Can you guys help me select the right snow removal implement for my specific application ?

[The Gaul]

First of all, yes, I've read up on the multi page thread. Thank you all for your contributions, it is a wonderful source of information !
What I am after is some advice for my specific situation : half a mile of asphalt driveway in pristine condition, i.e. I do not want to see it damaged.

My tractor is a 60 HP Kioti compact and I do have the third function installed.
I am on the fence between a snow pusher and a hydraulic angled blade. Both of them obviously with rubber edges to protect the driveway.
I contacted 2 local dealers and have obtained the offers below. Please do note that I live 'on the other side' of the PNW Cascades and getting implements shipped here is costlier compared to living on the i-5 side of the mountains.
Currently I use an ATV with a manual angled blade and it costs me nearly half a day to take care of the property after a snowfall. In view of rather tight security on my property I do not want contractors to take care of this. I am an ex finance guy, so I do want to buy biggest bang for the buck. Having said that, I won't make concessions on quality.

After my lengthy introduction, here we go :

1] Braber Equipment FBS7B0500BK Agriease front blade with hydraulic kit : 2,624$

My front bucket is 72", so I assume that with a max 30 degree angle I have to go for a 84" blade

2] Ironcraft Heavy Duty snow plow with rubber edges : 2,995$

A bit more expensive than the Braber, but 250lbs heavier....

3] Rankin 90" snow plow with hydraulic kit : 4,840$ (ouch !)

I have a Rankin box blade and absolutely love it, but on the other hand that is a semi permanent attachment. This snow blade would only be used a couple of times a year, so I do not think I need to pay for the Rankin name on that one.

4] Ironcraft Snowpusher with rubber edges and pull back SPUSH72 : 3,000$

5] Worksaver Snow Pusher :2,175$
Quote doesn't seem to include the pull-back.

So, what would the community advise for my specific application ?

 

[groundcover]

Beautiful place you have there ! Have you thought about an inverted snowblower?

 

[RjCorazza]

Snow pushers would be a pain on long stretches. Definitely get an angling blade, front or rear.
Also, give serious consideration to skipping the rubber edge and get a UHMW Polyethylene edge. They last longer and cut better than rubber. I run them on my front ssqa plow and rear blade, and they work very well.

 

[oldnslo]

If you are not concerned about the snow banks along side the driveway an angled blade would be quicker than pusher since the pusher catches the snow like a large scoop.

Down side of angled blade is they push front of tractor sideways especially with wet heavy snow. You may only get powder on east side of the hills.

 

[Cycledude]

Have you considered a new pickup with a nice easy to mount-dismount plow ? Seem like that would be way faster and easier than your other choices.

 

[The Gaul]

If you are not concerned about the snow banks along side the driveway an angled blade would be quicker than pusher since the pusher catches the snow like a large scoop.

Down side of angled blade is they push front of tractor sideways especially with wet heavy snow. You may only get powder on east side of the hills.

Indeed, not really suffering from wet snow around here. Regarding my current approach : as long as I put my ATV in 4WD it won't break out sideways.
My Kioti, with filled tires etc., feels pretty stable when moving dirt and digging in 4WD. Would it be substantially different on snow ?

 

[oldnslo]

A plow mounted on a loader puts the blade way out in front of the tractor so potential for greater side load exists. With dry snow and bare asphalt probably would not be a problem. Black ice under the snow and you know nothing will go where you want it.

You always have the option of running blade at shallower angle if front starts drifting. That is what I do with the “over size 80 inch” plow on my 2400H that is significantly smaller than your tractor. I also rear mount blower for heavier snow falls and making the windrows disappear.

 

[shooterdon]

I have used a Snow Sport, rear blade, SxS, cheap truck plow, a pull blower and today a contractor grade Western MVP V plow.

There is no perfect solution.

For your property, I would get a pull blower and use the ATV plow for tight areas and cleaning up.

BTW, I will likely sell my pull blower because I do not get that much snow anymore. I have used it about 12 times in three years. Plus, I have places to push snow. Note that do not clear snow until I have 6”. We have 4x4 pickups and a level driveway so getting down to gravel is not a necessity. I was a lot more **** when I had a Mercedes.

My buddy has a pusher and he likes it. He has a drop off where he can deposit snow.

People tend to recommend what they use even if it not the best tool for the job. And if it is the best way to deal with snow in their area, it may not be the best for your environment.

I would talk to folks in your area. That could help you.

 

[seville009]

If money is not an issue, get both. There will be occasions where the type of snowfall that you get (light, wet, drifting, etc) will dictate which one would be best to use.

I used to plow with my F350 and a Western MVP, but also have a tracked skid steer with a blower. I would use the plow for basic quick clearing, then use the skid steer once and awhile to push back the plowed banks.

