Snow Equipment Buying/Pricing No snow experience

[Inland NW]

I live in Spokane Wa. I have 1000+ Ft gravel driveway plus parking area that is hilly and curvy. I have no snow experience. Some say use a blade others say use a snow blower. Seems everyone says to get a tractor. My driveway is probably 8-10 feet wide with lots of areas for piling snow. I don't want to spend hours clearing my driveway before work. I already have a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower LT1550? for my lawn. Any advice would be great. I am considering a SCUT with a blade or snow blower. I do not want to depend on a snow plow service to keep my driveway cleared for me.

 

[LD1]

First off, Welcome to TBN.

Let me start by asking if you have any other projected uses for a tractor, or are you just wanting something to move snow.

If you only want something to move snow, I would reccomend a truck. If you already have a 4x4, just get a plow, if not, you can usually pick up decient plow truck for cheap this time of year. This route would be a lot cheaper than a tractor.

If you do indeed have other plans for the tractor, such as FEL work, bushogging, etc, give us an idea about your property and what you may need a machine for other than plowing and we can better help you.

IMO, since you already have a lawn mower, you may want to consider stepping up a size to the CUT's instead of the SCUT's. The sub-compacts like you are talking about are desigend small to make them good lawn mowers, but the power and lift capacities of both the 3ph and the FEL are a good bit lower than a CUT.

Also, using a tractor for snow removal, I like the rear blade and FEL combo myself as opposed to a blower. Blowers are slower and a cab is almost a must. I have a kubota L3400, which is kubotas economy line. it doesn't have all the bells and whistles to keep the cost down. Something this size would probabally suit you well. But shop all the major brands and go with the one YOU like.

 

[Inland NW]

Thanks LD1. I just bought a new Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 4.7L V8 ,but everyone I talked to said a plow on a newer truck will destroy the front end and I should get a tractor for clearing my drive. People at work said they do not know anybody that uses a truck plow around here other than professional plowing businesses. My original idea was to buy a truck plow, but now I am worried I am going to ruin my new truck. I don't know if I would need a SCUT for other things around my property, but anticipate I might.

 

[Monster5601]

I do not think you will destroy your truck just plowing your own property. If your truck was designed to support a snow plow you are good to go.

I live in lower Michigan and snow falls here are around a few inches with drifting. The guys here use the FEL and a rear blade to clear snow. If you get more snow than a few inches, you may need to go with a snow thrower.

The best thing you could do is go to your local tractor dealers and ask them how the guys are removing snow.

 

[LD1]

Just doing your own driveway you have nothing to worry about. You can buy a lighter duty plow that weighs less than a commercial plow, and that would be even easier on your truck.

Plows do wear parts out faster, such as wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. But about everything you use a truck for will wear out things faster, like towing a trailer, hauling loads, driving off-road, etc. But unless you drive around all summer with the plow on, or start plowing commercially, you've got nothing to worry about. An a decient plow can be had for a few grand as opposed to 15k for a tractor.

And if you are really worried about your truck, around here, 5k can get you a good shape late 90's truck with a plow. Still a lot cheaper than a tractor.

 

[Egon]

If there is really no other use for a tractor an old beater truck with a plow may be a solution.

 

[MarkV]

I live in the south with no snow so I should most likely keep my mouth shut on this subject. With a 1000' hilly and curvy drive I would think a blower if you are considering a SCUT. They are small and light enough that pushing any amount of snow on hills would be a problem with traction in my mind.

MarkV

 

[tulenutn2o]

I live in Spokane Wa. I have 1000+ Ft gravel driveway plus parking area that is hilly and curvy. I have no snow experience. Some say use a blade others say use a snow blower. Seems everyone says to get a tractor. My driveway is probably 8-10 feet wide with lots of areas for piling snow. I don't want to spend hours clearing my driveway before work. I already have a Cub Cadet riding lawn mower LT1550? for my lawn. Any advice would be great. I am considering a SCUT with a blade or snow blower. I do not want to depend on a snow plow service to keep my driveway cleared for me.

