alternative to #1, but, IMO, if you can justify the need for a snowblower, it's worth the extra $$ to go front mount.

4) Loader. If you already have a loader, it is a cheap way to remove snow from an equipment investment standpoint. Using a loader is VERY inefficient and after a few years of multiple seasonal snowfalls, the time and extra fuel spent using the loader will have cost more than buying snow removal equipment.

5) Rear blade. Cheap to buy a blade, PITA to use for snow removal. It's ok if it is a smaller snowfall, but if the snowfall is deep, your just slightly better off than waiting for it to melt.

Everybody's situation is a little, or a lot, different, but, IMO, with the situation you have given, going with a front mount blower will be well worth the $$$. A front blade would be a lower cost alternative though.

 

[JasonMac]

My tractor is easy to use the rear snow blower. No pain in the neck at all. I just turn my body sideways, lean against the backrest with my right arm, (which controls the chute control, steer with my left hand, operate Hydrostatics with left foot... instead of right. Just like sitting almost sideways in a chair, you could do it all day long and it shouldn't bother you at all....

Now, yes a front blower would be the best overall.... (If I had two tractors) But I don't have two tractors. I need to get the best of both worlds, I always need my loader in the winter time, and I always need a blower.... so that is why my setup I have works the best for me...

Why I need the loader so bad in the winter is for cleaning up packed down snow in a busy parking lot, so I peel the packed snow, and blow the fresh snow, they work hand in hand for me.

 

[keeney]

Well, I've used them all, so I will throw in my OPINION on all of them.

1) Front mount snowblower. Far and away the best set up for snow removal. IMO, nothing can compete with it. Never a pile to deal with. Your alway's in the ideal operating position as you don't have to keep looking back, steering with one hand (nice when working near obstacles and drop offs).

2) Front blade. Just like plowing with a truck. Your in the ideal operating position (forward), but it can be a little time consuming with larger snowfalls. If you have areas that have little to no place to push the snow, you can run into issues quickly also. Also, plowing is also a higher speed operation. Ideally you want speeds of 15-25+ MPH for plowing.

One issue with snowblowers: you will want a cab or a really good hat and facemask. Murphy's law says the wind will always be blowing in your face no matter which way to try and blow the snow. For smaller snowfalls, a blade is quicker and if you don't have a cab, a blade is a lot warmer to use.

I have both for the front of my JD4100 and they are easy to swap out. I never really use the blower (other than to try it out) and I am thinking of selling it (but am afraid we will get a record year if I do).

- Rick

 

[Lobo56]

I’ve pushed snow with the FEL, front blade, back blade, and now have the 47" blower on my 2210, and never realized how much faster the blower is. The blower is so much easier all the way around to me then the other alternatives. But you have to justify the cost.

 

[Nuru]

My favorite setup for lots of snow removal is, Loader in Front, 74" Snow-Blower in the Back, and a nice quiet Cab on top w/ Radio & Heat!

Seriously I do like keeping my loader on for scraping packed down snow, and turning over piles, and I love the the clean paths of the snow-blower. I would say I use both Loader and Blower 50/50... So if I had a front blower on my machine I would surely miss the loader. And if I didn't have the rear blower, I would miss shooting snow at a distance of 40 feet at 210 degree angles....Hydraulic chute is the best option I've done.

Oh do i envy you!

 

[Nuru]

One issue with snowblowers: you will want a cab or a really good hat and facemask. Murphy's law says the wind will always be blowing in your face no matter which way to try and blow the snow. For smaller snowfalls, a blade is quicker and if you don't have a cab, a blade is a lot warmer to use.

I have both for the front of my JD4100 and they are easy to swap out. I never really use the blower (other than to try it out) and I am thinking of selling it (but am afraid we will get a record year if I do).

- Rick

Definitely agree, blade is very good. I almost bought a FE SB but stayed with the blade - sofar so good. Shed and cab are next on the list - backhoe, if I get some extra $$$$ and can hide if from the Mrs. She told me I did not need to go to a larger tractor too (L&G to CUT!) - well I did it anyway, and got some lumps over it But I gotta tell ya, the tractor works well!

 

[cgraham]

JCMSeven, I think it's time for a deal with those neighbors you plough out. I assume ploughing the road helps them too. But whatever the deal, to be able to help them, you need their help to buy that piece of equipment you deem most suitable. After all, without the right equipment you don't even have time to take care of everyone in case of a heavy fall.

There are all kinds of ways of making a deal like this: e.g., They put up X dollars each and you undertake to clear their driveways for free for Y years (or 1/2 your regular rate, after which you do it at the going rate - whatever you like).

Or tell them the problem, give them time to think about it, then invite them all over, serve something good to drink and nibble on, and let them hash out a solution everyone can live with.

(Oh, and tell them to expect to asssist at a barn raising!)

No cooperate, no ploughing.

Just a thought. Good luck, C

 

[metalmeltr]

What kind of truck do you have? We have a chevy silvarado 4X4 with a Boss 7' 6" standard duty plow that works great may want to consider a similar setup.

 

[castiman]

I'd say the front blower hands down, handle and get rid of the snow one time . I have both 72'' front plow, 47'' front blower, I'ts more fun to plow but takes longer and unless you have a whole lot of room or don't get alot of snow in the season you will envenually run out of places to put it.I've got a heated cab so its easy for me to say snowblow.