Waiting for my new Massey Ferguson 1705

[diulin]

Hello,

Now within shouting distance of 60, I've bought my first tractor: a Massey Ferguson to be delivered tomorrow, to help me maintain my camp in snowy, NW PA on 68 acres with fields, 6-7 acres of meadow, and a hellacious long, steep, rutted driveway. One of the first things I need to do is to remove some of the snow so I can get my truck up here, and I'm already wondering if the bucket loader is going to be sufficient. So if there are any more experienced tractor folks out there (and that wouldn't take much!) who can give me any advice, I posted the following question in another forum before I got the request from the administrator to post something in the introductions forum:

I'm worried that it will take forever to fill the bucket, turn to the side, dump, back up, turn, and repeat. But if it's not too bad, I might do it and save the $3500 for a blower or $2500 from a plow from the MF dealer.

So what do the experienced tractor users have to suggest? How bad is it to plow with a loader? Are there any significantly cheaper options for loaders or blowers (like after-market or other tractor brands)?

Thanks,

Don

 

[mddorange]

:welcome:
To the TBN forum.

When we got 12" of snow one night a few years ago, I angled the bucket up 1/4", put the loader in Float mode and Pushed the snow down my driveway until I came to a curve. If you have 20" or more snow on the ground then that might not work so well.

 

[plowhog]

Using a bucket for lots of snow can be a slow process. Until you compare it to shoveling by hand!!

I'd just try it out, taking it easy on your tractor during its break in period. btw you will love that tractor!!!

 

[TBN Support]

Welcome to the forum. Congrats on your new tractor

 

[Rock Crawler]

Waiting is the hardest part! Like you, I have an order in on a new unit and I am waiting.... and waiting... Hopefully in 2 weeks I'll see mine! Lets race! See who gets the product first!

Go look on craigslist for a 72" rear grader blade. Get your rear tires filled with Rim Gard. My buddy has a camp up in Coudersport PA, if you get snow and ice like he does up there, and if your limestone/gravel road is like his... you'll want that grader blade. Just keep playing around on craigs list and you'll find one. I found a 300 year old 72" rear grader blade, painted it to match my tractor and it works fine. It is a bit loose at the center pivot, but who cares! It works great. You'll want a 72" so that you can angle it to slide the snow off to the side and yet still have your tractor width being totally cleared. I pull a 72" on a BX25 with much less issue than I expected, I can tear dirt trails with it, level damaged limestone driveways with it and do what I want. Sometimes I need to use the differential lock, but that is why it is there.

They are almost always out there on craigslist.
Here is one:
CT rear blade - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Another:
3 point blade, 6' adjustable, snow plow, dirt, scraper - general for sale - by owner

Another
King Kutter 5 Foot Back Blade Grader Scraper - farm & garden - by owner - sale

Another:
Back Blades - farm & garden - by owner - sale