Snow storms tractor for emergency travel

[leonz]

Ok, this is probably a naive question, but is it practical to use a tractor for
emergency travel on roads during severe snow storms?

Living near Buffalo NY, we had the "thrill" of what we call Snovember 2014
with about 7 feet of snow at my place over a 3 day periods.

All roads in my area were closed for about 5 days, although it was clear some
vehicles did get around (4 wheel drive SUVs, trucks) and snowmobiles.

I don't have any of those toys but I am seriously considering upgrading
my subcompact tractor (24 hp) to more of a real tractor (42 hp) with 4 wheel
drive of course plus much greater ground clearance etc....

As everyone probably understand, I'm in the process of "justifying the upgrade cost".
Being able to use a larger tractor during a snow storm to get emergency medical etc. supplies
would be a BIG PLUS/Selling Point.:thumbsup:

Comments please and thanks!!

============================================================================

Greetings from the Finger Lakes,

(a)

You want a larger mule than the 42 horsepower frame size.

There are plenty of used four wheel drive row crop tractors in that size for sale
or coming off lease from the dealer networks.

The row crop tractors are the only ones that will have higher ground clearance.

Ideally you want a row crop mule in the 90 HP frame size with the
following items:

1. all weather cab
1a. buddy seat
2. loaded tires
3. rear chains
4. front end loader
5. 7 foot rear mounted snow blower-
a. Pronovost or Lorenz brand
6. high intensity spot lights(NOT LED's)
no LED work lights as they will not melt snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The larger rear mounted snow caster will let you move more snow quickly
and keep the roads open in your area if needed.

Most Snow cats are all steel tracked units and will tear up asphalt and the town fathers will not look kindly on your driving around unless the snow is very deep.

 

[JerryK]

All Tucker-Terra Sno-Cat® Models

 

[Unclewilley]

I live near Buffalo and during that storm I drove my cab mahindra 4510 from Hamburg, past the McKinley mall and to my rental units to clear the driveways, I had my son following me in the Hummer and we had some tight fits between abandoned cars.

Good to hear! I'm sure it was a challenge with the abandoned cars, especially not wanting to hit one buried in snow

Hard to believe at least 2 people died in their cars buried on the side of roads and not even in a rural area!!!! Now areas need to buy heavier duty snow plows as many of the standard plows couldn't get through. Did you see a recent article about a "min-ice-age" coming in about 15 years due to sun activity variations

 

[Garandman]

All Tucker-Terra Sno-Cat® Models

They nake tractors look cheap..... A well used model will set you back $40-50K.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 will easily move thru any amount of snow we get here(max would be 18 inches). I have, several times, taken the tractor "down the road" to plow out neighbor's driveways after a heavy snowfall.

Since my tractor is open station - I've never used it to get into town(12 miles). I've found it much easier to just wait it out - going to town. Our county roads have always been cleared within two days of any major snowfall.

However - that being said - I DO like the idea of using a properly equipped tractor, of the proper size, as an emergency vehicle. If you are going to do this - be certain the tractor has the appropriate warning lights on it.

In a true emergency - I doubt any LEO would have strenuous objection.

 

[gladehound]

I'm in SE PA. LEO's just wave when they see a tractor on the road Emergency or not. Our 20hp tractor has ~8-9 " clearance and goes through 12" easily and usually doesn't have much trouble until over 14-15" and only if it's heavy and wet. Our 45hp tractor has never seen enough snow to give it any trouble. At 15" the snow is just starting to touch the front axle. Someone mentioned tire size as a criteria for a deep snow tractor, I think ground clearance is even more important than tire size.

 

[Garandman]

ThInk a tractor can do this?

 

[gladehound]

ThInk a tractor can do this?

I think you selected the wrong video. Your average AWD car could have done anything in that video! I can remember taking my mom (a nurse) to the hospital on the back of my snowmobile as a teen during some "snow emergencies" that would keep the average rear wheel drive car off the road. The advantage over a tractor is the speed. I saw 100 mph on the speedo up one hill (track speed, not real speed, probably only doing 60mph) and it was a blast. A lot more fun than driving a tractor. However, in really deep snow, a snow machine wont go without the right design (big lugs on high surface area track, bug skis). We've had many 2+ foot wet snows that our snow machines would just dig a whole in and my F-250 with 35" AT tires would drive right through. In fact, never got the F-250 stuck in snow, even in a 42" dump in Maine that left my dad's stock suburban stranded. We all piled in the F-250 and went skiing!

 

[Garandman]

I owever, in really deep snow, a snow machine wont go without the right design (big lugs on high surface area track, bug skis).

Right, and the OP was inquiring about "emergencies." A Yamaha Viking, which has a 20" wide track, high and low range, etc, is $13,000 MSRP brand new.

 

[Rock knocker]

Second overland trip to the South Pole was made using Ferguson tractors as prime movers.

Third