RidgeHiker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Messages
- 390
- Location
- Upper California Mountains
- Tractor
- Kioti DK5010 with KL5510 Loader & 72" Bucket. Kawasaki Mule Pro MX SE with 66" snow plow.
I have a Kioti DK5010 50 HP which I am very happy with. DPF has not been an issue. Previous tractor was a 30 HP. The upgrade in weight and horsepower has been great. The 30 HP would do the work but was much slower. The disadvantage of the larger tractor is the larger size for maneuvering and the cost. My closest dealer is a few hours away but have never needed to take the tractor in.
Since each snow can be unpredictable in wetness, depth, etc. and how much you will get in a period of time some years you might be happy with a smaller tractor whereas others grateful for a larger one. And then there is the unpredictability of global warming.
A larger, heavier tractor may not necessitate chains, especially if it does not tend to get icy. But rear tractor chains are very heavy, and the larger the tractor the more weight to wrestle.
A few more considerations. Do you have plenty of room to push the snow for plowing? If so would you be better off with a truck plow? Do you need the tractor for other things? If you are considering a rear facing snow blower how does your body do with twisting around backwards? Snow blowers can be great but they require more maintenance the buckets and blades and are more costly. They also can clog, particularly with wet, heavy snow. If you get a snow blower it is a good idea to have extra low gearing on the tractor. Depending on the snow conditions if you can't go slow enough there is more of a tendency to clog. With higher low gearing you get in a crunch between keeping the rpms up for the blower to function efficiently and the speed down to reduce snow intake.
Since each snow can be unpredictable in wetness, depth, etc. and how much you will get in a period of time some years you might be happy with a smaller tractor whereas others grateful for a larger one. And then there is the unpredictability of global warming.
A larger, heavier tractor may not necessitate chains, especially if it does not tend to get icy. But rear tractor chains are very heavy, and the larger the tractor the more weight to wrestle.
A few more considerations. Do you have plenty of room to push the snow for plowing? If so would you be better off with a truck plow? Do you need the tractor for other things? If you are considering a rear facing snow blower how does your body do with twisting around backwards? Snow blowers can be great but they require more maintenance the buckets and blades and are more costly. They also can clog, particularly with wet, heavy snow. If you get a snow blower it is a good idea to have extra low gearing on the tractor. Depending on the snow conditions if you can't go slow enough there is more of a tendency to clog. With higher low gearing you get in a crunch between keeping the rpms up for the blower to function efficiently and the speed down to reduce snow intake.