Tractor in the snow

Machine249 · Dec 19, 2009

This is the first winter I have had my tractor and was wondering what I should be mindfull of when using my tractor in the snow. I have a tricycle F-504 gas I plan to use tomorrow to clear the driveway. We have about 18" of snow here so far and the driveway is on a small incline. Thanks for any info.

Shawn in PA · Dec 19, 2009

Mindful? As in maintenance, or actual driving? Stopping without chains can be hairy. Starting out can be a pain too. Narrow front ends like to push some, but your brakes can make up for that.

Joe Dowling · Dec 19, 2009

Definately go with chains and extra weight on the back wheels. I have 3 sets of wheel weights, loaded tires, and chains on my 52 "H". Works great in snow.

Brownie 450 · Dec 19, 2009

Front loader or rear blade?? Rear blades will get you hung up if you are on snow & spin the rear tires. Be mindful of objects under the snow. Give plenty of side clearance when moving snow on a side slope--the tractor may slide downhill easily.

David G · Dec 19, 2009

Always remember to keep a loader low when you are turning or moving fast. That is a time when you are prone to flipping over. A tricycle front end makes this worse.

mkirsch · Dec 20, 2009

When plowing the driveway for the first time, go as slow as you possibly can. You can't go too slow.

Machine249 · Dec 20, 2009

Thanks for the replies!

MasseyTodd · Dec 20, 2009

I push as far as possible to ditches or obstacles to make room for more snow. My neighbors laugh (with the lawn half plowed) until February when they need a loader to move their banks.

AndrewFromNS · Dec 20, 2009

My Super-C has a factory weight on each corner, loaded rear tires, and cross chains. I use the front-mount blade to plow my driveway, and all last winter (even with one snowfall in excess of 24") I kept my driveway plowed 3 lanes wide. By the end of winter, we were down to two generous lanes, but never once did the tractor fail to meet my demands. In fact, it far surpassed my expectations. First couple times, til I got a layer of ice built up, and got used to the tractor, I plowed in first...by the end of the season, I was up to more throttle in second. Third worked for tidying up the driveway afterwards.

I cant count the number of times I'd go down to my neighbors house, who hire someone to plow their driveway with a 3/4ton, and finish what he started. He'd only plow it as wide as the trucks plow, and as soon as we got a breeze, it drifted in.

AR

simpsonc9 · Dec 20, 2009

I used to plow with a scraper blade on the back of my John Deere 520 with a tricycle front.

The one thing I would watch for with the tricycle setup is trying to turn in the snow since that tricycle front will tend to slide and you won't be able to turn how you want to, it's the same as trying to turn in the sand if you've ever experienced that.

This year I've got my old Jeep J-10 pickup runnin with a plow on it so no more freezing my butt off out in the open on top of the old JD!

Machine249 · Dec 20, 2009

Thanks to everyone for your help. I was a little nervous about that much weight sliding around on my driveway, but she did just fine. I had a grader blade on the rear, it was on in the last pic, but you can't see it. I had to work the brakes more than I ever have but I'm very happy about her performance. Thanks again!

LenNH · Dec 23, 2009

I've never used a loader on a "real" tractor, but I still remember helping a friend build a house. I was carrying logs to the house while he drove nails in each log. We used a rented Bob Cat. The first time I loaded a log and raised it up maybe 4 ft off the ground, the whole d.....d thing headed for the ground, while the back wheels went UP. The whole machine was tipped up at about a 45 degree angle! I hadn't put the seat belt on, and I'll say I had a hard time staying in that thing. So the advice about carrying low is very good advice. If it's low and tips, the scoop will soon hit the ground. I expect some weight on the drawbar or on some sort of rear platform would help.

Tractor in the snow

Machine249

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Shawn in PA

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Joe Dowling

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Brownie 450

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David G

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mkirsch

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Machine249

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MasseyTodd

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AndrewFromNS

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simpsonc9

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Machine249

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LenNH

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