Need input on snowplow

[E/S]

I could really use some input on a your experience with snowplowing.

I find my self in the unexpected position of having to clear 5+ mi. of gravel road this winter. I had originally planed to do my driveway ( 3/4 mi. ) with the bucket, now that doesn't seem to realistic given the added miles.

The snow here is usually less than 2' at a time with a total of as much as 5' a winter. Most contractors use a pick-up mounted plow, I would like to take advantage of the quick couple on the FEL and use a blade.

Any input / experience sharing would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kennyd]

I could really use some input on a your experience with snowplowing.

I find my self in the unexpected position of having to clear 5+ mi. of gravel road this winter. I had originally planed to do my driveway ( 3/4 mi. ) with the bucket, now that doesn't seem to realistic given the added miles.

The snow here is usually less than 2' at a time with a total of as much as 5' a winter. Most contractors use a pick-up mounted plow, I would like to take advantage of the quick couple on the FEL and use a blade.

Any input / experience sharing would be greatly appreciated.

5 Miles? Get a truck!

 

[stuarth]

What type of machine do you have?
I would suggest you get a power angle blade, a closed canopy with a heater and a coffee cup holder.

 

[DavidVT]

Lots of good FEL plow threads here. Do some searching. Example:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/131136-snow-plow-adapted-front-end.html

Five miles seems like quite a bit of plowing. I do a few drives and field access for my horses and find myself pretty darn cold some times.

Did you mean 2 feet of snow per storm?
Is this a one time this winter only thing or for many years to come?
If long term, perhaps the truck suggestion above is a good one!?

However, with the right tractor and tools, you can do this. Tell us more about your tractor....

 

[harpoonalt]

How much time do you have? For that long a road it's out and back at least once if not twice. Tractors tend to be slow. A good tractor may plow at 10 miles an hour which is an hour at least with one pass and over 2 with 2. A plow truck on a good road can hit double that with a heater, radio, cupholder and room for someone to ride along and talk too. 5 miles? Unless you have a monster tractor and a cab, I'd do the truck! Tell us more about how you got roped into that one.

 

[PILOON]

I have both a front plow and rear blower on my 20 hp tractor.

I previously also had a 3/4 ton 4X4 plow.
Properly mounted plow on a tractor works great for lesser snow events but the blower is a must to keep the snow banks under control.
If you have lots of space you can start the season WIDE as with accumulations plowing will narrow the road to practically impassable.
With a blower you blast the white stuff clear out of the way, but that's slow going as the blower can handle just so much.

My solution is front mounted plow for the lesser events to gather it for one blower pass which I can do in 3 gear high (about 8 mph) and one 2 mph blow pass.

Serious events call for patience, hot coffee and time, but it works for me.

When there is a serious (16"+ event) I blow/plow once mid storm just to keep ahead of things but then I am retired and my cab is heated.
Also when serious dumpings nobody else is moving nor are the main streets passible anyways, so what's the rush.

 

[easygo]

Did you really say 5+ miles???? That is a lot of road. As much as I would love to recommend a solution that involves a tractor I think that is a job for a 4x4 pickup.

Edit:
After looking at your profile I would say your tractor could easily handle an 8' plow. They make all kinds of wonderful power angle plows that could just mount onto your loader and plumb to hydraulics.

 

[E/S]

Sorry for the lack of information, i am still learning how to use this site.
I really did mean 5+ miles.
The snow fall here averages around 2 ' per storm, usually 5+ per winter.
I would love to have even more vehicals, but the wife is a little twitchey about buying another vehical after buying the M8540 3 months ago, howerver I have convinced her that we could get another attachment.
Thank You all for your patience and input.
E/S

 

[Duffster]

Sorry for the lack of information, i am still learning how to use this site.
I really did mean 5+ miles.
The snow fall here averages around 2 ' per storm, usually 5+ per winter.
I would love to have even more vehicals, but the wife is a little twitchey about buying another vehical after buying the M8540 3 months ago, howerver I have convinced her that we could get another attachment.
Thank You all for your patience and input.
E/S

That tractor will work better than a pickup for that kind of plowing, provided the tractot is 4WD.