Truck mounted plow. Least time, warm, and you can make a ton of money.

 

[beenthere]

I agree with others, that your truck with blade would be the way to go. If you have other tractor work, and need a FEL, that is another option.

My solution is this Western blade with a side wing to push snow further "over the edge".

 

[mooseracing]

The truck is usually quicker and warmer.

The truck doesn't manuever as well though. And with experience plowing large drivways/lots with a tractor, a snow blower is quicker. With plowing you have to keep the pile back far enough to anticipate large upcoming storms or your driveway is going to shrink.

With a blower, you only clear where you need to drive.

 

[Thomas]

Such driveway gotta agree w/blower,more so w/drifting snow.

 

[studor]

After many years of plowing with jeeps, trucks and atvs I broke down about 6 years ago and bought a tractor and blower. I have tried the back blade, FEL combo and gone back to the blower. I will always have a tractor for snow in future. If I always wanted to make sure that I could get out I would consider a blower for the Cub Cadet and a set of chains and then get a snow clearing contract. I would not buy a truck that had been used for plowing (unless it was BIG). As for the truck with plow being warm and comfortable and all that, that is important if you want to make a living with it or get away from SWMBO but for one laneway it would not be critical. - JMHO

 

[mapmaker]

I agree that with a blower you move the snow once and your done. I have both a snow blower and a plow for my CUT. I use the blower for big snow falls and to cut the snow banks back, the plow gets used for the smaller stuff < 12 inches. I find I use the plow more then the blower, but then again we have not been having the the big snow falls in the last few years. The thing I like best about the blower is that when the snow bank at the end of the driveway is 4' high, I can blow it all off into the woods and its gone, I don't have to think about it again. With the plow I have to find a place to stack it. In my case I bought the blower with the tractor then I bought a $75 plow and build a mount that fits the quick hitch that the blower uses. I can switch between the two in under 5 minutes. Now let the Chains VS no chains debate start.

 

[flyingcow]

Whats your total snowfall for the yr? Where i am it's anywheres from 8 to 10 ft. A lot melts, settles, etc. But I have a 650ft driveway on top of a hill, in the middle of field. I've plowed with a pickup since i was old enough to touch the pedals. Since i've gone to a blower, for me, it's the only way to go.

In your case, a plow on your pickup would be my first choice. You already got the power unit. it will probably have to be a light duty plow, but that may be all you need. i have a 1/2 ton dodge quad cab. For my region, I need a heavy duty plow on this unit, but dodge won't ok it. No problem, because I snowblow with tractor.

Good Luck

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks LD1. I just bought a new Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 4.7L V8 ,but everyone I talked to said a plow on a newer truck will destroy the front end and I should get a tractor for clearing my drive.

If you were going to do commercial snow plowing (lots, driveways, etc.), then that concern about beating up your truck would be valid. Just your own drive and, assuming you take care, plowing with your truck is the cheapest route.
That said, you won't want to wait until you get more then 6" or so of light dry snow (less, if it's wet and heavy) before you start. A truck is only going to push so much before it runs out of traction (so, you'll want some weight in the bed...maybe even chains). Also, the truck will push it to the side only...if you get two heavy snows within a short time (like we did in PA last winter), you're going to run out of room to push it.
If you're really concerned about your truck, go the beater route. As long as it's on your private drive, you probably won't have to register it.

 

[Huskerplowboy]

Food for thought:

For a long driveway, especially one prone to significant drifting, I'd vote for a blower if you're considering a CUT or SCUT. I'm not overly familiar with plows on trucks (never had one) but I had some 2-3' deep drifts covering 50% of my 70' driveway this past winter, pretty sure my pickup wasn't going to push that much snow very far.

