Snow Deciding between UTV or Compact tractor

[gaheadrick]

Being a complete novice in the area of UTVs and compact tractors I've read a lot of literature and many forums to better understand the issues and I'm still undecided as to which I should choose for primarally snow removal. Secondarily, I would use the machine as a shuttle to the highway for mail, garbage, and haul gravel, stone etc. I live in E. WA State, have approximately 150 feet of 22 degree sloped asphalt drive and another 400 feet of gravel service drive up to the highway to keep clear. There is some room but not a lot of room to push snow out of the way due to the terrain on either side. We usually have just a few inches of snow with each storm but friends remind me that we can, and do, get 2-3 feet at times. As in most areas, snow quantity is variable but I need to be prepared for the worst conditions too. I'm trying to decide between a JD 2520/2720 with a blower on the rear and FEL or a Gator with hydraulically operated plow on the front. It would be great to own both machines but its not financially feasable. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Don87]

Being a complete novice in the area of UTVs and compact tractors I've read a lot of literature and many forums to better understand the issues and I'm still undecided as to which I should choose for primarally snow removal. Secondarily, I would use the machine as a shuttle to the highway for mail, garbage, and haul gravel, stone etc. I live in E. WA State, have approximately 150 feet of 22 degree sloped asphalt drive and another 400 feet of gravel service drive up to the highway to keep clear. There is some room but not a lot of room to push snow out of the way due to the terrain on either side. We usually have just a few inches of snow with each storm but friends remind me that we can, and do, get 2-3 feet at times. As in most areas, snow quantity is variable but I need to be prepared for the worst conditions too[/B]. I'm trying to decide between a JD 2520/2720 with a blower on the rear and FEL or a Gator with hydraulically operated plow on the front. It would be great to own both machines but its not financially feasable. Any suggestions appreciated.

Tractor

 

[madmax12]

I second the tractor vote. What an amazing tool!

 

[Cpjlube]

Count three votes for tractor. Remember three feet of wet heavy snow will overwhelm most small snowplows. But a front end loader can dig through if needs be. Plus with the loader you can stack the snow vertically which might help with limited space to plow snow. I also think you may find a few more uses for the tractor that you haven't considered yet. I seem to find a few more everytime I use mine. And I grew up with one.

Chuck

 

[SSdoxie]

A tractor won't fetch the mail quite as fast as UTV, but will surpase the UTV in all the other applications mentioned. I bought both at same time and tractor has 120 hrs. on it while UTV has 18 hrs.

 

[madmax12]

A tractor won't fetch the mail quite as fast as UTV, but will surpase the UTV in all the other applications mentioned. I bought both at same time and tractor has 120 hrs. on it while UTV has 18 hrs.

Now that's a vote that counts!

 

[ljohnson778]

A tractor won't fetch the mail quite as fast as UTV, but will surpase the UTV in all the other applications mentioned. I bought both at same time and tractor has 120 hrs. on it while UTV has 18 hrs.

X2... Not exactly a utv, but since I've had tractors, my 4 wheeler sits mostly idle.

 

[kneedeep]

If you need to mow, work the dirt:shovel:, haul:dumptruck:, push, pull:steeringwheel:, etc - Tractor with FEL :thumbsup:

If you need to play :fishing:- UTV :thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

I have both and can tell you that IMO the UTV is great for lots of stuff around the house but it's not ideal for what you want to use if for. The garbage can just as easily go into the front bucket as it can in the back of a UTV. The UTV will be a little more fun driving to get the mail but both can do it. That's about it for the UTV. While it may move gravel you still need to load it into the bed, the loader does all the work. When spreading gravel on your road the bed on the UTV will just dump it (with a power lift you could gate spread it but I think it would be difficult). The loader will allow you to put the right amount of gravel down and then if you have no other attachments you can use the bucket to back drag and smooth the gravel. With a UTV all you can do is plow. The CUT can plow (with a blade), scoop with the fel, and blow snow. Understand that unusually wet snow doesn't blow well and when plowing it takes lots of weight to push and quickly piles up.

