transmissions for blowing big snow piles

[massiveSnow]

I live in the mountains of Idaho on 40 acres with a 8% 1/4 mile driveway and lots of snow, The driveway can drift 3’ deep some mornings. I currently use a Ford 350 (460 engine) with a Meyers 7.5 blade to plow but eventually the snow piles up on the road side and several times a winter I need to have a local farmer use his tractor (400+ hp 12” blade) to “push the piles back." These piles can be 12’ tall, 20 feet thick, and fairly dense. The farmer is over 80 and I think I need to get a 4x4 tractor to blow the piles before the farmer dies. I also will be using this tractor to do some bushhogging, moving gravel, and other general farm chores.

I was hoping to get an older (3000 hr+) 4x4 tractor in the 28-38 hp range (PTO) (e.g. JD 1050 or Kubota L305 ) but several locals are suggesting that with these big snow piles I will need to be constantly moving into and out of the piles to allow the snow plow to clear itself of snow involving many gear changes and riding the clutch. Several suggest a hydrostatic transmission and others a “power reverse” or “shuttle” or “GST(?)” to be able to change from reverse to neutral to forward without depressing the clutch. Some say the PTO will stop with the clutch depressed so I will need to switch into neutral and then release the clutch to clear the blower. Hydrostatic transmissions and the like are newer features requiring a nearly new tractor that seems to cost roughly $10K more which I would prefer not to spend.

Can I mange with an old manual transmission? Any advice appreciated

confused

 

[George2615]

By the middle of winter I also have snow piles plowed up with the truck as much as 8-10' high. I have a 26 HP tractor w/ loader and rear mount blower that will move those banks back with no problem. Tractor has HST so no clutching needed to go from fwd to rev. it has a clutch that will disengage to PTO blower. Blower will throw snow 20-30'. I have several drives that I plow w/ the truck then move snow w/ tractor in mid winter. Used tractors are available. You just have to look for them. Check your local swap sheet or equipment trader magazines.

 

[n4807g]

"These piles can be 12’ tall, 20 feet thick, and fairly dense."

My humble opinion....you'd appreciate a bigger tractor. Been clearing snow in NH for years using 52HP and now 82HP tractors. At times when the snow mass thaws a refreezes these tractors have just been able to do the job. Of course if you move the piles more frequently a smaller machine will work just fine.

 

[IH250]

I too have a long troublesome driveway about 1100ft and would also recomend a larger tractor for time reasons.After very windy days I end up with several 3-4 ft drifts that are about 200 ft long.I used a 23hp 4wd grey market tractor and 54in blower for three winters and it worked great but it got very time consuming late in winter when the snow piled up.Also 20-30 hp tractor wont lift blower up high enough to cut high frozen piles again very time consuming.I bought a 1979 international 70 hp with a hydro trans and 7ft blower.tractor 4300 dollars and 1000 for blower.It is 2 wd ,has chains and works unbelievable.Takes me 15-30 min to do the drive regardless of depth of snow and cuts through frozen banks like nothing.I would look for a ford 4000 and with a blower for 4-6k and it will out perform a 30 hp 4x4 tractor anyday except in tight spots wich sound like its not a problem.

 

[massiveSnow]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen – I have been getting considerable advice toward more horsepower. I have a steep driveway so 4x4 is essential. And I am at 6000ft so I either need a turbo or even more horsepower. Also with more horsepower, I don’t need to stop and start as much

 

[Doc_Bob]

And I am at 6000ft so I either need a turbo or even more horsepower. Also with more horsepower, I don’t need to stop and start as much

6000 feet You need a turbo! I was in Colorado Springs a few months ago. As I drove around, every thing looked like it had a turbo. High altitude=turbo.
I am at 800 feet and have a turbo on my TN70. The TN 70 comes with the turbo. Just remember if you get a turbo, let the thing spin down and cool for at least 3 minutes before you shut down. I actually pop the hood and let even more cool air in while it is cooling down at idle for 3 minutes.
Bob