If you don't need a CUT or SCUT for mowing or other uses like that, you may condider buying a "real" older tractor. For example, an old Deere 3010 or 3020 is a lot more tractor, pretty nimble for the size, stable, especially with the tires set out a little wider (since you won't need them set for 30" row-crops). Put a blower on the back of something like that (or a blade), throw a set of chains on the rear tires, and you'll have something. Growing up, we lived on the side of a steep hill (house was about halfway down) and dad cleared the driveway (probably 1/4 mile in total, only 1/3 on that big hill) with a 3010 with a rear blade and front loader and a set of chains. Lots of bang for the buck with a used tractor like that. machinefinder.com shows one in Othello, WA for $7500. No idea what shape it's in or anything. I also see one listed in South Dakota (a little closer to my folks') with a cab (no A/C), Deere 148 front loader already on it, for $13,900 so that kind of gives a little bit of the range.

At one point in time, I had considered a similar path, buying a decent lawn mower for mowing duties and a "real" tractor like a 3010 for loader and snow removal work. Just all depends on what you need a tractor for... I only had 2 acres and a relatively easy to clear driveway at the time, so I went with a CUT and a mid mount mower so it could speed up my mowing time. If I'd had more acres, any trees to have to clean up occasionally, or a longer, more difficult driveway, I may have stayed with the old "real" tractor plan.

 

[LD1]

It will definatally take a lot of plowing and abuse before you'll tear anything up on your truck. I do plow commercially and My rig is a 2003 chevt 1500 with a meyers 7.5' and wings. In 4 seansons I have only had to replace a front wheelbearing. And with 100,000miles on the clock, it may have needed to be done if I hadn't been plowing for 4 years.

As far as what to get, that is up to you. Tractors with cabs aint cheap, and I know I wouldn't want to be out in the elements on a tractor moving snow, especially with a blower. A truck mount is way cheaper. But the real question is, will a truck suit your needs.

Even tractors do have great traction in the winter. They are light. My L3400 with loader and rear blade with loaded tires only weighs about 4000lbs. My truck with plow on front and weight in back weighs around 7000-7500lbs. That makes a huge difference. It will out pusk/pull my tractor hands down. As mentioned, a truck will only push so much before it looses traction, but a tractor is the same way. Any my truck will push circles around my tractor.

Someone mentioned that if you have a long flat drive that the blower would really excell. Well, from experience, the truck will excell far past the blower. I do a neighbors drive that is just shy of a half mile long, and prone to drifting. It takes me all of 10 minutes to clear it out. just angle the blade and throw the snow to the side opposite of the prevaling winds, and drifting shouldnt be a problem. I usually plow that drive at ~25mph which is double what a CUT can do wide open, let alone runing a blower.

If you have some pics of your drive would definatally help. I really think you sould talk with some landscapers on your area. Most of them are plow guys in the winter. See what they they think would be the best for your drive.

 

[RoyJackson]

As mentioned, a truck will only push so much before it looses traction, but a tractor is the same way.

Big advantage of the tractor is the loader can really move snow off the drive. After the two major snows (within a week), I had some pretty tall piles.
My Nissan Frontier isn't heavy enough for stuff like that...anyway, that's one of the reason I bought a tractor.

Back to trucks...another fairly cheap way to go (by cheap, I mean less then $10K) is picking up a retired municipal or state roads vehicle. I've seen them sold with with plows attached going for about $7K. Again, unless the OP wants to road it, there's no need for registration, tags or insurance.

And, Huskerplowboy's idea about an old utility tractor (2WD with chains) makes a lot of sense too. I've seen old iron go for well under $5K.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

I did our driveway and path with an atv and 5' plow ... wasn't perfect but did the job ... but even they are around 10 grand around here

 

[RadarTech]

If you go the tractor route... Get a cab.. a removable cab...

Here is NC we had more snow this year then I can ever remember...

I wish I had a cab...

And now I am thinking of a front blade...

Check your budget and think about this..
If you have a 1000' long gravel drive, you will likely do better with a tractor than a truck..
That drive will wash, the gravel will need smoothing, the flower beds will need redone, a tree will beg to be moved, and SWMBO will want you out of her hair...

anyway.... look around make sure the truck is the way to go....


J