Snow snow removal question

[jcmseven]

Surprisingly we get quite a lot of snow where I live, and I have used most types of snow removal plowing equipment available. So far, my favorite is my Gator XUV and plow, but tractor-wise, the boom mounted front 6' blade works really well. The problem is that the blade takes up quite a lot of storage space when not in use. I would love to have a snowblower for my 3720, as it would likely blow the snow about a mile and running PTO attachments is its strength. Unfortunately, it is expensive and when I asked my dealer about it, he laughed. Said he did not want to be the first JD dealer in NC to sell a snowblower.

John M

 

[NewJDGuy]

I guees I"m in the minority here as I use my 2520 and the FEL with the 61in bucket. During a large storm last year (for this area) I plowed my parents black topped driveway (300 ft) uphill with 20in on the ground. No chains, and just the I-Match box loaded with concrete and elevator weight. It quickly began to turn the snow over in the FEL and produced a rolling mound of snow that eventually obscured forward vision. My brother guided me forward and the 2520 didn't even groa or slip on the blacktop. Pushed the entire roll, now 15ft in height off the driveway. The neighbors driveway, which is essentially the same, save for being gravel - stopped and stuck my brothers F-250 and snow plow (back end loaded with weight and wearing 33in good M/T tires). I use it to plow my driveway (concrete with an incline) with no problems. The driveway previously caused problems with my IH Low Boy, chains and a plow. I use the loader to create snow piles in the yard for my kids to play in. It does take longer to leave the driveway spotless clean than with a plow, as snow tends to fall off the sides of the loader. However, I don't kill my shrubs up against the edge of the driveway. Finally, I like the fact that I can put the piles of snow where I want them. No more pushing bushes or piling it up across the street in the neighbors yard. I do have access to a back blade (for my Dad's Ford 8N) and utilized both at the same time to clear the "leftovers". But have found the time it takes to hook up the backblade is about the same time it takes me to clean up the "leftovers", so I don't bother with it.

 

[jcmseven]

The FEL is a good snow removal option if one has a lot of snow and/or not a lot of distance to cover. The FEL is nice because one can pile snow where one wants it to be, and option not available with other modalities. Unfortunately, for the volume of drive and road I have to plow, it would take quite a long time to get done. I must admit, though, that I have used my FEL to move snow banks created by my plow. Still, no tractor I have ever used has proven to be as efficient moving snow as my Gator. I suspect other UTV's would share the same benefits. I am excited to get in my new 6' plow for my XUV. If it plows half as well as my older HPX did, I will be very happy.

John M

 

[a37b]

The FEL is a good snow removal option if one has a lot of snow and/or not a lot of distance to cover. The FEL is nice because one can pile snow where one wants it to be, and option not available with other modalities. Unfortunately, for the volume of drive and road I have to plow, it would take quite a long time to get done. I must admit, though, that I have used my FEL to move snow banks created by my plow. Still, no tractor I have ever used has proven to be as efficient moving snow as my Gator. I suspect other UTV's would share the same benefits. I am excited to get in my new 6' plow for my XUV. If it plows half as well as my older HPX did, I will be very happy.

John M

John
Which plow did you get for the xuv? I am going to John Deere this weekend to look at or order a plow for mine. Which one did you have for the hpx?
I have a JD 4410 but the heated cab for the xuv is nicer for the winter time.
MM

 

[jcmseven]

I bought the EaglePlow for mine. It is a really nice plow. Mine is winch operated. The new JD heavy duty plow with the hydraulic lift coming out this year is probably the NICEST plow, but it is much more expensive. The Eagle Plow is durable and reasonably priced. I bought mine through my JD dealer. It looks better made than the current JD marketed plow. It is a manual angle but the angling lever is padded and it is a snap to angle. If I used my Gator for other plowing I would probably get the JD plow (I do not think it is available yet) but for snow removal this is the ticket. It also is easily stored and very durable. It takes about two minutes to hook it up and I plowed a lot last year. The XUV and HPX both take the same plow, a 72". They handle it fine and the plow is not so heavy as to effect the steering when it is up. Curtis also makes a nice plow, but it includes the lift mech which I did not need and also is much more expensive.

John M

 

[a37b]

I saw the new JD plow on ebay its called a powertach I think, it is hyd. angle and lift but they want 2499.00 for it.
That is as much as a 7ft pickup plow. That seems too much for a 72 in. plow. I think I will look at the older JD plows.
MM

 

[hemiguy]

Raykos,
Gosh this is a long thread and I haven't read it all but I would say definitely try out the FEL first before you spend big bucks on a blower or plow.

My setup is a 2520 with R4's , 61' 200CX FEL and 46BH and thats what I use for my driveway and it works excellent. Mine is paved, 2 cars wide, flat, and probably a little shorter than yours at about only 100'. Actually, I don't usually even have to use the 4wd. The BH mounted is a lot of weight and weight means traction on these small tractors so don't even bother to store it, just leave on the tractor. And of course this is stating the obvious but use L hydro range.

Keep in mind that many guys here have driveways that are several hundred feet long and with turns, hills, etc and for that the plow or blower is probably better. In your situation though I'll bet your 2305 and FEL will do just fine.

Let us know how you make out.

 

[jcmseven]

I would look seriously at the EaglePlow. They are really nice and are reasonably priced. Given the fact I plow a very long drive and over two miles of private service road with each snow, I can attest to their durability. I am not advertising for them, I just have been pleased in general with the performance of the plow, and I have used a lot. The larger picture though is that I really like a UTV for snowplowing. I like it over a tractor--big or small--or a pickup mounted system. I can tell you our neighborhood plow guy has a Dodge HD truck (dually) with a 7' Boss plow. He cannot plow as well or as fast as I can on our steep, slick and tight roads. He also will call me if he has a steep drive to plow to gauge my interest. Although I am not supposed to, I can legitimately plow at 15 mph and make turns fast. The UTV's manuverability makes it tough to beat in my conditions.

John M

 

[a37b]

John
I dont know any dealers in my area,NW Montana, how much are they? Do they come with a winch? I guess I will take a look online for them. I have heard alot of guys have them. Thanks for the tip.
MM

 

[jcmseven]

They do not come with the winch. I had that already. I do not know that it matters whether they have a dealer in the area, as my JD dealer is not an official dealer for them either. He has ordered exactly two blades from them, both for me. They apparently have not complained about this.

John M