Snow L3800 to plow snow

[grsthegreat]

also depends on how much time you have to move snow, and if you ever plan on adding any other areas that need snow movement in the future. I started out with a 300 foot driveway to plow. then added a barn and road to the barn a few years later. then added a shop and a road to the shop. then added a carriage barn with about 400 feet of road to it. Moving with a front bucket was an 8 hour job. with a rear facing snowblower was a 2 hour job (including moving the snow that shed off the barn roof so the horse pens were clean).

The new tractor has a loader mounted snowblower. should be even faster. Plus i just added 2-1/2 miles of association roads to my list.

I also ordered an 84" front snow blade for the early lighter snows we get.

 

[crazyal]

While I love my snow blower on my tractor and every time I use it I love watching just how far it throws the snow into the woods I have to agree with the others, a snow blower is overkill and if you have houses close by it could be real hard to use. If I had the blower I have now at my last house I would be throwing over the neighbor's driveway.

A simple rear blade would work great for most snowfalls with the fel for the bigger ones and to push the piles back.

 

[jbrody44]

I bought a blower this year, but have about 1/4 mile to clear. Past season I have had great luck for the parking area using my box blade in reverse. It will pile it up 6 or 7 feet if you lift the 3pt while backing into the pile. Its kinda like one of those snow pusher boxes you see in the large parking lots. If you are already planning on getting a box blade (great tool) you might give it a go as I described for snow pushing, it is way quicker than using the loader imo.

 

[grsthegreat]

While I love my snow blower on my tractor and every time I use it I love watching just how far it throws the snow into the woods I have to agree with the others, a snow blower is overkill and if you have houses close by it could be real hard to use. If I had the blower I have now at my last house I would be throwing over the neighbor's driveway.

A simple rear blade would work great for most snowfalls with the fel for the bigger ones and to push the piles back.

hmm, i just figured that he cant be living on that small of a place....otherwise why need a tractor? let me reread the post

 

[redsox1]

I think I did understate my plow needs, my main driveway is on the short side but pretty boxy (maybe 60' by 40') and then there is another lower driveway that is about 15' wide by 200 feet long. I appreciate all the advice given here, will probably try to get by next winter with the FEL and if that takes too long I'll have to rethink the problem. Tractor is mainly to tame 4 acres of scrub woods, but the snow plowing helped sell the tractor idea to the wife. Thanks again guys for taking the time to reply.

 

[Jay4200]

Newbie question, I live in New England and can see quite a bit of snow some winters. Do I need to get a snowblower/ box blade / plow blade or can I get by with just plowing/moving snow with my FEL bucket? My driveway is not that long, maybe about 20 by 40 feet by the house. New to tractors, thanks in advance for any advice.

Personally, I think FELs are horrible for snow removal - UNLESS - you only have a teeny area to clear. And you do. Just use your FEL.

If you find that you hate doing it with the FEL, you may want to think about picking up a used ATV w/ winch and plow. Same kind of $$ as a snow-removal attachment for your tractor. I used an ATV and plow for 10 years on two drives: a 20x100 and 20x60. It works great, except when there is a lot of wet/heavy snow (which is when you break out the tractor n' FEL). I used a lawn tractor with a 3' front blower this year ($400 from C/L). That worked great too.

JayC