New tractor suggestions for snow removal

[LouNY]

Well heck I'll throw my 2 cents in here.
In Alaska, 300 yard driveway with some slope to it, near the coast so heavy wet snow likely.
Being near the coast is your temperature moderated quite abit?
One issue that I could see (out of several) is that if you go over the 25 hp it will have a dpf
system and def fluid (most likely). If the tractor is not in a heated shed your def will freeze
which will cause issues with the computer, I'm not sure how much.
With a diesel pickup closing of the radiator grill aided immensely in getting the engine to temp
and allowing the regens to happen.
My tractor does not need to regn but I still cover the radiator grill in the winter to help it warm up
and maintain temp.
I am assuming that you will need blended or #1 fuel which will not lubricate your injection pump as well as #2.
If you are going to try and plow snow with speed to "throw" it away from the edge of your driveway,
you will need considerable hp and front end weight to anchor the front from pushing sideways.
If you are going to plow slowly and just have the snow spill off the end of the blade you can get by
with a lot less hp. Then the issue is how far back can you plow away from the edge of the driveway,
are you going to have to bucket a wall of frozen and hard packed snow to keep your driving lane open?
If you get lots of wind I would expect considerable drifting could occur.
A plowed bank becomes a good snow fence to allow drifting snow to fill the void completely.

My recommendation for what it's worth would be the under 25 hp with a front mounted snow blower and a good
back blade including adding at least one remote and as necessary diverts to multiply that remote for angling and offsetting
the back blade.

Or under 25 hp with a loader and a rear mounted blower, the loader could have a small blade or snow pusher if that would work well.

Cold weather limited running (only 300 yards) I would be concerned with a dpf and def.

Also a cab and heater with good lighting.

Quite a bit for just 2 cents

 

[TractorTYMe]

No DEF fluid until you exceed 75Hp thresold. Under 75 has passive regen DPF filters that uses heat from running at >2k rpm.

 

[Thomas]

Also may want to consider rear loaded tires good biting tire chains.

 

[pokey1416]

I’m with Rj. We have the same tractor. Here’s a short video from this last season. I use a 7’ HLA pusher.

 

[alaskatractor2021]

The LX2610 is below the HP threshold for dpf, although I personally would not let dpf be a factor in the decision. I have 600 hours on a larger Kubota L4060 and the regeneration processes have been a non issue.
When I was tractor shopping for a snow plow machine weight and frame size were my driving factors. Weight is King in snow removal, so consider the machine weight and add on weight like loaded rear tires and / or wheel weights.

Thanks!

 

[alaskatractor2021]

Well heck I'll throw my 2 cents in here.
In Alaska, 300 yard driveway with some slope to it, near the coast so heavy wet snow likely.
Being near the coast is your temperature moderated quite abit?
One issue that I could see (out of several) is that if you go over the 25 hp it will have a dpf
system and def fluid (most likely). If the tractor is not in a heated shed your def will freeze
which will cause issues with the computer, I'm not sure how much.
With a diesel pickup closing of the radiator grill aided immensely in getting the engine to temp
and allowing the regens to happen.
My tractor does not need to regn but I still cover the radiator grill in the winter to help it warm up
and maintain temp.
I am assuming that you will need blended or #1 fuel which will not lubricate your injection pump as well as #2.
If you are going to try and plow snow with speed to "throw" it away from the edge of your driveway,
you will need considerable hp and front end weight to anchor the front from pushing sideways.
If you are going to plow slowly and just have the snow spill off the end of the blade you can get by
with a lot less hp. Then the issue is how far back can you plow away from the edge of the driveway,
are you going to have to bucket a wall of frozen and hard packed snow to keep your driving lane open?
If you get lots of wind I would expect considerable drifting could occur.
A plowed bank becomes a good snow fence to allow drifting snow to fill the void completely.

My recommendation for what it's worth would be the under 25 hp with a front mounted snow blower and a good
back blade including adding at least one remote and as necessary diverts to multiply that remote for angling and offsetting
the back blade.

Or under 25 hp with a loader and a rear mounted blower, the loader could have a small blade or snow pusher if that would work well.

Cold weather limited running (only 300 yards) I would be concerned with a dpf and def.

Also a cab and heater with good lighting.

Quite a bit for just 2 cents

I appreciate it. Not to cold here. Teens usually - mid 20’s

 

[Egon]

I would have to disagree about a 25HP tractor not being sufficient.

I have a 25HP tractor and a rear blower (Woods SB54S). The "working height" on the blower is 24 inches I can push through 3ft of packed in, drifted wet snow and 3ft of the crap that the plow pushed into the end of my driveway during big dumps. Going to be honest with you though, I was extremely surprised and pleased with what my tractor/blower can chew through, I thought I was going to need to use my bucket more often to pull down the deep, heavy stuff.

If you will be dealing with ice on any slope the I would recommend chains like these rather than ladders. ATV - Diamond - Page 1 - TireChain.com

The chains shown will end up being about equal to ladder types but will definitely give a good ride. For real traction V lugs or caulks are required but they do give a rough ride.

Alaskan coast wet deep snow just plain requires HP For a blower. It’s a little different than what may be considered the average wet Snow.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a L3700 open station. If I'm cleaning up my driveway after a storm it is fine. I prefer a snow box over a blade. It allows me to move snow where I want it and not just off to one side or another. I also have a plow truck and a skid steer. Both are better and faster snow movers. If you plan to be out in a storm moving or keeping up with snow..a cab is a must. From my experience. a snowblower is not good if the snow has a high water count..Light and fluffy is fine..snowball making snow...no good. Also heavy snow will tend to push the tractor sideways with a plow blade angled and snow piled up on the inside. This is also where a box is better.

 

[alaskatractor2021]

Thanks for all the replies. Looking at a Kioti now. Small one and larger one. CK2610H & a DK4710SEHCB. The big one is probably more than I need but it has a cab and I’m finding that supplies of any tractors are very limited. Anybody have experience with this brand?

 

[TractorTYMe]

Kioti is the rising start in the SCUT and CUT markets. I wouldn't hesitate on either one, whichever fits yer wallet and needs. I have a TYM (Another large Korean manufacturer). And I love mine, 150h with no issues.