Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Need snow removal help

[s219]

If you have the optional larger R4 (industrial) tires on the B3350, that is the same tire size that comes on the L models, to give you an idea of size. The L frame chassis is longer and wider, and much heavier built (as well as weighing more of course). I am not sure it's heavier enough to matter for snow removal, especially since you have not loaded the tires on the B -- that should be the first order of business, as it will have a big effect.

I had a B2920 before getting an L3200, but I never plowed snow with the B. I will say that plowing is pretty easy on the L, and I can plow in 2WD on my flat driveway with no traction issues. But we seldom get more than 10" per storm, and it doesn't add up over time -- usually melts before the next storm.

That's great if your dealer is willing to let you trade up. Maybe some other folks on here can comment with advice. I'd probably stay with the B3350 in your situation.

 

[speedyvelo]

s219. Thank You.

What I noticed with the present tractor (and the present snow conditions)was not as much as lack of traction but a lack of strength on some of the steepest parts of the hill (20%) and I am afraid when the snow is wet (now is very powdery) and a lot I may not have the power to plod it. The dealer suggested the L5460 or the L6060 of course with the chains and weight (either liquid or metal)

 

[s219]

s219. Thank You.

What I noticed with the present tractor (and the present snow conditions)was not as much as lack of traction but a lack of strength on some of the steepest parts of the hill (20%) and I am afraid when the snow is wet (now is very powdery) and a lot I may not have the power to plod it. The dealer suggested the L5460 or the L6060 of course with the chains and weight (either liquid or metal)

Well, stepping up to a Grand L like the 5460 or 6060 is another story -- those would be a significant jump in capability (and size and cost too, so be prepared to handle a bigger tractor and get a bigger chunk taken out of your wallet). Keep in mind however, that some of the added power is going to be offset by the added weight on a hill situation. In fact, my previous lightweight B with 29HP was significantly more of a hot rod on hills than my heavier L with 32HP for this reason. That is probably why the dealer is jumping over the smaller L / Grand L models and pushing you towards the 5460 and 6060. They would have some additional oomph to overcome the added weight. Still, in terms of power to weight, the B3350 is quite a hot rod compared to other Kubotas. Before making any decisions, do calculate power/weight ratio for other tractors you're looking at, as this is probably the best indicator of power on hills.

What gear are you operating in? Are you running the engine at high enough RPM? Are you using the HST correctly? A lot of new users treat the HST treadle it like a throttle pedal, and think that pressing harder makes more power. But it's the opposite -- pressing power means higher gearing, so it's worse. On hills you need to increase the hand throttle and back off the HST treadle to find the right combination. And of course choose the correct gear (medium for sure, and possibly low).

I suspect your problem may be a matter of proper HST operation, as the B3350 should have plenty of power for its weight.

 

[dave1949]

Is having a turbocharger important for power? Black Hawk sits at +8,000 feet.

 

[leonz]

Well, stepping up to a Grand L like the 5460 or 6060 is another story -- those would be a significant jump in capability (and size and cost too, so be prepared to handle a bigger tractor and get a bigger chunk taken out of your wallet). Keep in mind however, that some of the added power is going to be offset by the added weight on a hill situation. In fact, my previous lightweight B with 29HP was significantly more of a hot rod on hills than my heavier L with 32HP for this reason. That is probably why the dealer is jumping over the smaller L / Grand L models and pushing you towards the 5460 and 6060. They would have some additional oomph to overcome the added weight. Still, in terms of power to weight, the B3350 is quite a hot rod compared to other Kubotas. Before making any decisions, do calculate power/weight ratio for other tractors you're looking at, as this is probably the best indicator of power on hills.

What gear are you operating in? Are you running the engine at high enough RPM? Are you using the HST correctly? A lot of new users treat the HST treadle it like a throttle pedal, and think that pressing harder makes more power. But it's the opposite -- pressing power means higher gearing, so it's worse. On hills you need to increase the hand throttle and back off the HST treadle to find the right combination. And of course choose the correct gear (medium for sure, and possibly low).

I suspect your problem may be a matter of proper HST operation, as the B3350 should have plenty of power for its weight.

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Does this unit has cruise control??? That would help him leaving the engine wide open while crawling
but the learning curve is an issue of course.

A Turbo is helpful in all situations, my brothers AGCO ST40 had one for its three banger.
The problem is the air filtration as an oil bath pre-cleaner with a secondary paper element
is preferable for a turbos pressure gradient curve.

