Let it snow

ronjhall · Nov 23, 2000

Finally took a picture of my 2910. Just finished installing a Curtis 6 ½' snow blade. But need enough snow to use it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

ronh

JimBinMI · Nov 23, 2000

Ron,

That's a nice looking blade. I use a back blade and it works well for me, but I'm sure not as well as a front blade. You're on the wrong side of the state for snow this week! I've got over 6" here in the Battle Creek area and a co-worker of mine that lives west of US-131 told me yesterday that he has gotten about 24" so far! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

JimBinMI

Thomas · Nov 23, 2000

ronjhall,
Won't take long to clean your driveway with that great looking setup.

Now don't play in the street during a snow storm just to have fun, /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

I'm sure your neighbors will be drooling as they watch you,and just might ask you to plow them out. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

May you and your family have a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving holiday.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

s1120 · Nov 23, 2000

Looks nice. Looks like it may be a bit overkill for that sidewalk though. LOL!

Paul B

Edited by s1120 on 11/23/00 07:52 AM.

Kubota-monkey · Nov 26, 2000

Ron looks like a great setup... May I ask how you went about attaching it?

The Ben from MA /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

ronjhall · Nov 27, 2000

Ben thanks for the good words. I installed the blade using the kit that Curtis supplies. Check out the picture attached. When a blade is ordered from them, the size of the pin in FEL and cylinders is required. I did have to weld the brackets that connect FEL to the blade assembly. The part that took some work was hooking up the valve for changing angle of blade. I purchased the rear hydraulic output port from Kubota to get oil to the valve. I mounted the valve underneath the FEL valve. The Blade weighs 500 lbs. So extra weight is needed at rear of tractor. Not wanting to load tires or add weights. I have ordered a new back blade. The Land Pride RB1572 that I bought with tractor weighs 260lbs. The heavy duty RB3572 weighs 460 lbs and gives me more options when using it. My dealer is giving me what I paid for the original one back, to apply toward the new blade. I have purchased tire chains [www.tirechains.com] for the front and rear tires. Tire chain on the right rear hits fender. I'm going to make a spacer to move axle out 1". Should have that done in the next couple of weeks. May not need the rear chains. One of the forum threads had a note about only using the front chains anyways. I haven't decided what type of extra lighting I'm going to add. But I have seen some good ones on this discussion forum. Saw some nice ones at my local marine store, Good price,$30 for 2 and made with stainless steel.
But still no snow for a good tryout. Let you know how well it works when we get some deep snow on this side of Michigan. Everything looks like California mud today.

ronh/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Farmer · Dec 1, 2000

Do you have plenty of power for pusing that blade? When I get my compact tractor I am thinking about getting one.I want to know because I plan on getting a larger tractor than you have.

ronjhall · Dec 2, 2000

My tractor has more than enough power to push snow with the 6 ½' blade. The problem will be having enough traction to push the blade. With 4WD I will be able to raise the blade slightly off ground, which will put a lot of weight on the front axle. With chains on the tires I should have enough traction to push snow even on ice.

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Thomas · Dec 2, 2000

Ronald,
Do you have counter balance on the rear end so the tire chains can get a better bite.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

ronjhall · Dec 2, 2000

The only weight I have is a Land Pride 3572 Rear Blade. It weighs 460 lbs. That's 100 lbs more than my 60" Box Scraper. I have not had to move any snow yet. I did grade some dirt with this setup. Did a great job. Didn't load my tires. Don't want the weight for mowing the lawn in the summer.

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Thomas · Dec 2, 2000

I found out when plowing wet snow on ice be extra carful mostly going down hill with the blade set at 45 degress.

Even in 4wd and chains you could end up scooting around sideways. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Lorenz · Dec 3, 2000

Love that snow blade, I get a lot of snow here in Fernie B.C. CANADA. I wonder if there is one to match the M9000 kubota?

ronjhall · Dec 4, 2000

I'm sure there is. Try this URL.
http:// www.curtisintl.com/index.html . Should have a size for any tractor. They have sizes for Road Graders. May be a little pricey with Canadian Dollar being so low.

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Farmer · Dec 4, 2000

I couldn't get that URL to work. I think that this is the one that you meant to use. http://www.CurtisCabs.com/index.html

ronjhall · Dec 4, 2000

I had a space between the // and www. I must have fat fingered the space key.
Thanks

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scruffy · Dec 5, 2000

Ron, how would you like to plow this driveway when it snows?
How much would you charge for the sled job? (See Attached)

scruffy · Dec 5, 2000

Here's a view from the bottom looking up. I don't know the grade, but I've set and watched a 26 foot ryder truck take 7 shots at it before he finally made the top. It wasn't heavily loaded either. I've run up it in my pickup several times, (I refuse to walk it!) and it is one steep hill, it made my pickup work to get up it!
The hill is so steep that if you start off in drive (w/automatic), you won't make it, must start off in low and floor it! If you walk up, you WILL take at least one rest break!! Guarenteed!
Edited by scruffy on 12/5/00 01:46 AM.

ronjhall · Dec 5, 2000

I'm afraid I can't quote this job turnkey. But I could do a time and material quote.
1 hour = $45.00 Minimum 4 Hours.
Tow truck to get stuck tractor out. = $90.00 per hour. Minimum 4 Hours.
Bulldozer to get tow truck out. = 150.00 per hour. Minimum 8 Hours.
Doctor bills for falling down hill and hurting back. = $??????.00
Hope it doesn’t snow very often.

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Thomas · Dec 5, 2000

Don't think I would attemp that driveway when its icy. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

scruffy · Dec 5, 2000

I hauled some cabinetry down from the manse up on top. Believe me, you don't need to worry about shoving it to the front of the bed!! I wouldn't try that thing anytime there was a combination of dew and freezing temps.
Only a nut would build something like that, but the story is the 'nut' caused grief for neighbors in back, and they refused to let him use their driveway access to the back of his property on top, which is a very gentle slope in comparison. Hence, the 'Hill from Hell'.
That concrete had to be very dry to not attempt to follow gravity when it was poured!
P.S. - Average frequency of snow, about once every ten years. Freezing temps at night for about one month per year. If coincidental with rain, maybe 5 or 6 times in that month.

Edited by scruffy on 12/5/00 11:58 PM.