Snowblower Snow blowing/sanding combo...need advice

[rfc143]

Kubota L5240, with cab and HLA plow. 1500' steep driveway in snow country. Works well, but in late winter banks get too high and we end up with a bobsled course. Options we're thinking of are:
1. Inverted blower; keep plow on front or not; don't know.
2. Front blower, but not sure they need hydraulics or can run from a "mid mount pto", which we don't have but could add. That would let us use a sander on the rear.

Pros and cons of either? Ya I know, it's not even summer yet, but would like to figure this out in plenty of time once our 9 days of summer are over.

 

[seasled]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/

 

[leonz]

SO much depends on what you can afford and whether you are using sand only or sand and salt mix.

You can purchase a sand only spreader that you lower flat to the ground and then back up and scoop up a load of sand or mount it on a front quick hitch set up to do the same thing BUT it will be of a very low capacity where a larger Vicon pendulum spreader will carry a lot of material

A front or rear mounted snow caster will eliminate the snow banks and you will not need the HLA plow.

KEEP IN MIND that an inverted snow blower WILL NOT remove snow banks.

I helped a friend purchase a VICON pendulum spreader for his long steep driveway much like yours(longer) and he is very happy with the purchase as he uses sand and windshield washer fluid to keep the dry sand flowing. He stores his dry sand in super sacks in his heated garage.

A 60 inch single stage Riest front mount snow thrower with a 13 inch diameter snow thrower rotor would work well with your mule as it will cost less than a 2 stage snow thrower.

I forgot to add that the Reist units can be mounted on the front or rear with a few changes and no extra parts as it has a quick attach plate and three point hitch already.


You have to do a lot of work long before the snow comes AND DO NOT LET YOUR DEALER MAKE YOUR decisions for you.

 

[rfc143]

Thank you very much for the input. I've seen Vicon and never knew anyone with first hand experience; Will investigate. I'm coming up empty with Google on "Riest".
Finding nothing at all. Who makes them?

 

[LouNY]

I use a blade mounted on my FEL to plow snow with, I have contemplated getting an inverted blower but haven't done so yet. I used to use the loader bucket and rear blade. I have a conventional sander set on a truck, if I didn't have it truck mounted I would have it trailer mounted, I would not use the 3 pt. mounted spreaders such as the Vicon they all require dry sand and will bridge easily. Small conventional spreaders can be 3 pt mounted. If not wanting a truck mounted spreader a trailer mounted conventional spreader can be easily loaded from a sand/salt pile using your loader, the drive can be a small engine or hydraulic from your tractor. If a trailer mount is the final decision I would set it up with high tongue weight and seriously consider brakes and chains on it. What ever you choose I wouldn't consider any sander on my tractor without quality chains on the tractor to anchor it well.
View attachment snow bank 5 jan 18.jpg
This Euro style chain is easy on your driveway, yet will provide more grip (traction) as well as a smooth ride then any other style. As far as sand/salt goes I get a triaxle load every other or third year and cover it with plastic to keep the rain and snow off it.
good luck

 

[aczlan]

A 60 inch single stage Riest front mount snow thrower with a 13 inch diameter snow thrower rotor would work well with your mule as it will cost less than a 2 stage snow thrower.
I forgot to add that the Reist units can be mounted on the front or rear with a few changes and no extra parts as it has a quick attach plate and three point hitch already.

Ummm, the tractor is 67" wide and Kubota puts a 72" blower on the front of it (per: TractorData.com Kubota L524 tractor attachments information ).
Personally, I REALLY like having a 84" blower on our L3830 (made by Loftness, driven off of the rear PTO), that gives you enough room to keep the tractor wheels out from the side of the barn when blowing next to it. I wouldn't put a 60" blower on anything larger than a Kubota BX series machine (or POSSIBLY a B series).

Aaron Z

 

[leonz]

Thank you very much for the input. I've seen Vicon and never knew anyone with first hand experience; Will investigate. I'm coming up empty with Google on "Riest".
Finding nothing at all. Who makes them?

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The single stage snwo throwers have snow gathering wings welded into their design.


About Riest Industries:

www.riestindustries.ca

They are located in Elimira, Ontario, Canada.

if you order and buy direct you will save money with the Canadian dollar being weak and you will have the 8% Ontario sales tax refunded to you at the border crossing if you pick it up or pay for the snow thrower with a credit card or bank check.

Riest Industries has a reseller/dealer in Albany but it may be closer for you to just pick it up. All the parts are generic(chains, sprockets, bearings, hydraulic hoses) are generic and available locally. Asking for a hydraulic cylinder to rotate the chute will simplify the installation for you as a hydraulic motor and chain drive would be needed otherwise.

You can special order a series 1000 in wider widths and add hydraulic chute rotation and spout control as added options which would be a must with a front mount snow caster.

Adding a work order for a taller chute would be a must to keep the snow dust and spatter out of your line of sight whether it is mounted on the front or rear of the mule.

When you go to the Riest home web page you can see videos of their snow throwers, snow blowers and other implements like road and arena groomers etc.