Grading 2210 FEL or 54" Blade

[h20camper]

2210 FEL or 54\" Blade

I just purchased a 2210 w/ 62c MMM and 54" front blade. I wanted the blade for clearing snow from my asphalt driveway (fairly large driveway ~300'+). Now I was wondering if I should have purchased the FEL instead. The blade (w/ angling, etc) was $1100. The dealer offers the 53" FEL for $1800 (not sure if that includes the ballast box or not). Thoughts?

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Re: 2210 FEL or 54\" Blade

Blades are generally quicker at clearing snow than loaders. Loaders fill up, then you get windrows on each side of the bucket. You can always add a bucket later. Have fun with your tractor!

 

[fgross335_2210]

Re: 2210 FEL or 54\" Blade

I have a 335 with both a 48" blade and snowthrower, and a 2210 with FEL and 5ft rear blade. I have tried all of the various combinations on my 300 ft driveway. The snowthrower is the fastest, the 5 ft rear blade is second and the FEL is third. I mainly use the FEL only to push back large piles in order to stop drifts across the driveway. Using it to clear 300 ft is very tedious, the bucket fills up, you have to push off to the side, back up, go forward again, etc.

Having said all that, I still love the FEL for all the other things it can do. If you have a long driveway I think the 54" front blade will get the job done faster....UNLESS you get 3+ feet of snow in which case a snowblower or FEL will be needed to move all that snow. Main thing to remember with the blade is to always push the snow back beyond the driveway edges so you leave room for more later in the season. Gotta keep making room with the blade.....

 

[cadblaster]

Re: 2210 FEL or 54\" Blade

I think it all depends on where you live.
If in Buffalo NY get a fromt mounted snowblower for sure.
Otherwise, If you are subjected to moderate snow, then a loader and a rear blade, or rear 3pt blower might be the the way to go. If you live where you get light to moderate snow, then a front blade can handle it quite well.
The best thing about blowers is that they virtually eliminate the piling up effect that you get with both blades and loaders. Front blades are definately the fastest and easiest to use, they just don't do well in really deep stuff.
for example, I have a 2210 with a loader, and I picked up a 3 pt. blower this past spring. I live in MD, so the snow we get can be in the 4" to 24" variety. From really wet to powder dry. If I lived just a bit south of here, I would probably have a front blade. Granted, I would still have my loader too, but not the blower.

 

[chevy]

Re: 2210 FEL or 54\" Blade

I pefer a blade over a loader for cleaning my 6000 sf of paved driveway. The only problem I have had is that I sometimes run out of space to push the snow. This is when a loader comes in handy to push the snow piles back farther. I purchased a front snowblower at the end of last winter. I got to use it one time. It seemed to work well, as there was 6" of very wet snow. I believe that for 1" to 2" of snow the blade works best & for larger amounts a snowblower is best & I have never felt that a loader worked well for any amount of snow, unless a loader is all you have available.

Chris