Kubota 1880 w/ blower or 2680 w/ plow

[kzuke]

Hi all, I could use some guidance here. I live in Maine and have about 800 feet of gravel driveway that needs to be cleared each snow storm, this is our first winter at this house. The driveway is up a pretty good hill. I知 trying to decide the best way to attack this thing this winter as I知 quickly finding out my 2 WD garden tractor will not cut the mustard! I would also like to use this machine to mow a couple acres and eventually get a loader bucket for various jobs around the property.

Budget is an issue here. The price of a 2680 with the 60 plow is comparable to an 1880 with a snow blower. What痴 is the consensus on these two setups? I like the blower as I can toss snow from drive into a field, but is slower. The 2680 is beefier and plowing is quicker, but I feel like I could run out of space to put snow if it痴 a bad year. I also question how capable the 1880 is getting up the hill while snow blowing. But, I致e never seen one in action on tough terrain. YouTube videos make the 1880 seem capable, but only on flat pavement. My driveway is a doozy.

What do you all think?? Experiences? Tips? Thanks

 

[TractorTYMe]

Go with the 2680 with a plow, at least you have a good piece of equipment. IF you get a bad snowyear, you can always get a blower later.

 

[kzuke]

Not sure what happened with the formatting of my first post... but I think you all get the gist.

I致e been leaning towards the 2680 but folks on this forum really seem to love their snowblowers.

 

[Reb954]

I don't know anything about the tractors you mention but I agree with TYM. The tractor is the major part of the purchase so makes sure it fits your needs. You can add the accessories later.

 

[RoyJackson]

Go with the 2680 with a plow, at least you have a good piece of equipment. IF you get a bad snowyear, you can always get a blower later.

Agree...there's about 20 PTO HP and you can always find a 60" snow blower
My drive isn't near 800'...more like 200' but I clear my drive, neighbors' drive and the cul-de-sac (about 1/8th of a mile). I have a snow blower on the 3PH and a front blade...blade is faster, as you wrote..and you can always use the blower as needed
BTW, Kzuke...what type of tires are you considering? Turfs are good in the snow, and I like 'em, but you going uphill might require chains

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

You didn't mention where in Maine. Got a drop of 15" at my place. Wet and very heavy. I wasn't there to handle it so my plow guy let it set up to crystallize and he just plowed it. My next trip up I'll be sending it far away into the woods.

 

[kzuke]

From research here in previous threads, people have been saying turf tires are best in the snow. I absolutely intend to get chains as I feel they are an item that are both effective and inexpensive.

I知 in Winterport, we got about 5 of the worst sloppy snow imaginable. Didn稚 lose power though.

 

[RoyJackson]

From research here in previous threads, people have been saying turf tires are best in the snow. I absolutely intend to get chains as I feel they are an item that are both effective and inexpensive.

I知 in Winterport, we got about 5 of the worst sloppy snow imaginable. Didn稚 lose power though.

Inexpensive? Haven't priced them yet, have you?
I used 4 link ladder chains on my 4400 Deere turf....actually, probably didn't really need 'em. Ride is terrible though, so I'd go for the 2 link ladders. But, see you you do without them first...for one thing, good chance you won't find then in stock this time of year.

If you're going to plow...especially uphill, you will need ballast on the 3PH. Loaded tires help stability, but not so much traction. Cheapest thing is a ballast box. I had one I use on occasion (filled with sand), but in winter, I have a 700 lb. Frontier snow blower on the 3PH

 

[leonz]

Hello kzuke,

With a plow you will run out room very quickly and the plow frame will be much lower to the ground reducing your ground clearance if you become stuck.

You need loaded tires and chains and a front mount snow blower for your situation as its your first 4 wheel drive machine no matter which model you purchase.

Once you have 2 link ladder chains and loaded tires for what ever model you choose you will have a very capable machine.

KEEP IN MIND that an 1880 or 2680 with a cab and heater/defroster will allow you to work in comfort and have plenty of work lighting to clear snow at night if needed.

KEEP IN MIND:

a. that a front mounted snow blower will cost you more to purchase and you will be using the mid point PTO to power the snowblower attachment.

b. a rear mount snow blower will cost you less to purchase and it will operate using the 540 RPM rear power take off.
c. you can purchase a wider rear mount to let you clear more on the first pass and take half cuts on the succeeding passes more quickly.
d. the front mounts have a limited throat area to allow intake of snow- unless they have changed the design to allow more snow to enter the housing by removing part of the top of the snowblower.
d. a loader and rear mounted snow blower will let you have more ability to remove snow close to buildings without much shoveling.
1. the loaders and buckets on these things are not ment for heavy work and dont let anyone telly you differently as they are not designed to dig in compacted dirt ONLY Loose materials.


If you purchase a front end loader with a ssqa mounting plate you can leave the bucket off and the loader lowered down with out worrying about hitting something with the loader bucket.

You need to look at bob Kellands videos and his 1860 with the rear mount snow blower on the forum and on you tube and watch how he uses his 1860 in Newfoundland and how well he does with it and his heavy snows.

Just remember that a larger mule like the 2680 will have more power when you need it and be barely taxed when clearing lighter snowfalls.

Many of the members have rear view mirrors to watch as they back up to clear snow and some use cameras or simply sit side saddle in their seats and just use the left foot to press down on the reverser pedal and the rear mounted snow blower acts like an anchor when stopped if you are on a flat area.

If you purchase a front mount you will need to modify the skids to make skis out of them to allow you to avoid digging up the gravel on your driveway.

I am not trying to spend your money I just want you to have your eyes open before you even open your checkbook as many of these dealers are not the
type of salesmae that are going to help you and really tell you you need a larger machine and not sell you a smaller one.

 

[SuperiorLakeEffect]

I'm also a n00b in a roughly similar driveway situation. I tried to make it through last winter with snowplow on a old jeep cherokee. Didn't make it. Quickly ran out of places to put the snow and the jeep had major problems fighting through the drifts when they appeared.

Opted for a tractor and rear mount blower this year- waiting a year let me afford the bigger tractor I wanted.

We'll see how this winter goes before I say if that's significantly better or not.

FWIW, if you're looking to hedge your bets- I found a guy with a skidsteer mounted blower who could clear my entire 1/3 mile driveway and parking areas for less than $200 a go. I wouldn't expect that price if I was calling around on a weekday morning trying to get out to get to work, but might be worth finding a contact or two who could help you out if you get in a jam.