Tips for using my Kubota 2250 in the winter

[Colonel Monk]

Howdy all, pleased to meet ya. I'm a newb on the forum.

Inherited a 1985 L2250 4WD from my late uncle. It's in fine shape, like 775 hours on the engine.

Has FEL and two-sided BB on it.

We have a plow truck with 7ft Western Plow, it's a 1979 Jeep Cherokee we lovingly call, "the Creep". The creep is ready for the grave, or another owner - but if I can get it started will probably use it for general plowing this season. Brakes don't work, luckily we don't have hills.

If not, then might try to mount plow to FEL. I have read quite a bit here today about how to do that. Considering the options....

But, wondering a few things:

First, the tractor has turf tires on it. Our 3/4 drive doesn't have any hills, and just one corner. Should I be OK without chains? The tires are loaded.

Second, what about a cab? How many of you use a "tent-style" cab for the winter? Or just suck it up?

Third, don't have the tractor right in front of me, but I don't believe it has any kind of quick-disconnect system for the bucket - how difficult will it be to remove? Are there any commercially available "implements" that would allow the DIY a ready-made platform to build a plow mount?

Any other tips are welcome.

Thanks!

CM

 

[Colonel Monk]

Oh yeah...

4th, how strong is the electrical system? Looks like a 30amp alternator - was thinking about adding some lighting to the Roll Bar ... thoughts?

 

[BleedingOrange]

Welcome to TBN. If your going to be using the tractor in the winter, chains make a huge difference. And the nice part is, they aren,t very expensive. If you can afford an enclosure of any kind on your tractor, get it. It,s so nice not to have the wind and snow blowing back in your face. You deserve it,get it.
If you want to add lights, get the LED ones. They don,t take much power, but to give a terrific amount of lite. I would be surprised if you would have to upgrade your alternator by adding LED lighting.

 

[Colonel Monk]

Welcome to TBN. If your going to be using the tractor in the winter, chains make a huge difference. And the nice part is, they aren,t very expensive. If you can afford an enclosure of any kind on your tractor, get it. It,s so nice not to have the wind and snow blowing back in your face. You deserve it,get it.
If you want to add lights, get the LED ones. They don,t take much power, but to give a terrific amount of lite. I would be surprised if you would have to upgrade your alternator by adding LED lighting.

Thanks Guido!

Good Point, about the LED spots - I have one, atop a 13 foot live mic stand that I can run all nite on a car battery - probably all day too.... They are a little spendy though, and I do already have two offroad spots that are on the old Creep plow truck.

Lemme do the math: 50W/12V = 4.2 Amps, x2 is 8.4 Amps - should be more than enough power. Want to move the gumball over there too.....

I"ll have to check out the tire size and price some chains.

CM

 

[unbidden]

I second the use of LED's for the spots. Many here, myself included have purchased chains from Tire Chains by TireChains.com. Great prices and seems to be no skimping on quality "IMHO". Better to have a set on hand than to be caught short with no sizes left in stock come January if you find you need them.

 

[Colonel Monk]

This is the LED spot I got for my RV that I currently have on the mic pole....

Water Proof 12 to 24 VDC Spot Deck Light 218W-60BW SKU523 [670541576632] - $34.95 : LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles

60 LEDs, it's pretty bright.

I think the lights on the Creep are like H2 Halogens or something....

 

[number two]

Loaded turf tires and no hills-you can most likely get by without chains,all though they would help for pushing snow.Good Luck and welcome!

 

[VitaBene]

I had an L2250 and L2850 when I was in the landscaping business way back when- great tractors! The loader does come off relatively easily with the stands (They should be right in front of you when sitting on the seat- two bars held on with clevis pins IIRC).

We moved a LOT of snow with them!

 

[Colonel Monk]

I had an L2250 and L2850 when I was in the landscaping business way back when- great tractors! The loader does come off relatively easily with the stands (They should be right in front of you when sitting on the seat- two bars held on with clevis pins IIRC).

We moved a LOT of snow with them!

Cool, thanks! Yeah the stands are just like you said..... Are you recommending that I'd remove the loader and mount the the western plow to the tractor?

Just realized while hauling some wood yesterday, that the back blade is a two sided box blade, and does not angle.... So that makes it little less useful for actual plowing. Our driveway is raised above the bed of a swamp, so plowing puts the snow off the road and we usually don't have to move it around.

I can see the Back Blade being useful for clean up, but not so much for actual plowing since it won't angle....

I've seen alot of setups here where guys make an attachment to the loader for the plow,and some have also said that can tweak the loader arms.... I'm thinking if I was to do that, I'd still have it "float mounted" so it'll ride the shoes and not have additional down pressure....

 

[Colonel Monk]

Yeah, BTW, was able to get the Creep started yesterday and got the western hydros working.... Oddly enough, it took 2 hours to clean a massive squirrel nest out of the creep and only about 30 seconds to get it started..... The gas tank rusted out about 20 years ago, and so I had taken an extra OMC outboard fuel tank and hook it up to the fuel line - so all ya got to do is squeeze the primer bulb and you're in business!

But that thing is ready for the boneyard or someone who wants a real project plow truck.

Now, I measured the western plow and it's an 8 footer.... I won't be pushing snow as much as plowing it on an angle - so what do you guys think? Is it too big for the Kubota?

If so, I'm sure that selling the plow and hydro unit would more than pay for a smaller plow, if needed. I know my old man is kind of attached to it though, we've had it since I was in JR High - like 30 years? He paid $300 bucks for it, several years used already. It's the kind with a t-handle control.

Had first opportunity to drive tractor in the show, and yeah, those turf tires are much better in the snow than tractors I've driven in the past. I think for now it will work. If I end up using it for plowing, and have trouble steering I'd probably start with a front set of chains.

CM