JD2305 for snow removal?

SterlingCT · May 18, 2006

Hey Guys! New member here, but I have been lurking for some time. Very impressed with the knowledge and "willingness to share" displayed on this board. Here is my question/situation. I live in the NorthEast, have about 200 yards of paved drive to snowplow. I have been using a jeep, but am seriously considering going to a subCUT (2305). We get a lot of snow up here some years. Can the 2305 handle it? Should I get the front blade or the snowthrower? Anyone using there 2305 for this? How well does the snowthrower work compared to the blade. Maybe I'll get both! ps. My wife is already on board with this, I'm the one with cold feet! Your answers will probably push me one way or the other. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

SterlingCT · May 18, 2006

Hey Guys! New member here, but I have been lurking for some time. Very impressed with the knowledge and "willingness to share" displayed on this board. Here is my question/situation. I live in the NorthEast, have about 200 yards of paved drive to snowplow. I have been using a jeep, but am seriously considering going to a subCUT (2305). We get a lot of snow up here some years. Can the 2305 handle it? Should I get the front blade or the snowthrower? Anyone using there 2305 for this? How well does the snowthrower work compared to the blade. Maybe I'll get both! ps. My wife is already on board with this, I'm the one with cold feet! Your answers will probably push me one way or the other. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

RalphVa · May 18, 2006

You'll find lots of threads on this. I don't see why a 2305 will be any different for snow removal than a 2210 or 4110 or 4010 or a Gravely, for that matter. If your plow works great with your Jeep, one on your 2305 will work well, too. The plow on my Gravely worked great. Only got enough fall once to use the snow blower on it. Need a blower if the stuff gets more than about 6 to 8 inches on a regular basis. Otherwise, you'll run out of room to push snow with a blade.

If you don't have that much snow and have trouble finding where to push the snow with a blade, the FEL works great to getting it out of the way. If you don't have more than 3 or 4 inches of snow at a time, the FEL works fine as a snow blade for the driveway, much more snow or with a long driveway, you'll get tired of stopping, turning aside and dumping.

I now use a back blade combined with my FEL on the 4010. A back blade may not be quite adequate in the NE.

Ralph

RalphVa · May 18, 2006

You'll find lots of threads on this. I don't see why a 2305 will be any different for snow removal than a 2210 or 4110 or 4010 or a Gravely, for that matter. If your plow works great with your Jeep, one on your 2305 will work well, too. The plow on my Gravely worked great. Only got enough fall once to use the snow blower on it. Need a blower if the stuff gets more than about 6 to 8 inches on a regular basis. Otherwise, you'll run out of room to push snow with a blade.

If you don't have that much snow and have trouble finding where to push the snow with a blade, the FEL works great to getting it out of the way. If you don't have more than 3 or 4 inches of snow at a time, the FEL works fine as a snow blade for the driveway, much more snow or with a long driveway, you'll get tired of stopping, turning aside and dumping.

I now use a back blade combined with my FEL on the 4010. A back blade may not be quite adequate in the NE.

Ralph

johndeere_2210 · May 18, 2006

I assume you are in CT given the alias, and I'm sure when JDFANATIC see this post he will make some comments, but I know through all my interactions with him, he is more than pleased with the 2210/snowthrower combination. Now, personally I like a blade, but the assumption is "you have a place to push it" on routine basis. I think you are much better of in CT with a blower.

In fact, I think JDFANATIC has a lead on a snowthrower for that machine from another guy who just left CT??? He would have to fill you in on those details, but the price is much better than new. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johndeere_2210 · May 18, 2006

I assume you are in CT given the alias, and I'm sure when JDFANATIC see this post he will make some comments, but I know through all my interactions with him, he is more than pleased with the 2210/snowthrower combination. Now, personally I like a blade, but the assumption is "you have a place to push it" on routine basis. I think you are much better of in CT with a blower.

In fact, I think JDFANATIC has a lead on a snowthrower for that machine from another guy who just left CT??? He would have to fill you in on those details, but the price is much better than new. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JDFANATIC · May 18, 2006

SterlingCT,

Welcome to the forum! As johndeere2210 mentioned, I do have a 2210 with the 46" single-stage blower. It works very well and I'm extremely happy with the combination. I use this on 12,500 s.f. of paved drive, of which some areas have a fair amount of slope. I share this drive with a neighbor who has a 318/plow combo, and I think the blower wins hands down. It is also a more expensive option, but in those snowfalls we had last year, the 318 stayed inside and hid its little head, while the blower did all the work. I'm not saying that the plow won't work, but in those kind of snowfalls, you'd really have to be staying up with it. One other thing to remember about a sub-CUT is the implement lift height is not very much (johndeere2210 has done a mod on this), but if you don't have places to pile up the accumilation, then it also makes a good argument for the blower. A firend just moved to TN from CT and had his 47" 2-stage for sale (blower, hitch, implement upstart, driveshaft), but I believe he just parted way with it, otherwise a good deal was available (I can check if you're interested). What dealer are you talking to? I've had great support and service from Farmington Valley Equipment, but if you are more west of that, I've heard good things about Marvin's.

