Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Pictures of your snow weapons

[D'oh]

Some more

 

[Tony H]

Always surprised by the ones that can handle snow plowing without chains. Then I remember that not everyone has steep hills to handle.

I agree. In the middle of Winter, when temps are in the single digits, the snow does have a bit more stick. Plowing hilly driveways with 12" plus snow you need, at, least, front chains on a 4wd tractor to get tractor and steering. With front chains on a 3000 series kubota, my son could only plow down the driveway when we wake up to 12"+. After he finally bought rears, he can go up as well as down. Very necessary around March when we get the wetter snowfalls. It packs under the tires and good-bye traction

 

[DGZRT]

Trying to make improvements before the snow gets too deep . Got my hydraulic side shift to work . This will save me some time around the buildings. Hoping the chains on the front tires keeps the front end more planted when turning.

 

[kozal01]

This is my snow fighter, its a beast.

 

[NibbanaFarm]

This is my snow fighter, its a beast.

View attachment 835514

Am I looking at an Ariens? What model? I'm thinking about getting one of these. I need a tracked snowblower because all my land is unpaved. They have 3 different models. 2 are fuel injected. How long have you had it? Any issues? I'm still running a 2003 TroyBilt stormtracker.

 

[kozal01]

Am I looking at an Ariens? What model? I'm thinking about getting one of these. I need a tracked snowblower because all my land is unpaved. They have 3 different models. 2 are fuel injected. How long have you had it? Any issues? I'm still running a 2003 TroyBilt stormtracker.

Hey! This model is called the Kraken, its a special edition model they came out with a couple years ago. This will be my second winter with it and so far its a dream to use. Its based on the profesional models which come with a hydrostatic transmission, bigger impeller and bucket and the 420 cc engine. The Kraken has EFI, electric chute and track controls as well as 12v key start and extra lights. I have been an Ariens fan for a while, I had a 12 year old Ariens Platinum that I sold to help pay for this new machine that was absolutely a great machine, never an issue besides regular maintenance ever. I was looking to upgrade to a rapid track model right when this Kraken SE model came out and had to have it. The EFI is great, however I would shy away from the non 12v key start versions of the EFI, most of the issues Ive read about the EFI have been about the small rechargeable battery on the non 12v models. (being efi it needs a battery to run the fuel pump until the engine is running) The tracks are awesome, Ive owned/ used other tracked models from Honda and Yamaha and the Ariens track system is far and away better. I have not had any issues with it, but I would not expect to this early on. Some are skeptical of the EFI but Ariens has been using it on some models for a few years now. Here is a link to a write up I did on it last winter on another forum.

Ariens Kraken Profesional Snowblower- Review (with pics!)

 

[jjeff]

Sounds like my bank account would take a "kracken" lol

 

[kozal01]

Sounds like my bank account would take a "kracken" lol

Oh for sure, it wasn't cheap! Thankfully mine was paid in full before they raised the prices even more.

 

[Tony H]

Trying to make improvements before the snow gets too deep . Got my hydraulic side shift to work . This will save me some time around the buildings. Hoping the chains on the front tires keeps the front end more planted when turning.

The Chain going to the QA plate for Float... Does that work OK? It's very horizontal where generally the chain is very vertical.

 

[sd455dan]

No pictures, because I don't know how.
TYM 674 with cab. 72" inverted snow blower and a 72" snow pusher.
We'll see how the R1's do this winter.

Probably fairly well.
I took my Inverted out in over 20" of snow and my rhino tractors R1's
which are over 30 years old. I have never had that tractor stuck but I think blowing over 25" deep snow on a warming day might just do it.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Here's one that's used mostly for snow.

With locking diffs it's quite capable, despite the crappy tires and no chains. Of course, it helps that it weighs 16,000 lbs.

 

[RjCorazza]

This is my snow fighter, its a beast.

View attachment 835514

Definitely a beast. Those high end Ariens blowers have some nice features. My 6 year old 30" Ariens Deluxe works well and doesn't beat me to death like previous 24" residential blowers did.
Last year I added an Ariens single stage 21" commercial blower to my collection, and I really enjoy using it, even over the bigger 2 stage. I have a snow blower "problem".

 

[LouNY]

Here's one that's used mostly for snow.

With locking diffs it's quite capable, despite the crappy tires and no chains. Of course, it helps that it weighs 16,000 lbs.View attachment 835661

Nice rig, I would like one. However on my driveway it would be chained up all the way around.
If it wasn't it wouldn't look that good afterward, over the bank into the trees and likely on it's side.

 

[kozal01]

Definitely a beast. Those high end Ariens blowers have some nice features. My 6 year old 30" Ariens Deluxe works well and doesn't beat me to death like previous 24" residential blowers did.
Last year I added an Ariens single stage 21" commercial blower to my collection, and I really enjoy using it, even over the bigger 2 stage. I have a snow blower "problem".

Ha! Dont feel bad, I have an Ariens single stage too for clearing my decks off. And that Deluxe will treat you well for a long time!

 

[RjCorazza]

Ha! Dont feel bad, I have an Ariens single stage too for clearing my decks off. And that Deluxe will treat you well for a long time!

If I were just doing my 500' driveway I would likely have a tracked Ariens or Honda. My 30" blower is really a "Katie bar the door" backup to the tractor for 20 or so rural driveways I contract.
It would be convenient to somehow mount the single stage 21" blower to my tractor to get between cars and sidewalks for the few elderly folks I plow for. I'm still young enough to use a shovel though!
Drifting off topic, but this type shovel is awesome for snows of 6" or less:

 

[airbiscuit]

They cost more, but are worth every penny.

 

[kozal01]

If I were just doing my 500' driveway I would likely have a tracked Ariens or Honda. My 30" blower is really a "Katie bar the door" backup to the tractor for 20 or so rural driveways I contract.
It would be convenient to somehow mount the single stage 21" blower to my tractor to get between cars and sidewalks for the few elderly folks I plow for. I'm still young enough to use a shovel though!
Drifting off topic, but this type shovel is awesome for snows of 6" or less:
View attachment 835675

Yess!! best shovel ever! Had one for years.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I haven't had to chain it up yet, to push a full blade of snow wherever I want it, usually in one of my ponds.

BUT, we don't get much snow any longer, global warming, I LOVE it!

SR

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Nice rig, I would like one. However on my driveway it would be chained up all the way around.

Would you believe that this one's for sale?

It's an HME, by far the rarest of the three FLUs with 13 built, dozer blade up front and a trencher in the rear. There might be one more in the country, but I haven't been able to verify that.

Heck, I'll throw in a set of Pewag MRAP chains, but you'll have to shorten them yourself.

 

[LouNY]

After a quick glace at what some of the other some what similar have sold for you will likely get more for it then I would pay. There were a few of the "ag" variant of the Unimogs sold around here in the late 60's and early 70's and I have seen a couple of the Freightliners around.