Bad back - time for a bigger bucket

AndyR · Jan 9, 2003

Back problems are putting a crimp on my ability to use my rear blade for snow removal. A bit frustrating with all the snow that has fallen here in New Hampshire, but my chiropractor has advised against all the twisting around that using the blade entails. I asked him if he would write a prescription for a front mount snowblower with hydro drive (sure he said - if insurance pays for it you better get me one too).

Anyway, I swung by my local dealer and came across the following; the blower/hydro combo is available but big bucks (like around $10K). You can get a dedicated front mount blower for the 'bota but you lose the use of the loader for the season (NG - I have all my firewood on pallets). Final solution is a large (nearly 1 yard) 84" bucket with quick mount along with adapter plates for my existing HD bucket and forks. This comes to about $1830 - not cheap either but worth it if it keeps my back good, plus I would be able to change implements MUCH easier and faster.

I know I'm not the only one around here with back problems so I wonder what folks think of this solution and what you have done to deal with it.

MossRoad · Jan 9, 2003

I've had back troubles off and on since I was a kid. I have a large tractor with 3pt hitch(IH2500b) and it is a pain in the back to brush hog and box blade with.

I wonder what folks think of this solution and what you have done to deal with it. 

The best thing I ever did for my back was exercise. The second best thing was to buy our Power Trac. All the implements are out front and I love it. Right out in front where you can see everything. Non-powered implements change in 15 seconds without leaving the seat. Powered implements take an extra 30 seconds to plug in two hydraulic hoses. No more jerking around implements to line up the 3pt pins or top link.

I think your idea of getting the implements out in front of you will really help your comfort level at the end of the day. The quick attach on the other implements and the larger bucket for 1800 don't sound that bad.

Could you get the front mounted blower and use forks on the rear to move the firewood?

There are several threads here that deal with truck type snow plows being mounted to the buckets on FELs. They look pretty handy.

DDT · Jan 9, 2003

I would prescribe a front mount blade in my case. I can switch front blade and loader out in 8 min.
But we usally don't get snows over 12".

beenthere · Jan 10, 2003

I agree with the front blade which is switchable with the FEL (or as some do, attached to the FEL). Search on Western Plow and you will see a number of threads on plowing while looking forward. Its a pain looking back, but many do it that way and I expect many enjoy doing it that way. Not I! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

AndyR · Jan 10, 2003

I think going to a quick attachment system on the front will definitely make life easier. I like the idea of the front mount snow plow but I have too many places where I need to pull snow out to make that practical, Oh yeah - and then there are all those snow piles which are already getting to the height limit of the loader. My firewood is usually stacked 2 pallets high, so a back mount fork wouldn't work unless it was a full hydro. fork lift (a bit much for a CUT).

Thanks everyone for the replies.

MossRoad · Jan 10, 2003

I like the idea of the front mount snow plow but I have too many places where I need to pull snow out to make that practical

The front mounted plow makes it pretty easy to back drag out far enough to get your tractor behind the snow. And the nice thing about a front mounted plow is that it might as well be a bucket. You can probably pile snow higher with the front mounted plow than with the FEL bucket. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/54-224293-030109ptpilingsnow.jpg> Here's a picture of an example </A> from the Power Trac forum.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 10, 2003

What type of tires are you using? I believe turf tires are the smoothest riding tire. Many have commented the industrials have pretty stiff sidewalls giving a rougher ride.

Do you have one of those air ride seats, they have a scissors type set up and move up and down. New Hollands (TC29, TC33) version also swivels side to side which would alleviate some of the twisting motion.

AndyR · Jan 10, 2003

I already have snow banks at the max reach of my loader - one of the disadvantages of living on the side of a hill. One advantage to a bucket is that you can scoop out a trail through the snowbank. I think the big bucket will prove more usefull through out the year then the front mounted blade and the quick mount system will definitely lead me to use more attachments /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

AndyR · Jan 10, 2003

I have Ag tires - and wouldn't consider anything else. I work in snow, soil and woods and use a double loop chain on the rear tires. The bouncing is not what is getting to my back - it is the turning and twisting as I try to see what is going on behind me. Even a nice air seat with a swivel would be of limited help as I still have to reach the pedals (hence the twisting). Good Ideas though. If things get worse I'll just have to convince the COE (Chief of Everything) that a heated cab and a front mounted snowblower would be in her best interest (hmmm... that may take a LOOOOONNNNGGG time).

beenthere · Jan 10, 2003

""If things get worse I'll just have to convince the COE (Chief of Everything) that ........""

Maybe start right away with "emergency" training and practice sessions at each snowfall, under the disguise that the COE will need to know how to do this if there is a sudden loss of the back. Then with intensive training and practice, the idea of snow blower and cab can surface with pictures, examples, etc. Problem that may happen after you get the cab/blower is that you lose all seat time to the COE. That would be a terrible thing.