Happy hunting! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JDFANATIC · May 18, 2006

SterlingCT,

Welcome to the forum! As johndeere2210 mentioned, I do have a 2210 with the 46" single-stage blower. It works very well and I'm extremely happy with the combination. I use this on 12,500 s.f. of paved drive, of which some areas have a fair amount of slope. I share this drive with a neighbor who has a 318/plow combo, and I think the blower wins hands down. It is also a more expensive option, but in those snowfalls we had last year, the 318 stayed inside and hid its little head, while the blower did all the work. I'm not saying that the plow won't work, but in those kind of snowfalls, you'd really have to be staying up with it. One other thing to remember about a sub-CUT is the implement lift height is not very much (johndeere2210 has done a mod on this), but if you don't have places to pile up the accumilation, then it also makes a good argument for the blower. A firend just moved to TN from CT and had his 47" 2-stage for sale (blower, hitch, implement upstart, driveshaft), but I believe he just parted way with it, otherwise a good deal was available (I can check if you're interested). What dealer are you talking to? I've had great support and service from Farmington Valley Equipment, but if you are more west of that, I've heard good things about Marvin's.

Happy hunting! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Lobo56 · May 18, 2006

JD

Your right plows work to a point. We had 21" of snow in one drop this past winter and my 2210 with the 47" two stage snow blower worked great. I think it would have been tuff to plow my 9000 plus sq. of driveway. Not that 2210 or 2305 couldn’t plowed it, but it wouldn’t have been as fast and I would have had to deal with were to pile it. The 2305 will do a good job with a blower, thrower or plow. The blower or thrower would be the better way to go. The price jump from the plow to blower is big, if Sterling has the money to spend that would be the way I would go.

2210 --200CX 53" FEL, 62c MMM, 47" Two Stage Snow Blower, 48" Tiller, Speeco PHD, 5' back Blade, I-match Hitch, ballast, and PTO driven model 854 TRAC VAC
JD Deere 140 H-1
JD Deere 140 H-3

Lobo56 · May 18, 2006

JD

Your right plows work to a point. We had 21" of snow in one drop this past winter and my 2210 with the 47" two stage snow blower worked great. I think it would have been tuff to plow my 9000 plus sq. of driveway. Not that 2210 or 2305 couldn’t plowed it, but it wouldn’t have been as fast and I would have had to deal with were to pile it. The 2305 will do a good job with a blower, thrower or plow. The blower or thrower would be the better way to go. The price jump from the plow to blower is big, if Sterling has the money to spend that would be the way I would go.

2210 --200CX 53" FEL, 62c MMM, 47" Two Stage Snow Blower, 48" Tiller, Speeco PHD, 5' back Blade, I-match Hitch, ballast, and PTO driven model 854 TRAC VAC
JD Deere 140 H-1
JD Deere 140 H-3

Brack · May 18, 2006

I use a 2210 with back blade and FEL for snow removal. The blower will indeed clear deeper snow more easily than either blade or FEL. I picked the FEL due to its multiple uses in addition to snow removal. My driveway is about 400' with a large apron. Plus if it takes me more time to clear snow, the more time I can spend on my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Brack · May 18, 2006

I use a 2210 with back blade and FEL for snow removal. The blower will indeed clear deeper snow more easily than either blade or FEL. I picked the FEL due to its multiple uses in addition to snow removal. My driveway is about 400' with a large apron. Plus if it takes me more time to clear snow, the more time I can spend on my tractor /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

SterlingCT · May 18, 2006

Hey Guys, thanks for the quick replys. It sounds like most people are leaning toward the snowblower/thrower. I'm a little confused. Is there a difference between the two or just semantics? My JD brochure list a "single-stage" snow blower "made for light accumulations"? Do they make a 2-stage snowblower? JDFANATIC, thanks for the welcome. How does your single stage handle the heavy stuff? How far will it throw the snow? Do I need a 2-stage for CT? Lobo, how well does your 2-stage? handle the heavy stuff? How much more $ is it over the 1-stage? Brack, I hear you. I also enjoy moving snow around. I plan to use the FEL to remove the snow-banks when we start to get closed in. Thanks again, Sterling

