Snow Attachments Moving snow...

[ChuckinNH]

My driveway is very short ( 50', or so and 3/4 cars wide) but I have other walks, etc to clear, and a short 50 yd road to my shed. The problem is that I'm on chemotherapy, and will have to deal with snow sometimes when I'm not feeling so strong this winter to wrestle with my walk behind equipment. Though price is certainly a factor, I'm just looking for some general input on my choices. I have a Kubota B2620 that I can put a front, or rear mounted blower on, though it seems like a bit of overkill. I also have a 9 year old Simplicity Legacy garden tractor that I've thought about upgrading to something similar. (tractor is still good, but would like a bit larger deck, and the design has been changed so implements like different decks, and snowblowers are really difficult to find) I could get another Simplicity / JD X7XX series or Cub, or something that is a similar size with mower/ blower, and materials collection. The grass / leaf collection is very important too. I do like having the loader for wet, slushy / icy snow, and tough snow banks. How would you all spend my money?

 

[lawn_king]

Front blower will rock on that tractor! I hope you get well soon, cancer s***s and praying works!

 

[ChuckinNH]

Well, things are what they are, and praying, and friends do help. My gut says you are probably right about the blower.

 

[lungdoc]

If you don't have a cab I'm not sure that an open station tractor with blower will be all that great either if you're recovering from a chemo session. I'd consider spending the money on someone else to do it when you're not up to it (if that's an option of course) or a truck plow if that's another option.

Good luck with whatever you decide and with your treatment.

 

[Deadman]

Don't put the blower on the back, even healthy people HATE looking backwards all the time. I know I can't stand it.
Hope your treatment goes as good as possible,and you are back to yourself real soon.
I would consider to hire to have it done like others suggested. Then after you feel better, you can buy what really fits your permanent needs!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Don't put the blower on the back, even healthy people HATE looking backwards all the time.

I agree with the "No Cab & a Blower" setup....this winter I came down with a severe cold and of course while home sick it snowed wickedly so I HAD to go clean up...it wasnt too bad being in the cab & blowing snow. Neighbor couple houses down has an open station with a blower and depending on the wind, he ends up looking like Frosty the Snowman when he's done...

That being said, I couldnt honestly reccomend a front blower...heres my theory and practice...
I use my FEL mounted blade to perform cleanup around buildings, etc... I can backdrag snow away to the where I can get at it with the blower. Literally I only need to shovel my front steps.
I've grown up doing it that way, and it just plain old works nicely & quickly. when you have a cab, you do anything & everything so you can stay in it the most amount of time.

I cant for the life of me figure out why people "bad talk" rear blowers so much...you dont hear many people complaining about staring at their box blade all day long.....

 

[Ductape]

I'm a big proponent of front blowers too. Yes, they can give you a face full without a cab. One thing you have in your favor is that you may be able use time to your advantage. Wait till the snowfall completely stops to do the driveway, or wait till the wind dies down some. I definitely think you'd be very impressed moving snow with a front blower on your tractor. Stay well Chuck !

 

[Dmace]

Don't put the blower on the back, even healthy people HATE looking backwards all the time. I know I can't stand it.

4 years so far of New England winters and I don't mind it at all, the heated cab helps of course. With my wide suspension seat and HST rocker-style pedal, I can sit sideways on the seat so at most I am only looking to the side and not backwards at all. Plus I still have my FEL for scraping down to the dirt on the hilly part of my driveway and it was $1500 vs $3000+.

 

[Diamondpilot]

For no more drive than you have why not just a rear grader blade? That along with your FEL you can move a lot of snow. Its what I have used for 5 years in snows up to 2' deep and my drive is 4 cars wide and 280' long. I can clear it in 30 minutes when its really deep and 10 minutes on average. I now have a Meyers Snow Plow adapted to my FEL that will get its first work out this winter.

Chris

 

[mred]

I have to agree with lungdoc let someone else do it while you concentrate on getting well, if possible.

 

[Builder]

Why would anyone suggest to the OP spending 5-10 grand on a front mounted tractor snowblower for about 100' of snow removal? .

