Kioti DK4710SE HST Cab - The Right Tractor for Me?

[AndrewFromIdaho]

I would invest in a front mount snowblower too then if drifting is a big problem? I know they are big $$$.....but backing up gets old quick.

You might be right, but I think I'll try my first season with a cheaper solution. I've heard from other neighbors with similar-sized tractors and snow blowers that by the time you're having trouble with a tractor + blade in heavy, wet drifts, you're going to be having trouble with snow blowers too. But you could be right.

My hope is that the added weight + power of the tractor will be enough to get through the drifts. I've even managed OK with the UTV in most situations, it's just very frustrating, and feels like I'm always on the edge of failure. I honestly think I could probably get by with a 25HP or 35HP tractor, but I've never heard someone say "Oh I wish I'd gotten a less powerful tractor", and I'd love to only buy one tractor ever.

 

[grsthegreat]

if drifting is an issue, a snowblower really helps. it gets the junk 40' away and helps lessen drifting. i have a front hydraulic blower and plow pn my DK45, love them. but as stated the front blower is expensive. neck issues made me spring for it. no regrets.

we usually see 100-120" snow per season , but the last 2 seasons were very poor snowfall.i think i plowed 4 times last year.

 

[AndrewFromIdaho]

we usually see 100-120" snow per season , but the last 2 seasons were very poor snowfall.i think i plowed 4 times last year.

Oh I'm 100% confident that the universe will respond to my finally investing in a proper tractor with a very-low snowfall year to make me feel like I just wasted a bunch of $$s.

But, I guess that would solve the plowing issue another way.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I got my TYM last year on July 1st for primary snow removal, now I've ventured into mowing fields/weeds/brush as a side venture. Never such a thing as too much tractor. On the item when invested an arseload of money in snow removal equipment? You're spot on, I didn't even get more than two or so snowfalls that was worth to use the snowblower.

 

[finn1]

The drifting snow may be problematic with a front plow. A snowblower would handle the drifts easily though.

On the other hand, 55” annually isn’t much snow. That’s a dusting maybe a couple times per week.

I would never recommend a three point snowblower, either. No fun craning your neck on a long driveway, and pull type blowers don’t seem suitable for drift busting. They seem to be a pretty regional item.
How about a front blower and some type of rear blade, preferably similar to the pushers used to clear parking lots, except rear mounted. That would take care of your normal light accumulations and still have drift removal (and control) capabilities.

Tractor arms are too weak and spindly to mount snowplows on, in my opinion. They are suitable for lifting, but aren’t designed like skid steers and other construction equipment. Any plow should have a subframe to transfer plowing loads directly to the tractor structure, not through the lift arms.

Ever see the condition of the plow frame on a pickup after a dew years?

 

[grsthegreat]

My plow use on tractor for 10 years begs to differ with you. No problems. But have to chain up to stop crabbing tractor

 

[chim]

Kioti is one of the brands I've considered when shopping the last few times. Seems I always found deals on Kubotas though. You are looking a good size, and the cab is something you'll really appreciate. I can tell you a few things from personal experience:

Size - It's roughly the same weight and HP as my L4240. The 4240 turns sharper than the two tractors (Kubota L3200 and Ford 1210) that I measured it against. It is more nimble than those smaller tractors.

Weight - The last 3 Kubotas I've has were all on liquid-filled R4's. All have been used for mowing and snow removal. The 4240 has been the pick of the pack and doesn't mess up the grass.

Snow removal - I've used front blades, rear blades, loaders and a rear blower over the years. The bl;owere was the most fun to watch, and the SSQA hydraulic angle front blade has been the best. If you get a few large drifts a car length klong, you probably don't need a blower. If the tall drifts are 100' long, different story. Most of the snow I move is a couple hundred yards of driveways and a couple parking lots at the church and gun club. The front blade worked best. The blower was the worst because of the need to re-blow snow. It gets denser each time you move it. For a narrow area where the snow can be blown once and done it would work fine. I wouldn't use a plow that doesn't float independently of the loader arms. Do a search for "underslung snow plow" for examples.

Tires - As I said, R4's have been good for me. I took the time to groove the tires on the last two tractors, and that really made them better in the snow. R4's have plenty of contact area so they don't leave herringbone tracks all over a soft yard the way R1's do. I have R1's on the (tiny by comparison) Ford 1210 and they mark up the yard more than the L4240 after a rain. There's a lot of info on grooving tires.

Here are a couple recent pics. Flood on Wednesday and mowing on Saturday. Can't convince me the L4240, 90" RFM with filled R4's is too big or heavy

 

[kantuckid]

In snow that's very deep my R4's fill up same as they do in mud and all my 4wd tractor can do to pull much snow-if solid ice I have to break it up going downhill and work the snow off that direction too. My private road is steep enough to have me thinking Ag1's on my next tractor-but el nino snow falls have been much less in recent years. For years I had no FEL and relied on my back blade only. Given the angle adjustments it offers, it's still my best snow gizmo but I don't get Idaho snowfalls much. Chains in my area are overkill unless you log with a tractor FT.

 

[metalbender]

I changed to a front blower and never looked back. The idea of pushing a small amount off the road with a front blade just makes for bigger drifts on the next go round. A blower will level the playing field to let the snow drift into the next obstruction, hopefully away from your road.

 

[nybirdman]

My main snow removal machine is a L4240 Kubota cabbed with a 8' FEL mounted snow plow and a 7' rear blade;Loaded R1's.Works very well.A similar sized Kioti would work just as well.
Get the SS quick attach and you can use the bucket if needed.