Yanmar for snowplowing....How big?

[svcguy]

It sounds like we have similar snow conditions in British Columbia. Although much of our snow falls 4 to 6 inches at a time, it is not unusual to have a 10 to 15 inch drop when conditions support it. I think the most important consideration is not the quantity of snow, but the type. If your temps always stay a couple of degrees below freezing, you are fine, because the snow stays light and dry. In the Kootenays here, our conditions are often in transition immediately after a storm, resulting in above freezing temps and heavy wet snow. Snowblowers plug up, tractors lose traction and the snow scoops come out because it's too heavy to lift. The other consideration is topography, you don't need a steep incline to stop a small tractor pushing a load. It's fine pushing downhill, but small units don't have the traction to push uphill.

I have a 20hp Iseki TU205F and a 24hp Yanmar 240D. Both are 4WD. The Iseki (loader and rear blade) does fine with cold, dry snow - but if it turns warm, the short wheel base and weight makes it marginal pushing heavy loads. Not that it can't do it, it's just with a 500 foot driveway, you run out of places to push it. The Yanmar (front blade and snowblower) does a better job, likely because of the longer wheel base, but also because I run chains on the back tires. I push all the snow to one side, then blow it out of the way - which is far superior to trying to manage placement all winter. The difference between the power of the older 2 cyl 24hp and the newer 3 cyl 20hp is also quite substantial.

A consideration is an older domestic with chains. Depending on where you are, you might be able to find a good clean tractor (about 50hp) for less money than an import. It may not be 4WD, but you may not need it with a heavier tractor. I have seen some primo domestic diesels in that hp range with a front end loader for about $4000. A bit bigger, certainly heavier, but very good units.

 

[RockyMtn]

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply to my questions! Each one of your perspectives was really helpful.
Cliff

 

[rock2610D]

I live in the mountains of Wyoming and have HUGE snow issues. Mostly 6 to 8 inch snow with 70 mph winds that PACK the snow in so tight that I can drive my tractor up on top of 4 foot drifts if I wanted to. I actually drove the front of my F250 diesel 4X4 on top of a drift once it was so packed.

I have a 2610D with a FEL and a Loranz 66" snowblower. I have blown snow 30 ft in the air with this blower and in high winds the snow just disappears to someone elses property.

Had to turn the front tires around to keep traction but other than that no real issues other than trying to clear snow without a cab in 50 mph winds.....

Even in packed drifts the Loranz works beautifully. If you have my kind of snow I would suggest at least a 336D as my tractor is a 26 HP pto and 32 HP engine that is turbocharged due to elevation. So, I suggest at least a 32 HP tractor, or a 40 HP sea level rated tractor if you live in any elevation above 4000 feet.

 

[ToadHill]

VT Hokie: You want a blower, well lets make a deal, I have a Yanmar blower that needs some tlc. It works well but needs someone to take care of some of the surface rust from chipped paint.
If my memory is right it's about 50" and I used to use it on my ford. PM me and we can work a deal.