asv slide up door/window in sr-80 pt-80

[millpond]

Jmfox: I forgot to ask you how your sr-80 performed in snowy conditions. I thought the window seal wasn't that tight and thought you or somebody could shed some light on both the winter wind with slide up door design and also how did the windshield wiper perform in snow conditions. Will the wiper handle blowing snow from snowblower attachment ? All comments on this door issue is much appreciated.

 

[jmfox]

The seal on the SR80 keeps the cab clear and warm in single digit weather. The heater is actually a little too much for me, so don't use it and when I do I keep the window open. I rarely used the wiper because the heat in the cab keeps the inside and outside clear and dry, and it's a good thing as the wiper is not that impressive.

jmf

 

[millpond]

Thank you I suspected that the wiper blade wasn't going to help much with blowing snow. Maybe just going to use a blade and bucket or widow open if
it isn't too cold. Thanks again.

 

[millpond]

Jmfox am I crazy to spend the money on ASV pt 80 if the primary application
is winter time snow removal..? In all your planning and research before purchasing SR 80 where did you weigh winter time use vs other seasonal tasks you envisioned. I know the ASV is the best track loader in the market, but is really meant for dirt work and spring/summer/fall hours vs blowing snow
over 4 months.

 

[jmfox]

I did not intend to use my machine for snow removal. I was surprised on how well the SR80 handled the winter chores, but did not attempt any commerical snow plowing commitments. Do your jobs require transporting the machine? This is also a problem with track machines. The best use for these machines is a year around plan on a variety of surfaces. What are your other options? Unless you are in the southern hemisphere, I assume you are looking to purchase next winter?

jmf

 

[millpond]

The machine doesn't need to be moved that much. It will be located in Northern Vt. I have a gravel driveway which is 3/4 of mile long and I know that after a few good storms the snow banks will start to creep in.(plenty of wind and drifting snow as well) Instead of backing up with rear PTO machine and CUT I think the best multi year plan for keeping up with the road is a solid front mounted hydro blower. Now over the next few years there is still plenty of timber to be cleared and either sent to the mill or set up for fire wood. The property can be very wet as many natural springs run through the land. Running the CUT and Fransgard winch in some sections is super but I need to get through wetter areas as well. Back filling on various buildings and plenty of landscape work over then next 3/4 years. Also wife wants horses and I love the zero turn track set up to move through barn. What has been weighing on my mind is really the Toolcat for the best winter time applications, but I still need a track machine for woods ground clearance(ASV the best) and lifting. Will ASV be fine in a lot of cold winter work..?

 

[jmfox]

The ASV will handle the chores you describe with time to spare. I normally plowed 3 driveways with a Polaris Ranger UTV, but had to be careful about where I pushed it during big snow. With the ASV I dared it to snow. I could put and pile snow wherever I wanted. Snow blowers make a nice clean cut but they are a little slow and problematic on gravel. I was thinking about an adjustable pusher for the future. I did consider the Toolcat, and still like it, but I was concerned about ground pressure, traction, thorns and hydraulic muscle. (For plowing snow on pavement, the TC seems to be a winner.) The SR80 should earn its keep in landscaping environments and all chores on soft surfaces. In the winter, the rubber tracks get enough ice lubrication to travel on pavement, but dry pavement is not a good idea for track machines.

jmf

 

[millpond]

Then the last conundun would be this. Rather than buy a blower to start I should be investing in a blade, but should that blade actually be heavy duty dozer type (quick-attach has 1300lbs 6 way with wheel set up) that I can grade with and use as a snow plow with skid shoes adjusted and wheels taking out the usual waves from fixed bucket..?

 

[jmfox]

I basically used my ASV 4-in-1 bucket, but it is generally not a good idea to mix dirt and snow. Most dirt attachments are designed to dig and snow attachments are designed to push. In my case, the 4-in-1 dug up the grass as easily as the snow. If I had a snow blade it would have been lighter with no cutting leverage. Considering the season, you should concentrate on your dirt applications. As a dedicated blade, from what I hear, 6 way blades are far better than the blade option on the 4-in-1, but they are not designed for snow. Six way blades are heavy and designed to cut. If you're an accomplished operator you can get pretty fancy with whatever is hooked on the front, but life is easier if you use the right tool rather than the same tool for the job(s). I think I would rather rig up an old snow plow blade rather that use a 6 way dirt blade in the snow. Is there anyone here with experience plowing snow with a dirt blade?

jmf

 

[millpond]

Jmfox: I did spend a little time reviewing other "snow removal systems" the conflict between blowing, plowing, use the rear blade, and I thought I would
bring another question on to the table. Hiniker makes a reverse c blade and v blade in that context how would you stack those up vs a straight pusher/regular blade. Lastly I'm not sure I understand float capabilities with ASV/skid steer machines. Can you get the arms to free float while plowing so that as you move through different elevations the blade will stay down on the surface, or do you need to adj with your pilot stick as you go..

 

[jmfox]

The blade/attachment will basically follow surface contours in float mode without further adjustment (no down pressure). As to snow blade types, I am not familiar with Hiniker, but the different styles are probably a matter of preference and surface type.

jmf

 

[millpond]

Silly question but on SR80 how do you know you are in float mode ?

 

[jmfox]

A quick snap on the down stroke (right joy stick), puts the hydraulics in float. The same motion but slower results in down pressure.

jmf

 

[millpond]

Is the pusher snow blade you were thinking about equiped with snap/spring coils or is it a fixed blade..? and the pusher/snow blade obviously gives you a bucket feel as you close into a previous bank you can curl and lift like a bucket, but still get blade work on your long runs.

 

[jmfox]

Take a look at this company's pusher: GRATTEX

jmf

 

[millpond]

JMF:looks like very cool pusher, but if your making a longish run down a 3/4 mile gravel road will the load flow out like a normal blade if you have Grattex
tilted or is that too much presuure on pusher. Also is the lower edge trip equiped ? I can't find the spec's there.

 

[jmfox]

Take a look at this thread and send dylan a message:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/toolcat/108964-snow-pusher-puller.html?referrerid=31592

jmf

 

[millpond]

JMF: So you're thinking with SR-80 and Grattex you'll be knocking down winters door, but at 7k it does get your attention price wise. I see the big benefits in getting close to garage doors, especially if you are commercial operator, but for long rural driveway I didn't get Dylans feel of how an angled lengthy push worked out. It was very interesting discussion on high flow/low flow. As you know I've been looking at blower options also and I am leaning towards rear PTO with tractor for blower(save big bucks) and blade/pusher on PT-80. I will try and contact Dylan as obviously he has a wealth of knowledge with snow removal. Thanks

 

[jmfox]

Millpond, did you purchase an ASV?

jmf

 

[millpond]

JMF: You'll love this, actually not much love anywhere at this moment. I ruptured my achilles tendon a week before I was going to take delivery. I can't put any weight on my left leg for another month so the long story is no
not yet. The last price I was working with was 51k with forks for PT 80 no a/c. deluxe cab. I am now looking at 6/14/08 for first test in the field. I have
done the dealer drive in the parking lot, (SR 80) but not seen the PT 80 anywhere yet. Did you have some new advise for me...Sadly Millpond