Snowplowing 4x4 tractor vs 4x4 pickup

[Builder]

What would plowing with a 45-50 horse 4x4 EROPS tractor with turfs or R-4 tires be like compared to say a 4x4 GMC or Ford pickup be like for a couple of residential driveways grouped together?

I realize a pickup would be the ticket for plowing commercially several driveways as I've owned a plowing business in the past. I've also plowed with my previous backhoe.

What I want to know specifically is how does a 45-50HP cab tractor plow snow compared to a pickup in a normal say 10" snowfall? I would think a pickup would be better because it's able to get up more speed and push the snow. I'm assuming a 7.5' or 8' power angle plow blade

 

[LarryRB]

piece of cake

 

[BarryinMN]

When I bought my cabbed tractor I got a 4 yard QT snow bucket as one of the attachments. Pretty much obsoleted the snow shovel.

A little more difficult to put a pickup blade right up to a garage door or on a deck.

 

[Builder]

Thanks for the pictures!

I know it could do the job, but does it struggle or spin out a lot?

I'm thinking a 40-50 horse CUT would weigh like 4,000-5,000 lbs, that's 2,000-3,000 lbs lighter than say my GMC3500. I would think the tractor might just sit & spin with a decent load in front of it.

 

[BarryinMN]

The thing I noticed is rear wheel traction is excellent R1's may have to lift up on the floating bucket to gain steering weight on the front end. Depending on the snow condition can push & break surface tension 20' out front. Tractor weight 10k lbs.

 

[jcmseven]

OK, I promise I will not bring up Ford and Chevy pickups in this post. (Kidding). Builder, I live in WNC where we get a fair amount of snow. Last year, not so much, but usually. I have a JD 3720 with a 6' front blade. It does a fine job. These machines are stout. They will not spin out, especially if they have MFWD. My 3720 is a monster in the snow and handles even lots of heavy wet snow without problem. My blade mounts to my loader arms after I detach the bucket. I would recommend it. The BEST thing I have ever used for snowplowing though is my JD Gator. I had an HPX diesel Gator with a 6' Eagle Plow and it was a plowing machine. I now have an XUV diesel and I suspect with its increased horsepower and weight it will be even faster. I plow the narrow, steep road into my drive in winter and it is about 3/4 mile in length. I also plow my 600' driveway which has a 20-30% pitch in some spots. Our neighborhood has a Dodge 3500 with a Meyers 7' plow on it and our plow guy gladly gives up several sections to me as the Gator can plow circles around his truck (and my tractor) on the terrain we have here. I would say if you are looking for the ultimate plowing machine for SNOW, a strong UTV (JD, Ranger, Rhino, etc.) with a front blade is the ticket; but a tractor will do a nice job. My only complaint is side sliding some with my tractor's R4 tires. They get good traction for pushing and with MFWD, I have had no problems there, but if the machine starts to slide it usually does so sideways, which can be unnerving. I suspect R1 tires would be better, and chains best, but they are so darned hard to put on I usually do not do it. Hope this is helpful, and I still like your Chevrolet.

John M

 

[DaryleD]

I can tell you that even though a tractor moves slow, it can push snow back farther than a pickup. I do have Valby ice chains on mine though. I only have a 30hp, and it has r-4's all around for tires. the chains are just on back tires. I usually snow blow with it, but when I break a shear pin sometimes, I use the bucket to finish up my and my mothers yards. I wouldn't want to go back to a pickup EVER! I have a 3/4 ton, with no plow... There's no need to have one. Don't underestimate tractors. Good luck on whatever you decide!
Daryle.

 

[browns40]

Hey Builder,

My experience is limited, as I have only done a couple of parking lots the last few years that were side by side with the tractor, and not plowed them myself but...

You can do a much cleaner job with a tractor (often down to pavement using the loader for the primary moving and box blade for "finish"), your visibility is perfect, and you can put the snow right where you want it, but it will take a lot longer, and will not be as comfortable. A friend helped out a couple days with his 9.2 Boss V-plow... I'll have one of those next winter!

Course with a box blade you can back right up to doorways & pull the snow right away from them, so the shovel is obsolete for the most part...

 

[Builder]

I have found a company that might be able to make me a power angling plow for my Case backhoe!

Phoenix Equipment Sells Snow Plows Plus Snow Removal Equipment

 

[Builder]

OK, I promise I will not bring up Ford and Chevy pickups in this post. (Kidding). Builder, I live in WNC where we get a fair amount of snow. Last year, not so much, but usually. I have a JD 3720 with a 6' front blade. It does a fine job. These machines are stout. They will not spin out, especially if they have MFWD. My 3720 is a monster in the snow and handles even lots of heavy wet snow without problem. My blade mounts to my loader arms after I detach the bucket. I would recommend it. The BEST thing I have ever used for snowplowing though is my JD Gator. I had an HPX diesel Gator with a 6' Eagle Plow and it was a plowing machine. I now have an XUV diesel and I suspect with its increased horsepower and weight it will be even faster. I plow the narrow, steep road into my drive in winter and it is about 3/4 mile in length. I also plow my 600' driveway which has a 20-30% pitch in some spots. Our neighborhood has a Dodge 3500 with a Meyers 7' plow on it and our plow guy gladly gives up several sections to me as the Gator can plow circles around his truck (and my tractor) on the terrain we have here. I would say if you are looking for the ultimate plowing machine for SNOW, a strong UTV (JD, Ranger, Rhino, etc.) with a front blade is the ticket; but a tractor will do a nice job. My only complaint is side sliding some with my tractor's R4 tires. They get good traction for pushing and with MFWD, I have had no problems there, but if the machine starts to slide it usually does so sideways, which can be unnerving. I suspect R1 tires would be better, and chains best, but they are so darned hard to put on I usually do not do it. Hope this is helpful, and I still like your Chevrolet.

