Snow Attachments Question on possible installation of a snow plow.

[Pebblypo]

I have a 2WD 1990 Chevy Scottsdale 2500 truck. My question is if I weight it down in the back would I be able to hookup and successfully use a snowplow on it. I'm moving to a 16 acre farm with quite a bit of driveway(s)and need something to push snow. Trying to look at all options to save money.If not what would be a cheap alternative to handle about a 1/3 of a mile driveway.:cool2:

Thanks Tim

 

[srs]

I would think if you put serious weight in the bed of the truck PLUS added chains to the rear tires it would move quite a bit of snow.

 

[LD1]

I have a 2WD 1990 Chevy Scottsdale 2500 truck. My question is if I weight it down in the back would I be able to hookup and successfully use a snowplow on it. I'm moving to a 16 acre farm with quite a bit of driveway(s)and need something to push snow. Trying to look at all options to save money.If not what would be a cheap alternative to handle about a 1/3 of a mile driveway.:cool2:

Thanks Tim

I wouldnt want to plow with a 2wd. Especially if an open diff. Mainly because IF you do get stuck, do you have any way to get out??

IF you do even consider it, get studded rears MINIMUM, and preferabally some snow chains. AS WELL AS the weight. But you will need about a ton to be effective.

All that said, (I may have jumped the gun), how much snow do you get and is it hilly. If hilly, 2wd would be about worthless IMO. And if you get wet and heavy snowfalls in big amounts, ditto.

As far as a chap alternative....Shovel?:laughing:

With 16 acres of farm...do you have any tractors? or are you planning on getting a tractor? And if not, a truck of similar vintage with a plow AND 4wd is usually pretty cheap. ~$3k or less by me.

 

[Pebblypo]

Nice, I tried the shovel but I could not get the wife to use it..lol. There is a slight grade to the driveway. I'm currently deciding bewteen buying a zero turn vs a tractor. Approx 8 acres are fenced in, in which I will have goats and alpacas. The other 8 is not. Currently the owner rents that out for corn and hay. Not sure if I will try to keep that for a little extra money or use it for myself. My wife is greedy when it comes to property and prefers not to have anyone on it. So the question is zero turn or tractor, I know with a tractor I could have a plow but when I add up a used tractor, plow and mowing attachment the money starts rising. As you can probably tell I'm new to this, I'm leaving a 1 1/2 acre lot that I use a craftsman lawn tractor on.

Thanks

 

[LD1]

The way I see it, you have a few options.

1. A ZTR will excel at mowing. Better than ANYTHING out there. But thats all it can do. So option one, get the ZTR, and sell the 2wd and get a 4wd w/plow. This would leave two dedicated purpose machines that is the BEST at what they do, but that is all they do.

2. Look at getting a SCUT or CUT. Something like a B, BX or small L series tractor. (These are kubota models but there are pleanty of other comparable brands that are good). But be prepared to spend 15k-20k (if new). These will handle the mowing AND the plowing. They will be slower at both but in exchange you get the versitility. They are capable of SOOO much more. A small tractor with FEL is really handy:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

That area of MD isn't known for heavy snow accumulations...except for those occasional Nor'Easters which dump 15"-30" in one storm. You won't find any pickup that can handle that type of accumulation. Mostly, you'll see 4"-6" snows.
A 2 wheel drive truck with rear chains and weight (a couple hundred pounds of bagged sand, for example) will do the job as long as you just stick with your drives...not optimal and you'll want a 4WD truck whenever you can afford it.

As far as those Nor'Easters...you'll want to get out frequently enough to keep the snow pushed away. One trouble with any snowplow truck and a heavy snow is you'll run out of room to push the snow. Be prepared for that. If your drive is through an open field, you may want to consider snow fencing to reduce drifting.

I'm about 20-25 miles or so northeast of you...so what I see is what you'll see. Per the long range forecasts, it looks like we're in for a rough winter and I do expect at least one heavy snowfall. Sometimes you just have to tough it out as we did in February 2010. Have food, fuel, lanterns at the ready.

 

[snowjoker]

Save yourself some grief and just get a 4 wheel drive truck, and not wonder if it will work.

 

[Lt CHEG]

There's just no way that I would ever stick a plow on a two wheel drive pickup. I won't even use a 4 wheel drive pickup that doesn't have a good chunk of weight in the rear for snow plowing. I realize that you might not get a lot of snow in the area that you're going to but you've still got a good size chunk of land to take care of. I would either get a 4 wheel drive tractor for your mowing AND snow plowing, etc. or hire out your snow removal needs until you can afford something 4 wheel drive.

 

[GPintheMitten]

If you do plow with the 2wd and chains, you need a plan for when (not if) you get stuck. You will occasionally slip, fishtail or get pushed by the snow and slip off the drive. I've gotten temporarily stuck in soft wet snowy ground when I slipped off the drive with a 4wd plow truck. It's not fun and hard on you and the equipment.

Get to know your neighbors and you may find someone who is willing to plow you out when needed for fuel money and baked goods. If not, arrange to pay a plow truck until you can get yourself set up.

I see a small used tractor in your future. I sold my 1983 Kubota B6200 with a 4' mower with only 1000 hours on it for $4000. It had 4wd, chains, and a rear blade that did what you need done. But I would advise something a little larger.

 

[flyingcow]

Have you ever plowed snow before? Not unheard of to plow snow with a two wheel drive. You can do it, but buy a really good set of Ice chains. If you've never plowed snow before, have fun. Go easy.

Have you already found a good deal on a snow plow for your truck? price 'em out. Not cheap, even used. Especially if you figure that the plowing with a 2 wheel drive might not be the way to go. Money spent and still need something to plow with? Never know till you try.

Talk to your wife. Try to rent the ground to the farmer for one or two more yrs. Don't give up that option until you have a couple of yrs behind you. If you've only owned 1 1/2 acres , a "friend" with tractors might be nice to have. Also, ground that is not maintained, will grow up to trees and brush very quickly. Considering you haven't decided if you're going to buy a tractor, be nice to keep the ground cleared, maybe make a couple of bucks for rent. Just a thought.

FWIW- I own about 50 acres of field. Got a nice tractor, but i rent my ground out every chance I can get. One field I ask for no rent. Just happy to get someone to mow it.