Snow Removal

[dieseler]

..posted this in mahindra by mistake....rookie move....

Hey all-

Contemplating buying a GC-2600 series with FEL and backhoe.
One of the things i want to use the machine for is snow removal.
At this point looking a turf tires.

How easy is it to move snow with the bucket. I am trying to avoid the $'s of the blower or a blade but don't want to be cursing myself this winter.

Live in southern New York State.

Anyone have experience using the bucket? Does it take forever?

Thanks

 

[Yankee]

Not much real difference for a light snow of 2-3", but after that the time starts going up with the FEL. It depends on the area being cleared, though. I have a couple of areas that I usually push into a big pile with the FEL when the snowfall is heavy - and then move the pile a bucket at a time. It's not fast! A blade would be easier and faster. I just haven't wanted to pony up for one.

The basic problem with a loader is that because it can only push inline with the tractor, snow spills off to either side. That makes for multiple passes and makes it doubly slower in tight areas. On the other hand, if you only have to make straight passes from start to where you leave the snow, the extra runs are quick and no big deal.

Also, if you have any hills, you may want chains. My R4s slip going uphill when the snow is heavy. Sometimes a running start carries me up, but most of the time it's just as easy (if slower) to start each pass at the top.

 

[ray66v]

I move snow with a GC2310.

I have a fairly flat, 300' gravel drive, with 2 aprons. I'm using turfs, without chains, and it's all good.

The bucket is not the best way to go, but, it will get you done.

If the snow is deep, it is going to slow things down.

After the first year, I made a 72" plow. When the plow is angled, I push through 4' snow drifts, without any difficulty.

 

[dieseler]

what does the plow run? $$'s

Anyone have a blower?

 

[LBrown59]

..posted this in mahindra by mistake....rookie move....

Hey all-

Contemplating buying a GC-2600 series with FEL and backhoe.
One of the things i want to use the machine for is snow removal.
At this point looking a turf tires.

How easy is it to move snow with the bucket. I am trying to avoid the $'s of the blower or a blade but don't want to be cursing myself this winter.

Live in southern New York State.

Anyone have experience using the bucket? Does it take forever?

Thanks

Here is 1 of my snow removal rigs.

 

[75H2]

I have a GC2300. Very similar tractor. The answer to your question depends on the area from which you must remove snow. It it's a smaller area on a paved or concrete surface the loader will do OK. However, larger driveway / parking areas in a high snow region are a real challenge for a loader alone. A front blade is nice, but if we have another winter like the last you will quickly run out of room to push the snow. I did the loader / rear blade thing for 2 years. It was marginal at best. After the 2nd 2+ foot snowfall this past winter I bit the bullet and bought a rear blower. I wish I would have done it sooner. As far as prices go I think a front blade and rear blower will work out near 2K each. I assume you won't need to buy a loader valve. A front mount blower will be about 3.5K. If you want one of those order now. Delivery times are out to August / September

Good luck, welcome to the board

 

[loulblades]

I started out using the front loader and a rear blade to push snow around. I bolted an oak strip on the bottom of the bucket to keep from tearing up my asphalt driveway.

After a couple of winters I bought the front blower and am really glad I had it this winter. As previously mentioned, if you have a couple good snows the project is not only to clear the driveway but also clearing a place to put the snow. With the blower I only deal with the snow once.

 

[ray66v]

As previously mentioned, if you have a couple good snows the project is not only to clear the driveway but also clearing a place to put the snow.

This is the one big drawback to a plow. However, with good planning, at least in my area, this is not an issue.

There are also a few unmentioned drawbacks to a blower:

Using one in any kind of wind, without a cab, can be unbearable. Personally, I will never do it again.

If you have a gravel drive, it can get ugly. I have actually had a rock hit my cold vinyl siding, and shatter a hole in it.

If the city plows tend to deposit pieces of asphalt in your drive, the blower is potentially an expensive way to find them. Been here too.

Snow blowing takes longer, most of the time. I can almost always plow at full speed, if I wanted too.

In the case of a rear mount, you have to drive backwards for long periods of time.

In the case of the front mount, there have been shear pin & drive shaft issues.

 

[blackd]

I have used a FEL and back blade for years on a larger, 28 HP Yanmar FX24D. This past winter went with a GC2400 and the FEL and blade. Have a blower on order as I write this!

Working a blade is similar to using a rear blower. Always driving backwards with head turned. FEL will dig up gravel/stone driveway and area where snow is moved. I'm still repairing the dig marks and raking stones back onto the driveway.

Here in SoMD we get one large storm/Yr, and this year had 3. Since wife won't move to warmer climate for winter, I went with blower.

 

[AMCS]

Depends on your property and if you have places to push snow. I have a GC2310 with a front blower. It's nice to throw the snow where you don't have to deal with it again. I have 150' of driveway and about 700' of 2-lane road I keep clear and it does a great job.