However I would highly reccomend a frame/harness mounted plowover using the FEL since speed will be your friend.

 

[Hvytrkmech]

This is how I set my little B7610 up. It push's 2 feet of snow without a problem in high range. If it is real wet heavy snow then I put it in low range. It cost me less than $500 bucks and that includes the plow and all the bucket work.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/132408-my-plow-set-up.html

 

[Duffster]

Not sure what your budget is but something like this would be ideal IMO.

 

[radioman]

5 miles!? is this on public road or a shared road ? If this is on a unregulated road, it might make sense to get a beatup truck plow and use that to do the plowing. Unless you have a heated cab, enjoy the time on the tractor, have time to spare then all means get a old truck plow and mount it on your tractor. keep in mind that doing 5 miles at 10 mph will take you a little over an half an hour then your return trip so you are looking at an hour worth of plowing everytime it snows. How did you get roped into that or is it somewhat implied by your neighbors ? good luck and keep us posted. Also welcome to TBN!

 

[Charlesaf3]

Not sure what your budget is but something like this would be ideal IMO.

That's what I've got - got it for free from my lumber yard when they switched from plowing with bobcats to plowing with a 1 ton. Haven't tried it yet.

They basically took a Jeep plow, and mounted it to a QA plate and switched the hydraulics over to the tractor. Pretty simple it seems to me if you can weld - the parts can usually be found used cheap.

 

[Ace3]

Five miles is a long distance. I plow about a mile and a half with my B3030. I take the loader off and replace it with the Quick Hitch and a 6' Kubota blade. I also have loaded rear tires and use chains all around for traction, as the road is very steep. We get a lot of heavy wet snow here and I haven't had any problems clearing it with this set up. Good Luck!

 

[E/S]

Thanks for all the great input!
I got roped into this because my HOA fell apart(common use road), The neighbors are going to pay me to do the work and momma has to get out.
I have no problem with spending a couple of hours doing the work, I have spent more time than that in the past getting the neighbor out of the ditch to clear the road.
Also since I have a cab and cigars, I think I will really enjoy the work.
E/S

 

[veresjwv]

Hey E/S,
Your first post mentioned 5 miles of GRAVEL road, I am originally fro OH and have done a LOT of snow plowing for friends and a lively hood. I plowed with a Chevy pickup and an eight foot Western blade - I could cover a lot of ground in one night and also was somewhat comfortable. Here is the big thing, with gravel on a good wet heavy snow if you do not keep the blade up a few inches, by spring you won't have any gravel left on the road. Also you definitly have to go much slower. but hey! a good cigar and plowing during a beautiful snow storm! Go for it!!!

 

[easygo]

One of the guys in my town plows a gravel road with an M6800 and has an 8' plow on the loader. He likes it because he can pile the snow very high in his yard and it works good on the 1 mile of road. It sounds like you have the time and the tractor weight and power. Another friend had a 50hp tractor and he actually ended up breaking he frame of a factory made 7' power angle plow. So. Be sure whatever you spend your money on is strong enough to put up with he power your tractor has. Nothing like having a broken piece of equipment when you have a bunch of snow to move.

 

[E/S]

Thanks veresjwv,
Almost makes wish it would snow.
E/S

 

[Cat_Driver]

Ya you need a truck - A DUMP TRUCK.

This is serious plowing and you need something that will take the beating. Furthermore you need something that will do it with some sort of speed. Even if a tractor would go 5 miles an hour PLOWING which it wouldn't - that more than two hours rounds trip, every snow fall.

 

[E/S]

easygo,
That is one of the reasons I was looking for input, I have broken too mine parts over the course of my life. In my old age I have found it is better to start with something heavy enough to live through the use / abuse.
E/S