best snow setup? BH on or off? chains?

[NHbotanut]

I use a Curtis 6 1/2 plow for the front FEL. When I have the 5' rear blower on, I find that the tractor does a good job plowing. But when I really want to push snowbanks back I find that I have much more pushing power when I have the hoe on. Generally, I put the blower on now, & take it off around March.

 

[techman]

BH will hurt most times due to loss of steering traction. Also you need to be careful in tight situations as you will be swinging the BH around behind you, limiting how far you can back up and clearance in tight turns.

I bought a nice new set of chains when I got the tractor. Never put them on. In 4WD you get all of the traction you will need.

paul

 

[stratton]

the front end is a little light with the backhoe on and snowblower in float postition. Like your title says if you want the best setup... I would have a snowblower in the front and a sand spreader for weight and traction in the back.

 

[donn12]

When we get some real snow I will try it with the hoe on and off. Yesterday I had the front forks on and nothing on the back (loaded read tires) and the traction was not very good. The ground was wet and the ag tires slipped enough to rip up the ground. The front hitch and blade are just as heavy as the forks so we will see. It could be that I need something thats only 300lbs back there in addition to the tires.

 

[donn12]

Best set up is BH off with the loaded ag tires. It plowed the 1.5 inches of icy crap DC got yesterday. The machine is an absolute beast. Before I had the plow adjusted properly I wanted more weight on the front but now it is perfect. It will lift the front end and scrape up everything in its path. I can't tell you guys how much better this is than plowing with my ATV because of the hydro controls.