How much horse power?

[flyingcow]

Go Blue!! Heater, radio and ride.

 

[94BULLITT]

I have beet juice in the rear tires for ballast and I have an 87" 3 point blower that goes around 1200 lbs. I am mostly concerned about being able to steer the blade. The tractor is 4wd and I haven't considered chains for the rear because there is little clearance between the tires and the fenders. I am going to set up the skid steer plate with a short boom that suspends the blade with a chain, like it was on the truck, it will then float.

That is probably the best way to because you don't have the weight of the loader pressing down on the blade. It will help keep it from cutting in on a gravel road. Also with it suspended by a chain it keeps the weight of the loader on the front of the tractor and will make it easier to steer.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I haven't considered chains for the rear because there is little clearance between the tires and the fenders.

Check your owners manual. Many tractors in that size class have multi position rims that let you adjust the tread width which also changes fender clearance.

 

[sqdqo]

I really appreciate all the replies and advice. I am hoping to get it mounted up this coming weekend, will try it out and post a few pictures with comments. My blower is an 87" Meteor, seems pretty heavy duty.

 

[PILOON]

It is all related to snow conditions, size and weight.
I have seen a 6 wheel grader sliding sideways with all wheels slipping when pushing a mere 4 inches of heavy wet snow.
On the other hand when conditions are right that same grader (using a side wing) can push back 4-5 ft snow banks.
Conditions and driver skills do count!
Personally I could not do it as I think I once counted something like 20 control valves (plus throttle, steering) all while avoiding mail boxes, signs, trees garbage cans etc.
LOL, after deep dumpings many lazier folks discover their trash cans neatly balled up and buried, can't blame the plower as he can't guess who and where a trash can might might be hidden.

 

[crazyal]

Could you make a sub frame to mount the plow to? I have an International dump truck with a 10' plow. A few years back I caught the edge of the plow on something frozen to the ground as I was trying to push the banks back a bit. I was doing at least 10 mph trying to get the snow to roll off the blade and carry some speed into the woods. The truck stopped dead and bent one of the angle cylinders (which are large) and the frame on the plow. The trip springs did nothing to prevent the damage. Plowing at speed means you have lots of momentum and something has to give. The loader arms seam like the weak link to me.

 

[High Compression]

Could you make a sub frame to mount the plow to? I have an International dump truck with a 10' plow. A few years back I caught the edge of the plow on something frozen to the ground as I was trying to push the banks back a bit. I was doing at least 10 mph trying to get the snow to roll off the blade and carry some speed into the woods. The truck stopped dead and bent one of the angle cylinders (which are large) and the frame on the plow. The trip springs did nothing to prevent the damage. Plowing at speed means you have lots of momentum and something has to give. The loader arms seam like the weak link to me.

I have used both frame mount and FEL mounted plows. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you will not bent, break, tweak, or harm in any way, your loader arms pushing snow. This is an old wifes tale. You could, maybe.... if you run full steam in to a tree, but that's not pushing snow.

I like being able to stack the snow 10'+ tall vs. 3-4' with my frame mount. Although, over all length is much shorter thus maneuverability is increased greatly as well as visibility without loader arms.

 

[PILOON]

My buddy also uses a TN75 with a frame mounted 8 ft plow set up with 16 in side plates. His rears are studded but not loaded. The blade is fixed to not float and in wet snows it rides up leaving a thick base.
Traction has not been a problem but then he only straight pushes. His application is a large parking area and he needs to push a long way. Fact is he needs more down pressure (or weight)
so as to not build up a base. His rear blower more than compensates for non loaded tires.

My first tractor was a large Deere that had a bent loader arm from striking a sidewalk curb*, so be careful there. *(bought it cheep and fixed it)
As to side slipping with loads, consider chaining the front wheels. On the other hand try to avoid crabbing while pushing as I learned the hard way that rims tend to not like that, while not the same sized tractor I have destroyed two rims as a result of crabbing under loads.

 

[nybirdman]

Check the videos (In Europe) where it is common to see large tractor/plow combinations.Four wheel drive 150+HP with chains all the way around doing mountain roads;quite impressive.

 

[sqdqo]

I have seen the videos and yes they are impressive, especially one called extreme snow plowing. I think its a Fendt tractor, 900 series.