Snow Experience Needed

[y112]

I'm looking for personal experience of anyone who has Upgraded from an old School tractor (JD 620 approx 50 hp) to a newer 4wd
type compact tractor. I'll be 66 and have a 1958 620 JD with a 7ft blade, 3pt boom, and Bush Hog log splitter. I also have a
425 JD AWS, a repowered 318 with 48" deck and a 318 with a loader.
I have considered buying a compact 4wd but need to know if it will adequately replace the 620 for plowing this 12" snow that
happens about 3 times a year here in PA, and still run my splitter. I normally plow in 4th gear about 1/2 throttle and split wood
at off idle.
Preferably looking at JD and need how much hp will be needed being that it'll be 4wd. Also looking at a hydro due to my "advanced"
age. I value your experience more than conjecture, so enlighten me and Thanks in advance.

 

[fried1765]

I'm looking for personal experience of anyone who has Upgraded from an old School tractor (JD 620 approx 50 hp) to a newer 4wd
type compact tractor. I'll be 66 and have a 1958 620 JD with a 7ft blade, 3pt boom, and Bush Hog log splitter. I also have a
425 JD AWS, a repowered 318 with 48" deck and a 318 with a loader.
I have considered buying a compact 4wd but need to know if it will adequately replace the 620 for plowing this 12" snow that
happens about 3 times a year here in PA, and still run my splitter. I normally plow in 4th gear about 1/2 throttle and split wood
at off idle.
Preferably looking at JD and need how much hp will be needed being that it'll be 4wd. Also looking at a hydro due to my "advanced"
age. I value your experience more than conjecture, so enlighten me and Thanks in advance.

Big questions here,......are you looking for new, or used, and how much are you willing to spend??

 

[LD1]

Alot depends on splitter.

Does it run off tractor hydraulics or a PTO pump.

And if pto pump....pressure and GPM are gonna dictate required HP.

For for all the other attachments and uses of what you mentioned.......3000 series would work great. 30-40 HP range. Sorry, not up on current model #'s

 

[mred2]

Advanced age? 66 is young!

 

[LouNY]

You will find the 3 point on a newer compact to be a lot light duty then your old one.
Are you planning on a front blade or a rear blade for your snow work.
When I started shopping around to replace an older 2wd I ended up going to an 80 hp gross 65 hp pto
to get the heft that I wanted.

 

[KennyG]

To get similar hydraulic capacity, you will probably need to go to a 3 series John Deere, probably an R series. With 4WD that should be fine for plowing snow. My 2 series starts to struggle a little plowing when the snow nears 12 inches, but a 3 series should be fine, especially with some rear ballast.

 

[y112]

You will find the 3 point on a newer compact to be a lot light duty then your old one.
Are you planning on a front blade or a rear blade for your snow work.
When I started shopping around to replace an older 2wd I ended up going to an 80 hp gross 65 hp pto
to get the heft that I wanted.

I was out plowing the latest 12". I am currently using a 7 foot rear mounted blade with unloaded tires and chains.
The log splitter I use runs off the 620's hydraulics, and hits the bypass (squeals) on the knotty stuff. My next question
is will the compact tractor Hydraulics have the same pressure as the 620?

Thanks for all the replies

 

[y112]

Do you think ballast is needed with a rear blade? Do you think the "3" or "r" series hydraulics will run my splitter? Thanks for your reply!

 

[y112]

I'm running off the tractor hydraulics, and sometimes run into stuff that won't split without knawing at it. I'll look into 3000 series. Thanks!

 

[y112]

Oh, I agree, it's just after 3 back surgeries, 2 knee surgeries, and a knee replacement, my body doesn't always agree. After rowing the 6 speed and hand clutch yesterday for 4 (20 degree) hours, I have arthritic joint swelling in my hands. Still, after living here all my life, a couple of snows are worth the pain.