Snow Equipment Buying/Pricing I know it is July...but a snow question....

[RoyJackson]

I used the loader and rear blade on my 1/4 mile private road last winter and it took hours to get it clean over a couple of days when we were dumped with ~30".

With that snow (we got it here in PA too), it took hours for bigger machines then your 2305 to clear roads. That was an extraordinary snowfall and not too typical of what we see most winters (unless you're in higher elevations or certain parts of the country that always see heavy snows).

 

[Don87]

With that snow (we got it here in PA too), it took hours for bigger machines then your 2305 to clear roads. That was an extraordinary snowfall and not too typical of what we see most winters (unless you're in higher elevations or certain parts of the country that always see heavy snows).

That would be my area, snow every day of this past febuary.
(dates on the pics aren't correct)
Pic no 2 is my patio, that is below the pond I built, as seen from my back door.
Pic No 4, is where I turn around in my driveway. Snow is almost 9 feet high.
Other pics are self explanatory.

 

[Maine wild blueberries]

I"d go with rear mount snow blower that way you always have the FEL on. My neighbor makes a list of FEL projects and then swaps out the front mount blower when his list warrants it.
Wayne

 

[whistlepig]

When we moved here 4 years ago an ATV with a blade always worked great for moving snow. Last winter we had 29" of snow in week and 25 MPH winds. Drifts that were 4' high. Then the FEL on the tractor became a necessity. It didn't take me long to figure out that tire chains and rear ballast where something I dearly needed with the loader. I'm going to order some Aqualine Talon tire chains from tirechainsrequired.com when they have them in stock. They said it would be September before they got any of these in stock. As far as rear ballast I'm too lazy to make my own. I may buy a ballast box from Kubota but am checking these posts for ballast box ideas. And there are some good ones.

 

[VABlue]

...unless you're in higher elevations or certain parts of the country that always see heavy snows

Nope, I'm actually south of the snow line by a few miles. We usually get ~4", or so, but last winter was horrible! And I grew up in Michigan!!

 

[Egon]

ballast box ideas

I've found the backhoe works real good for rear weight. Helps if you get stuck too!:thumbsup:

 

[Mike476]

Here in Nova Scotia we get a fair bit of snow, varies from year to year. I use a 7' back blade for our subdivision. Private gravel road, about 500 yards, my driveway is another 75 yards or so.

It takes me on average an hour and a half to two hours to clear a 6 +/- inch snowfall. More than that I'll get out before more falls or the time increases dramatically, gets to be too much to move. I drive in reverse, high range and throw a lot of snow, not as quick as a truck with plow but fast enough for me.

A snow blade is really the way to go, most snow removal contractors use them in combination with a loader to remove larger mounds of snow. Snow blades prevent snow from escaping at the end of the blade and are really a large bottomless bucket, they're pretty impressive to see being used.

 

[flyingcow]

Hello All-
I am about to jump in feet first on my first tractor. Making the move from the city to the out-skirts. Grew up in the country of Wisconsin, moved to various cities for 20 years....looking back, Mom and Dad were on to something...now I am headed out! Bought a new place with about 4 acres, pond, woods, and concrete drive (12ft wide...about 120ft long).
First...this tractor shopping is harder than buying my last truck. The choices/attachments/dealer locations/etc. I think I am officially losing sleep over it now.
Basically have it down to the JD2305 and the MF GC2600 (I been reading everything about the 2400 and 2600 Higer RPM stuff, and became more confused about it...yikes).
Anyway, my question is this....I was prepared to purchase the snowblower for either the JD or the MF. Growing up in Wisconsin, we always had one. Living in Cleveland the last 12 yrs, I have had a walk behind blower. They have always worked great. Ironically, both the JD and MF dealer are trying to talk me out of that and go with a rear blade (or possibly a front blade) for moving snow. They are saying it is cheaper and will do the same job. I agree, the blower is around 2800 on each unit....but again, that is what I have always used, and if it is not broke, why fix it?

I know front blades work really well on pickup trucks....what about these tractors?
The biggest reason I want to make the decision now is for pricing, as well as to package all the attachments into the 0% financing.
FYI...the scale leans slightly to the MF2600 with FEL, 60mmm, and snowblower/front blade/rear blade thing.
Thanks
Mike

Oh, one more thing....I was thinking I could move snow around with the loader....both dealers said it would take way to long and be a pain in the you know what....

Haven't read all posts. Just read the OP. IMO, snowblower or front blades aren't cheap. But,for my region, blower is the only way to go(as it was for your parents). but I'm 650ft off the road.

try the bucket out at first, a rear blade would work good I think. But the first year, you won't mind a lot of seat time.

 

[whistlepig]

Haven't read all posts. Just read the OP. IMO, snowblower or front blades aren't cheap. But,for my region, blower is the only way to go(as it was for your parents). but I'm 650ft off the road.

try the bucket out at first, a rear blade would work good I think. But the first year, you won't mind a lot of seat time.

There is no doubt in my mind that a front mounted snow blower is the best choice of all. A necessity in some places. But a front mounted snow blower is big bucks and some of us can't justify the cost.

 

[beenthere]

I'll suggest the front blade. Less money, less maintenance, quicker.
But you need to go with your gut feeling. Sounds like a blower. We only go around once, so you will have more fun with your choice.

Pic of mine.
5-10 minutes to drop the plow and put on the FEL, maybe 20 to do the reverse.