Ended up getting a L3700SU, now need a snow blade

[kiotiken]

We agree on the 7' blade over the 6' blade. However, I still don't think a rear blade is the right tool for a 300' X 200' parking lot. Cutting it in two means you have to push 100' of snow to the right and the same to the left, and that's just a lot of snow to push with a rear blade.
My 6' (given to me free) rear blade works just fine, but only for pushing 26' of snow, after that, the windrow is simply to deep and wide, regardless of how small a bite I try to take. Maybe I'll do better with my new tractor, but I doubt it'll improve by 400%, and I've got a lot more weight, and therefore traction, than an L3700 using the same tires.

 

[LD1]

We agree on the 7' blade over the 6' blade. However, I still don't think a rear blade is the right tool for a 300' X 200' parking lot. Cutting it in two means you have to push 100' of snow to the right and the same to the left, and that's just a lot of snow to push with a rear blade.
My 6' (given to me free) rear blade works just fine, but only for pushing 26' of snow, after that, the windrow is simply to deep and wide, regardless of how small a bite I try to take. Maybe I'll do better with my new tractor, but I doubt it'll improve by 400%, and I've got a lot more weight, and therefore traction, than an L3700 using the same tires.

Hands down the fastest too (that is affordable) for a lot that size would be a truck mounted plow.

A 4x4 truck with a 7.5 or 8' blade would have no trouble windrowing that provided we are still measuring in inches and not feet. And a typical snow like we get around here (4-8"), a lot that size would only take me (truck and 7.5' w/wings) ~30 minutes to an hour tops. The only way you are going to do it any faster is with MUCH larger and MUCH more $$$ equip.

my :2cents:

 

[stoyan79]

Long story short - I was about to go and get the Kioti (even though the wife didn't like the idea on spending $26K on a tractor), the Kubota dealer calls me and says he found one last L3700SU, new with 1 hour on the clock. Since its last years model he said he would give me a deal I can't refuse, and he did - $16,800 out the door with the L463 FEL, R4 tires and quick attach 66" HD bucket. This was the exact size tractor and options that I originally wanted, so I picked it up, instead of the Kioti.

I have a quick attach front plow, but its 8' and I have to toy with the hydraulics to get it to work with the tractor which has not extra remotes. Maybe I can get it to work with the bucket tilt lines. The plow has 2 counteracting cylinders with 1 hose each, maybe I take 1 cylinder off and replace the other with double acting cylinder?

Either way I think this blade is too big for this tractor.

Congratulations on the L3700, did you buy new or used? Did you end up with a cab? What happened to the DK40 cab you had mentioned?

As far as the rear blade goes, it's going to be a challenge for you. I clear my 100' X 26' driveway + 100' X 12' round about as well as my 100' X 65' rink. I live in Ottawa and we get a lot of snow, but there's no lake effect around here. I'd say your driveway will be a piece of cake, it's the 200' X 300' parking lot that's going to give you a headache. You're going to have to make relief cuts before trying to plow with a rear blade. Once you get too much snow pushed to the side, the tractor really starts to get pulled around. Here's a video that shows a Kubota trying to plow a small parking lot, you'll see what I mean. How To Series - Snow Removal - Tractor Rear Scrape Blade - YouTube

With my JD 955 last winter (almost 1900 lbs + JDP Cab + loader, R4 tires not loaded and 6ft rear blade) I was able to do a pretty good job on the driveway, only having issues by the edge of the driveway (pushing snow 26ft always to the same side) in heavy snow. On the rink, I cut it in two and ended up having to cut relief lines using the loader in heavy snow. There was no way the rear blade could handle that much snow. I'm expecting my Kioti CK 30 (3042lbs + 800lbs loaded tires + loader) to be able to handle the driveway with ease and be much better on the rink. According to TractorData.com, your L3700SU is 2568lbs + Loader. That make you a little lighter than my JD 955 cab, which is why I'm thinking a 300' X 200' parking lot is too much for a rear blade.

The fasted option would be a front snow box. That's what most of the guys use here in Ottawa for parking lots, although it's usually with a front end loader or backhoe. I still think the best option for moving lots of snow, especially for a lighter, higher powered CUT, is with a snow blower.

When my wife finally let's me out of the dog house, I'm going to get an inversed 68" snow blower. You keep the FEL, drive forward and can get right up to the house or garage. If money just doesn't allow anything else, I'd get the 7 ft blade. You'll be using your FEL quite a bit anyway so I wouldn't worry about a little extra drag on the tractor.

 

[kiotiken]

That's great, it's always nice to get what you really want and for the price you wanted.

