The Garage Thread: Tractors and UTVs
- Thread starter Harvey
- Start date
Tjf1967
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2020
If you go the John Deere route. John Deere are just cooler. Whatever attachments you buy when you buy the tractor gets 4 year warranty If you buy the attachments after the fact you get one year. The 700 series is much easier to change attachments. The 500 is not hard but involved more time. If you don't have much to mow or any other use than moving snow there are better options.
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
We'll have very little grass that could be mowed with a tractor, I'll do it self-propelled push in under 30 minutes.
I can't imagine a garden tractor being up to the job.
I'm curious to know the size of @Cork's tractor.
As far as having it plowed for 20 years, I don't think it makes sense. Now, most of the time when it snows, I'm far away. The plow guy gets to me when he gets to me. If I am at the cabin and a big storm comes overnight, I park at the bottom. Ask the plow guy to change his routine so I can make first chair, just doesn't seem very neighborly to me.
I'd think that if I had the right tractor I could get the plowing done early before I ski, or park at the bottom if I couldn't.
So back the original questions:
Who uses a tractor to plow?
How big is your tractor?
Is it big enough?
I can't imagine a garden tractor being up to the job.
I'm curious to know the size of @Cork's tractor.
As far as having it plowed for 20 years, I don't think it makes sense. Now, most of the time when it snows, I'm far away. The plow guy gets to me when he gets to me. If I am at the cabin and a big storm comes overnight, I park at the bottom. Ask the plow guy to change his routine so I can make first chair, just doesn't seem very neighborly to me.
I'd think that if I had the right tractor I could get the plowing done early before I ski, or park at the bottom if I couldn't.
So back the original questions:
Who uses a tractor to plow?
How big is your tractor?
Is it big enough?
Scrundy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2020
You keep up with it just like a truck with a plow or a tractor would have to. Just means you’re plowing throughout the storm. Honestly a tractor isn’t the right tool. A UTV isn’t perfect, just a little lite for pushing deep snow. I sure liked it when my truck had a plow.
Sick Bird Rider
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2020
Our situation is fairly similar to Harvey's. We have a 300 foot gravel driveway with a bit of a hill and as you know, get lots of snow. Fifteen years ago, we decided that getting a tractor would be a good idea, plus the fact that Blue Toes grew up on a farm and always wanted a tractor. Dealing with snow and doing some landscaping were the main objectives. Went shopping with a budget of $15 K CAD, which could get you a nice new compact tractor at the time. Then we had the opportunity to buy Blue Toes' cousin's used Kubota L2550, an 80s vintage machine that he (a mechanic) had just overhauled. Came with cab (great option), rear-mounted snowblower that was a little narrower than the tractor (not ideal) and a bucket loader (very handy, and you can plow with it if careful). My neighbour had a grader blade that he wasn't using, so I got it on long-term loan (also very handy). The thing was a beast, and in the end, much more tractor than we needed. I thought that I might use it to haul logs out of the bush but it was just to tall and unwieldy to drive safely on old logging trails. In the end, I wish we had bought the smaller tractor, which I could have safely driven in the bush and could have done everything else easily.
By 2020, we were looking at some big $$$ to fix the non-functional alternator, leaky transmission and buy new tires. We sold it for what we paid for it and bought a a 30" Cub Cadet HD walk-behind snowblower (mine has a Honda engine, it is super-powered). I can do the driveway faster with the Cub Cadet than I could with the Kubota, since there is less farting around time, like waiting for the diesel to warm up, or the hydraulic fluid to start moving when it is really cold. I miss the bucket from time to time but otherwise have no regrets.
For your needs, I think a "sub-compact" or "compact" tractor like the Kubota BX or B01 series would be just the ticket. With the money you save not buying a bigger tractor, get add-ons like a front mounted snowblower, grader blade, heated cab and bucket loader. Heck, throw in the log-splitter! And you won't need as big a garage.
I see dudes trying to plow their driveways with an ATV after a big dump, it is no bueno. An ATV or UTV would be very useful at your place, but get a big walk-behind snowblower (Honda if you can afford it, Cub Cadet next best choice) for the deep days and use the ATV/UTV with a blade for small dumps and early/late season when any blower will get bogged down.
