Snow 990 and a foot of snow

yellowsocks93 · Feb 7, 2004

I took out the 'ol 990 today to plow the driveway from the foot of snow that we got a few days ago and it works great. I can't believe how much better the 990 works with the loader compared to the 4300. The 4300 was not bad but can't compare to the 4300. Even with the wide turf tires I get good traction (no chains or fluid) and can push the snow very far before dumping the bucket. I am pretty impressed with the tractor and how smooth the transmission shifts for being a collar shift.

JDgreen227 · Feb 7, 2004

What do you feel makes the 990 a better snow pusher? Just curious.

yellowsocks93 · Feb 7, 2004

The tractor has a lot more power, the hydraulics work better with the 430 loader in my opinion, the power steering on the 990 is also more responsive. My 4300 was not defective because I checked out a 4600 gear on the lot and the steering was the same. 990 is a little more stable because of the added weight and wide rear tires.

zuiko · Feb 9, 2004

I'm surprised you can do it with turfs.

I don't use the FEL much, just a 7' rear blade. I wish I had a bigger blade... it could sure handle one. Now that I got a base I can just drop it down all the way (blade backwards) and not have to worry about messing up the lawn (I make some paths over the lawn) or driveway.

I wouldn't mind having a 3ph blower though with all this snow we've been getting. Maybe if I find a used one cheap enough. I think I would need power beyond for it though which I did not get.

yellowsocks93 · Feb 9, 2004

I did not get the rear hydraulics either but I bet it's real easy to add them in. You can even get a 4 outlet rear hydraulic plug in that's by the 3 point but works off of the DSCV so you could just use the blower and not a loader if need be. You might be able to hook the chute rotation to that then you don't need the power beyond.

johnbilt · Feb 9, 2004

Hi Guys

I use my 990 with the front bucket for plowing snow and it works great. I have the level indicator marked so that I can keep the edge straight or slightly up. I apply some down pressure and push in 3rd gear, B range. It seems to give the right amount of momentum. I adjust the down pressure slightly as I go to help with the steering.

John /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

yellowsocks93 · Feb 9, 2004

Wow, you really cruise along when plowing. I am in 1st gear in B range. The bucket level indicator does help a ton.

JDgreen227 · Feb 10, 2004

My 4210 has turfs and I didn't weight the rears but the traction is much better than I expected, I was able to push aside knee high drifts with the FEL without engaging the diff lock. The Frontier 72 RB adds weight to the rear and works great but needs a rubber edge to keep from chewing up the grass where it meets the asphalt.

jrdellaratta · Feb 10, 2004

Then I must really be crawling compared to you all: I push snow with my 990's 430 FEL in A range, and usually in 1st or 2nd gear. I don't want the job to be over too quick, you know.

zuiko · Feb 10, 2004

I use B1 also. I don't have the level indicator so I don't find the FEL is much use since I can't tell the exact angle of it and I don't want to dig in and make a mess for myself next spring. I'm gonna have to get the level indicator I think.