Shopping for a UTV with front PTO for snowblower

[adlertom]

I'm considering getting a UTV to use for snowblowing plus general property/trail maintenance. I'd like something with side by side seating that carries 2 or more people, with an enclosed cab.

In the winter, I have a 1000' driveway that I need to snowblow (prefer a snowblower to a plow blade) so I'm looking for something with a front PTO or hydraulics.

In the summer, I have 47 acres with trails, some with pretty steep slopes. So I need something with a good AWD system and higher ground clearance.

I already have a New Holland TC33DA tractor with a FEL/grapple bucket and rotary cutter, that I will keep for brush cutting and bucket/wood hauling work. I do have a PTO snowblower for the tractor, but am getting tired of sitting outside and twisting my neck backwards in order to blow snow. So, looking to no longer do that with the tractor.

What are the current offerings for this on the market? There don't seem to be too many UTVs with PTO that can power a snowblower. I've found Bobcat UV34, BobCat ToolCat (expensive and probably overkill for me) Polaris Pro XD, and Kubota RTVX1100C. Are there other brands to consider?

 

[Xfaxman]

Another machine that would work is a front deck 4x4 mower with a cab:

 

[Jchonline]

Kubota X1100C snowblower setup will set you back about $10k. I looked at it 2 years ago but went with a boss v-plow instead because I have the room to push the snow. It may still be something I consider, but very pricey. Designed for commercial applications.

 

[adlertom]

Another machine that would work is a front deck 4x4 mower with a cab:

View attachment 708115View attachment 708116View attachment 708117

This wouldn’t have the side by side seating, ground clearance, and UTV/AWD capabilities that I am also seeking.

 

[adlertom]

Kubota X1100C snowblower setup will set you back about $10k. I looked at it 2 years ago but went with a boss v-plow instead because I have the room to push the snow. It may still be something I consider, but very pricey. Designed for commercial applications.

Is that $10K on top of the UTV price? If so, then yes that is expensive.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You can buy a front snow blower that has it's own engine and mount it on the front of any S&S that goes slow enough...

SR

 

[Jchonline]

Is that $10K on top of the UTV price? If so, then yes that is expensive.

Yes it is. So you are looking at around $30k without taxes for X1100C and that K-connect and blower. Also I am not quite sure if you are looking for a "work" machine only or something that is fun as well. The Kubota diesels are work machines. Yes mine goes 22 mph...but not much acceleration...so it is not meant for fun.

 

[ArlyA]

Just following to see where this thread goes. A cabbed UTV setup for snow can readily hit 30K. No blowers involved.

 

[adlertom]

Yes it is. So you are looking at around $30k without taxes for X1100C and that K-connect and blower. Also I am not quite sure if you are looking for a "work" machine only or something that is fun as well. The Kubota diesels are work machines. Yes mine goes 22 mph...but not much acceleration...so it is not meant for fun.

I'm totally fine with a "work" focused machine.

Yeah, that's too much money to blow snow. I may have to settle for a plow blade instead of a front snowblower. There are some spots on my driveway with very little room, where my current tractor rear PTO snowblower is really nice to have, but most of it I could plow. I could perhaps do most of the driveway with a plow blade, and then just do cleanup and the difficult spots with my current PTO snowblower.

So, if I eliminate my front PTO requirement, that opens up a lot more options, including the electric UTVs.

 

[Xfaxman]

So, if I eliminate my front PTO requirement, that opens up a lot more options, including the electric UTVs.

2023 Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic UTV

The all-electric 2023 RANGER XP Kinetic is the world’s most capable, most durable, and highest performing electric UTV. The all-new electric powertrain boasts uncompromised capability and unrivaled durability.

ranger.polaris.com

 

[ruffdog]

I replaced my TC33D with the 5610 Toolcat for the same reasons the OP listed. It seats 2 people, it runs front implements from the SSQA and also runs 3pt implements on the rear. I have AC in the summer and heat in the winter.

For a short time, Polaris made the Brutus UTV that had a front PTO and lift. After you paid for the attachments, it was quite expensive.

 

[adlertom]

You can buy a front snow blower that has it's own engine and mount it on the front of any S&S that goes slow enough...

SR

Thanks. Do you know what kind of ballpark price such units sell for?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I haven't priced one in a long time, so you need to do a bing search and see what a unit like you would want, would cost.

They make them in different sizes with different options. There's plenty of youtubes showing them in action.

