Tips for Using the Bucket?
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Thomas
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 31,144
- Location
- Lebanon,NH.
- Tractor
- Kubota B2650HSD w/Frontloader & CC LTX1046 & Craftman T2200 lawn mower.
I notice BIG differents when my R4's were loaded..more so when it comes to dirt work.
chim
Elite Member
Was this the first time you used the tractor for snow removal? Your experiences with this snow are probably not representative of what is "normal". It sounds like your biggest problem was a layer of ice that kept you from getting traction. For the past 10 years my snow fighter was a Kubota B7500 wearing R4's with a loader and 6' rear blade. For the previous 10 years it was a Ford 1210 on R1's with a 5' rear blade. Both worked pretty well unless there was a layer of ice under the snow. The R4's worked well enough for me to order my L3200 with them. The snow missed us almost entirely yesterday.
ugo4it
Silver Member
I have a paved driveway and a hill to start on. The first time I plowed with my TLB110 was with R4 unloaded, I have a boxblade on that is 1000lbs. I could not do any thing to plow snow, I could not even move the tractor very well. I bought some chains (2 link) and plowed today and it makes all the difference. My tires are still unloaded with the boxblade on.
Mike_Kanzer
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2005
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- 335
- Location
- Chester county, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota L3830 HST, JD Gator 855D
I think chains would be the way to go.
I used to plow my gravel drive with a FEL and a back blade on my L3830 kubota. Had loaded R4's and it would slip all over the one significant hill on my driveway. Loading doesn't seem to give traction when there is ice or compacted snow. Now I use a John Deere gator XUV 4 wheel drive with a front 5ft plow and it is like night and day. The gator has superior traction on the hill.
I used to plow my gravel drive with a FEL and a back blade on my L3830 kubota. Had loaded R4's and it would slip all over the one significant hill on my driveway. Loading doesn't seem to give traction when there is ice or compacted snow. Now I use a John Deere gator XUV 4 wheel drive with a front 5ft plow and it is like night and day. The gator has superior traction on the hill.
Carl_NH
Elite Member
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- Apr 5, 2002
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- 3,806
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- Coastal NH
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- 01 Kubota B21TLB, 2010 Ferris 52" ZTR, Cub Cadet 1811, Gravely Super8
AC,
I like Chim have R4s on the B21 and 6' rear blade - pretty much the same setup size wise as the B7500 and I havent had the issues you have moving snow. Now, my drive is not steep or hilly but I float the blade with a 10* angle and seems to work well, but once enough snow gets in front it will lift the front end so i scoop it up and off to the side.
Usually when its heavy wet snow, I try to clear it down to pavement or close to on one pass - if it gets too heavy I clear it off to the sides.
I presume you still have your BH on the L45? if not and no rear weight or a blade, yes, it will not work well at all - like on skates!
I like Chim have R4s on the B21 and 6' rear blade - pretty much the same setup size wise as the B7500 and I havent had the issues you have moving snow. Now, my drive is not steep or hilly but I float the blade with a 10* angle and seems to work well, but once enough snow gets in front it will lift the front end so i scoop it up and off to the side.
Usually when its heavy wet snow, I try to clear it down to pavement or close to on one pass - if it gets too heavy I clear it off to the sides.
I presume you still have your BH on the L45? if not and no rear weight or a blade, yes, it will not work well at all - like on skates!
Egon
Epic Contributor
Get chains all around.
Vbar two link ladder chains will make a big difference.:thumbsup:
One thing to be carefully with is using the differential lock on hills. The back may slide out on you.
Vbar two link ladder chains will make a big difference.:thumbsup:
One thing to be carefully with is using the differential lock on hills. The back may slide out on you.
tractchores
Veteran Member
I use my FEL for plowing on a long drive with some good hills as well. I've got loaded turfs, which provide great snow and ice traction. Ice traction is about contact area, so R4's really struggle in that area, so you need to add chains or weight. I assume you were in 4wd. In float position I find that its really important to maintain the bucket angle. A steep angle with heavy snow tends to dig in more and could cause the front of the tractor to come up, a shallower angle won't dig in as much, but is more likely to ride over any bumps. Too shallow of an angle and you won't get down to pavement or break through ice. I find that the exact angle depends on the slope of the drive and what I'm moving. Fluffy snow needs an almost flat angle and wet compacted snow or ice needs a sharper angle so the cutting edge on the blade is at a 45 degree angle to the pavement to scrape it off.
It's definitely possible to do a good job plowing with the FEL. The biggest shortcoming I find is that when the bucket fills up you need to push it off the drive and empty it. A plow with an angle would be much faster for plowing road sections, but at least for me its not worth the extra expense.
It's definitely possible to do a good job plowing with the FEL. The biggest shortcoming I find is that when the bucket fills up you need to push it off the drive and empty it. A plow with an angle would be much faster for plowing road sections, but at least for me its not worth the extra expense.
