Snowblower + FEL, SCUT, CUT, Skid steer, what will work best for me?

[dodge man]

Not really. Remember diesel engines are all about torque, not horsepower. The engine in my BX2350 is 900cc's. It makes 23 horsepower. I have no idea how much power a 900cc engine in a motor cycle would make probably double to triple what the diesel engine in my BX makes, but you can take that little diesel engine and run it at near 100% power for many hours, the gas engine in a motor cycle wouldn't take that. Just a big difference between comparing gas and diesel engines. I think that used B7300 would make a good first tractor for you.

 

[jchewie]

Looked at a JD 790 and 2320 with loaders today, 1300 and 1200 hours respectively. The 2320 needed a minor repair, throttle slows down on its own, the 790 had difficulty engaging the pto when running and needed a new hose for the loader. The 790 seemed a little too big, but the 2320 looked like a nice machine ... priced at $10300.

 

[JKR]

If it was me living were your are. I would get a FEL and the largest Snow Blower you can get.. I think you need both.

 

[finn lander]

I also live in upper peninsula. Keweenaw county: where we avg. About 200 inches, and came just shy of 300 last winter. I bought a new tractor with front mount blower for this year. I really shopped hard for low hour used, but ended up buying LS 3037 with can. Great machine on over 60 inches so far. Keep looking used. You may find something very adequate in your price range.

 

[Rustyiron]

jchewie; I have both a skid steer and a tractor. Both are on the opposite HP "scale" of what you are considering, but it's all relevant, i.e.; bigger machine = bigger plow/blower.
My SS will plow circles around the tractor, with simple "ladder chain's" on all 4 tire's.
A few things to consider;
The SS will chew up your (bare) yard, but it sounds like you'll be well into winter when you rake your roof with plenty of snow on the ground for protection of your lawn.
Hydraulic snow blowers (the only type available) for SS's are much more expensive than a rear tractor (pto) blower.
It's pretty easy to keep the wind & snow out of a SS on a budget, the rear is closed with glass (on all SS's made within the past 15 yrs. or so) & the sides have a screen that is easy to attach plastic to leaving only the front open.
Used SS's with heat and a door (cab) are common and not hard to find vs a "low HP" small tractor with a cab in the used market.
Snowblowers gobble up HP like nothing else, don't shortchange your self.
If you use your walk behind equipment for the first ?? snows, your ground (lawn) will freeze and the mentioned snow or or "build up" will help your lawn no matter what "bigger" machine/method you end up with.
It sounds to me like your ($10K) is unrealistic and you will not be happy with the results. Now the $20k budget is more like it, but you'll be buying used and this is not easy and depending on your mechanical background, you can get something that could be a money pit.
Most of my commentary is thinking mostly about your massive pile of snow from your roof raking. The SS with the bucket will be helpful with this and some of your other concerns. my:2cents: good luck.

 

[Jeff F.]

I think chains on a skidsteer or tractor would damage the OP asphalt driveway, wouldn't it?

 

[Piston]

The most economical and versatile way to go, is going to be with a mid sized tractor with a minimum of 35PTO hp, a FEL, and a rear mount PTO snowblower, used.

You can get a good used full sized CUT, or smaller Utility sized tractor, open station, for 15-18k, and cheaper depending on your needs/wants.

Then find a good quality, medium or heavy duty snowblower wide enough to cover your tracks (I'd prefer closer to 40PTO hp on a 6' snowblower based on the massive amount of snow you'll run into). I would certainly go with a good quality used blower over a new lighter duty blower for the same price (even if the used costs more than a light duty new. Something like a Pronovost Puma series is going to be pretty light duty, but if you step up to the Pronovost Group 2 snowblowers, you will be much happier and it will last much longer.

If you got a lot of heavy wet snow, I would recommend something with a rotating shute like the Pronovost P-860TRC blower but that is a bigger, more expensive blower that demands more HP. In your situation, I'd not skimp on the blower, and PTO HP.

After you have those two (hopefully within your $20k budget), I would absolutely, without a doubt, recommend investing approximately $300-$400 dollars into a permanent mount heat controller, electric heated jacket liner, and electric heated gloves, as well as some some good head gear and goggles. Warm & Safe, the Home of the Warmest Clothing in the Universe This place makes some of the best heated gear out there.
It may seem silly at first, but it makes all the difference in the world. I have been out there with the wind blowing, in bitter cold, and wearing my heated gear with the "Heattroller" wired to my tractor, and have never once been able to keep it on full power. This is my "poor man's cab" until I can save up enough cash to purchase the "rich man's cab".

Just my humble opinion


EDIT: I've had mixed success depending on the "hardness" of the ice, with breaking it up and putting "grooves" in it for traction, by using a "Ratchet Rake" on my front end loader.