How much HP?

SacandagaBrad · Mar 22, 2003

As I continue my search, I have decided the position control on the 3ph is a must. Now I am trying to decide on the trade-off between HP and weight of the tractor in the 18 to 24 HP range. My biggest draw of HP will be a rear mounted snowblower to clear approx 500 yds of private road. Other uses will include mowing and general maintenance of a flat, very soft and often wet lawn. I know the 18 hp tractors will throw the snow, just not as fast as a 24hp. But will the extra 400 +/- pounds of a 24 hp (same basic footprint and tire size) "sink" me in the yard. I will be using the larger turf tires of approx 13" wide. The blower will be around 52 to 54 inch. Does anyone use a 18 hp machine to throw snow with a similar blower? Too slow? Maybe will wait for the frost to go out of the ground and see if the dealer would bring a 24 hp machine to try on the lawn. I'll tell him to bring a long rope /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Any thoughts?

Thanks - Brad

thcri · Mar 22, 2003

Brad,

Welcome to TBN. Please fill in your profile so we all know where abouts your from. To answer your question, I had a TC21D with R4's and had no trouble with leaving marks on the ground. My 21 wasn't large enough for my terrain. I have some hills to deal with and then I ended up trading my 21 back in right away for a TC29D which is a fairly large tractor. If I mow when it is dry I don't have trouble leaving marks but often last summer it was wet and I did leave marks. My neighbor has about the same size tractor with turfs and his will leave marks on my lawn. He doesn't seem to leave marks on his lawn because his lawn is older and has better root growth. My lawn is less than 2 years old. The 18 horsepower to me for mowing with a 54" mower would be ok but not much larger. As far as the snow blower I am not sure as I have never used a snow blower on mine. Maybe someone else could tell you. Most people here will tell you to go to the largest horsepower you can afford. I agree with it somewhat but you do have to watch your dollars and draw the line somplace. I don't think the 400 lbs would make a difference on your lawn as far as weight.

murph

Knight9 · Mar 22, 2003

Hi Brad,

I have a 24hp Kubota that I use to mow my lawn. I have not had a problem with it causing marks or ruts in the lawn. I have turf tires on it. In the spring in some areas of my yard, I've rutted some things up, but that was in regular dirt etc. Common sense would suggest you might not want to take a CUT on a lawn when it is just after the winter thaw and its still wet. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif But once that spring wet is dried up and the lawn is normal I've had no problems. Even after a rain.

Having said that, I can't see there being too much difference between an 18 and 24 hp machine used as a snowblower. You can probably put a larger blower on the 24 hp by 6 inches or so, other than that....?

Kevin

Rick Jay · Mar 22, 2003

Hi,

I have a Kubota B2910 and I have a 3 pt. Woods SS60 60" snowblower that saw some real use this winter.

First of all, more horsepower doesn't really translate into throwing the snow farther. That's really a function of impeller speed and type of snow. For that, the front mounts usually do better 'cause they usually run off the mid-PTO which spins faster than the 540 rpm rear PTO. I have no issue with mine throwing the snow far enough...it usually reaches 30+ feet as a minimum with any type of snow.

I would also like to add that my tractor never worked harder than when moving heavy snow banks left by the town plows along about 200' of sidewalk that I clear. Depth varied from 2'-3'. Just had to go slow...hydro makes it real convenient to quickly adjust ground speed to snow depth.

If you will be moving alot of snow, I wouldn't scrimp on the horsepower. I would get as much as you can afford in the size tractor that meets the rest of your needs.

I like the rear mount snowblower because I can keep the loader on and I need the loader to do some "close in" work near the house and garage.

If you can spring for it, I'd also recommend a cab if you're going to be out for any length of time.

