Buying Advice Snow removal considerations.

[GManBart]

Keep in mind they do make rear snow throwers that you use while driving forward...they're a bit more expensive than the rear versions that you use while backing up. In many norther climates a rear pull-type thrower with a front blade or bucket is the preferred combination.

 

[Parkanzky]

I've tried to imagine using one of those, but I really don't like the idea of having to drive over the snow before I clear it. It might not matter as much on a gravel drive, but on my paved drive, I know that I wouldn't get it as clean once I ran over the snow. And if there's a LOT of snow, a SCUT is going to be doing some work just to get through it.

Other than cost, is there an advantage to one of those over the front-mounted blower?

 

[GManBart]

I've tried to imagine using one of those, but I really don't like the idea of having to drive over the snow before I clear it. It might not matter as much on a gravel drive, but on my paved drive, I know that I wouldn't get it as clean once I ran over the snow. And if there's a LOT of snow, a SCUT is going to be doing some work just to get through it.

Other than cost, is there an advantage to one of those over the front-mounted blower?

The folks up north don't seem to have a problem with compacting the snow when they drive over it....the cutting edge seems to break it up just fine in the videos I've watched.

I think there are a couple of possible advantages that vary with each person's use and machine. One, they keep the loader free so you can keep your bucket, or add a plow blade. Two, they add weight to the rear tires, so you should get better traction. Three, you can use them to back right up to something like a garage door, and get virtually 100% of the snow cleared which you're not going to do with a front mount or conventional 3pt thrower. Some units even offer a hydraulic cutting edge that lets you back up, drop the blade, and drag forward any snow right next to things.

I was considering going with a front plow blade and rear pull-type for my LS before I sold it. My idea was to make one pass with the blade to open a cut, then use the blower to make passes on either side of the cut, which would really just be one in each direction with that size machine and a normal driveway.

 

[jgraves]

I recently replaced my JD L130 with 42" snow blower with a JD 2032R and 54" front mount snow blower. The 2032R works great with the 54" blower. The extra tractor weight and 4wd really help with steering and the odd time that doesn't help, the split brakes do. I'm glad I went with the 2032R over the 2025R as the blower requires all the power available in heavy snow.

My recommendation is to continue clearing light snowfalls with the UTV and blade. It will be faster than anything on a small tractor. Get a snow blower for whatever tractor makes the most sense for your other tractor needs. Use it for heavy snow falls and to clean up the banks from plowing with the UTV.

For clearing long driveways, the front mount blower is great. There is not much difference between front or rear mount when cleaning up snowbanks or clearing shorter areas like parking spaces. If you plan on using the loader frequently during the winter, the rear mount blower great option.

Consider all your tractor uses and your usage patterns to determine what works best for you. 15 to swap the front blower to the loader is no big deal when you have a full day of loader work to do but it's a major dis-incentive to doing a 5 minute loader job.

 

[jaydee325]

I have noticed these. If I could find a good used one at a good price, I'd jump on it. Some of them are equipped with a hydraulic blade that allows getting close to buildings.

The folks up north don't seem to have a problem with compacting the snow when they drive over it....the cutting edge seems to break it up just fine in the videos I've watched.

I think there are a couple of possible advantages that vary with each person's use and machine. One, they keep the loader free so you can keep your bucket, or add a plow blade. Two, they add weight to the rear tires, so you should get better traction. Three, you can use them to back right up to something like a garage door, and get virtually 100% of the snow cleared which you're not going to do with a front mount or conventional 3pt thrower. Some units even offer a hydraulic cutting edge that lets you back up, drop the blade, and drag forward any snow right next to things.

I was considering going with a front plow blade and rear pull-type for my LS before I sold it. My idea was to make one pass with the blade to open a cut, then use the blower to make passes on either side of the cut, which would really just be one in each direction with that size machine and a normal driveway.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[grm61]

Hello. After a long time reading information on this forum I am getting closer to buying a Kubota B2650 or something similar. I need a tractor primarily for loader work like moving soil for garden beds and landscaping. I also need to move a bit of snow. I am looking for some advice from those with experience.

First some background. We live in northern Alberta and are trying to get lined up to build out on my parent's home quarter where we have our garden, chickens, and so on. My wife and I want to get out of town before we retire which is still a fair ways off but coming quicker. I have been using either a JD LX188 with a 38" front snow blower or my Rhino with a blade with home made hydraulic raise and angle to keep the yard clear for my retired mother up to this point. The gravel driveway is a u-shape and is about 500 feet long plus some other trails in the yard. Once we build there will be a fair bit more driveway. The Rhino is far faster but at some point pushing I eventually run out of room, especially after a good dump of snow. I also believe that plowing puts a lot of wear on any brand of UTV so I want to use it less for this. The snow blower can remove the snow but it is a relatively very slow process and nasty when the wind returns that same snow into my face. The steering on the JD LX188 is dreadful with the snow blower down as the skids force it to continue going straight. If it is raised enough to prevent this there will also be enough snow left to end up with the tractor stuck. It tends to get stuck fairly often. Yes, it has rear chains and weights. I also do realize this is a lot different tractor than the Kubota.