By 2020, we were looking at some big $$$ to fix the non-functional alternator, leaky transmission and buy new tires. We sold it for what we paid for it and bought a a 30" Cub Cadet HD walk-behind snowblower (mine has a Honda engine, it is super-powered). I can do the driveway faster with the Cub Cadet than I could with the Kubota, since there is less farting around time, like waiting for the diesel to warm up, or the hydraulic fluid to start moving when it is really cold. I miss the bucket from time to time but otherwise have no regrets.
For your needs, I think a "sub-compact" or "compact" tractor like the Kubota BX or B01 series would be just the ticket. With the money you save not buying a bigger tractor, get add-ons like a front mounted snowblower, grader blade, heated cab and bucket loader. Heck, throw in the log-splitter! And you won't need as big a garage.
I see dudes trying to plow their driveways with an ATV after a big dump, it is no bueno. An ATV or UTV would be very useful at your place, but get a big walk-behind snowblower (Honda if you can afford it, Cub Cadet next best choice) for the deep days and use the ATV/UTV with a blade for small dumps and early/late season when any blower will get bogged down.
Cork
Wylie Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2020
I have a 2007 Kubota B3030 (30 hp hydrostatic drive, 525hrs) with full cab (heat and a/c), front end loader, and a 5' rear snowblower. The tractor is key for a homeowner in this area as there will be a multitude of tasks that can be accomplished year round. I previously had a 2008 Kioti CK30 (30HP with Hydrostatic drive bought new in 2008) with front end loader, and the same snowblower, but I traded for the Kubota back in May because I wanted a cab after 14 years of plowing without one. I use the bucket to plow, which is not as efficient as an angle plow, but is irreplaceable for moving banks back, as well as the scrapper bank at the bottom of the driveway.
I also have 2022 Polaris Ranger XP 570 Premium which I picked up last year, and I have the power angle plow (with the angle control buttons on the top of the shifter) for quick cleanups.
Both the tractor and the UTV are outfitted with chains, which are SOP, IMO.
When you live here full time, you do not want to have to rely on a plow guy, because you may want to get in/out when he is not available. and especially on a powder, day, you don't want to be waiting!!
I also have 2022 Polaris Ranger XP 570 Premium which I picked up last year, and I have the power angle plow (with the angle control buttons on the top of the shifter) for quick cleanups.
Both the tractor and the UTV are outfitted with chains, which are SOP, IMO.
When you live here full time, you do not want to have to rely on a plow guy, because you may want to get in/out when he is not available. and especially on a powder, day, you don't want to be waiting!!
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
Don't want to own two trucks, don't want to drive around all winter with a plow on my primary vehicle. I do drive quite a bit to ski. That may change somewhat, what's it like driving 100 miles on the interstate at 75 mph with a plow on the front? I have no idea, never did it. But doesn't seem like fun.
Harvey
Administrator
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2020
I have a 2007 Kubota B3030 (30 hp hydrostatic drive, 525hrs) with full cab (heat and a/c), front end loader, and a 5' rear snowblower. The tractor is key for a homeowner in this area as there will be a multitude of tasks that can be accomplished year round. I previously had a 2008 Kioti CK30 (30HP with Hydrostatic drive bought new in 2008) with front end loader, and the same snowblower, but I traded for the Kubota back in May because I wanted a cab after 14 years of plowing without one. I use the bucket to plow, which is not as efficient as an angle plow, but is irreplaceable for moving banks back, as well as the scrapper bank at the bottom of the driveway.
I also have 2022 Polaris Ranger XP 570 Premium which I picked up last year, and I have the power angle plow (with the angle control buttons on the top of the shifter) for quick cleanups.
Both the tractor and the UTV are outfitted with chains, which are SOP, IMO.
When you live here full time, you do not want to have to rely on a plow guy, because you may want to get in/out when he is not available. and especially on a powder, day, you don't want to be waiting!!
That's what I was looking for.
It looks like they don't make a tractor with that model number, anymore but these guys look to be in the same league, maybe the LX3310HSD:
Tractors - Compact - LX Series | Kubota
Browse through Kubota's LX Series Compact tractor inventory, filter search by features to find the best fit for you, or even build your own. Then find a dealer close by with your desired product!
I still can't exactly find the dimensions, on the website. We talked about this, I should have measured when I was there. I want to fit that thing in my garage. Any way you could take a tape to length, width and height?
I like the combo with that same ranger, it looks sweet. Just not sure if I want the bucket or a blower.
SBR makes a great argument for a Honda blower, but that's a long driveway and I'm planning on doing my own driveway until I'm 90.
