Yard-tractor Snowblower?

BigEddy · Sep 22, 2003

900' - Wow - Missed that.
I retract my suggestion. I wouldn't want a walk behind for 900'. My drive is 300'. That's long enough for a walk behind.

However, I haven't had good experience with a blower on a yard tractor, so I'm not sure the Yard tractor blower will do it for you either, unless things are flat, and snows are light.

I use a blower on my compact, and swear by it, but in your case, I don't know what to recommend now. The front blade is great for light snows, but can get overwhelmed. A blower is better for heavy snows, but too much or wet snow will bog you down.

If you do go with the blower, make sure it's 2 stage, and you will need chains and weight.

Either way - I wouldn't want to walk a 900' driveway 6 or 8 times!

Skyhawk · Sep 23, 2003

Sorry for the delay getting back. We haven't had power since Isabel went through. (It's nice having lights again!)

First, thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge. I should have been clearer in my original post. I've never used a snowblower before, and really wasn't sure what they're capable of. For 'normal' snows of less than a foot, I was planning to use the snowblower around the garage and parking area (~100 feet), and continue to use the 4x4 ATV and snowblade to clear the rest of the lane. But the main thing I'm interested in, is a way to clear the 'big' snows (20"+) that we occasionally get. The ATV just can't handle snows that deep, so we get snowed in! If it takes me all day to open the road, that would be OK as long as I could get it open.

From what I've gathered here, and on the snowblower forum (thanks JeffreyG!), I really should have a 2-stage snowblower for the gravel. Unfortunately, the blower that's available for my Sabre is single stage. I really like the idea of 'sitting' and letting the tractor do the work, but I'm not in a position to trade it on a new one right now. So that's steering me towards a decent size walk-behind. The timing is not that bad -- I'm in decent physical shape, and should be able to handle the 'workout' for the next 10 years or so. Then when it comes time to replace the Sabre, I'll get a 4wd compact tractor, with a 2-stage snowblower (I'd really like to do that now, but can't afford to pay cash, and don't want another payment).

Thanks again for all of your input!

Argee · Sep 24, 2003

Home Depot, Sears, TSC sells 2-stage snowblowers that will fit your tractor. I live in a snowbelt area where we average 10-15+ feet of snowfall annually. I too have a gravel drive that I bladed with my garden tractor for several years. I've had a blower for the last couple of seasons and it works really well.

Skyhawk · Sep 24, 2003

Argee, are their blowers 'generic', or specific for my Sabre? If it is generic, is it hard to adapt? Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

skent · Oct 1, 2003

if you go the tractor-blower route, add an extra 150 to 200 pounds of ballast to the rear of the tractor along with chains. I have a 30 year old sears with a 42" blower and I have great traction going forward and blowing. But try to back up with the blower lifted and it takes weight off your rear wheels. I added 200 pounds of home made ballast to the rear of the tractor and it works great now.

5030 · Oct 1, 2003

Gary:

I would'nt get a snowblower at all. I'd hire a SNOW REMOVAL service. Not only is it a tax writeoff, but for the price of a snowblower, you can have your drive cleared for years. Heck, after a few years, you would need a new blower to replace the one you wore out anyway.