Kioti 50C Guy again....

[Sierraau]

So I will probably stick with what I have for snow removal.... talked to a neighbor who was talking about the neighborhood chipping in on a large loader for snow removal... the problem solved for pushing snow banks. So, on my tractor I bought it from a neighbor who used the winter blade as a bulldozer blade and thus slightly bent the drivers side of the blade. So - you guys seem to really know your stuff- is there any rules of thumb for blade sizes and engineering for use on my 50C? How wide, any special construction I should be looking for? Recommendations? I have the ability for tip and tilt and angle. I'm not sure of the brand I have, but it looks less expensive and fairly light duty for a 50hp machine .... and of course it is bent. I am using it on a gravel (grindings) road and asphalt on my driveway.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Does it just pin or quick attach to your existing front end loader and replace the bucket? If so I would pass on that. Your loader arms won't take that kind of stress for long.

Or does it replace your front end loader entirely and have it's own separate heavy duty frame?

 

[Sierraau]

My front plow is a WR Long plow, and it attaches as a quick skid steer mount. Bucket off, plow on.

 

[leonz]

If I had seen this picture before I would have still told you to sell the other
snow blower and purchase a Pronovost TRC720 which is the correct width
for your mule.

That plow will bend and twist your loader so keep that in mind.

What type of snow chains do you have??

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

My front plow is a WR Long plow, and it attaches as a quick skid steer mount. Bucket off, plow on.

Looks like the dogs are having fun.

 

[leonz]

Front end loaders are not the problem solved solution for pushing snow banks and
don't let anyone tell you they are as the snow will continue to build up and
simply drop and fill it in.

So you live on the Prosser or Olympic Heights side of Tahoe?

Just so you understand "if you all" invest in a used front end loader they will
get stuck even with chains as they can get hung up and it will require a
10 wheel drive wrecker to get it out and it will cost several hundred dollars.

Buying a front blade and mounting frame for a light tractor if you can buy one new
and for your machine is a waste of money and can and will damage the engine cradle
and also reduces the amount of ground clearance under the machine.

It would have been better if you had said; I don't know what to do and I need help
buying the right machinery for this work.

SO now you have a snow blower that is too wide for your machine and it stresses the
machine more.

The gear drive of the tractor will handle the stress of snow removal as long as you keep it
in first gear reverse low while clearing but the clutch will need to be checked every year
and if it is worn the entire clutch should be replaced all the way back to the pedal as it is as
old as it is.

This job will take time to do, and the tractor has to be split to do it AND it requires a fully
equipped repair shop to do it.

It's not something you want to hear but if the previous owner did not keep repair records
for it you are in the dark especially if the machine was abused.

 

[Sierraau]

Front end loaders are not the problem solved solution for pushing snow banks and
don't let anyone tell you they are as the snow will continue to build up and
simply drop and fill it in.

So you live on the Prosser or Olympic Heights side of Tahoe?

Just so you understand "if you all" invest in a used front end loader they will
get stuck even with chains as they can get hung up and it will require a
10 wheel drive wrecker to get it out and it will cost several hundred dollars.

Buying a front blade and mounting frame for a light tractor if you can buy one new
and for your machine is a waste of money and can and will damage the engine cradle
and also reduces the amount of ground clearance under the machine.

It would have been better if you had said; I don't know what to do and I need help
buying the right machinery for this work.

SO now you have a snow blower that is too wide for your machine and it stresses the
machine more.

The gear drive of the tractor will handle the stress of snow removal as long as you keep it
in first gear reverse low while clearing but the clutch will need to be checked every year
and if it is worn the entire clutch should be replaced all the way back to the pedal as it is as
old as it is.

This job will take time to do, and the tractor has to be split to do it AND it requires a fully
equipped repair shop to do it.

It's not something you want to hear but if the previous owner did not keep repair records
for it you are in the dark especially if the machine was abused.

I uploaded the photo to on my page so you can see what I am working with. You are right on my location.... good guess. So the blade I have is a WR Long, and you can see on the left front the blade is bent back. I actually know the history of it. My wife's girlfriend's boyfriend had it since new on his gentleman ranch in Northern Nevada. He kept it in immaculate condition, you could eat off the engine. It was stored in the barn until needed use and when he sold it to my neighbor it had 300 hours on it. My neighbor is a corporate guy from Chicago who wasn't quite as meticulous with it. He had to clear a road through the brush and used the snow blade and tractor as a bulldozer. I bought it from the neighbor maybe 6 years ago with 1000 hours on it and now it has 1400 hours on it. I had a mechanic tell me to NEVER sell it It's very heavy duty for its size and age, but what do I know about tractors (nothing). I'm pretty sure the neighbor and his wife rode the clutch as it needs to be replaced (and I know what a PIA it is, but I will have it done this spring), but other than that (and a bent front plow) it runs like a champ. Three of 4 neighbors share snow removal; one neighbor has a truck-mounted plow and hits it fast; if it starts building up on the edges my other neighbor comes out with his CAT skid steer blower. I come out to cut the pack in the road with my blade and minor road buffing when the road turns to mashed potatoes. I've had several instances when the CAT was in the shop and I had to do the main road blowing, and it took forever. I'd like to get a heavier-duty plow in the front, especially one that isn't bent. Most of my blower use is on my driveway, blowing it out every foot or so, so I don't think it is stressing the machine too much doing that, so any recommendations on a blade for this?

 

[leonz]

Edited this AM 1/23/23

I would still contact the local Erskine dealer Alpine Smith in South Lake Tahoe to see if
you can mount one of thier small skid steer V plows on your loader safely.

IN SAYING THAT: Mounting an Erskine V plow on the three point hitch using a 3 point quick hitch
would be safer and avoid damaging the loader frame as once it twists the loader frame arms geometry
it cannot not be repaired.

Degelman plows are out of the question as your mule could not handle the plow weight and structural stress
on the engine and what little tractor frame it has and they are not listed as brand the plow could be mounted on.

The Alpine Smith current phone number is 1-530-541-0250

You really need to get the rear tires loaded with liquid ballast and snow chains mounted on the front of your
current mule so you can break up the ice pack on your private road edges.


Leon

 

[Sierraau]

Edited this AM 1/23/23

I would still contact the local Erskine dealer Alpine Smith in South Lake Tahoe to see if
you can mount one of thier small skid steer V plows on your loader safely.

IN SAYING THAT: Mounting an Erskine V plow on the three point hitch using a 3 point quick hitch
would be safer and avoid damaging the loader frame as once it twists the loader frame arms geometry
it cannot not be repaired.

Degelman plows are out of the question as your mule could not handle the plow weight and structural stress
on the engine and what little tractor frame it has and they are not listed as brand the plow could be mounted on.

The Alpine Smith current phone number is 1-530-541-0250

You really need to get the rear tires loaded with liquid ballast and snow chains mounted on the front of your
current mule so you can break up the ice pack on your private road edges.


Leon

 

[Sierraau]

I've got chains on the front. I'll give them a call.