If it was real windy, I’d used the blower to avoid creating banks which would otherwise worsen the drifts.

Just nice to have a choice of which tool is right for the job

 

[Rockbadchild]

Angle blade all the way, in your case you could get away with manual adjustment if you are willing and capable to get on and off your tractor, once you get the hang of it you should only have to adjust it once. I also see the ouch beside #3 yet I see your driveway and your house and that's what I say, if you go for the manual one and slip and fall what will you say ? when you sell that implement you will get most of that money back. A quality item hold value more then a cheaper implement and experience less wear and tear. Do you used your box blade during the winter? I have seen guys utilizing it for dead end spot to pull snow away from entrances. Depending on the amount of snow, and wind in your area I would consider a front end snow blower, having no snow bank and opening your driveway in two pass is a wonderful thing but as your comment '' I would only used it a couple of times'' sound like a snow blower wouldn't be worth the expense.

nice place

 

[oosik]

What do others in your area use. Consider those options.

 

[SARG]

Obviuos solution.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Obviuos solution.
View attachment 846037

Is it that obvious ? ops own a tractor, the expensive tractor plow model is $5,000... a boss V plow is $7,000 at the low end plus installation, we don't know if OP own a truck and a truck capable to accommodate a V plow, plow on truck put lots of stress on the front end adding on the wear and tear plus are annoying to drive around as a daily vehicle (if the case) and the other alternative is removing after each used (also annoying) while his tractor stay sitting doing nothing. Then there is a lot more controls, visibility and traction on a tractor.... I don't see it as obvious option unless I am missing something.

 

[bdhsfz6]

No matter what you "scrape" your driveway with, there will be some marking. If you don't get a lot of snow, perhaps a sweeper would work:

Sweepster Front Mount Hydraulic Sweeper for Skid Steers & Compact Tractor Loaders

We offer the Sweepster, Front mount Hydraulic Drive Sweeper, Universal Skid Steer Quick Attach for Skid Steers & Compact Tractor Loaders with 26' hydraulically driven brush

www.everythingattachments.com

The one above is no longer available but there are many on the market

I see them used around here and they work well for all but the deepest snowfalls.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I would suggest an 8 foot 3 point backblade. At a 35° angle the 8 foot blade will be wider than the width of your tractor.
UHWM cutting edge or a horse stall mat under your cutting edge that the blade basically floats on. Either works very well and will save scaring the pavement.

Nice size Juniper trees in your photo!

 

[gasman1075]

If it is an option for your tractor I have been very happy with my front mounted snowblower I do 4 driveways ( my neighbors ) in 1.5 hours and very little damage and a 32HP tractor.

 

[The Gaul]

Angle blade all the way, in your case you could get away with manual adjustment if you are willing and capable to get on and off your tractor, once you get the hang of it you should only have to adjust it once. I also see the ouch beside #3 yet I see your driveway and your house and that's what I say, if you go for the manual one and slip and fall what will you say ? when you sell that implement you will get most of that money back. A quality item hold value more then a cheaper implement and experience less wear and tear. Do you used your box blade during the winter? I have seen guys utilizing it for dead end spot to pull snow away from entrances. Depending on the amount of snow, and wind in your area I would consider a front end snow blower, having no snow bank and opening your driveway in two pass is a wonderful thing but as your comment '' I would only used it a couple of times'' sound like a snow blower wouldn't be worth the expense.

nice place

Thank you, this confirms what I was already leaning toward.
I've cleared my property with ATV + angled blade for the past 10 years and have gotten to grips with that angled blade. Due to the nature of my driveway and some of the parking spaces, there's just moments where I need to convert it from angled to straight push and vice versa. Another area where I would go for a straight push is where my driveway tapers out and hits the street. That is where the third function and hydraulics would serve me well. On top of that, I'll be inside my heated cab, no need to get out of that environment
I'm going to reach out to one of the dealerships and check how long it would take to get the IronCraft. They're US made and rather sturdy (got their flail mower).

 

[SARG]

Looking at the photos provided ... I would guess the solution will become more obvious after a couple more decades screwing around with the "toys" and getting the windburn..
Age tends to bring wisdom ........ in most cases.

 

[The Gaul]

Looking at the photos provided ... I would guess the solution will become more obviuos after a couple more decades screwing around with the "toys" and getting the windburn..
Age tends to bring wisdom ........ in most cases.

This was my second home until 2 years ago. My winter visits were just limited to 2 weeks around Christmas, which is a different situation from living here all winter

 

[ruffdog]

If I had that property, I would NOT buy either option the OP offered. The snow pusher would fill up and you would have to drive off the pavement to dump. The v-plow is fine except the one the OP listed is not a floating design. The only option is to float the FEL which is not optimal. There are designs that are floating so the weight of the loader arms stay on the front tires, where it should be.