Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Tractor to blow lots of snow

[MarkV]

Love the quote! :laughing: Looks like we were posting at the same time.

MarkV

 

[beenthere]

...................So my synopsis so far if I am correct is 50+ horsepower, cab, I like the idea of the quick mount blower on the loader, need lights, block heater, and I think I will need 4wd with chains on all four paws. So it sounds like a high hours bigger machine would be the ticket and it sounds like I will be in the 25-30K range?
.....................

Be leary of the snoblower on the loader, as getting power to it will be a limiting factor. PTO doesn't fit well, and hydraulic motor will tax the hp of your tractor.
The skid steer (Bobcat or similar) with blower might be the most direct answer. Or something like Bobcats' Toolcat might be the direction good for you.
Why Toolcat? - Toolcat 5600 and 5610 Utility Work Machines - Bobcat Company

 

[Patches]

I would be looking for something turbo charged;a normally aspirated diesel is going to be pretty anemic a mile and a half up

 

[cspot]

You may want to look at new also. With the economy being down, some manufacturers are running pretty good deals for new tractors. 0% for 72 months or a free loader. Even if you don't buy new, sometimes it is fun to go look at what is out there.

 

[Oleozz]

I plow miles of snow at 3300+ EL. Sometimes 50 hours a week or more.

Trial and error has led to:
L5030HSTC;
Curtis 7.5 snowplow;
Loftness 841S Blower;

Tires/Wheels reversed to the widest possible position

Chains (H on back, V bar on front) on R1 tires

Rim Guard in the rears.

Message - TractorByNet.com Photo Gallery

Seems like sound advice from somebody who has conditions close to yours. You are not always going to be 50 yrs old and in great shape, get something big enough and comfortable enough that you will be able to use it for a long time.

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I'd just like to jump in and say it was 101 degrees outside this afternoon, and that photo did me a world of healing.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day beautiful scenery over there no snow where i am to speak of ( and not the temp either thankfully:laughing versatile did make a smaller artic trac some years ago ( bout 100 hp) with a loader that fitted to the rear and a reversible seat brilliant visibility and a hydro trans they where a good unit, not too many of them over here but have seen the odd one a local vineyard has one with 14k + hours on it and no major probs to report since new:thumbsup:. I don't know if something like this would be too big for you?? or out of your price range?? but to me it would seem like the ideal machine. Good luck with whatever you get.


Jon

 

[smfcpacfp]

We get from 15 to 30 feet of snow a year (half what you get). It is also very cold here, so we also have very low water density in our snow most of the time. I could usually clean it with a leaf blower most of the time. My blowing area is about 600 feet long with some serious turns, but I blow my driveway 15 to 20 feet wide as a margin of safety. It takes me 45 minutes from starting my snowblowing until I have it cleaned up, in the barn and ready for the next time. I wouldn't be afraid to tackle your snow situation with my tractor. I figure given your added length, at 3 miles per hour, it would take about 1 1/2 hour to do the job with 2 feet of dry snow.

Like everyone else I would prefer something a little bigger, say 40 hp, but I know my 30 hp tractor would do OK. The problem with bigger is they are less manueverable. I wouldn't even consider something without a heated cab and it would have to be a front mounted blower to the tractor, not a flimsy one mounted on loader arms. My blowing area is pretty flat so I don't need chains.

For serious snow removal, you need a serious machine. A serious machine makes snow removal fun. For me the nastier the weather the more fun it is. Sitting on an open station tractor looking backwards would be unfun. It would be another chore that I would dread doing.

 

[wvpolekat]

Ok, I may be out in left field here, but what about a large articulated front loader? I know they use them with blowers at airports and other mountain areas. It may be a one trick pony, and I have no idea about maintenance costs, but it's a thought.

 

[Carykong]

Golly. That is a lot of snow. Years ago,early 70s, we drove from Denver to Aspen on packed snow,with studded tires. It was a hopeless drudge for the highway folks to keep the road cleared to the asphalt. Get your blower,but I would not try to keep the road cleared to the asphalt or gravel. Just keep the road packed and drive on top of the snow. Are studded tires still legal in Colorado?