Snow Equipment Buying/Pricing No snow experience

[Inland NW]

I live in Spokane Wa. I have 1000+ Ft gravel driveway plus parking area that is hilly and curvy. I have no snow experience. Some say use a blade others say use a snow blower. Seems everyone says to get a tractor. My driveway is probably 8-10 feet wide with lots of areas for piling snow. I don't want to spend hours clearing my driveway before work. I already have a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower LT1550? for my lawn. Any advice would be great. I am considering a SCUT with a blade or snow blower. I do not want to depend on a snow plow service to keep my driveway cleared for me.

 

[LD1]

First off, Welcome to TBN.

Let me start by asking if you have any other projected uses for a tractor, or are you just wanting something to move snow.

If you only want something to move snow, I would reccomend a truck. If you already have a 4x4, just get a plow, if not, you can usually pick up decient plow truck for cheap this time of year. This route would be a lot cheaper than a tractor.

If you do indeed have other plans for the tractor, such as FEL work, bushogging, etc, give us an idea about your property and what you may need a machine for other than plowing and we can better help you.

IMO, since you already have a lawn mower, you may want to consider stepping up a size to the CUT's instead of the SCUT's. The sub-compacts like you are talking about are desigend small to make them good lawn mowers, but the power and lift capacities of both the 3ph and the FEL are a good bit lower than a CUT.

Also, using a tractor for snow removal, I like the rear blade and FEL combo myself as opposed to a blower. Blowers are slower and a cab is almost a must. I have a kubota L3400, which is kubotas economy line. it doesn't have all the bells and whistles to keep the cost down. Something this size would probabally suit you well. But shop all the major brands and go with the one YOU like.

 

[Inland NW]

Thanks LD1. I just bought a new Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 4.7L V8 ,but everyone I talked to said a plow on a newer truck will destroy the front end and I should get a tractor for clearing my drive. People at work said they do not know anybody that uses a truck plow around here other than professional plowing businesses. My original idea was to buy a truck plow, but now I am worried I am going to ruin my new truck. I don't know if I would need a SCUT for other things around my property, but anticipate I might.

 

[Monster5601]

I do not think you will destroy your truck just plowing your own property. If your truck was designed to support a snow plow you are good to go.

I live in lower Michigan and snow falls here are around a few inches with drifting. The guys here use the FEL and a rear blade to clear snow. If you get more snow than a few inches, you may need to go with a snow thrower.

The best thing you could do is go to your local tractor dealers and ask them how the guys are removing snow.

 

[LD1]

Just doing your own driveway you have nothing to worry about. You can buy a lighter duty plow that weighs less than a commercial plow, and that would be even easier on your truck.

Plows do wear parts out faster, such as wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. But about everything you use a truck for will wear out things faster, like towing a trailer, hauling loads, driving off-road, etc. But unless you drive around all summer with the plow on, or start plowing commercially, you've got nothing to worry about. An a decient plow can be had for a few grand as opposed to 15k for a tractor.

And if you are really worried about your truck, around here, 5k can get you a good shape late 90's truck with a plow. Still a lot cheaper than a tractor.

 

[Egon]

If there is really no other use for a tractor an old beater truck with a plow may be a solution.

 

[MarkV]

I live in the south with no snow so I should most likely keep my mouth shut on this subject. With a 1000' hilly and curvy drive I would think a blower if you are considering a SCUT. They are small and light enough that pushing any amount of snow on hills would be a problem with traction in my mind.

MarkV

 

[tulenutn2o]

I live in Spokane Wa. I have 1000+ Ft gravel driveway plus parking area that is hilly and curvy. I have no snow experience. Some say use a blade others say use a snow blower. Seems everyone says to get a tractor. My driveway is probably 8-10 feet wide with lots of areas for piling snow. I don't want to spend hours clearing my driveway before work. I already have a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower LT1550? for my lawn. Any advice would be great. I am considering a SCUT with a blade or snow blower. I do not want to depend on a snow plow service to keep my driveway cleared for me.

Truck mounted plow. Least time, warm, and you can make a ton of money.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with others, that your truck with blade would be the way to go. If you have other tractor work, and need a FEL, that is another option.

My solution is this Western blade with a side wing to push snow further "over the edge".

 

[mooseracing]

The truck is usually quicker and warmer.

The truck doesn't manuever as well though. And with experience plowing large drivways/lots with a tractor, a snow blower is quicker. With plowing you have to keep the pile back far enough to anticipate large upcoming storms or your driveway is going to shrink.

With a blower, you only clear where you need to drive.