Ottawa is a snow city, we can get a lot of it in a winter. There's only 2 ways that snow removal contractors clear parking lots here. They either have a truck and plow (for small lots only) or they have equipment (backhoe or front end loader) with a box plow. All the guys doing private driveways (BIG business here) use 90+ hp tractors with a 96" inverse snowblower.

For a parking lot, I really think something like this, 60547, is the ticket, you'd be able to push the snow much higher than you would with a plow. I'm not sure how much it would cost to convert the L3700 to a skid steer attach on the FEL, but you'd then be able to switch between the bucket and plow in about 30 seconds. No new hydraulic remotes required, although I think you'll eventually find you want at least one set.

Any type of front plow or rear snowblower on the L3700 is going to get it done for you, no question about it. I'd consider loading the tires, it'll help you in the snow as well as for loader work. There are also some great current threads about building a ballast that you should consider if you put anything on the front of the tractor. Good luck and enjoy your new toy.

 

[stoyan79]

Ken, my tractor came with the quick attach bucket, which is one of the things that sold me on that machine. What is the biggest size box blade you'd recommend for this size machine?

Also, I see front and rear box blades are available, should I consider rear one, or this is not an option?

The rear ones are much cheaper.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Farm-Pro-60-3-Point-Grader-Scraper-Box-Blade-3982-/190510969703?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5b56b367

That's great, it's always nice to get what you really want and for the price you wanted.

Ottawa is a snow city, we can get a lot of it in a winter. There's only 2 ways that snow removal contractors clear parking lots here. They either have a truck and plow (for small lots only) or they have equipment (backhoe or front end loader) with a box plow. All the guys doing private driveways (BIG business here) use 90+ hp tractors with a 96" inverse snowblower.

For a parking lot, I really think something like this, 60547, is the ticket, you'd be able to push the snow much higher than you would with a plow. I'm not sure how much it would cost to convert the L3700 to a skid steer attach on the FEL, but you'd then be able to switch between the bucket and plow in about 30 seconds. No new hydraulic remotes required, although I think you'll eventually find you want at least one set.

Any type of front plow or rear snowblower on the L3700 is going to get it done for you, no question about it. I'd consider loading the tires, it'll help you in the snow as well as for loader work. There are also some great current threads about building a ballast that you should consider if you put anything on the front of the tractor. Good luck and enjoy your new toy.

 

[stoyan79]

Apparently you can clean snow with rear box blade, so considering price difference is small, which one should I buy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54N06UgHVe0

6' rear box blade

CountyLine Box Blade, 6 ft. - 2131653 | Tractor Supply Company

OR

7' rear blade

CountyLine Rear Blade, 7 ft. - 2130047 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[LD1]

I'd still get the rear blade.

The box blade cannot angle. And with an angled blade (windrowing) is the most efficent way to move snow quickly. A 6' box woulndt do much more then your FEL would on snow. and you would have a LOT of spill off that you will keep chasing.

 

[kiotiken]

Apparently you can clean snow with rear box blade, so considering price difference is small, which one should I buy?

You don't want a box blade for snow. I'm currently converting mine to a zamboni attachment for the rink, but I'll use my rear scraper blade for snow. The scraper blade works for my application because most of the snow is thrown into a windrow and eventually pushed into a bank at the side of the driveway. A box blade will collect as much snow as it can and then spill the rest. Then at the end, you'll have to back up over the pile and then use the FEL to pile the snow.

You're going to want to push the snow (clearing the ground for your tires to provide traction) to the end of the lot and then make a large pile at the end of the lot. A box plow on the FEL will let you push the pile up and away.

I'm not sure what your application is, are you doing a parking lot commercially or is it just a field you want to clear for yourself? How much snow do you actually get?

Box blades are great tools for working dirt, I use mine all the time. I have a 6 ft box blade and that was as big as the dealer recommended. I have no problem pulling it when it's overflowing and the scarifier teeth are all the way down, although I need to be in low gear to do it. At some point, lifting it may be an issue (450lbs + dirt) as my 3pt hitch is only good for 1700+ lbs. Again, it just not the right tool for snow, even if you could use it for that.

I'd be really tempted to add a set of remotes and try out your 8 ft plow. I'm betting you could push it if you figured the traction issue out. You may just end up angling it a little more and taking a smaller bite in deeper snow.

 

[stoyan79]

Front blade was what I wanted, thats why I got the 8' skid steer blade, however, now that I have it, it looks too big for the tractor + I got overwhelmed with the hydraulics. I am a newbie and I am scared to mess with the tractor, cause if I brake it, I will be pissed @ myself.

I don't think I know enough about hydraulics to add remotes myself.

 

[kiotiken]

I don't think I know enough about hydraulics to add remotes myself.

Neither do I. You should ask you dealer what a set would cost. I believe it's $300 - $400. Regardless of if you need them for snow removal, they're handy for all sorts of stuff.