Plowing Snow with a T293 Who Does and How

[ramoffroader]

Had a T233 for 6 years with a fisher 6' 6" blade on a quick attach mount with power angle and a Meteor 60" snow blower on the back. Live in northern NY near tughill region. Tractor plowed great. Upgraded to a T293 this summer and have installed the plow and blower onto this tractor. Got a few storms last year with over 3 feet of snow in 24 hours. Nothing tractor could not handle and i dont run chains or loaded tires. Should work just fine for you.

 

[a5t1]

Do you notice a big difference between the 233 and 293? I read that they are the same tractor but wondering if that's true...

 

[ramoffroader]

So far the T293 seems to be a smoother operating tractor. I believe it is do to the fact of a bigger hydraulic pump and more horsepower. Also like the taller tires. The T233 was a great tractor, I felt it justed needed a little more horse power. That is why I up graded to the T293. The other reason was they discontinued the T233, T273 and T293 this year for a T253 model with the new emission package. The T233 did everything I asked of it, great little tractor.

 

[kenb1023]

I was just talking to my dealer and he does not recommend a plow because of the risk of bending the loader arms. Is this a real issue? Now I am not sure. Is there a way to reinforce the arms when down in the plow position to prevent bending?

 

[ramoffroader]

Bending the loader arms is not an issue. If your tractor is equiped with the quick attach bucket then the mounting plate holds the arms and they do not flex. Again anything can be broken or bent but I have moved alot of snow with no issues. Their main concern is side load when angling the plow. My TYM dealer sells snowplow attachments and snow pushers. We average well over 100 inches of snow every year so my tractor gets a work out. Hope this helps.

 

[kenb1023]

Bending the loader arms is not an issue. If your tractor is equiped with the quick attach bucket then the mounting plate holds the arms and they do not flex. Again anything can be broken or bent but I have moved alot of snow with no issues. Their main concern is side load when angling the plow. My TYM dealer sells snowplow attachments and snow pushers. We average well over 100 inches of snow every year so my tractor gets a work out. Hope this helps.

So you shouldn't angle the plow? I am looking at a plow from EMP that has power angle with a breakaway valve. I figure the blade on this one will give before the arms do

 

[ramoffroader]

I power angle mine all the time. Never had a problem. The tractor is light enough that if you get into something to big the tractor will slide sideways. That is why I dont run chains.

 

[kenb1023]

Well we got our first snow of the year, got about 5 inches. Cleared the drive with the bucket. Kind of a PIA but got it done. I would either dig into the gravel or leave to much snow. I will need to re-groom the gravel. I ordered the plow from EMP so should be here next week. To late for this snow.

 

[kenb1023]

Here is my new Extreme Metal Products Snow Plow for my T293. I had to make the mount myself since EMP does not make it for a Skid Steer QA sustem, just the John Deere QA System. So what I did was buy a 5/16" QA plate form Titan Distributors (Via eBay) and two Reese 2.5" Reducer Sleeves. Set up the sleeves on the plate using the plow's 2' square cross member tube to align it. Welded it up, sprayed some RUST-OLEUM spray on bed liner and presto, I have a Skid Steer QA for the plow. I bought the Plow kit that came with the bucket mounts since it was $150 less than the JD QA mount kit. Reducer sleeves came from Lowes for $11 each. I could have just gone to a steel supplier and bought 2.5" square tubing for much less but the Reese sleeves already had the hole in them and cut to perfect length. more of a time saver for me. Still came in less than the JD set up. I also got the power blade angle actuator so I don't have to get on and off the tractor to change blade angles.

 

[kevin37b]

You won"t bend that loader with the plow . Now think about a wing for the preferred side of the plow . You will be able to use the full width of the plow instead of half . Eliminates the tails you keep chasing and angled back towards it a little pushes better than a bucket . I would explain better but it took me 2 hrs. to type this !