Snow Attachments Size of Front Snow Plow for TC34DA?
- Thread starter DCJL
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Well, I just threw myself a curve ball. I just picked up a 1995 New Holland 716C Snowblower in great shape for $1100. It only has some surface rust on some few parts. I was not really planning on it but it came along and could not pass it up. My understanding is after I said I'd take it 6+ other guys called asking about it. It has been sitting in a shed for the last 4 or 5 years collecting dust. It seems to run great. Only question is does anyone here know what I should do to it before really using it as there were no instructions with it. I think I should change the oil in the gears. Anyone know how to do that? Does anyone know where I can pick up the hydraulic rotator and/or a hydraulic chute deflector for the 716C Snowblower?
Now back to the blade. I will still get a front blade and have settled on a 72" loader mounted versus a frame mounted. I'm not plowing commercially and am the only one using the tractor/plow so feel I'll be careful enough not to twist the loader arms. I also like the idea of being able to quickly switch between the blade and bucket versus a frame mounted blade, plus I don't feel the need to use the plow as a bulldozer.
Now back to the blade. I will still get a front blade and have settled on a 72" loader mounted versus a frame mounted. I'm not plowing commercially and am the only one using the tractor/plow so feel I'll be careful enough not to twist the loader arms. I also like the idea of being able to quickly switch between the blade and bucket versus a frame mounted blade, plus I don't feel the need to use the plow as a bulldozer.
The FEL mounted blade will work fine. As long as it has a spring trip you shouldn't have to worry about damaging the FEL. With mine, I don't think it puts anywhere near the stress on the FEL compared to digging dirt with the bucket. Just don't get crazy with the blade and try to ram a frozen pile of snow/ice from a running start.
Thanks, what do you think about using the 7' blade on the loader arms along with chains on all 4 tires on a gravel driveway? I live on a hill, so chains are a must. Also what about using the edge of the blade to cut back a bank by the mail box that the town snowplow piled up?
Thanks Mech. That helps. Now I just have to decide whether a standard or medium duty blade. Any suggestions guys? Here is the info that Michigan Iron and Equip sent me. My TC34DA can lift over 800lbs and is 35hp, so is at the top end of the recommended weight for the Standard blade. They like the Standard blade for my tractor and snow removal, but I was thinking of going with the medium so I could do some light dozer work with some loose soil.
MIE QA Standard Duty Blades -
Recommended up to 35hp
Snow plowing and light grading and dozer work
Approximate Total Weight - 320lbs
72" Moldboard Width
Moldboard Height - 22"
MIE QA Medium Duty Blades -
Recommended up to 50hp
Heavy snow removal and medium grading and dozer work
Approximate Total Weight - 560lbs
72" Moldboard Width
Moldboard Height - 22"
MIE QA Standard Duty Blades -
Recommended up to 35hp
Snow plowing and light grading and dozer work
Approximate Total Weight - 320lbs
72" Moldboard Width
Moldboard Height - 22"
MIE QA Medium Duty Blades -
Recommended up to 50hp
Heavy snow removal and medium grading and dozer work
Approximate Total Weight - 560lbs
72" Moldboard Width
Moldboard Height - 22"
I don't know how much mine weights (its a lot more than I can lift) but I wouldn't want any more weight on the front. I have tried it to grade loose dirt but find that backing my BB is much better. With the blade way out in front of the front wheels any depression or bump will move it a lot.
JB4310
Super Member
Now that you'll have the blower I would think that will be your primary weapon against the big snow, maybe scale back cost/size on the blade a little.
560#s wow that's heavy! I don't think you want to use your loader as a dozer platform, then you would need a HD frame mount, JMO.
How wide is the blower, maybe a 6-6.5 plow is all you need now, like you said that blower adds a curve ball to your needs now.
JB.
560#s wow that's heavy! I don't think you want to use your loader as a dozer platform, then you would need a HD frame mount, JMO.
How wide is the blower, maybe a 6-6.5 plow is all you need now, like you said that blower adds a curve ball to your needs now.
JB.
Blower is the NH 5'. Just fits the width of my rear tires. The standard 320lb blade is $500 less than the medium duty blade. I do have some dirt that would be nice to move around with the blade, but after I'm done all it would be used for is snow. I guess by saving a couple of hundred pounds up front might be better for the tractor. Darn I keep going back and forth between the two!!! Just when I think I should go with one I think of a reason to go with the other...
JB4310
Super Member
Regardless of all other factors I would think a loader mounted snow plow would NOT be the right choice for moving dirt in any way. you have a loader bucket.
Save up for a cab, I've heard when snow blowing from an open platform you can come out looking like a snow man if the wind shifts on you. but still with a blower you only handle the snow once and it's done, that's why I'm thinking the blade will be secondary now.
JB.
Save up for a cab, I've heard when snow blowing from an open platform you can come out looking like a snow man if the wind shifts on you. but still with a blower you only handle the snow once and it's done, that's why I'm thinking the blade will be secondary now.
JB.
You're probably right, I should probably stay with the lighter weight snow plow blade.
The only thing about a cab is I could not hook up the backhoe, so, no cab. I ski so I have some VERY warm cloths. My tractor starts off in the semi heated garage so it has no problem starting, but it would not fit in the garage with a cab either. I plan on mostly plowing with some snowblowing thrown in when needed so the flying snow should be tolerable with all my ski cloths and goggles etc. Kinda use to flying snow from the skiing.
Most of my driveway has a hill on one side where I can push off the snow with the plow. I'm picturing using the plow most of the time and the blower to just push back banks when they get too big. I can pile up the snow and then wait till a calm day toknock them down with the blade or bucket and then blow them over and away with the blower.