~Rick

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 22, 2003

I have a BX 2200 with 22 hp, and a 54 inch; 3 pt snowblower, it had no problem handling 24 to 30 inches of snow. Did 10 driveways all at least 75 to 100 yards long, 12 to 18 feet wide, took about 4 hours. Unless you go to a 72 inch snowblower, which will need more then 24 hp, 54 or 60 inch blower is not going to make that much difference in time. A full size compact will give you better ground clearance, although I had no problem getting around with turfs and loaded tires in 4 WD in all that snow. If you have time to kill, 18-24 HPO is not going to make a big difference at the end of the day snowblowing. The heavier tractor may cause you problems with your pawn depending on your soil conditions and age of your lawn.

frank_f15 · Mar 22, 2003

Brad: welcome to the forum. it would be helpful if u filled out your profile with a little more detail. you mentioned clearing snow from your driveway, but how much snow and how often? so many things to consider, but don't beleive that the weight difference will have much effect on your lawn, but think u might like the extra weight for other tasks, i love my 2400, never runs out of power, just runs out of traction, which is all do to size.in the right conditions ANYTHING will mark your lawn.

SacandagaBrad · Mar 23, 2003

We get quite a bit of snow, 20" storms not uncommon. My main concern with HP an snow is not how far it will throw, but how much. Most of the specs I am seeing for snowblowers require at least 15 hp for the 52 to 54 inch models. Most don't specify if that is PTO or engine HP. I just want to make sure I am not creeping along at a crawl to clear the road. There are mornings when I will need to go and not spend all day clearing snow. Someone suggested a cab. Tried that on other machines, the visibility limitations with close quarters, neighbors also working in the area, etc, just wasn't worth it. I usually jump off the tractor onto the snowmobile anyway, the elements don't bother me.

As far as the lawn goes, it stays fairly wet well into June. We are lakeside and close to level with the water, so drainage is minimal. I currently mow with a gravely that weighs about 1200 pounds with the mower and wheel weights. It has always seemed to "float", and obviously has much smaller turf tires than a compact tractor. As with most applications, it is a matter of traction. If you break through the sod, STOP!!!!!!!!! You're done! I suppose you're right, once I start rolling more than a ton over the lawn, 400 lbs one way or the other isn't going to matter much.

I used to operate heavy equipment and recognize the advantages of a heavier machine. The landscaping projects, beach and dock work, boat launching, and road maintenance (including re-grading each spring) all have me leaning toward the heavier machine. After all, how far could you actually sink in the muck? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Can you get snorkles for these things? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanks for letting me think out loud. This is a great site.

Brad

frank_f15 · Mar 23, 2003

Brad , go with the biggest machine that is not TOO big for ur uses, if u are considering 18 to 24 hp , go 24hp.i used to do quite a bit of hunting years ago up in St. regis falls, u anywhere around there? good luck in your quest.

Rick Jay · Mar 23, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Someone suggested a cab. Tried that on other machines, the visibility limitations with close quarters, neighbors also working in the area, etc, just wasn't worth it. I usually jump off the tractor onto the snowmobile anyway, the elements don't bother me. )</font>

Hi Brad,

The elements don't bother me too much either, but there is just something about the snow coming out of the blower into your face that is unnatural . /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Although if you'll be wearing your snowmobiling suit and a full face mask, it might not be so bad.

As far as speed goes, the fastest way to clear snow is with a plow or blade. If you're limiting yourself to using a blower only, then I'd recommend a blower that will just cover the width of your machine, and again, the highest hp you can afford for your necessary size.

Possible setups might be: Rear mount snowblower with a loader mounted blade up front. Or, a front mount blower (more $) with a rear blade. Or, a 3 pt. blower and a 3 pt. blade, and swap them as the depth of the snow dictates.

The loader will work for removing snow, but it is usually a slow alternative.

~Rick

I have some relatives in Dickinson Center, NY, a bit north of St. Regis Falls, I believe, and southwest? of Malone. Is that in your neck of the woods? It's been a bit since I've visited. Hope to get out there this summer.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 23, 2003

I know that this isn't a brand specific forum but I am going to voice my opinion to you. I have owned 4 Kubotas and am getting ready to get my fifth. I have had great luck with them. If I was you I would look at the Kubota B2410. It produces 24 engine horsepower and 18 PTO Horsepower. It weighs roughly 1450 pounds. I think that it would do great for your purposes. I would also consider the B7500 with 21 Horsepower and 17 PTO Horsepower. That would seem better for your yard since it is soft. A friend of mine has just gotten one and he has used the front end loader and he says that it will get a scoop of dirt with out a fuss or spin. That is just my opinion. I don't know much about other brands. Sorry I can't give you much feed back on that. I just know that I have had good luck with Kubota.