Snowblower vs. Blade

[mattridessleds]

Hello all been lurking here for a while now figured it was time to ask a question. Currently looking for a new tractor to replace my 1958 Case 400b. Pretty much settled on a Kubota L3800HST. I am undecided about whether or not to purchase the 64" snowblower for it or not. I have a 7.5 foot fisher plow setup off my dead 93 k1500 was wondering if it would be worth it to mount it to the front loader somehow rather than pay for the blower. Driveway is roughly 800' and stone. I have seen some companies that make a mount for the plows and I would also have to add the hydraulics to the loader for the angle adjustments. Any advice would be appreciated.
thanks

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't know much about snow equipment but would think alot of this would depend on whether you can do this yourself or would you have to hire it done. If hiring this modification you may be better off buying new out of the box.

If you go with a snowblower do you have the room to blow the snow? I have considered this question and found that in most of my applications a blade is a better choice. Depends on your driveway setup and the snowfall expected in your locale.

 

[Marveltone]

Blower vs. plow seems to be a very personal choice that will garner different opinions from everyone. Plows will be faster, while blowers don't leave huge snow banks to pile up and piles of gravel to rake out of the grass in the spring. My personal experience has been that my tractor was actually a little too small and light for decent plowing. Heavy snow would push it around too much, making it almost impossible to widen out the driveway. The path got increasingly narrower as the winter wore on. That's what prompted me to purchase the snow blower. It enabled me to widen out my drive with very little effort.

The Kubota L3800 is more powerful but about the same weight as my little Ford 1510. Big difference is I was plowing with the rear blade, while you have the possible option for a front mounted plow, which I consider a better option. I believe you have adequate power and with a set of chains (and filled tires), will probably do alright with a plow, but you need lots of room to pile the snow that has been removed from the drive. 800' is a fairly long drive. You'll have to decide whether speed (plow) or ease of snow dispersal (blower) is more important.

There you go; no real practical advice, but observations based on one winter's experience. Maybe the real veterans will chime in.

Joe

 

[JB4310]

It all depends on the snow fall, I have a snow plow and they are very fast for snows up to a foot or so. if you are in an area of heavy frequent snow a blower would be the way to go.

I'm guessing you are talking about a rear blower?

You can attach a snow plow to the loader like many here have done, most use the existing loader hydraulics. Heck you can even attach a snow plow to the 3 pt like I experimented with for a couple years.

I settled on a frame mount front plow, very fast and efficient, but after banking up the snow from several storms I had to put the loader back on to move the piles back further. With a blower that would never happen.

JB.

 

[Don87]

I didn't even need to think about which one to get for my area.

With the amounts of snow we tend to get here, a snowblower is a must have item. I use the FEL for smaller snowfalls, then the blower for larger snows, or to move the piles back more.

On another note, an FEL mounted plow could be a great item to have. It gives a person the ability to keep pushing snow over the top of piles relatively easily.


P.S. Bxpanded makes the FEL mounted plow you are looking for: http://bxpanded.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=58

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 7.5 foot fisher plow setup off my dead 93 k1500 was wondering if it would be worth it to mount it to the front loader somehow rather than pay for the blower. Driveway is roughly 800' and stone. I have seen some companies that make a mount for the plows and I would also have to add the hydraulics to the loader for the angle adjustments. Any advice would be appreciated.
thanks

How much snow do you get in a typical storm? A plow would likely be a faster method for snows of 8" or less.

 

[mattridessleds]

Ok thanks for the replies guys. I live in upstate NY we typically get storms around the 6-12 inch range occasionally we will get a bigger snow every now and then. I have plenty of room to blow snow and also push snow banks but was trying to keep the stones out of the lawn this year.

 

[toolbox5]

do both i've got a 7'6'' western on my loader and a 64'' blower on the back works awesome

 

[rekees4300]

I live in upstate NY we typically get storms around the 6-12 inch range occasionally we will get a bigger snow every now and then.

That's enough to justify a blower.

 

[Don87]

That's enough to justify a blower.

Sure is.