 

[speedyvelo]

I had a long talk to the dealer and after considering many factors including extra cost for tractor and implements, have to redo a brand new garage to fit the L6060 tractor etc, I decided to keep the B3350. So here few questions that you raise on these last three messages

Q1. Considering the climb and the added weight of loading the tires should I put liquid ballast or not? I think I am using the HST OK. I have throttle at max and up in lower gear. Thxs for the explanation about HST now it makes sense, until then I was following the instructions of the dealer.

Q2. What do you mean having a turbocharge? Is that an add on or a new engine with turbo charger?

Q3. The unit has cruise control, but the dealer told me not too use it, he said this is for working on the fields nor for this road. So, I have never used it.

Thank you guys

 

[dave1949]

Q2. What do you mean having a turbocharge? Is that an add on or a new engine with turbo charger?

The tractor/engine model is either naturally aspirated (no turbocharger) or has a turbocharger. Which you get depends on the model you choose; it's not considered an add-on or option. The B3350 does not have a turbo, an L6060 does.

Since you are operating at fairly high altitudes, I wondered if turbo or natural models were something to consider. Having lived below 1400', and mostly well below 1000' , all my life I don't have any useful insight about higher altitudes.

 

[DHD]

I had a long talk to the dealer and after considering many factors including extra cost for tractor and implements, have to redo a brand new garage to fit the L6060 tractor etc, I decided to keep the B3350. So here few questions that you raise on these last three messages

Q1. Considering the climb and the added weight of loading the tires should I put liquid ballast or not? I think I am using the HST OK. I have throttle at max and up in lower gear. Thxs for the explanation about HST now it makes sense, until then I was following the instructions of the dealer.

Q2. What do you mean having a turbocharge? Is that an add on or a new engine with turbo charger?

Q3. The unit has cruise control, but the dealer told me not too use it, he said this is for working on the fields nor for this road. So, I have never used it.

Thank you guys

If high altitude were an issue, it seems like your local dealer would have discussed them with you before purchasing your B3350.

Do you and your tractor dealer ever talk about a snow blower unit for your B3350 ?
I believe your B3350 and my B7800 are very close as far as horse power.
I've been using a 64" rear mount blower for the past 9 years on my 30 hp B7800 and it can handle heavy wet snow very well.
I think you'd be pleasantly surprised to see how well your tractor and a snow blower could handle large amounts of snow especially on those steep hills that give you problems plowing.
It would also give you some weight on the rear, that extra ballast you've been seeking to help you when plowing.
The blower is also handy for getting snow banks out of the way when you can't move them with the blade, and the blower can move snow banks much quicker than your bucket.
I've even heard of folks using 72" rear mount blowers on tractors like ours. They just run at a little slower ground speed.
Your snow blade on the front and a snow blower on the back might be just the snow removal combination you need.

 

[doxford jim]

Since you are operating at fairly high altitudes, I wondered if turbo or natural models were something to consider. Having lived below 1400', and mostly well below 1000' , all my life I don't have any useful insight about higher altitudes.

Absolutely - it allows the engine to breath properly. I forget the actual amount, but a naturally asphyxiated engine loses about 5% for each thousand feet in elevation - someone please correct me if I am wrong. Without a turbo, you 100hp engine produces around 50% output at 8 - 9 thousand feet altitude.

So the larger tractor will outperform the smaller tractor by a large amount - like 50%. In terms of horse power output, that is quite a significant amount.

 

[speedyvelo]

We though in a snow blower from the beginning and if I need it, they can deliver it in less than a week. The dealer advised me to try first the front dozer/floating blade (which I also need it for the summer)+ rear blade and the FEL if there is a major snow drift that usually occurs in a very short segment.
We discussed both the front snow blower, and the 3P snow blower. The problem I see with the rear SB is that I have to go backward for 0.75 miles about 3 passes. The seat, rotates and I do not have problems with my neck but I'm not kid anymore;-) and flexibility is one of the first things to go.
The good thing is that in this altitude the snow is not heavy (most of the time).

I'm very aware the benefits of the L6060 but the economics involved in the upgrade of the tractor and implements and having to enlarge a brand new garage are far more than I though initially, so I will try to do the best with what I got and get a snow blower if I need it. At least a have the little experience of plodding the first storm (12 inches) and it was OK with no problems despite of my lack of skills, Then we had small snow fall (4 inches) and my skills were better and the time was less than half of the first time.

I have to thank you all of you for all the help in this thread, I have a copy of every tip and all were key.