Snow Buying snow plow TC 33D

[rh1346]

First posting. I want to thank all of the TBN activists who have provided so much useful information on the 33D and other NH tractors.

Next week I'm getting a TC 33D with turf tires (filled with methanol), chains for rear tires, 7308 loader, HD bucket, 6'mmm. I have a 400# weight which I will attach to the 3PH when plowing. I must plow over 1/2 mile paved driveway, slight incline in spots, in Massachusetts. I'm looking at buying a Curtis plow which attaches to the bucket arms in place of the loader.

(http://www.curtiscabs.com/tractor_loader.html)

The 7' plow is $1699.

In the past I have used a Ford 1120 (14.7 hp), chains, weighted turf tires, no 3 PH weight, and a 5' Curtis plow, and it has been a very difficult time with deep, heavy, snow.

Questions: any recommendations on a better plowing option than the Curtis? How wide a plow should I get? The 33D is about 54" wide, I believe.

Thanks!

 

[SacandagaBrad]

I just took delivery of a TC24D (an hour ago, but it's pouring outside and about 40 degrees!) and also have a private road that I help maintain. I went with a rear blower and back blade for snow removal. Also included a hydraulic chute. We get quite a bit of snow and I've found that plowing with anything less than a 5000 lb truck can be tough going at times. I have always liked a blower for the "clean" approach to snow removal, no need to plan for the next storm by pushing back the banks. As I said, I've only owned it for an hour, so I can't offer any experiences, but I'm not convinced it won't snow by the end of the day /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Just an alternative that I think will work for me and might be worth considering.

Brad

 

[rh1346]

I'm also considering a blower, but have a hard time visualizing driving backwards while craning my neck 180 degrees for long periods - do you find it really easy? How much was the blower? Is price the biggest reason to go with a rear blower?
Thanks for your help.

 

[bobnewjersey]

Hi RH...........I have the TC40D with a 68" Walco Meteor 3pt PTO snowblower. This past winter we got a fair amount of snow. I've plowed in years past and I can't imagine being without the blower. My cost was $1,600. and after looking on TBN I probably paid a little on the high side. The blower went through anything.........drifts......you name it. My driveway is around 1200 ft up a hill so plowing is difficult. As far as turning around goes, to work in reverse, I didn't find it a problem.......kinda like backing you brush hog through the thick stuff. I would look at 3pt blowers if I was in Ma.

 

[hazmat]

For a 1/2 mile drive, I'd want the tool on the FRONT of the machine, be it a front blower or plow. I'd go with a 6 or 7' plow for your tractor. You can always take a smaller bite with a bigger plow. but not vice-versa /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

A bit pricy, but have you considered a front blower / rear blade combo? For $300 the rear blade gives you another tool in your aresenal. For light snows (you'll be using the blower in the heavy ones) you can drive forward over the snow & have the blade widrow it to the side.

Or you can stick with the front plow & buy a rear blower that you can pull out when the going gets tough.

Last winter I ran a rear blade + the loader. Right now I'm building a front plow (not loader mounted) because my neck is still sore after last years 8' of snow. MY driveway is only 250 feet total! (U shape with parking area & garage).

 

[SacandagaBrad]

I don't know how tough it will be going backwards - my tractor now has 1 hour on it! I did a dry run of what it would be and didn't really find it too bad. I have run plenty of construction and farm equipment in the past and find the HST very easy to sit kind of side-saddle. I don't have a 1/2 mile driveway to clear either. If I do the entire road for the neighbors, it is only about 450 yds, plus my own driveways. Only time will tell, but I can tell you the hydraulic chute rotator is going to be worth it.

I went with the blower for ease of use regardless of snow depth. I live in the southern Adirondacks where we can get 24" storms most seasons, with plenty of 10" to 12" snowfalls with rain on top to make them nice and heavy. The snow blower doesn't try to kick to the side like an angled plow does. You mentioned difficulty with your old tractor and a 5' blade. I'm not sure what the TC33 weighs, but a 7' blade on the front might still be tough to use. Remember, the blade is going be out front on the FEL arms with quite a bit of leverage to try to kick the tractor sideway if it is angled. And most of the weight is going to be on the blade, not your front wheels, when it is down in the plowing position.

Front or back, each have their advantages. The back is less expensive and easier to hook up, plus allows you to leave the FEL on the machine. The front is more expensive but easier to use and you can always mount the back blade as Hazmat suggested.

My 52" Woods blower was about $1400 and the rear valve on the tractor and the hydraulic bi-directional motor/mounting kit was another $580. That was with the purchase of a brand new tractor/mower/FEL and back blade.

You probably won't have to worry about snow this year anyway. Considering the money I just spent on snow removal equipment, it isn't going to snow for 3 years /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Brad

 

[John_Mc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How wide a plow should I get? The 33D is about 54" wide, I believe.)</font>

You might want to go out and measure your width before deciding. I believe the 54" width is with Ag tires dished in. That's about as narrow as you can make it. With your turf tires, you'll be a bit wider. I'm a bit over 60" wide with my R4 tires.

Let me know what you end up with... I'm considering the same thing for my TC33D.

BTW... what kind of chains did you get? I've been trying to find something a bit more aggressive than standard "ladder-style" chains, but haven't found anything yet for my size tire (R4 tires, 15 x 19.5)

John Mc

 

[rh1346]

Ordered them through Ted (and Steve) at Corriher Tractors and Implements - they are being drop shipped and due to arrive at the end of October - price supposed to be around $125, and allegedly have double chains across the tread. On my Ford 1120, the chains have single chains across the tread, and by description, these new ones sound like they will do a better job. Since I ordered my tractor from Corriher, I'll have them to blame if they don't fit right, but so far they have been excellent to deal with. Decided that I will try plowing with the 6' bucket, chains, and 463# of 3 PH weight. If that doesn't work well, I'll either buy the Curtis plow or a new snow shovel for the bride.

 

[MikefromMI]

Hi,
Not being a smarty pants here. But I see your purchasing a "D". Don't forget that option allows you to turn the seat to help out the neck. Didn't see any mention of that in the thread.

 

[snowbound]

I have a TC 35D with a 7' Curtis plow. I haven't used it yet so I can't say much other than it was highly recommended by some people who know a lot about using NH tractors.

We ruled out using a blower for a variety of reasons. I have about 2/3 of a mile of driveway. It's not flat and it's not straight. I've actually used a dual stage self-propelled snow blower on this property and in addition to using shear pins up too often I've thrown rocks pretty far. Since the driveway goes around the house I've had to be careful not to kick the rocks toward the house. But the snowplow isn't going to kick a rock at all.

We went for the plow on the loader arms so we can manage the snowpiles and the immense berm the state plows will leave at the end of the driveway. I have the heavy duty general purpose loader bucket which can also handle that.

As far as for whether the TC-35D is big enough for the job that will be up to the weather. If we get what we got last year, I should be OK, and that was a lot more than the usual snowfall.