Small Tractor reco - Primarily for snowblowing long drive

nybirdman · Nov 17, 2023

Pre 2012 is before emissions requirements

zombieda · Nov 17, 2023

nybirdman said:
Pre 2012 is before emissions requirements

Ahhh... thx

cj7 · Nov 17, 2023

So many points to consider....lol

I owned 7 acrs for 25 years in Western PA. Snow levels would be different from year to year.

Had concrete about 150ft and a gravel lane about 1/4 mile. No trees so if it was windy.....

I would let a snow base build on the gravel drive if possible. I kept the concret clear if I was having guests. Otherwise it probably had snow on it. We both drove 4wd vehicles.

First I had an 8N for mowing the field and a rider for 2 acres. Snow was plowed with a CJ7 jeep with meyer plow.
Then I switched jeeps to a J10 pick up. Actually 3 different ones over the years.

Then I bought an L2500 with a loader and 6ft back blade and a brush hog. sold the 8N.

Sold off jeeps.

I think the biggest snow I had there was 20 inches... it would drift across my lane and be deep. That one took some time to clear for sure. Would have been nice to have a blower from time to time.

A cab would have been nice too once in awhile. But temps were bearable and I figure... well the old timers had no cabs and the clothing was not as good. But thats me at a younger age too. Lol

I agree to take a look around and ask what everyone does locally. I am sure you will find a solution to fit your remove the snow within your time and money budget. Can always sell off and buy something else. Equipment tends to hold good value.

Williy · Nov 17, 2023

If your still looking for a tractor check out the Yanmar models

willy

zombieda · May 15, 2024

Just to wrap this up.... We've purchased a JD x570 with the 44" snowblower attachment. Will likely get an electric lift kit as well.... that sucker is Heavy!

hube2 · May 15, 2024

zombieda said:
Just to wrap this up.... We've purchased a JD x570 with the 44" snowblower attachment. Will likely get an electric lift kit as well.... that sucker is Heavy!

Have you actually done your 500m (1650ft) driveway with this when there is 2 or more feet of snow to move?

zombieda · May 15, 2024

hube2 said:
Have you actually done your 500m (1650ft) driveway with this when there is 2 or more feet of snow to move?

Nope. That will be next winter.... and it will have to do. I didn't have the budget to go anything bigger.

Understand, I will not be letting 2' of snow accumulate before clearing.... I'll be retired and that will be my only job... I can go out every hour if needed lol!!

hube2 · May 15, 2024

zombieda said:
Nope. That will be next winter.... and it will have to do. I didn't have the budget to go anything bigger.

Understand, I will not be letting 2' of snow accumulate before clearing.... I'll be retired and that will be my only job... I can go out every hour if needed lol!!

Understood, just some advice from someone that used to do the driveway with something similar.

It will cut through 2 feet of snow if you need to, but I would not want that job on that long driveway.

If your driveway is wide, or you keep it wider in the winter you'll want to start in the middle and blow in both directions. The blower will only move snow about 10 feet give or take, depending on how wet it is.

Keep the front wheel bearings well greased all winter. Make sure you have wheel bearing in the front. Some of the JD models just have bushings, not bearings. If this is the case you'll want to switch them to real bearings, this might require replacing the front wheels. The reason is that the weight of the blower will cause the bushings to eventually cut into the frond axles. You can probably guess how I know this.

You will need extra weight on the back. The weight of the blower will lift the back of that tractor and you will have no traction. I put tubes in my rears and filled them with 90% liquid, but most people would not do that. JD sells wheel weights that fit.

Get a good set of chains for those rear wheels.

zombieda · May 15, 2024

hube2 said:
Understood, just some advice from someone that used to do the driveway with something similar.

It will cut through 2 feet of snow if you need to, but I would not want that job on that long driveway.

If your driveway is wide, or you keep it wider in the winter you'll want to start in the middle and blow in both directions. The blower will only move snow about 10 feet give or take, depending on how wet it is.

Keep the front wheel bearings well greased all winter. Make sure you have wheel bearing in the front. Some of the JD models just have bushings, not bearings. If this is the case you'll want to switch them to real bearings, this might require replacing the front wheels. The reason is that the weight of the blower will cause the bushings to eventually cut into the frond axles. You can probably guess how I know this.

You will need extra weight on the back. The weight of the blower will lift the back of that tractor and you will have no traction. I put tubes in my rears and filled them with 90% liquid, but most people would not do that. JD sells wheel weights that fit.

Get a good set of chains for those rear wheels.

Thank-you for this! I will need some strategy once the time comes.... its a learning curve up from a walkbehind snowblower and a short driveway.

One good thing is that the drive is 99% open field from the house to the road, there is lots of room to throw off the snow to each side.

Fortunately it came with chains and weights... I can add more if necessary.

We had a plow service this last winter... he was very diligent and cleared after 2" of snow, but we only had 3 or 4 really big dumps that were really needed for a good clear out. Of course, every winter is different.