Snow Attachments First time buying a tractor: need opinions on what size and snow removal

[ol'oilburner]

I've got a M/F 1529 with the synchro shuttle tranny and I run a 68" Meteor rear mount blower on it with no problems whatsoever. The blower has both hydraulic chute rotator and chute deflector which makes it very convenient to put the snow where you want it without leaving the seat. Unlike some, I prefer the rear blower so that I can still have my loader on the tractor if I need it for some reason, I find the loader nice near the driveway entrance where the highway plows have pushed in that wet salt saturated mush or around the mailbox as well. Good luck with your purchase and I hope my opinion and experience helps you..

 

[TGReaper]

Like O.O posted above I also find that the rear mount is ideal for my requirements.
My BX2200 has no problem power wise with a 60" Buhler/Farm King,and the hydrostatic control design allows sitting sideways for 3 or 4 hours in reasonable comfort.
Having the blower and the FEL on at the same time has many benefits.

TGR

 

[LD1]

I am never one to advise against buying a tractor, because they ARE a lot of fun and very handy.

BUT, IMO, a truck FAR exceeds a tractor for plowing, provided you dont get so much that a blower is required. IF you are just compairing a ~30HP tractor with blades/FEL to a truck, the truck is MUCH quicker and MUCH more comfortable, and MUCH more affordable.

I dont buy into "they dont last as long" or "wont hold up as well" logic. IF you buy an appropriately sized plow for the truck, only doing your driveway, you will have YEARS and YEARS of trouble free service. But as with anything, how the equipment is maintained and how it is operated make all the difference in the world. IF you abuse a truck, sure it wont last long. But if you abuse the tractor and fail to maintain it properly, it wont last long either.

And with the mowing, just like the plowing, the tractor isnt going to be the best or fastest. A ZTR is.

But as you probabally already know, getting a tractor is going to be MUCH more versitile on your property with the ability to do a vareity of things. Just understand that for your primary two tasks (plowing and mowing) it is going to be a compromise and you are going to give up speed for the ability to several tasks all on one machine.

 

[WayneB]

I use a Kubota B-7500 and have both a quick hitch snow plow and blower. Change over is really quick (less than 5 minutes).

I find it much faster to push the snow than it is to blow it. Anything less than 6" I will normally plow down the center and then change over to the blower and blow the snow off to the sides. My driveway is approximately 1000 feet down hill with a two curves. It is narrow so having snow banks can be a problem mid way through the winter. With the snow blower we still have banks but they are 25 feet away.

For a number of years I did this will a rear snow blower which is really slow. Have to do this in low gear and reverse so it takes time. I would be going slow enough that I could actually turn around in the seat and be on my knees steering with one hand so my neck would not get so sore from looking backwards.

As for horse power my tractor is like 20 HP and it has not been a problem at all. I would like to have a larger tractor, but cannot justify the cost and added fuel usage. I am a believer in 4 wheel drive though.

My biggest problem isn't the snow removal, it is staying ahead of the ice build up. Down here we will get sun mid day that melts some snow and then it turns to ice by night fall. I am now thinking of a sander to go on the back end it will work as a weight balance and also for sanding from time to time.

Bottom line is I would certainly recommend a tractor and the color would be orange or green.

wayne

 

[cast_and_blast]

Question #1: The number one reason for wanting to purchase a tractor at this time is for snow removal. We live on a big hill, the driveway is quite steep, it's at least 1/4 mile long and we live in central Maine (which = lots of snow!). I'm under the impression that tractors are less likely to break down than plow trucks and are in general a better investment. We will use the tractor for other things, such as mow the lawn (maybe an acre or two, wide open but hilly), remove brush and small trees, maintain drainage ditches... We've been looking at ~30HP machines, is this enough/too much?

Question #2: After seeing prices of tractors and front attaching snow blowers, we quickly learned that we cannot afford the $nowblower attachment this year and that our remaining options are a snow blade or a rear attaching snowblower. Is pushing snow with a tractor really much easier/better than with a plow truck? Is the front snowblower attachment that much better than a blade? And finally, are the rear attaching snow blowers a total pain? (I imagine they are)

I would appreciate any input! Thanks

I think you're in the ballpark in terms of the size tractor, you might be able to even go smaller (like the 2520 range in JD).

Yes, the front blower is that much better than a blade. Here's why:
1. You're moving the snow once.
2. You are moving the snow far enough away from the driveway that you won't have big banks build up.
3. You can keep the driveway 100% width easily with the blower.
4. Can only "push" so much with the blade, blower can eat through 2'+, no problem.

My advice: bite the bullet and get the front blower. It's the right tool for your job. Thank me later.

Scott

 

[joeyd]

I have a TYM 353 HST with a rear snowblower that I use for my 400' or so gravel driveway and helping with my 1/2 mile or so of private dirt road. It also is on a slope but I don't mind turning sideways on the tractor to do the work. HP is important but think of your other uses, weight may be needed too and that may mean a larger tractor. I would definately recommend 4wd and chains for the ice you will get. Eventually it will rain or melt then freeze over or you will have shady spots and ice. The steepness of your driveway will dictate how agressive you get with the chains. Good luck with your shopping!