| snowon |
I'm planning on getting a decent used riding mower, in the $1000-2000 range, and was contemplating getting one with a snowblower. Does anybody have experience with one that could offer advise? I don't have much of an incline to deal with. I'll probably stick with a good brand name and steer away from the "big box" store models
Concerns/Questions:
Does HP matter much? Would 20HP perform much different than say 15HP?
Any issues with snow sticking/clogging blower?
Recommend PTO vs. non-PTO?
Recommend a walk-behind blower instead? If so I'd just keep having the neighbor plow.
One potential issue I have is that I don't have a garage, so the rider would be stored in my walkout basement, so in order to blow, I would have to drive it out the basement, cut a path thru the back yard to the street, then enter my driveway. |
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| porcupine73 |
Hi. Yes I use a Cub Cadet 26HP I think it is riding lawn tractor with a snowblower on it in the Buffalo NY winters.
Does HP matter much? Would 20HP perform much different than say 15HP?
Yes, especially with snowblowing. In not too deep snow it might not make much difference, but if you start digging into some 18" or higher drifts, you can get the job done faster with more HP.
Any issues with snow sticking/clogging blower?
Not really esp if the blower is shorter chute type. I spray it down with silicone spray periodically when its dry to help prevent sticking. We also have a Ford Jubilee tractor with 4 foot snowblower but I never use it because it is too cumbersome and ithe chute sticks all the time. No such issues with the Cub Cadet though.
Recommend PTO vs. non-PTO?
Not sure what you mean, but you need some sort of PTO to drive the snowblower, whether it's electrically engaged or manually.
Recommend a walk-behind blower instead? If so I'd just keep having the neighbor plow.
Just depends what you want, the walk behind blowers takes more passes to get the job done. |
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| porcupine73 |
Oh also, if you are plannign to use a riding mower type setup with snowblower, and the mower is only rear wheel drive, you are really going to want wheel weights and tire chains, otherwise the thing will be pret near helpless in the snow.
Oh also hydrostatic or variable drive tractors/mowers are great for snowblowing because you can set the speed to exactly what the blower can handle for the depth/weight snow you are in. With a normal manual trans 1st might be too slow, 2nd might be too fast etc.
Now I wouldn't even bother snow blowing most of the time since the soobs can get out in all but the worst drifts, but to receive deliveries from UPS and also I really have to keep my elderly parents driveway a house down the road cleared out for them. |
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| porcupine73 |
Hey about about some Subaru's in snow pictures
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| snowon |
| Thanks, I was wondering what "hydrostatic" meant. As far as PTO, maybe they're all PTO, and I'm just not familiar. I thought some might have a separate engine on the blower. I would def buy one with chains/weights; the 4x4 ones are generally out of my price range. Is there a recommended blower size to stick around? |
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| porcupine73 |
Right on, hydrostatic just uses a little sundstrand or similar hydraulic pump to drive the wheels, which usually isn't an issue as it needs a hydraulic setup anyway to lift and lower the blower or mower deck. Often the 25HP or larger will have power steering too off the same hydraulic pump.
Yes the 4x4 ones are pricey!
For blower size it's really up to you. Yes you can snowblow a football field with a small snowblower it will just take you longer. For the two normal length driveways I do I think this cub cadet 26HP setup with it's probably a 36" wide blower I am thinking is perfect, I wouldn't want anything smaller though. |
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