How much HP do I need?

[4shorts]

Hi everyone. I'm in need of a few opinions. I've been snow clearing with my 1993 GMC truck doing the same two parking lots now for 13 years. The lots are located right accross the street from me so there's no traveling time.
I also do my own driveway which is about 500 feet long so I've been thinking about retiring the truck and getting a new tractor.

I've been looking at a few differant ones starting with the Kioti DK45Cab series. The others are the Kubota L4240 Grand Cab and the L5740 Grand cab both with the LA854 loader and I can add my old snow plow blade to the unit and have a bucket with the blade.

With the truck I could do all my snow clearing in two hours and the truck didn't work had. When we get snow it's only a few inches at a time but when it piles up I need a tractor/loader to move it.

The question is will a 44 hp tractor be able to handle general snow clearing removable or should I move up to a 57 hp model? The tractor won't be working hard so I don't want to pay for HP's that I don't really need or use. Thanks for your time.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Rimshot lives in Michigan's Upper Pennisula. He gets so much snow in the winter time we have to send a TBN flare up to get his attention. He's moved lots of snow with his CK20. I'd say the DK45 is plenty of tractor to do the snow removal you describe.

If Rimshot see's this, I'm sure he will check in.

Don

 

[LoneCowboy]

We do snow removal with a TC45 (45hp) and a 7' bucket (about 2/3 of a yard)
works fine

But if all I was doing was snow removal and wasn't traveling, I'd get a skidsteer with a snow pusher.

way faster

 

[dnafziger]

I have a 3820 Century, (38 hp) this last winter we had more snow than we have had in years. I did not have any problems, after I filled rear tires. I am just using the FEL but plan on getting a snowblower for this winter.

 

[mikescruggs]

I have a 33 HP Challenger (265B) and mounted a 8 foot fisher plow on the front (with aux. hydraulics for angle). It works so much faster than a 4 wheeler's 60" plow and can push the banks back with ease. I have to have tire chains on for traction (slope to my driveway). If the snow is wet or more than 6" then pushing to the side usually results in the front end sliding (I am exploring tire chains for the front tires). I am sure you would do just fine with a 45 HP and plow.

Mike

 

[RalphVa]

Heck, you can push a 4' snow plow with a 12 hp Gravely. Prorate that to whatever snow plow size you want to use. That same Gravely would only run a 26" snow blower but would throw the snow a good 70' or so.

My JD 4010 with only 18.5 hp pushs or pulls a 5' back blade and/or a 53" FEL for clearing snow. It could easily handle a 6' back blade with the FEL used for getting the stuff out of the way.

Ralph

 

[4shorts]

Great info here guys and thanks for your posts. Well I took the plunge yesterday and purchased a new Kubota L4240 Grand Cab series tractor with HST plus.

It has 42 net HP and 35 hp at the rear PTO. I also got the Kubota L2674 rear snow blower with it that includes all the hydraulics's to move the shute.

The 3rd function valve will be installed by the dealer and I'll adapt my Artic 7.5 power angle snow blade to adapt to the quick change LA854 loader attachment and it will allow me to angle the blade plus still have the use of the bucket when I need it. If this doesn't move the snow for me I got a big problem

 

[AndyMA]

We do snow removal with a TC45 (45hp) and a 7' bucket (about 2/3 of a yard)
works fine

But if all I was doing was snow removal and wasn't traveling, I'd get a skidsteer with a snow pusher.

way faster

Snow Pushers also work fine mounted on a Skid Steer type Quick Attach on a larger size compact. I suspect a 45 hp would work fine.

Andy

 

[jk96]

Andy - can you or someone else fill me in on what the benefits/drawbacks are to a snow pusher compared to a straight blade? I'm currently looking for a snow blade for my Case DX45 tractor. It has the quick attach and 3rd option kit installed on the loader for hydraulics. Thanks.

 

[crashz]

Snow pushers have the side plates that control the amount of spill off during each push. It allows you to carry a large amount of snow over a large area.

Its effectiveness is between a straight blade and a huge snow bucket without the drawback of either. As you know a straight blade can only push a small volume of snow without spilling off. A bucket is heavy, wears quickly and has no way of tripping if caught on an edge. A pusher solves these issues.

The benefit of a blade that can angle is that you can windrow the snow to the side. So if you are doing roads, or huge lots, a power angle blade would be the choice.

What type of snow plowing do you plan on doing (driveways, roads, parking lots, etc)?

 

[jk96]

I'll be clearing my 300' drive and 400' x 250' parking lot along with my fathers rental storage unit business. All are gravel. The rental units created somewhat of a challenge last with my DX33 tractor. Because the units are 200' long, I didn't have enough tractor to push the snow out between them. I ended up angling my rear blade and windrowing everything to the center between each row of buildings. This left a clear lane on each side but did create a pretty good size drift in the center. My drive and parking lot was not as bad using the rear blade in reverse as well as my loader bucket. I'm looking forward to working with a larger 45 tractor this winter. I'm located in NW Missouri so our snowfall average around 4" with an occasional 8-10" snow but not often.

Another quick question - with the sides on the pushers, does this prevent them from tripping?

jk

 

[LoneCowboy]

You're not going to like a snow blade on a tractor on gravel.
You'll see.

if you have short runs and you need to stack the snow, a snow pusher rules.
If you are doing large lots or roads (where you winrow), a blade rules.

a blade with wings is a nice comprimise and a lot more efficient than a naked blade.

 

[schmism]

I run my 6' rear blade on my TC33 and could plow 12" drifts fine.

 

[Woodworkerman]

Great info here guys and thanks for your posts. Well I took the plunge yesterday and purchased a new Kubota L4240 Grand Cab series tractor with HST plus.

Congrats on the new machine!! I recently bought the DK45S with a rear mount snowblower. I am sure we will both be pleased come winter time! I'm looking forward to your "Look what I bought" post; with pics of course. Again, all the best with your new tractor.

 

[jsboening]

How much power do you need? Well as far as I can figure, it's always going to be about 5hp more than you currently have.