John M

Thanks, John.

Very good advice guys.

 

[RFB]

10 inches? That's just kick out of the way stuff

I use a Curtis 7 foot blade on my Kubota 5030 with 853 QA FEL. I also installed the W.R. Long electric(solenoid)/hydraulic system for power angle function. This give left and right angle added to the normal lift and curl actions.

It is on and off in 2 minutes: detach bucket, drive to plow, hook in and throw levers, then plug in 2 hoses and go to work.

R1's front and rear and rear tire chains go on at beginning of winter.

A p/u would be stuck in the ditch going up this road.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/2756/size/big/sort/1/cat/500

 

[Builder]

I've plowed over 30" at a time with a dumptruck or backhoe, but not with a smaller tractor and I was just looking for real life experiences ie: ability, wheel slip, comfort in the cab, visibility, etc.

I actually found that FFC makes a 9,10,11 & 12' power angle plow for my CASE backhoe, so I might go in that direction, but I'm not sure. I'll still need a 50HP tractor.

 

[HEC]

I have the kubota m5700, and use a rear 8 foot plow with r4s , this way I get to use my bucket also when needed.The pickup will be much faster for sure.For storms up to 10 inches you should have no problem with the tractor.I also have a 7 foot snow blower ,also rear mounted for larger storms , slower but the snow is well out of the way,no banks.I do about 700 feet of driveway plus parking areas.I have no problem at all with the r4s and don't have a problem going backwards have to much use for the bucket to ever take that off.Hope this helps

 

[jmc]

I use a Curtis 7 foot blade on my Kubota 5030 with 853 QA FEL. I also installed the W.R. Long electric(solenoid)/hydraulic system for power angle function. This give left and right angle added to the normal lift and curl actions.

RFB,

With the blade that far out in front of your tractor, does it ever push the front of the tractor sideways when the blade is angled? I've got a skid steer blade that I've never tried on my L4330.

John

 

[RFB]

jmc,

I have heard that it will, but I guess I am a bumble bee that does not know it's impossible to fly.

I push several feet at a time, up hill for 1.5 miles, sometimes several times a day with a big storm. The only time I move sideways is when I run into a dirt berm. I also use power to push the snow, not speed. I am usually in low or medium (HST) and you can see from the pics the snow I push.

The BH on the back provides a perfect balance for the blade on the front; the chains, R1's and MFWD make me virtually unstoppable.

 

[Builder]

I have the kubota m5700, and use a rear 8 foot plow with r4s , this way I get to use my bucket also when needed.The pickup will be much faster for sure.For storms up to 10 inches you should have no problem with the tractor.I also have a 7 foot snow blower ,also rear mounted for larger storms , slower but the snow is well out of the way,no banks.I do about 700 feet of driveway plus parking areas.I have no problem at all with the r4s and don't have a problem going backwards have to much use for the bucket to ever take that off.Hope this helps

Thanks. Yes, that's very helpful. I'm looking at an M-4900 w/ cab and a Case CX50 w/ cab and a few others. I like the M5700 a lot, too. Need to find a clean used one for a good buy.

 

[jcmseven]

One nice thing about the boom mounted tractor blades is that they can be angled in multiple planes. One can angle them downward to get better cleaning, but one might get some sideways movement of the front end of the tractor doing so. One can see the plow much better when it is a boom style v. a standard frame mount. I have been pretty happy with my tractor's snow plowing ability. I can say in some cases I think it would be quicker than a pickup mounted blade, and I really can push a lot of snow with the tractor and a front mounted blade. Also, bear in mind, the front blade can also be used for other things. I have the Frontier named blade which is manufactured for JD. It has a tall moldboard and is heavy enough to move dirt and stone if needed. I have not used it for this purpose, but it definitely is heavy enough to do so.

John M

 

[Builder]

I'm beginning to wonder if a plow mounted on a Q/A loader assembly wouldn't be better than a frame mounted plow?

That way I also get another loader in addition to my CASE loader?

Ddin't think of the visibility aspect. I would think the vis would be btter mounted on loader arms, but it's also longer and more suceptable to sideways movement.

 

[LarryRB]

my plow is a meyers 7 1/2 ft, with quick attach. drop the bucket, throw the levers, hook up the third valve and off I go.. quick and easy,. My driveway is 1600 ft long, gravel and rough. One in a great while if previous snow has been plowed and we get 10" of heavy wet stuff, usually nearing spring,,, at time the front end can get kicked over,, Nothing that I worry about,... I just make a half deep cut up and back, then drop the blade all the way and it hasn't proved to be a problem.

 

[tulenutn2o]

I personally like plowing with pickup better.FASTER,more comfy.1600' is alot of drive to be wasting time on moving snow.Especially if it snows often.I saw a new plow at the fair last year that rolls over so you can drag snow also.