Why not a big tracked walk behind snowthrower? It would still cost a lot less. With electric start, a plastic shield and rubber tracks, he may not have to do much more than walk and operate some hand controls, but I don't know if that's too much work for his condition.

IMO, he would do even better with a q/a front mount snow blade. Remember, the OP isn't at full strength and hooking up a snowblower is a lot more muscle work than a front blade.

 

[ChuckinNH]

We all like to be as independent as we can, especially guys raised on farms like I was, but reality is sometimes different. Part of the reason I posted here is to do a bit of a reality check myself. There have been some days, and there will be more when any kind of major snow removal ( we get 3' storms sometimes) will look a lot like work. Fortunately, I do have a good neighbor that enjoys helping, and we have shared equipment sometimes. In fact he will be using my chipper set up this weekend. I have a walk behind Simplicity blower that I've used right along, and kind of have a love / hate relationship with the thing. I sure have enjoyed the loader for some of the wet, sloppy snow we get sometimes! I did look around a bit yesterday, and a complete front blower set up for my tractor was $4100, or so, a rear mounted one was closer to $2500 as was the front mounted set up for my big Simplicity garden tractor....... if I can find one. (I have the pre XL version, and the PTO is in a different place than the new ones, etc.)

I also priced a rear blade, and a larger loader bucket for snow, and light things, and as Builder suggested, they are a lot cheaper. I do have limited space to put the snow, and that is a factor too. Usually, even with the snowblower I have to knock down the banks by the road with my loader so I can see to get out of my drive. I can dump some of it across my narrow country road here, but not all of it, all winter.

 

[BlacknTan]

I guess I'd have to side with the folks that say let someone else do it for this year...

Next year, when you're feeling better, you can decide on a front or rear mount blower.. And you WILL feel better!

Stay positive, and we'll be praying for your speedy recovery...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

We all like to be as independent as we can, especially guys raised on farms like I was, but reality is sometimes different.

I know exactly what you mean....you describe me in detail with that statement...
What I'd do is get a rear blower...not "super expensive" and easy to use...another advantage of a rear blower is they sell easily because they arent "tied" to your particular machine if you decide down the road it isnt for you...
Snowblow your driveway yourself when you feel up to it, and call the neighbor to come use your tractor when your not. IMO probably much easier and I'd personally feel less bad having someone come use a nice tractor w/blower like you got...over a push type...

 

[lawn_king]

$4100. is not a bad price. I paid $ 3500. for a 50" B series front blower, that was 8 years ago.

 

[Jay4200]

I also priced a rear blade, and a larger loader bucket for snow, and light things, and as Builder suggested, they are a lot cheaper. I do have limited space to put the snow, and that is a factor too. Usually, even with the snowblower I have to knock down the banks by the road with my loader so I can see to get out of my drive. I can dump some of it across my narrow country road here, but not all of it, all winter.

You're nuts. I'm sure you know somebody that you can pay to plow - just do it. Worst case (if we get REALLY pounded), it'll cost you $300-400 for the whole season. Worry about slogging through snow and running big machines when you feel better. IMHO.

JayC

 

[jim_n_nh]

Hi there,

I know all to well how chemo makes you feel. I went through extensive chemo 18 years ago. Being on a tractor would not be how I would want to spend my time. I would highly encourage you to hire someone. If I lived close to you I would plow you out.
As a survivor to a future survivor. If I am not close enough to help you someone else here might be.

You will not be alone.

Jim

 

[Duffster]

Snowblow your driveway yourself when you feel up to it, and call the neighbor to come use your tractor when your not.

I like that idea.

 

[Thomas]

I agree w/front blower..easier on mid section...also waiting for clean up after storm...plus good set of tire chains.

Take it slow and easy..speedy recovery wishes to you Chuck.

 

[studor]

I'm in the get someone else to do it this winter category -- I think you want to reduce the number of things in the have to do column and increase the number of things in the do when you want to column -- snow removal is one of the first htings I would give up -- someone else can clear out your lane overnight