Tractor for snow removal

[Flatbedford]

I have wanted a tractor for as long as I can remember. I just haven't been able to justify buying one with only a 1/4 acre lot. My wife has wanted some kind of snow clearing machine, but I have been reluctant to invest in a machine that is only used occasionally and for only a small part of the year. Because of my job, my wife and son have to do most of the snow clearing at the house and this last storm really beat them up. So, I figure if I can find a good used tractor with a plow or blower, I can get my tractor and she can get her snow clearer. Mrs. Flatbedford is on board for a tractor purchase
I figure I need something around 12 hp. Not sure about a plow or blower and any mower under a tractor will be overkill on my 1/4 acre. What do you all recommend? I know a walk behind blower probably makes the most sense, but I do want to get a toy out of this. The driveway is a gentle slope and about 60'x20'. Because of a now closed road in front of my house that the town only plows a couple times during a storm,there is a lot of snow between the driveway and the road, and sometimes two or three windrows to push through.

 

[LLigetfa]

I use a walk behind snow thrower but I wouldn't mind having a GT with a blade for the small jobs in between. Unfortunately my yard tractor has a light duty hydro so a plow would kill it quick. A GT would have a heavier duty hydro and be able to stand up to the abuse. I'd rather have a CUT or a SCUT with FEL but Santa has yet to deliver one.

 

[smokinj]

I have a 24 hp jd garden tractor that plows great. Drive is 70x20 and I do the neighbor as well 100x20

 

[gzecc]

Flatbed, Keep looking on CL. LLigetfa is absolutely correct regarding the strength of the machine capable of working snow. I would suggest looking for a used deere garden tractor with a plow. Look for 317,318,400 or 420. They will be between 1000 and 3000 with plows. Possible 1500-3500 with blowers. Visit Weekendfreedommachines.com if you really want to get detailed information regarding this purchase.

 

[Flatbedford]

I think I get it
GT- Garden Tractor
CUT Compact Utility Tractor
SCUT Sub? Compact Utility Tractor
FEL Front End Loader

I was reading over at My Tractor Forum, and I couldn't imagine what a GT was, I knew the others, but just figured that out when I read LLigetfa's post.

 

[Flatbedford]

What about a JD 212 or Wheelhorse 417-8? Both are listed around $500 near me w/o plow.

 

[rdust]

I have a JD GT225 with a 42" plow that works great when dealing with 8-10 inches or less. If I know we're going to get more then that I try to get out about the half way point of the storm.

 

[smokinj]

What about a JD 212 or Wheelhorse 417-8? Both are listed around $500 near me w/o plow.

either would work the big key is weight in the rear and chains..

 

[gzecc]

Wheelhorse are usually less costly than the deeres. Old wheelhorses are also very nice. Parts are not as available. The 212 would be a great first tractor for you. Line up a front blade for it, and understand its limitations. Probably no hydraulics, all manual manipulations on the blade. Condition is everything when your looking at old equipment.

 

[rustynut]

2 things ?
1) if you are game for getting a toy out of this, I vote for the 4 wheeler with a blade.
Easy removal in the summer and you can pull that trailer full of firewood up to
the house with it. You wouldnt believe how much you would use it.
oh yes and its a toy..........
2) got a bud at work that's shoveling a 150 foot driveway by hand when it gets too
deep for the machine to plow. He has a mower tractor with a blade but he's
afraid to put the chains on as he doesnt want to damage the concrete. I told
him to just put them on if he cant get the job done. Figured if it's that thick
it wont hurt the cement anyhow. You guys getting any damage ?
rn

 

[PJF1313]

2 things ?
1) if you are game for getting a toy out of this, I vote for the 4 wheeler with a blade.
Easy removal in the summer and you can pull that trailer full of firewood up to
the house with it. You wouldnt believe how much you would use it.
oh yes and its a toy..........
2) got a bud at work that's shoveling a 150 foot driveway by hand when it gets too
deep for the machine to plow. He has a mower tractor with a blade but he's
afraid to put the chains on as he doesnt want to damage the concrete. I told
him to just put them on if he cant get the job done. Figured if it's that thick
it wont hurt the cement anyhow. You guys getting any damage ?
rn

On #2, the chains will scratch/(re-color/clean) a cement driveway or walk when it slips/spins. I use a blower on a cr@psman w/ wheel weights, chains and a 70# tractor weight on the hitch, + my lard butt, to try to limit the spinning/slipping. If I horse it, or blow a shear pin, it'll spin, especially in this last wet, heavy snow.

 

[LLigetfa]

2 things ?
1) if you are game for getting a toy out of this, I vote for the 4 wheeler with a blade.
Easy removal in the summer and you can pull that trailer full of firewood up to
the house with it. You wouldnt believe how much you would use it.
oh yes and its a toy..........
2) got a bud at work that's shoveling a 150 foot driveway by hand when it gets too
deep for the machine to plow. He has a mower tractor with a blade but he's
afraid to put the chains on as he doesnt want to damage the concrete. I told
him to just put them on if he cant get the job done. Figured if it's that thick
it wont hurt the cement anyhow. You guys getting any damage ?
rn

+1 on the toy

Chains will mark up the driveway. Use good quad tires that are siped instead. 4WD and diff-lock will help.

