Newbie - Just purchased a GC2310 - questions on blower attachment

[njk4o5]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum and tractors/anything hydraulic in general. I have some land I have started to develop with about 600' of driveway to build I ended up searching for a tractor with backhoe attachment and came across this GC2310 last weekend for a good price. It not the prettiest tractor since it was stored outside (seats ripped, faded paint, and busted headlight) but everything works well and it seems to have all maintenance kept up on it over the years. I bought it down in CT and hauled it up to my land in Maine and started using it last weekend. After driving around with the parking brake on and wondering why it was way slower than when i test drove it i got into ripping some stumps and refilling the holes. Its amazing what this machine can do I lucked out that i didn't have to chop any huge trees when clearing my driveway and there are only a handful of 8-10" stumps to rip. My original intention was to just sell it once i have my driveway built and area for the house cleared but now I'm thinking I want to hold onto it and use it to clear snow from my driveway once my home is built.

I don't really know anything about tractor attachments or good attachment brands but from what i read the rear mount blowers attach to my Cat 1 3pt hitch and i can keep the front loader bucket on to build huge snowmobile jumps and move trailers around. Plus the rear mount blowers seem way cheaper. Woods makes one thats around $2500 new and i came across a cheapy rear mount one from Northern tool for $1400 its called the Nortrac 50" i cant post the link as I don't have enough posts yet.

The front mount blowers seem better to operate and would be more enjoyable than driving around backwards but the 2360 blower is hard to come by used and $$$ when new.

Do you guys think that cheapy rear mount will do what i want?

I'm sure everyone here loves some tractor pics:

 

[cglaser104]

3pt blowers are significantly cheaper for sure. The front mount OEM snowblower requires the blower and a front bracket assembly that lifts the blower. There are numerous brands out there and it all depends on what you wanna spend. You can find used 3pt blowers as well if you look around. You would want somewhere between a 4' and a 5' unit. There are countless brands out there so it's matter of what you want to pay for what you get. I personally have a strong interest in a Woodmaxx snowblower for my GC1710TLB which is the new upgrade to what you have. They aren't as expensive as a Wood's or Landpride but not as budget as a Nortrac unit either. Nice machine, btw. Treat her good and she'll take care of you.

 

[cdaigle430]

I have the Woodmaxx SB60 and love it-if your a veteran you will get 10% discount by the way. My GC2410 handles it well but if I could do it over I would get the 48 inch instead. I have a very hard time getting around the back yard because the blower and Loader combination make the tracer long and wide(I keep hitting things ). I also looked at the Nortrac but didn't like the chute set up on it. The good thing about implements is they are not tied to a specific tracter.

 

[MF RED in MT]

welcome to TBN njk4o5, and congrats on your new/old MF tractor.

Are you sure that's all MF, looks like it may have some "orange" in the paint, ha ha.

Regarding your questions about snow removal equipment, I am bias towards a front snowblower with electric discharge chute controls and a heated cab, but what ever you decide on, you will get use to using it.

My neighbor just upgraded his Ford 1950's tractor to a new Kubota and all he has ever cleared snow with is the FEL, and no cab and that's what he is going to use this winter.

That is about the coldest and slowest way to clear snow unless you resort to a snow shovel...

I also have the MF Dozer Blade with hydraulic angling which also uses the quick hitch, and last year I just used it to clear snow for the whole season, and it was a challenge to do versus what I always use.

I always use the snowblower, but gained good experience using the blade last year, but it was a much slower process.

Good luck with your new tractor,

KC

 

[njk4o5]

yep im not too worried about having a cab i will most likely just wear my snowmobile gear.

What do you all think about those trailer hitch kits that clamp onto the bucket for moving trailers around? I have a 24' boat that weighs ~5000 would a clamp on style hitch setup work for that? Seems like it would be sketchy to me.

 

[cdaigle430]

yep im not too worried about having a cab i will most likely just wear my snowmobile gear.

What do you all think about those trailer hitch kits that clamp onto the bucket for moving trailers around? I have a 24' boat that weighs ~5000 would a clamp on style hitch setup work for that? Seems like it would be sketchy to me.

If your in Maine like me (or your tractor is) you will end up with at least a soft cab anyway-I have the Berco. I use the front end loader and snowblower to move snow.

As for the trailer hitch on the loader part that depends on several things-is the lot you moving it to and from level, will you exceed the maximum weight of the loader (assuming the boat tongue weight is designed to be up to 750 lb for a class IV hitch). Otherwise any type of slope I would recommend at least a 3ph hitch. Braking is not that great for these tractors either.

 

[cglaser104]

yep im not too worried about having a cab i will most likely just wear my snowmobile gear.

What do you all think about those trailer hitch kits that clamp onto the bucket for moving trailers around? I have a 24' boat that weighs ~5000 would a clamp on style hitch setup work for that? Seems like it would be sketchy to me.

I would be curious of tongue weight and the pull on the loader arms especially on any soft of incline. The front axle is only rates for so much. I have a SSQA set of forks that has a 2" receiver on it and I have a tow bar for my 3pt. I prefer to use the 3pt as the rear end if better suited for weight and any kind of travel.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I have a clamp of receiver hitch that I have used a few times to move my log splitter and my 18' car hauler around. For some reason, I find it way harder to maneuver. With a little patience and practice, I am sure it will be just fine though. My trailer is 2300 lbs, is less than half your boat weighs. It should be OK (assuming 500lbs tongue weight?) depending on how far you need to move and over what type of terrain. Proper ballast is a must, the backhoe will work well for this. How often do you need to move it also, if its twice a year, bringing it out and putting it away, it might be enough. It its every weekend during the summer, a 3pt hitch received would be better, but of course then you need to take off the backhoe

 

[MF RED in MT]

I would be curious of tongue weight and the pull on the loader arms especially on any soft of incline. The front axle is only rates for so much. I have a SSQA set of forks that has a 2" receiver on it and I have a tow bar for my 3pt. I prefer to use the 3pt as the rear end if better suited for weight and any kind of travel.

I just bolted on the top of the bucket a HF 2" receiver hitch, 35 lb. Step Bumper Receiver , and picking up 18' logs this summer with my poor man's grapple, aka JAWS, I did not notice any problems regarding any bucket deflection (with an 18" extension piece that adds a lot more force on the bolted receiver).

KC

 

[mgstevens]

...my poor man's grapple, aka JAWS,

Nice tool KC, where did that come from?

I just bought Titan's clamp-on hitch receiver to shuttle my utility trailer and new-to-me 16' boat around as needed. Both of my trailers would have a tongue weight well within the bucket lift capacity, so I am not concerned. A boat of your size (24') would be a concern on all the points already raised. Tongue weight and stopping ability. Particularly if slope is factored in.

On my previous tractor, I welded a short receiver onto the top of the bucket and found it challenging to get the ball under the trailer hitch at times. I like that the clamp-on is very low to the ground if you need it there. I've only tried it once for a moment before stowing it for the winter. I've heard the clamp-on can move against the bucket if not tightened properly, or if the lip of the bucket doesn't give the right support. For my needs, it will be fine. Not sure for yours.

But in any event, welcome to the forum. Very helpful for folks in your position. Folks like me a few months ago...