What size snow bucket?

[Slo-moe]

I’m in northern Wisconsin. I have plowed snow for many years, primarily with a 3/4 ton pickup. I only plow for neighbors, relatives, friends and some volunteer jobs for churches etc.
This year I agreed to take on about 15 light commercial accounts. I‘ve always wanted a toolcat and that gave me the justification to buy one. I purchased a 2021 5600 with a 68” rotary broom.
Now I am shopping for a snow bucket and a plow blade. The jobs are general in nature including apartment buildings, businesses with small to mid-sized parking lots, sidewalks and some residential driveways. I have a couple question for those that have toolcat experience with snow removal.

What size snow bucket works best with a toolcat? I’m not terribly loyal to the Bobcat Brand on attachments although their specs recommend 68” to 80” for light material. I have no reason to dismiss their recommendation, I just would prefer to learn from the experience of others.

What push blade would you recommend? I see that several manufacturers are now making a “scoop” style blade for the skid steer platform. Specifically the Western Prodigy, Fisher XRS or Hiniker Skid Steer Scoop. Because most of these seem to be in the 9+ for range, I wonder if a toolcat will handle them. I’m tempted to rule out a “V” style plow. Not because they are not good plows but because I suspect they are too heavy.

I very much appreciate your advice and recommendations.

 

[ruffdog]

I like this guys ideas for a short and floating plow.

 

[ruffdog]

You also might need a snow pusher or plow that has the ability to reposition to back drag loading docks, parking spaces, driveways. My neighbor has plows on his trucks that the top half rotates forwards to back drag from garages. It saves a ton of time for his guys.

 

[Xfaxman]

I’m tempted to rule out a “V” style plow. Not because they are not good plows but because I suspect they are too heavy.

Define "too heavy".

I used a 5K crane scale to see the lift power of the Toolcat:

This 7' brush hog weighs 1800 pounds:

Negative knowledge of snow plows here in Oklahoma.

 

[npartist]

I would caution going wider than 8ft since you can twist the loader arms. On that note for commercial work get one with a trip edge. I would say go with a V-plow if you are only buying one. Most versital type there is. Depending on the lots you clear you may want a snow pusher and a simple angle blade for driveways. Anything a truck can lift a Toolcat can lift (and way higher so you can stack easier).

 

[TomahawkKevin]

I run a Bobcat 96” V plow (with float option) on my toolcat, I believe it’s around 1000#’s and it works great. It does everything a truck V plow does, and then when you want to make a pile, you can lift the blade 10ft up in the air and can make snow piles as high as a front end loader can. (Snow bank behind toolcat was made by the toolcat). I have run the 88” bucket on my toolcat and found it to big for my uneven terrain. The 74” bucket works much better year around for me with my toolcat.

 

[laurencen]

kevin, I have the same blade but rarely use it due to excessive snow build up on blade, do you have issues with this and how are you preventing buildup

 

[ruffdog]

A warm shovel, plow, blower will have more snow stuck to it than a cold one. I used some silicone spray last year and it seemed to help some.

 

[Slo-moe]

Thanks for your advise, guys. I opted for a 7 ft snow-bucket. Still researching plow blades. I certainly share your opinion of the V-plow. They are versatile. I'm a bit surprised (pleasantly) to learn that it handles a 8-footer so well. Still curious about the scoop style plow.

 

[yooperdave]

Thanks for your advise, guys. I opted for a 7 ft snow-bucket. Still researching plow blades. I certainly share your opinion of the V-plow. They are versatile. I'm a bit surprised (pleasantly) to learn that it handles a 8-footer so well. Still curious about the scoop style plow.

Berlon makes some great (& expensive) buckets. I bought a 1 cy bucket which was too big for my little tractor! Now it sits under my lean to.

Yooper Dave