 

[gzecc]

I use a 1klb JD420 with lug tires (no chains)and a snow blade on a generally flat drive. If you get a lot of snow and have no place to push it, then you need to consider a blower. With a heavy snow fall you need to plow multiple times. You can't wait for 10" to come down and then say, ok its time to plow.

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

1) Get 4wd

2)make sure you can get a SIMS or canvas 'cab' for it.

Your wife will thank you for both features when she stays dry and 'un-stuck' while removing snow. Not only that, the neighbors will probably offer to remove your snow for you if they can use your machine.

 

[gzecc]

Janine, What is the cheapest 4wd tractor?

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

http://www.fastline.com/v100/search-drill-down.aspx?Category=Tractors&HorsePower=1

 

[Flatbedford]

http://www.fastline.com/v100/search-drill-down.aspx?Category=Tractors&HorsePower=1

Doesn't seem to be anything listed therein my price range. Its all bigger and newer than I want or need.

 

[raven]

How about an old farmall cub? There a cool old tractor, small only about 11 hp . You could use it to pull pull logs to. they are not expensive.

 

[Danno77]

The 212 is a good tractor, but remember that it could be well over 25 years old at this point. it's got a 12hp engine in it that is made by Kohler, IIRC. Should be easy to get parts for. (I know Wheel Horse has a HUGE following, so I wouldn't shy away too much from one because of parts availability, I bet there's stuff on the net if you need it. My neighbor has a Wheel horse that he plows with, but I don't know much about them.)

I have a JD LX188, it's got a liquid cooled 17hp engine in it and Hydrostatic transmission. I work it pretty hard with a trailer for wood, and mow as fast as it will take me, lol. I wouldn't hesitate to put a plow on it, but I don't think I'd put too big of a plow on it. Transmission is the weak link in this tractor. Awesome for lawn work, doesn't like to be bogged down.

I'd look hard at a JD 212, if it looks good and starts right up, i'd offer something like $350, but don't be afraid to pay close to that 500 if it's in good shape. take good care of it and it will last you until you want a new toy. It might take a little work every spring to make sure it's in tip top shape, but you shouldn't be running into much that you can't handle in terms of maintenance. I can't offer much advice in terms of what plow you'd need to get to add to the mower, but I'm pretty sure you could get something on there and the 212 should be able to handle it, but I wouldn't go with anything smaller than that engine.....

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

HST is for Gurls. Not women . . . real women know how to grind gears. HST cranks up the price. Supposedly great for loader operations, but even that is suspect. And you are not gonna be loading right away.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5679169

And of course, most of the manufaturers have/will have some sort of 0% financing. I would have bought the JD but theirs was 36 month last year, while the Kubota was 60.

 

[Chad S.]

Out you're way you might be able to find an old Case 446 those are pretty cool. I used to have a JD 400 from 1978, got it for 1500 with Hard cab cover, 48" snow thrower and 2 60" decks. Needed a lot of work.....Sold it for 2500-BIG mistake! JD 318's are great machines too. Check out http://www.bercomac.com, they have a wide variety of blowers and plows that work great and with just about anything.

 

[Danno77]

HST is for Gurls. Not women . . . real women know how to grind gears. HST cranks up the price. Supposedly great for loader operations, but even that is suspect. And you are not gonna be loading right away.

http://www.tractorhouse.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=5679169

And of course, most of the manufaturers have/will have some sort of 0% financing. I would have bought the JD but theirs was 36 month last year, while the Kubota was 60.

This is the first hydro I've ever had and I love it. It's so easy to to use when mowing and you need to go into reverse, and forward, etc. I do not argue that it's a "gurls" tx, but in my defense it's much easier to drink beer and mow the lawn now, lol.

 

[gzecc]

The hydro's in deere 318's, 420's and 430's are for smart girls. These are fully serviceable. Not throw aways.

 

[SolarAndWood]

The hydro's in deere 318's, 420's and 430's are for smart girls. These are fully serviceable. Not throw aways.

+1. I have an early 80s front mow version and the thing is built like a tank. It weighs over 1000 lbs.

 

[EJL923]

Get the ATV with plow if you're looking for a toy. It will be much more versatile for you in the long run. It should be at least 400cc. The ATV can be loaded up and brought to drag wood out of the forest. The garden tractors will not handle the heavy snow unless you stay on top of it and it certainly will have a hard time pushing the EOD around. I've used a 500cc quad with plow and even that can get into trouble with deep heavy snow. My tried and true snowblower works wonders, and puts snow where I want it. I can also blow paths to my woodpile, around the deck, etc. Whoever said my snowblower WASNT a toy.