If part of your plans were to use the UTV for play, hunting, or some other purpose then I would say it's a harder decision but for what you've said I have to agree, a tractor would be a better fit.

 

[nybirdman]

The both have their uses:I have one of each and couldn't choose between them.I use the UTV(Yamaha Rhino) almost every day;recreation and my business.I use the tractor to put in ten acres of food plots and garden,plow snow in the winter and move anything heavy.
Your uses;another tractor vote.You will be amazed how usefull it is.

 

[gaheadrick]

Your responses have been great and most helpful. I think that the work side of this equation will likely win out in favor of the tractor; thanks for making my decision so much easier.

Symbion

 

[MarkV]

Welcome to the forum. I have to agree with the others and think you will get more bang for your buck with the tractor. Being a self confessed novice spend some time thinking through your tractor needs before deciding on maker, model or size. Lots of options in the tractor market these days.

MarkV

 

[gaheadrick]

Appreciate that; good advice MarkV. After, reading through so many great comments, I have to believe that a compact tractor will end up providing the best option. Now, will take your advice and research the many types and options. Thanks.

Symbion

 

[Bob77064]

Tractor, because it can do so much more.

 

[yanmars]

I have an ATV, UTV and tractors. I use my tractors the most with a front end loader. IF I only had a UTV I would want a diesel with a dump bed.

 

[B Hoofed]

Just got a tractor a few weeks ago. Before the tractor I did everything (mowing, plowing snow, driveway grading, brush clearing) with a utv or atv. A front mount snowplow on a utv is pretty efficient at plowing a driveway as long as the snow is not extremely deep. If it gets too heavy the front end of the utv will get pushed off track, especially if the snow piles up into a bank. I also have done a lot of snow plowing in reverse with a rear mount 3 point blade (kolpin dirtworks) on a utv. The back end gets pushed around a lot if the snow is deep, and it has a real problem with bottoming out. Tire chains help a lot. I used the 3 point scraper blade and landscape rake on the back of my utv to maintain my steep gravel driveway for several years. It was pretty effective, but took a long time if a lot of cutting was required. The utv 3 point implements are very light weight. You just have to be patient and careful not to be too agressive. I found traction to be the biggest limitation with the utv. The wheels just spin and dig in when trying to scrape aggressively going uphill.

In summary you can do much of the same work with a utv as you can with a tractor, but it takes a lot longer. When I first got the tractor I did in 20 minutes driveway grading that would have taken me 3 hours with the utv. However, I would hate to be without the utv because we use it a lot just for running around the farm, hauling hay bales, and dumping the poo cart. If we had to start over again it would be a tough decision which to get first.

 

[Mark Page]

No question, the tractor is the only way to go it's just too versatile, especially dealing with deep snow. Buy the UTV next year.

 

[dkjbama]

Tractor and a used golf cart to get the mail.

 

[IndyIan]

Tractor and a used golf cart to get the mail.

+1
I have a 1/4 mile driveway and I never fire up the tractor to go get the mail or check the game camera. I use the atv for that as the tractor is painfully slow especially on a trail. I used to plow the driveway with the atv too and it could move quite a bit of snow pushing downhill, but the tractor is definitely better for that.
Get both or if the budget is limited, the tractor and a used small bore utility ATV, they are very cheap.

 

[bp fick]

+2 Tractor. No doubt.

Then, go to HD or a dozen other places and scratch the UTV itch with an inexpensive, but American made Sportsworks type UTV. They start at around $4K but nice, simple, reliable machines. A reconditioned golf cart is also a good recommendation. One can never have enough little things to drive around and enjoy!

But do get the tractor. Even if you downsized a model on the tractor, it'd still be an amazing workhorse, leaving the extra cash for a run-about vehicle.