SterlingCT · May 18, 2006

Hey Guys, thanks for the quick replys. It sounds like most people are leaning toward the snowblower/thrower. I'm a little confused. Is there a difference between the two or just semantics? My JD brochure list a "single-stage" snow blower "made for light accumulations"? Do they make a 2-stage snowblower? JDFANATIC, thanks for the welcome. How does your single stage handle the heavy stuff? How far will it throw the snow? Do I need a 2-stage for CT? Lobo, how well does your 2-stage? handle the heavy stuff? How much more $ is it over the 1-stage? Brack, I hear you. I also enjoy moving snow around. I plan to use the FEL to remove the snow-banks when we start to get closed in. Thanks again, Sterling

JDFANATIC · May 18, 2006

sterling,

The only reason I have a single-stage thrower (that venicular is correct, as the single stage does throw the snow) is that my drive originally was gravel and my dealer recommended a single-stage to minimize shear pin problems. Now that my drive is paved, the single-stage does a wonderful job, but if I werre to do it again, I might be thinking of a 2-stage unit. Why, I'm not really sure; it's just that the hormone-driven male inside me wonders what another auger can do! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As for the single-stage only designed for the light stuff, well, you know how our last winter was . . . there was no condition that a single-stage couldn't and wouldn't handle. If you wish, PM me about the differences.

JDFANATIC · May 18, 2006

sterling,

The only reason I have a single-stage thrower (that venicular is correct, as the single stage does throw the snow) is that my drive originally was gravel and my dealer recommended a single-stage to minimize shear pin problems. Now that my drive is paved, the single-stage does a wonderful job, but if I werre to do it again, I might be thinking of a 2-stage unit. Why, I'm not really sure; it's just that the hormone-driven male inside me wonders what another auger can do! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif As for the single-stage only designed for the light stuff, well, you know how our last winter was . . . there was no condition that a single-stage couldn't and wouldn't handle. If you wish, PM me about the differences.

Lobo56 · May 19, 2006

JD has been using a single stage thrower, and it's working for him up in CT. We usually get very wet heavy snow in NJ, not to much of the fluffy stuff. To blow the heavier snow I went with the 2 stage blower, I cleared the 21" of snow on 9000 sqf. driveway in around 30- 40 minutes wasn’t really watching the time but it was fast. When I was pricing both it was around $325 - 400 more, $2650 Thrower & $2975 for the blower. If you have the front quick hitch, up stop and hydraulics, you will cut around a $1000 off the price.

Lobo56 · May 19, 2006

JD has been using a single stage thrower, and it's working for him up in CT. We usually get very wet heavy snow in NJ, not to much of the fluffy stuff. To blow the heavier snow I went with the 2 stage blower, I cleared the 21" of snow on 9000 sqf. driveway in around 30- 40 minutes wasn’t really watching the time but it was fast. When I was pricing both it was around $325 - 400 more, $2650 Thrower & $2975 for the blower. If you have the front quick hitch, up stop and hydraulics, you will cut around a $1000 off the price.

ILoveMapleSyrup · May 19, 2006

I live on top of a ridge in the Lake Erie snow belt. We average 125 inches of snow per year. Granted most of this is the fluffy kind. Prior to the 2305 that now resides happily in my garage, I plowed with a Cub Cadet 1440 with 42 inch blade. The deep drops were a challenge but I found I could move the snow twice as fast as the neighbors blower. I also made a point to get out and clear the big storms before it got a foot deep. After that it becomes a real challenge.
In the beginning of the winter I always pushed the snow as far out as possible and by late February we have the tunnel effect. At times you have to ram the piles back. I got the blade with the 2305 and am thinking with its speed in high range, I'll be able to roll the snow pretty far. My only question will be whether I need chains or not with the turf tires.
I guess the point is plowing is faster, blowing will handle the big storms easier.

ILoveMapleSyrup · May 19, 2006

I live on top of a ridge in the Lake Erie snow belt. We average 125 inches of snow per year. Granted most of this is the fluffy kind. Prior to the 2305 that now resides happily in my garage, I plowed with a Cub Cadet 1440 with 42 inch blade. The deep drops were a challenge but I found I could move the snow twice as fast as the neighbors blower. I also made a point to get out and clear the big storms before it got a foot deep. After that it becomes a real challenge.
In the beginning of the winter I always pushed the snow as far out as possible and by late February we have the tunnel effect. At times you have to ram the piles back. I got the blade with the 2305 and am thinking with its speed in high range, I'll be able to roll the snow pretty far. My only question will be whether I need chains or not with the turf tires.
I guess the point is plowing is faster, blowing will handle the big storms easier.