Snow Plowing with ToolCat

[Song Dogger]

Using a V-plow, can a ToolCat plow snow as well as a pickup? Loaded question, I'll try to frame it.

I currently use a John Deere 3046r (46 HP) utility tractor with a 7 foot rear blade to plow snow on a 1-mile well-crowned gravel road with huge borrow ditches. It's a lot of S turns on mostly a slight grade with two 100 yard sections of steeper stuff. I'm forced to ride the ditch edge to try to get the windrows into the ditches, but the road still narrows as winter progresses. I also leave a skiff of snow to keep the gravel in place, so my lighter weight set-up winds up sliding in the ditch more than I care to admit, especially since I lose steering with chains only on the rear (front chains tear up hydraulic lines). So, I need something with the reach or throw to get snow into the borrow ditches and keep me out of them.

If weight is an advantage, the ToolCat weighs more than my 1/2 ton pickup, but not as much as my 1 ton. I can chain all 4 wheels on the ToolCat and leave them on all winter, as opposed to chaining up an everyday truck every time I need it. Plow hook-up should also be easier on a ToolCat. Seems the ToolCat 5610 would do everything my 3046r does, so I could trade it in with its front implements. I could keep my rear implements, although I'd trade my backward-driving, shear-pin-busting PTO snow blower for a front mounted hydraulic one.

So, keep the tractor and buy a truck plow for an everyday truck, installing chains and the V-plow when I need it? Or, trade the tractor and gear for a ToolCat 5610 with a V-plow? If I was sure the ToolCat could match the truck plow, I'd lay out the money...

 

[ruffdog]

I traded my NH TC33D and RTV900 in on a Toolcat 5610 last year. I was cautious snow plowing with the 5610 until I knew its limitations. With half wore out turfs, I was surprised how good the traction was and how little it spun the tires. The heft and suspension I think was what kept all 4 tires planted. I had a plow on both the front and rear so I could plow either way. For clearing around the buildings, it was very quick. The 4 wheel steering works very good and doesn't "push" the fronts when turning. If you get a plow, get one that floats like the one on a truck. I think it would benefit you to have a wing to push further without having to drive deep in the ditch. If you chain one up, I don't think you could stop it.

 

[Xfaxman]

No snow plowing experience here, but the Toolcat is very popular with commercial snow removal guys. One reason is, it can handle a front mount snow blower.

Look at the "similar threads" at the bottom of the page.

 

[Song Dogger]

I traded my NH TC33D and RTV900 in on a Toolcat 5610 last year. I was cautious snow plowing with the 5610 until I knew its limitations. With half wore out turfs, I was surprised how good the traction was and how little it spun the tires. The heft and suspension I think was what kept all 4 tires planted. I had a plow on both the front and rear so I could plow either way. For clearing around the buildings, it was very quick. The 4 wheel steering works very good and doesn't "push" the fronts when turning. If you get a plow, get one that floats like the one on a truck. I think it would benefit you to have a wing to push further without having to drive deep in the ditch. If you chain one up, I don't think you could stop it.

Funny, I had a TC33D, traded it for this JD 3046r. Didn't go big enough, I guess. I have seen a number of videos of the ToolCat plowing commercially on hard top, most without chains even. Impressive. I was more concerned about traction with chains on a gravel road with a layer of snow/ice on it, since I avoid disturbing the gravel as much as I can. But, my 1/2 pickup has little problem on it, so the ToolCat should do fine, right? And, it's gotta be better than my lightweight JD 3046r with no chains on the front.

 

[Song Dogger]

No snow plowing experience here, but the Toolcat is very popular with commercial snow removal guys. One reason is, it can handle a front mount snow blower.

Look at the "similar threads" at the bottom of the page.

Whoa - never noticed the "similar thread" links before. Thanks!

 

[Xfaxman]

-------------------------------

Look at the "similar threads" at the bottom of the page.

Whoa - never noticed the "similar thread" links before. Thanks!

You're welcome :thumbsup:.

 

[ruffdog]

Funny, I had a TC33D, traded it for this JD 3046r. Didn't go big enough, I guess. I have seen a number of videos of the ToolCat plowing commercially on hard top, most without chains even. Impressive. I was more concerned about traction with chains on a gravel road with a layer of snow/ice on it, since I avoid disturbing the gravel as much as I can. But, my 1/2 pickup has little problem on it, so the ToolCat should do fine, right? And, it's gotta be better than my lightweight JD 3046r with no chains on the front.

I do the same....I leave snow pack on the gravel so I don't disturb it. I did have a chance to get on some pure ice in a field area and on a slight hill. I kept going faster, turning and doing stop/starts. It did WAY better than my TC33D would have, even when I went into high range (rabbit mode).

 

[cd1075]

hi On my third year of plowing with my toolcat, after 36 yrs of snow plowing this thing is amazingView attachment IMG_20190310_103408050.jpg

 

[DEWFPO]

Now that's a plow!:drool:

DEWFPO

 

[cd1075]

Hi that is a 8 1/2 western MVP3 I built the mount for it, it is awesome,