Mowing Kubota ZD 331 ---- plow blade question

[jack49]

Hello,
I just bought a zero turn mower--my first . My JD 420 'died',,,and , I needed to reduce my mowing time per week so the Kubota ZD 331P. Now, I need to fiqure out want to do for snow blowing. 200 foot ,flat driveway, Minnesota.
My leaning is to go with a large walk behind-- ie: Toro 28" 10 horse. But, I just noticed the zero turn has a blade option. Is this stupid? Do these work on snow? Has plenty of power,,31 hp. Would I have to add chains..?? Just checking. would be one less piece of gear,,,,and, about $1000 less than the Toro.
Your thoughts would be helpful.
Regards,
jack49

PS: while I'm at it,,,what woodchipper is recommended for Kubota L2900GST tractor?? Thanks again.

 

[montelatici]

Hello,
I just bought a zero turn mower--my first . My JD 420 'died',,,and , I needed to reduce my mowing time per week so the Kubota ZD 331P. Now, I need to fiqure out want to do for snow blowing. 200 foot ,flat driveway, Minnesota.
My leaning is to go with a large walk behind-- ie: Toro 28" 10 horse. But, I just noticed the zero turn has a blade option. Is this stupid? Do these work on snow? Has plenty of power,,31 hp. Would I have to add chains..?? Just checking. would be one less piece of gear,,,,and, about $1000 less than the Toro.
Your thoughts would be helpful.
Regards,
jack49

PS: while I'm at it,,,what woodchipper is recommended for Kubota L2900GST tractor?? Thanks again.

Wouldn't the mower be too low to the ground for any kind of medium to deep snow? Just wondering.

 

[Carl_NH]

Jack49,

The ZTR are rear heavy so with chains and a front plow they will push snow. If you have a relatively flat or slightly sloping driveway, the ZTR is just inside the door so you open and clear/push the snow- this probably would work.

If on the other hand you have this in a storage shed/barn and need to traverse rough ground to start your plowing, or have some hills to your place, then I can envision foul language in short order..

Bottom line you steer with the rear wheels and the fronts are along for the ride, so as soon as the rear loses traction you are stuck.

I would get the snowblower and leave the ZTR for the warmer times.

 

[Ken45101]

Bottom line you steer with the rear wheels and the fronts are along for the ride, so as soon as the rear loses traction you are stuck.

Would that also mean that when the blade is angled to push snow aside, it will push the front of the mower sideways?

Also, how high is the blade? Will snow come over the top of it?

I haven't looked at these but it seems like something for light snows only, only an inch or two?

Ken

 

[funwithahoe]

I don't see how you could possibly angle the bade whatsoever and still push snow. You would have one drive wheel with no steerable tires up front to resist the snows force.

 

[Carl_NH]

Ken,

Techncally yes, but the rear wheels have independent drive motors so you steer with these, which is fine when the plow is down but raising the plow will lighten the rear. I presume these blades are 16-18" high.

They typically weigh 1000-1200 pounds plius operator so 1400 lbs on two driven wheels can push some snow and as much fun they are to mow grass, it might be fun in the snow!
Until you get stuck.. better have a tractor to get you out

 

[radioman]

just take a look at the grasshopper mowers. I was set to buy one of those things at my kubota dealer and ended up getting a BX as it was more functional. the grasshopper has blade and v plow options and if you look closely, the snow is not more the 6-10 inches high except at berm edge.

It appears the ZD can handle it as long its nice a fluffy stuff, you have lots of room to put the snow and you dont get the deep stuff like I do.

 

[Ken45101]

It appears the ZD can handle it as long its nice a fluffy stuff, you have lots of room to put the snow and you dont get the deep stuff like I do.

Light and fluffy snow? I think I've seen that a couple of times in 50 years. We get the wet and slushy kind, often preceded by an ice storm.