F series F3060 tire chains?

[Rip]

Thanks for that, Dan, I could not find the weight on Messicks site, the US Kubota site will not let anyone access from outside US, and AU Kubota site does not even have parts list available! There is actually a second dealer here in Tas, so with the part number I will give them all a ring and see what I can get.

Will also keep on thinking about a quick-swap bucket. Cheers, Rip

 

[OrangeRidge]

What exorbitant price did that come in at Rip ?

 

[pwhite42]

How does the 3060 handle snow-covered, hilly driveways? My driveway is 800 ft lont and rises 80 feet from bottom to top with 3 hill sections. I get a lot of shade from the hemlocks that line it. I am looking at one with 1700+ hrs on it with a 47" snowblower. Thanks.

 

[corl]

My old F2100 has chains on the front wheels for plowing snow with the 60 inch blade. I have a steep paved drive way and need the chains to climb it. Can only plow going down hill. Don't use or need chains on the back steering wheels. I have no weights on the machine. It will pile snow 4 feet high and takes 6 inch deep snow at a swipe when its not real wet. It is a great snow machine.

 

[arto98607]

My old F2100 has chains on the front wheels for plowing snow with the 60 inch blade. I have a steep paved drive way and need the chains to climb it. Can only plow going down hill. Don't use or need chains on the back steering wheels. I have no weights on the machine. It will pile snow 4 feet high and takes 6 inch deep snow at a swipe when its not real wet. It is a great snow machine.

Sounds like your F2100 is a two wheel drive?

 

[corl]

No its 4 wheel drive. I guess you don't understand when I say we have a steep driveway (26% grade). Steers easily in the snow without chains on the rear steering wheels

 

[arto98607]

........... I guess you don't understand when I say we have a steep driveway (26% grade)...........

Is it long enough for this:

 

[nfisheremti]

i'm thinking of buying an F3060 (1800hr $9500). i operate a small snow removal business on the side. i also do a small amount of landscaping too. though that's mostly dirt, gravel, and stone work, not mowing. i use a b2400HSD now with a 60" farmking blower on the back and the loader up front. i don't know if i should do this, and sell the b2400, just buy the f3060 (would also need to buy a blower, and figure out how to install a back blade for clearing up to garage doors, etc). The current challenges i have with the b series, is top speed (8.7mph), and the awful crick in my neck driving around backwards for several hours starting at 4am. i understand that the f3060, can go a whopping 12.4! which is almost 50% faster. it has 30 hp which also means i should climb hills faster, we have lots and lots of hills (i'm at 7000' on a north facing slope) we get a decent amount of snow over a winter - 300"-500" per season. is it worth it? i gross around $6k a season, i net quite a bit less with the huge maintenance costs on the b2400 (1995 model with 11ty thousand hours, this last season, i spent over $4k in repairs + significant down time).

i run the b2400 with the original filled, combi tires on the back, and i'm on something like my 3rd set of turf tires on the front. i don't use chains, they slow me down way too much, and when i get stuck (which fortunately is rare), i carry a small amount of sand, i have the bucket, and straps and other stuff.

if i use chains on the f, how much does it drop my top speed? i don't charge for getting from point a to b, so speed has a significant impact on my profitability.

could a get a bigger than 52" blower for it? 60" or bigger would be ideal.

has anyone tried to attach anything to the rear of one of these (i'm a halfway decent fabricator, and anything i can't make myself i know people who can)?

what kind of fuel consumption should i expect? i currently burn a little over 1/2 gallon/ hour

what's the reliability like? i expect to put less on this machine than the b, because a, it'll only be used in the winter, b, i should take less time on a morning fun than typical? but i plan on 400-500 per year these days.

is there anything else i should know about these machines?

oh, and it has a cab with heat!!!! that would be soooo nice

 

[Rip]

nfisheremti....While my current status operating an F-2880 in Tasmania is not similar to yourself, I am a refugee from hi-altitude snow country Colorado and BC Canada. I have just fabricated a hitch receiver for the rear of my machine (set up with about 120 lbs additional weight), and while consider it fairly stout, I would probably make it even stouter if intending to use a back-blade for snow removal due to the twisting moment it would have to endure....could be done, however.

Regarding traction, I would suggest Scew-in Tungston Ice Studs.....these are screwed into snowmobile tracks or ATV tires for use in icy conditions.... they are short hex-head self-tapping screws with bit of tungston carbide welded to the head. Sold in bags of 50 to 100, they are easily screwed into tire tread....some will come out over time, but will provide lots of ice traction, but not much extra for snow itself and would not affect your road-speed. They are just as easily removed for the non-ice season. (I used to have some links for them and knew some who used them.)

Fluid-filling the tires will also help (my main tires are filled for steep terrain traction and stability). Be aware these front-mower F-series machines have unique and quick steering characteristics....just like a Fork Lift....have to always be aware of what the rearend is doing....can be like a mad crocodile....all the more-so if you have a back-blade attached!

Also, if looking at alternate snowblowers.....keep in mind the high PTO speed and direction on the F-Series....also may have to fabricate special mounting....not difficult....is like a Cat-1 hitch without the top-link....also limited side-to-side movement. The F-Series usually come with one hyd circuit (for the lift), but can have up to 2 additional valves added. Would seriously consider adding the steering-brake peddles....your B has them, but most F only an option (can add to existing machine).

The F-Series is great for my acres of steep grass paddocks here, but I used both blades and blowers on Chevy pick-up, ToolCat and (open station) PowerTrac for my previous-life snow removal tasks.

Good Luck!!! Cheers from Tasmania -- Rip

 

[nfisheremti]

thanks rip. ice is rarely a problem up here (Park City Utah - yeah, i'm on the back side of the oly park) lots of fluff mostly, especially if i can beat the county plows out with all their salt and sand. i think i can handle the funky handling, since i spend hours everyday in the winter backing up at 8mph with the loader hanging off the front. but it will be a change i'll have to get used to for sure. i'm afraid that i might miss having a loader, so keeping it too is probably the best plan. i've also been toying with building my own 4 wheel steer loader, with a 3pt on the back. i've procured an old 1.5 l vw diesel (54hp), with 4sp manual, and an old toyota xfer case. i want to do something with that... eventually, but meanwhile, breakdowns are killing the side business. thanks for the tips

best,
n