Snow removal dilemma. Seeking advice/opinions.

BeerHunter · #1 01-25-2012, 11:02 AM

I'm a "young" senior that would rather avoid heavy lifting/pushing. We have about 1,000' of driveway to clear.So far we've enjoyed the services of a neighbor and his heavy equipment. He's now retiring form the business so we have to come up with something ourselves.

We have a Cadet SLTX 1054 we use for mowing and I've read the manual for mounting a 190-032 blower.It looks like a nightmare as well as being a 2 man operation.

I've toyed with the idea of a walk behind and the biggest,baddest thing I can find is in the $3,000 price range but for that length of a driveway , a walk behind wasn't recommended.

Looked at Kubot etc. with hydraulics but by the time you price it out with attachments , less trade , they all come in at around $20,000.

Thinking of an LTX 1045 with blower,chains , weights etc.
that priced out at about $3,500 as a dedicated snow removal unit so I don't have to keep mounting/un-mounting the blower/deck etc. etc. And it's only about $500 more than the walk behind.

(might even find a used unit on the lot to do the job)

Question is , do you think that tractor arrangement would do the job.

Opinions / suggestions appreciated.

Methos · #2 01-25-2012, 11:10 AM

Have you given thought to a older cub and blower or front blade?

Cost $500-$1500 depending on condition model ect ect

_DX3_ · #3 01-25-2012, 11:20 AM

I am like Duke, why pay big money for something new when an older unit with a blade or blower will cost less and last way over 3 times as long. And they are much easier to work on and are still plenty of parts available.

For ease of maintenance I would suggest finding a good wide frame or an 82 series GT and then a blade or blower or both.

A man needs more than one tractor to do his work.

BeerHunter · #4 01-25-2012, 11:36 AM

I was going to look for a used one but they are few and far between up here in Northern Alberta,but I do have the entire summer to try and find something.
This was just in case I can't find anything suitable used.
Have until October/November to make a decision but wanted some opinions on that combo.
Txs for the feed back.

Methos · #5 01-25-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeerHunter

I was going to look for a used one but they are few and far between up here in Northern Alberta,but I do have the entire summer to try and find something.
This was just in case I can't find anything suitable used.
Have until October/November to make a decision but wanted some opinions on that combo.
Txs for the feed back.

Mark I would also think about getting a older 4x4 truck with a snow plow for that long drive way if the cub route doesn't work out for you.

BeerHunter · #6 01-25-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos

Mark I would also think about getting a older 4x4 truck with a snow plow for that long drive way if the cub route doesn't work out for you.

Hmmm..we have an old GMC 4x4 3/4T (and a set of tire chains for it to boot) we use mainly for hauling garbage , building supplies etc.

Main problem with plowing (which we used to do) is that each pass it gets narrower and narrower. Heavy snow fall years we ended up with a 5' wide driveway.

Bought a 6' blower for our Case 610B but a few years ago the 610 died so we sold the entire rig to a HD mechanic out here who could repair it.

CADplans · #7 01-25-2012, 05:00 PM

If narrowing of a driveway that a 3/4 ton 4x4 can not open is a concern, a serious snow blower is needed if you are trying to keep costs down.

Surely in Canada, somebody must sell a snowblower that your truck could handle instead of a snow blade!!??

BCDSFCRET · #8 01-25-2012, 07:08 PM

Ok I have 18 Cub Cadets with snow blowers and push blades. I also own big tractors. With a 1000 ft driveway I would get a used farm tractor with a loader. You will be able to move alot more snow and not pay that much for one. If that tractor has a 3pt hitch you can put a snow blower on that.
I found a used 7ft blower for $300.
Brian

BeerHunter · #9 01-26-2012, 10:45 AM

Might have found something that could work..a Bercomac blower. Posted about it in the appropriate forum (implements)

AMCJavelin74 · #10 02-04-2012, 11:12 PM

A retired diesel mechanic who lived next to my buddy when I was a kid had a bunch of Simplicity tractors from the 1960s ("footdraggers" as the orange crowd calls them). One had a plow, one had a snowthrower, one had a lawn cart, and another had a mower deck. And he had some more. And a couple of Massey Ferguson lawn/garden tractors under the pine trees out back.