SR

 

[JamesHW]

We have about two miles of trails through our woods and have thought about clearing trails when we start spending winter there, but operating a snow blower through woodland trails seems like a miserable job fraught with hazards hidden in the snow. Besides, you end up despoiling the pristine area around the trail with the thrown snow, so our choice would be to groom the trails instead of snow blow them. I figure packing down the snow accomplished a similar aim as snow blowing with a better aesthetic effect. Elderly neighbor nearby (sadly recently deceased) told us of cross country skiing on our trails in the 50’s when the trails had not gotten overgrown. Low end grooming traditionally would be a snowmobile, but I thought a tracked sled could be affordable and the Snow Dog looks like fun and there is a dealer not far away. One drawback is of course the exhaust which points at the operator. My Track Technologies electric sleds could be a better solution that look like they may be available soon and certainly more expensive than the snow dog.

 

[adlertom]

We have about two miles of trails through our woods and have thought about clearing trails when we start spending winter there, but operating a snow blower through woodland trails seems like a miserable job fraught with hazards hidden in the snow. Besides, you end up despoiling the pristine area around the trail with the thrown snow, so our choice would be to groom the trails instead of snow blow them. I figure packing down the snow accomplished a similar aim as snow blowing with a better aesthetic effect. Elderly neighbor nearby (sadly recently deceased) told us of cross country skiing on our trails in the 50’s when the trails had not gotten overgrown. Low end grooming traditionally would be a snowmobile, but I thought a tracked sled could be affordable and the Snow Dog looks like fun and there is a dealer not far away. One drawback is of course the exhaust which points at the operator. My Track Technologies electric sleds could be a better solution that look like they may be available soon and certainly more expensive than the snow dog.

Yeah, I wasn't looking to snowblow (or even plow) my trails, just my driveway.

I do also want to use the UTV on my trails, but mostly for spring/summer/fall maintenance chores.

 

[ArlyA]

We have about two miles of trails through our woods and have thought about clearing trails when we start spending winter there, but operating a snow blower through woodland trails seems like a miserable job fraught with hazards hidden in the snow. Besides, you end up despoiling the pristine area around the trail with the thrown snow, so our choice would be to groom the trails instead of snow blow them. I figure packing down the snow accomplished a similar aim as snow blowing with a better aesthetic effect. Elderly neighbor nearby (sadly recently deceased) told us of cross country skiing on our trails in the 50’s when the trails had not gotten overgrown. Low end grooming traditionally would be a snowmobile, but I thought a tracked sled could be affordable and the Snow Dog looks like fun and there is a dealer not far away. One drawback is of course the exhaust which points at the operator. My Track Technologies electric sleds could be a better solution that look like they may be available soon and certainly more expensive than the snow dog.

That is a bit off from what the OP was asking about. Nonetheless, grooming trails is my forte and if you start a thread on that, I will respond.

 

[JamesHW]

Will consider a thread at some point for sure. I see trails and snow in a paragraph and start thinking of grooming trails

as to the front PTO for a snowblower and the op’s 1000 ft driveway, I would be bereft to not mention the walk behind tractor (BCS/GRILLO) have a front PTO and a variety of 1-stage & 2-stage snow blowers up to a beefy 33” Berta that requires a 13 HP & up tractor. Throw tracks on one and you have a real durable snow machine. Of course that doesn’t help w/ the need for a general purpose UTV for bombing around on trails. I see the less powerful, but still good (no belts) 24’ single stage snow blowers that will run the 6.5 HP machines and up (in fact I see a new one (implement only) used on Craigs list currently for $500).

 

[ArlyA]

Will consider a thread at some point for sure. I see trails and snow in a paragraph and start thinking of grooming trails

as to the front PTO for a snowblower and the op’s 1000 ft driveway, I would be bereft to not mention the walk behind tractor (BCS/GRILLO) have a front PTO and a variety of 1-stage & 2-stage snow blowers up to a beefy 33” Berta that requires a 13 HP & up tractor. Throw tracks on one and you have a real durable snow machine. Of course that doesn’t help w/ the need for a general purpose UTV for bombing around on trails. I see the less powerful, but still good (no belts) 24’ single stage snow blowers that will run the 6.5 HP machines and up (in fact I see a new one (implement only) used on Craigs list currently for $500).

There are no pod kits available for small tractors and these do cost real $$$. The ones we are looking at for our next 6x6 with run about $5500.

 

[jaydee325]

You can buy a front snow blower that has it's own engine and mount it on the front of any S&S that goes slow enough...

SR

A friend of mine is the service manager at a power sports dealer who sells side by sides.

The dealer sold one of these snow blowers and the service manager said he knew it was going to be trouble as soon as he uncrated it. And, it was back several times for problems related to poor quality materials and design.

I'm not saying they all are junk. Just make sure you see the setup, preferably in action, before putting your hard earned cash into this option.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I'm not saying they all are junk. Just make sure you see the setup, preferably in action, before putting your hard earned cash into this option.

Just like tractors, there's more than one model/brand...

Choose wisely grasshopper...

SR