So I have to make some large decisions:

4. Forget the B2650 and buy something a bit larger with a loader and angling blade and not need the snow blower (and that money buys the larger tractor). I know at some point a tractor and bucket or blade is big enough to overcome any snowfall but money becomes an issue really quickly.

5. Maybe forget the angling blade on the loader altogether and get a heavier duty 3pt blade to plow lighter snow (which could also act as a rear ballast) and use the bucket to push and lift the heavier snow when needed.

Also which tires are better in snow and ice? R1 or R4? (I will never use this tractor for mowing as we have two riding mowers that are cheaper to wear out and cut 48" and 54" each.) I would likely use chains on the rear with either type of tire. Chains might be nice on the front for steering but I would hate to do damage with front chains and steering components if they come off or make contact during a turn.
I would appreciate some input from those of you who have been down this road.

Bingo!

Get a bigger tractor, with loaded tires.
A front blade would be nice but you can do alot with a rear blade and the loader.

My neighbor has a quad with a front blade, when the snow is wet he can't push it half way accross his yard, despite taking 25 foot full throttle runs at it...with a decent sized tractor you can push snow till the cows come home. ...EFFORTLESSLY .. a blower would be nice, but if on a budget I would go with a 35 horse or better tractor with some weight to it, with a FEL and Rear blade...Then add toys as needed/wanted.

You can do a lot with a rear blade and FEL on a tractor that has a little sack to it

I have R4s on my DK45, the rears are loaded, I bought chains for it, when iI bought the tractor but have not needed them, despite driving off the road into 4 foot ditches full of snow.... full to road level that the snowplow has pushed in....at that point its just a matter of getting yourself positioned in the ditch so that the rear blade doesn't hang you up to drive out..things a brute:thumbsup:

 

[check]

I use my Can Am 650 Max ATV with a 5 foot front plow blade most of the time, simply because most of the time there isn't that much snow by the time I get to it. (I try not to let the snow build up, and my ATV is good for maybe 8-10" if it is not wet and slushy.) It zooms along and clears the driveway REAL fast. Then, when and if there's a lot of snow, out comes the rear blower on my Kubota BX 25. I also use the Kubota for blowing out the snowbanks on the side when they build up. And, because I still have the front end loader on, I can do any kind of final clear up, or dig into the icy mess that the county plow often makes at the front of my driveway, or what have you.

I am willing to look backwards while blowing with the rear blower, although, yes, it does give you a bit of a stiff neck after a long while using it.

So, your UTV with the plow will no doubt be your best friend, unless you have huge amounts to plow each time there's a snowfall.

And yes, the rear blowers are maybe half as much as the front blowers, and for the BX 25 they are twice as tough as the front blowers easier to put on, and with much thicker steel.

A quarter section - I'm jealous!

From an ex-Calgarian who moved to Toronto, and who now does his snow clearing up north in cottage country near Algonquin Park.

 

[darcydw]

Thanks for all the input. The Rhino works well when it can. The speed at which it moves snow is great. I do worry about the wear and tear a snow plow causes it. I guess that can be minimized if I quit using it for the heavier snow removal too. On the flip side UTV parts are also relatively cheap compared to a tractor.

So maybe I will start with the loader and rear blade. I can slope drainage ditches and do scraping with the blade. Maybe move some snow with it. The loader can, however slow it may be, push and/or lift back the snow banks when needed. If that fails I can look at buying whichever snow blower seems better at the time. Or pay the municipality grader to help. However I would like to be totally self-sufficient whenever possible.

I am afraid that not buying a snow blower just means buying another accessory or two for it. I am afraid the tractor may be the tip of the ice berg!

 

[grm61]

Thanks for all the input. The Rhino works well when it can. The speed at which it moves snow is great. I do worry about the wear and tear a snow plow causes it. I guess that can be minimized if I quit using it for the heavier snow removal too. On the flip side UTV parts are also relatively cheap compared to a tractor.

So maybe I will start with the loader and rear blade. I can slope drainage ditches and do scraping with the blade. Maybe move some snow with it. The loader can, however slow it may be, push and/or lift back the snow banks when needed. If that fails I can look at buying whichever snow blower seems better at the time. Or pay the municipality grader to help. However I would like to be totally self-sufficient whenever possible.

I am afraid that not buying a snow blower just means buying another accessory or two for it. I am afraid the tractor may be the tip of the ice berg!

Plowing snow witha utv puts a lot of strain on it.\

A decent sized tractor with a rear blade will move a lot of snow.. if you run out of room spent an hour to move it with the loader ..no big deal...beats working with a tinker toy:laughing: