Tractor Size for Snow Removal and other Chores

[symphony]

I know winter is almost over for most of us but I'm considering a tractor to do various chores around my weekend retreat. One of the most important functions it will be used for is snow removal. FEL and other implements will be purchased for other chores around the property. Our unpaved road, which is not plowed by the municipality, is almost a 3/4 of a mile long and is very steep in some spots. We get quite a bit of snow and can easily get 4+ feet of accumulation by the time winter is over. I've looked at various manufacturers (Kioti, Kubota, New Holland etc...) and they all seem to offer the same features like climate controlled cabs, rear and mid PTO, front/rear hydraulics, HST. I've considered a more conventional set-up with a snow blade on 4x4 truck but I don't think it'll work since as the snow accumulates during the season, there won't be places to push it off to since the road is narrow and lined with trees. Blowing the snow seems to be the best option but it would be considerably slower than pushing it.

My configuration would include a front mount 72 inch (or larger) snow blower (single or two-stage) running off the mid-PTO. The tractor will be chained to get me safely up and down the steep grades. What are your thoughts on the size (HP) of the tractor I should be looking at? Budget is obviously a consideration so although I'd like to dream of owning a 150+ HP monster, it's financially not in the cards. I would like to purchase the smallest climate controlled tractor that will get the job done efficiently. I'm thinking that something in the 40-60 HP range should be fine?

What say ye my snow veterans?

 

[hhsco]

Sounds like you've done your research! I agree that 40-60hp is your best bet for a HP range. I believe that all the manufacturers you have listed can provide you with a factory front-mounted blower. I recently looked into Kioti- check out the DK40/DK50- I think they look like a great deal with all the features you want. A few neighbors have Kubota's that they love as well- mostly smaller versions with 60" blowers. One pass up the driveway, and one down and they're done.

Good luck!

 

[motownbrowne]

Welcome aboard.

Sounds like you could pretty easily do the job with a smaller tractor if snow blowing is your main task. Personally, if I was gonna spend the 25-35k for a cabbed B series Kubota, I would spend the additional $ to jump to the next size up like you're looking at, but snow isn't my only use. If you have other uses in addition to snow, like mowing, firewood, etc, and the $ is available, the size you are looking at is a very capable range.

If I was doing a lot of snow blowing, I'd definitely want a hydro tranny. Good luck in your pursuit, tons of good pitons out there. Let us know which one you pick.

 

[CJONE]

Been doing commercial snow removal for 20+ years. I only do parking lots now, no more driveways other than my own. With that being said my DK50 has exceeded my expectations as a snow removal unit. I have a 8' pushbox and a 7' double auger blower on the back. Works great for removing snowbanks from plow trucks. Anyway if I was doing just driveways a front mounted pto or hydraulic blower would be my first choice. Do you need that big of a unit for a driveway? No but it sure is fun! A hydrostat is a must have for a blower, makes things so much nicer for controlling speed and just about everything else. 2 stage for the blower and get a set of chains like you said. 1 rule of thumb for blowing snow, horsepower is king. CJ

 

[George2615]

Don't forget to check out your local LS tractor dealer. Their prices are very competitive. The XR4046HC has 46 HP, a cab and Hydrostatic trans. Loader has 2500 Lb. lift, 3 pt has 2756 lb lift. I think it would be ideal for your needs. The 50 and up HP cab models (U5020C,XU5055C, P7030C) have a cab but don't have HST but do have everything else you need. I have a smaller version XR3037HC (36.5HP) with loader and plow snow with a 7'6" snow pusher blade. I live in the snow belt of upstate NY just S.E of Lake Ontario. Kubota, Deere, Kioti, Massey, Mahindra, Case, and others also have models in the HP range you are looking for. Whatever you get I'd recommend buying a set of chains and buying or making a rear ballast weight. You can get a snow blower for any brand you choose.

 

[FatTire]

What else will you do with your tractor? Might consider the heaviest lift you'll ever need from the FEL, and factor that in to the size of the machine. In the summer I get almost as much use out of my pallet forks as from the bucket.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[PILOON]

3/4 mile and steep? most brands mentioned, hydrostatic, cabbed, chains and or ballasted tires.
Probably 30 hp would be adequate.
2 stage blower a must and be sure that blower is wider than tire track by about 6".
While front mount is very nice it is also close to 2X a rear mount.
I for one would opt to have a FEL and rear mount for greater year round usage for not much more $$ as you will soon find a whole lot more usage than you imagined.
Sitting 'side saddle' while blowing is not all that difficult to master, besides you could consider installing a camera. (I plan on that for next winter)
Perhaps more important is the dealer and his service than the brand as all brands you mention are good.
As to blowers, most are made in Quebec and very rugged. You want a 4 blade fan with chain drive auger. Puma, Pronovost are 2 good makes.
Any with the center gear box are generally light duty and a few even use walk behind gear boxes like found on Aerien and Cdn tire units.

ps; I am in Quebec with good snowfalls and make do very well with 60" rear blower on a 20hp gear box tractor. It is all in the techniques you soon learn. I added a frt plow for the lighter snow events simply to speed things up. My drive is just a bit less than yours.

 

[skyhook]

Well, here's my 2cent's...
40 horse would be the ideal power (in that range) you may need that horsepower later
for other attachments you'll be buying.
A heated cab, is a must....
Have the tires "loaded....
I would recommend Agriculture R1 tires (loaded), no chains would be needed in this case,
with this setup, you'll have no problems going up and down those hills "if",
you have a rear blower for added weight. (72" is what i'd get)
You should also consider a "rear pull type" blower, with that 3/4 mile driveway,
you'll enjoy it and you could also install a "truck like plow" within your front bucket,
or as a QA, leaving you with the use of the loader and or plow when needed.
HST or GST trans, your choice.
Good luck on your purchase,

 

[The Fred]

40HP is not nearly enough power with a hydrostat setup.

60HP minimum unless you want to blow snow all day long. Takes power to git er done in short order. I bought a 40hp Kubota that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Don't make the same mistake I did; TRY the blower and tractor setup BEFORE you plunk your money down! Also some blowers blow snow better than others.

Fred

 

[CJONE]

40HP is not nearly enough power with a hydrostat setup.

60HP minimum unless you want to blow snow all day long. Takes power to git er done in short order. I bought a 40hp Kubota that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Don't make the same mistake I did; TRY the blower and tractor setup BEFORE you plunk your money down! Also some blowers blow snow better than others.

Fred

??? I only have 49 at the crank and 36 or so at the pto and it works way better than I expected. I can take a full 7' cut in over a foot of snow full speed in medium range. Maybe something with your tractor? CJ

 

[skyhook]

??? I only have 49 at the crank and 36 or so at the pto and it works way better than I expected. I can take a full 7' cut in over a foot of snow full speed in medium range. Maybe something with your tractor? CJ

My Kubota L4200 has 45 and 37 at pto, and can do the same,
mine's is GST, and will will plow through 3 foot drifts, no problem.
I have the 72 inch blower and it has never bogged in two feet of snow, rear pull.
Thats a nice size tractor you have , CJ.

 

[CJONE]

My Kubota L4200 has 45 and 37 at pto, and can do the same,
mine's is GST, and will will plow through 3 foot drifts, no problem.
I have the 72 inch blower and it has never bogged in two feet of snow, rear pull.
Thats a nice size tractor you have , CJ.

Thanks, yours also. I shopped a lot and ended up with this size machine because of the maneuverability in the woods. But I was pleasantly surprised with the capability while running the blower. It is a 7' twin auger with a 27" fan 34" tall. I regularly blow back banks from plow trucks and it does great, easily blows snow 40 to 50 feet and I have never stalled the tractor with the blower. I have available to me 2 large loaders [4 yard] and I have found that in roughly the same amount of time I can move the banks without huge piles that you have to work around later in the season. With a tractor that I can move with my pickup it eliminates road time for the loaders and fuel use is half or less. So total time is a wash and no risk of tickets on the road with the big equipment. [The state of Michigan is hungry!] CJ

 

[Kubotafan]

40HP is not nearly enough power with a hydrostat setup.

60HP minimum unless you want to blow snow all day long. Takes power to git er done in short order. I bought a 40hp Kubota that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Don't make the same mistake I did; TRY the blower and tractor setup BEFORE you plunk your money down! Also some blowers blow snow better than others.

Fred

What kind and what size blower are you using?

 

[The Fred]

HK Martin SB75. Once I upped my HP to over 60 it worked, at least it wouldn't kill the engine. Farthest I have blown snow with this is under 30 feet and I must run the PTO WIDE open over 600 RPM.
23" fan, NOT big enough to throw snow any great distance.

Like I said don't make the same mistake I did.

Fred

MK Martin | Meteor Snow Blowers

 

[CJONE]

HK Martin SB75. Once I upped my HP to over 60 it worked, at least it wouldn't kill the engine. Farthest I have blown snow with this is under 30 feet and I must run the PTO WIDE open over 600 RPM.
23" fan, NOT big enough to throw snow any great distance.

Like I said don't make the same mistake I did.

Fred

MK Martin | Meteor Snow Blowers

That's the thing that stinks with the 540pto. I really wish I could have gotten the 1000rpm option, that would be nice with the rear mount blower and running the backhoe pump. The bigger fan is what helps mine, I think it is only a 3 blade also. CJ

 

[CJONE]

HK Martin SB75. Once I upped my HP to over 60 it worked, at least it wouldn't kill the engine. Farthest I have blown snow with this is under 30 feet and I must run the PTO WIDE open over 600 RPM.
23" fan, NOT big enough to throw snow any great distance.

Like I said don't make the same mistake I did.

Fred

MK Martin | Meteor Snow Blowers

That's the thing that stinks with the 540pto. I really wish I could have gotten the 1000rpm option, that would be nice with the rear mount blower and running the backhoe pump. The bigger fan is what helps mine, I think it is only a 3 blade also. CJ

 

[doxford jim]

Yes, I find having a choice of either 540 or 720 rpm is a big help. I have used the 720 mostly when the snow is wet and I need to be able to clear the drive. It helps in throwing the snow a bit further off the drive.
Spent some time yesterday walking along the drive - I have a nice 30ft area both side of the drive with gravel everywhere. I have got lots of raking to get this gravel back onto the driveway :-(

 

[Kubotafan]

I have a nice 30ft area both side of the drive with gravel everywhere. I have got lots of raking to get this gravel back onto the driveway :-(

I have a snow blower and gravel driveway as well. I also have an Echo PAS260 with the Pro Paddle attachment. You would have to see what a beautiful job it does at moving the stones off the lawn. If you tried one once you would want one! Stihl also has the same type of thing, and likely others do as well.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I find most of the posts quite amusing. You don't need a 60 hp tractor to blow snow. That is just insane, especially if you only have 4 feet of snow per season. If you are clearing mountain passes, in the rockies, it is a different story. The problem with a 60 hp tractor apart from the cost is that it will be big, awkward and hard to maneuver.

I live in big snow and brutal cold country. We get 15 to 30 feet of snow and I usually have to blow 30 to 50 times a year. My 30 hp Kubota is way more than adequate, irrespective of whether the snow is dry or wet. I don't care how deep the snow is, it can handle it. If the snow is deep, you go slower, or take smaller cuts each time, or better yet snow blow every foot or so if you have a big event. Below is a movie of my 30 hp Kubota B3030 in action moving serious snow.