Challenging Driveway, going to buy a tractor

[George2615]

Actually points 1 and 2 led me to thinking about apull-type. Now that I have cut grass a couple times this year, I realize that going backwards with a standard rear-mount won't beso bad...I blow the clippings from the driveway by backing down with the riding mower.

Can't help answer about a pull type blower. I don't know anyone who has one. I'm sure a few here do though and may add their 2 cents. For the 6 driveways (mine and some neighbors) I plow the pusher box and bucket work just fine.

 

[HEC]

When I was young the open cab was fine for me also it will sure save you some dollars . I really didn't mind the rear blower either , but now that I am older it is hard to turn like I used to , the old back just won't take it anymore . Get what's right for you and have fun doing it . If you get the front blower the scraper blade on back should really clean things up for you . Just my opinion but I would not even consider a pull type blower at my location as I can get socked in with lots of snow and even my 5700 wouldn't be able to drive through it let alone pull a blower .

 

[bigtiller]

I think I have about the best set-up possible. A front blower for the majority of the snow and at the same time, a rear blade for catching the crumbs and packed snow. It cleans right down to the pavement.

 

[smfcpacfp]

This past year I was out every other day, the worst it's been here in many years. I understand how many people would want a cab, but I prefer to be out in the elements, including the cold and snow.

I don't follow your logic at all. You describe the past year as " the worst", yet you prefer being out in the elements? I would think if it was that bad, you would hate being out in the elements. Anyway it sounds like you have made up your mind. Like others I cannot fathom why you consider a front facing rear blower where you have to drive over and pack down snow that you will then attempt to blow. I don't know of anyone here who has such an arrangement. The cost is low but the time spend doing the job will be longer.

 

[skyhook]

I have a "rear-pull" blower and i love it.
No more sore neck, drive over the snow and it's gone.
I can drive over 2 feet of snow with no problems, I have a 45 horse tractor, mind you,
with filled rears, If I were the OP, a loader in the front (for those nasty drifts)
and a rear-pull blower would be ideal for your situation.
They are "more" expensive than the rear-push type, however.
For me, a cab is also a must.

 

[kco]

I have a "rear-pull" blower and i love it.
No more sore neck, drive over the snow and it's gone.
I can drive over 2 feet of snow with no problems, I have a 45 horse tractor, mind you,
with filled rears, If I were the OP, a loader in the front (for those nasty drifts)
and a rear-pull blower would be ideal for your situation.
They are "more" expensive than the rear-push type, however.
For me, a cab is also a must.

I also have a 74" pull-type and my experience is like yours. It is ideal for my conditions and easy on the back. My DK35 has 28 PTO hp and easily handles dumps of 12" wet cement-like snow. It also handles 2' of snow. I just need to go slower and the HST makes that easy. I have filled tires and front and rear chains.

I clear my 800' drive and about 2,500' more of two neighbours' drives. The pull-type is easy on the back. I would not be able to do it with a rear push-type.

Although a cab would be nice it would not be feasible for my summer chores in the bush(plus I can't afford it) . I also really don't mind being out in the winter as long as it is not in a wet snowfall, and I've always found it harder to work in extreme heat than in cold.

 

[skyhook]

I hear kco, up in BC, you have much better winters,
where I am, along the river, the winds are terrible and snow gust's are just
unbearable for me. -25c with them winds is murder....lol

 

[kco]

I hear kco, up in BC, you have much better winters,
where I am, along the river, the winds are terrible and snow gust's are just
unbearable for me. -25c with them winds is murder....lol

Yes, the winters are quite good in my area, lots of snow but ZERO wind and mild winters with normal January lows around -10C. But I grew up in Manitoba long, long ago and was a power lineman in the mid '60's when January temperatures normaly did not get above -27C (-20F at the time). I, and I think the others, never minded that. You just dressed warm, worked steadily, and you were comfortable. But there was nothing you could do about the summer heat and humidity, and all my negative memories of harsh working conditions relate to the hot/humid summers(and mosquitos). Now, both my vehicles have air conditioning and I really appreciate that.

 

[flyingcow]

40hp tractor, winter cab, pull type blower, load the rears. I've got a regular 3 point blower, ordering a pull type. Pull type with a FEL, only way to go IMO.

I have a cabbed tractor, love it in the winter, but it's in the way in the summer. Easier to work out of an open station.

I won't snowblow with an open station. Done it.....it sucks. You'll need your snowmobile helmet, heated shield preferred. Oh yeah, put on your riding gear too. Gortex only.

 

[NHbotanut]

Here is my solution. I have both an enclosed cab in the winter, and the open station in the summer. It works great! I would be too afraid of going in the woods with a glass cab when I am skidding logs. This solves the problem. It is plenty warm, and never have an issue with fog. Matter of fact, after the 1st year with the cab, I went back and had a window added because it got too hot in there.