The only thing about a cab is I could not hook up the backhoe, so, no cab. I ski so I have some VERY warm cloths. My tractor starts off in the semi heated garage so it has no problem starting, but it would not fit in the garage with a cab either. I plan on mostly plowing with some snowblowing thrown in when needed so the flying snow should be tolerable with all my ski cloths and goggles etc. Kinda use to flying snow from the skiing.
Most of my driveway has a hill on one side where I can push off the snow with the plow. I'm picturing using the plow most of the time and the blower to just push back banks when they get too big. I can pile up the snow and then wait till a calm day toknock them down with the blade or bucket and then blow them over and away with the blower.
Definitely go with the lighter blade. It will be a LOT of weight hanging way out front, farther out than the bucket would. Your tractor will handle like you have a loaded bucket at all times. Think about all that weight when manuevering on the hill when you want to raise the blade to push back a pile of snow or turn around. You'll also need to boost the air in the front tires probably. I know I did. The extra weight is what will help you though, and probably won't need chains on the gravel since your front tires will really pull you through.
Go with the lighter blade and don't use it for dozing dirt or you'll tweak your FEL arms.
Go with the lighter blade and don't use it for dozing dirt or you'll tweak your FEL arms.
If it was me I would go with the lighter blade. I also have a "shelf" road and that makes the blade work very nicely. No big snow banks to deal with. I put hydraulic angle on mine so I can push to the same side going out and coming back to the house. That will add more weight.
Attachments
Thanks guys for the great responses. I just orderd the lighter 72" blade as everyone has suggested. I ordered it from Robert at Michigan Iron and Equipment. He has gone above and beyond answering all of my questions. It ended up being his recommendation also to go with the lighter blade with the QA for the loader arms. I am also going with hydraulic angle. They will deliver it to Vermont with the hydrualic angle for a total of $1675. It will go to manufacturing next Wednesday the 19th and will ship on Monday the 24th, although I'd prefer it to ship today!!!
Do you have a 3rd function on your hydraulics to control the angle? Never mind, just so in your first post you have a grapple.
DCJL,
You'll love the blade. The light snows are fine to deal with, but when you get the first big storm and get a chance to roll the snow off to one side in medium gear you will have a huge smile on your face. As Mech says, push to one side, turn around and change the blade angle, then zip back up rolling the snow pile you just created even further off the drive. If the pile gets too high just raise the blade 6" or so and straddle the bank as you drive, peeling off the top of the pile. Then clean up the remainder on the next pass.
You'll love the blade. The light snows are fine to deal with, but when you get the first big storm and get a chance to roll the snow off to one side in medium gear you will have a huge smile on your face. As Mech says, push to one side, turn around and change the blade angle, then zip back up rolling the snow pile you just created even further off the drive. If the pile gets too high just raise the blade 6" or so and straddle the bank as you drive, peeling off the top of the pile. Then clean up the remainder on the next pass.
Thanks guys. Once I get the front blade I should be all set for the snow as I will now have the following.
TC34DA with loader and 1 extra hydraulic front and 2 extra hydraulics rear
5' QA bucket
6' QA snow plow with hydraulic angle
6' Rear blade
5' Rear New Holland Snow Blower (need to get hydraulic chute rotation and angle)
Rear mounted Curtis sand spreader
front and rear chains
The only real problem will be trying to figure out what units to have on. Everything is pretty fast changing except for the sander, and after that the rear snow blower. My guess is the front snow blade and the rear sander will be the norm as we live on a pretty steep hill and sand is needed almost as much as plowing. When the snow builds up too much I'll swap the sander off for the rear snow blower to kill the mountains of snow. With the front blade on I'll be able to knock down the hills so the snow blower can go at them.
TC34DA with loader and 1 extra hydraulic front and 2 extra hydraulics rear
5' QA bucket
6' QA snow plow with hydraulic angle
6' Rear blade
5' Rear New Holland Snow Blower (need to get hydraulic chute rotation and angle)
Rear mounted Curtis sand spreader
front and rear chains
The only real problem will be trying to figure out what units to have on. Everything is pretty fast changing except for the sander, and after that the rear snow blower. My guess is the front snow blade and the rear sander will be the norm as we live on a pretty steep hill and sand is needed almost as much as plowing. When the snow builds up too much I'll swap the sander off for the rear snow blower to kill the mountains of snow. With the front blade on I'll be able to knock down the hills so the snow blower can go at them.
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JB4310
Super Member
DCJL,
You listed a 7' plow? Did you change your mind again?
Probably just a typo, Ya I would say your hooked up for snow now!!!
Anything heavy like 12" I would go with the blower first, this way your not doubling up the snow by just pushing it to the side.
JB.
You listed a 7' plow? Did you change your mind again?
Probably just a typo, Ya I would say your hooked up for snow now!!!
Anything heavy like 12" I would go with the blower first, this way your not doubling up the snow by just pushing it to the side.
JB.
Yea, brain fart....6 ft plow would work best for snow removal on my 34da. It will be great so as not enough to over load the arms. Most of my driveway has a steep edge on one side that I can just push the snow over onto, so the extra reach helps. Plus of course like you said, I have the blower for either heavy snow or for bank blowing. The company I decided to work with only makes the blades in even foot sizes, so a 5 footer would have been a little too small and a 7 footer too large. The only thing I would really like is hydro for the snowblower chute and deflector, but it will not be an everyday user like the blade so I think I can handle it without.
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