I have an L3301 with 3rd function kit from E.A. and use the Landpride STB1572 with the hydraulic shifting kit to move from left to right as needed without getting out of the seat while plowing. Have had it for 4 years and no problems. Should mention I have the LA525 FEL.What would be the problem moving up from a 60 in to a 72 in front plow on a 3301? Talking about 100 lbs heavier. I run a 84 in back blade with no issues. Technical data advises 300 lbs limit and 60 inch.
I experience that presently with the loader pushing snow when its heavy, with little issue. Not sure a plow would be any different with less angle and starting higher in heavy snowfall? I havent decided yet on the 3rd function for angle hydraulics or manual angle. For $1k, I can hop off and adjust angle a lot, just as I do with 84 in rear blade.as others have said 'you should be fine'....but, and there's always one..
a lot depends on the type of snow. light,fluffy, dry snow isn't a problem it's that heavy,dense, wet snow that is.
When pushing a rear blade, think of it as a front wheel drive car. Those big tires/weight is right behind the blade full of snow.
When pushing a front mounted blade the 'physics' dramatically changes. Steering is probably the first to be noticed, then actual 'oomph' to move the snow. I'd think front wheel weights would help, don't know if anyone uses them though.
That would be ideal, however with angling that would require a 78 in blade and the weight could be an issue.in my opinion the blade should be at least 12" wider than the rear track with of the rear tires
The 3rd function is great Im sure, but I suppose I can add later if I feel the need. I think with 72 in front plow and 84 in rear blade, it should clean up nicely.I have an L3301 with 3rd function kit from E.A. and use the Landpride STB1572 with the hydraulic shifting kit to move from left to right as needed without getting out of the seat while plowing. Have had it for 4 years and no problems. Should mention I have the LA525 FEL.
With the 60" probably does not plow full width when shifted fully right or left. The 72" gives full coverage for me.
Good ideaLoad and stud your tires and carry a heavy ballast!
I'll keep watching for the post "My krappy K loader boom is bent"
What is the loss for coverage when fully angled?I have an L3301 with 3rd function kit from E.A. and use the Landpride STB1572 with the hydraulic shifting kit to move from left to right as needed without getting out of the seat while plowing. Have had it for 4 years and no problems. Should mention I have the LA525 FEL.
With the 60" probably does not plow full width when shifted fully right or left. The 72" gives full coverage for me.
Good info here. The 3901 its the same frame as my 3301 and I also have the rear spacers. Im guessing a 72 in angled will create a loss of 6-8 inches and not cover my tracks either. I watch my neighbor with a smaller older Kubota with plow and blade with chains on all 4s, plow with little issue. Wondering if studding the front tires would suffice? At any rate, I dont believe 72 inch is wide enough for my tractor.I have 7-1/2' fisher plow with third function mounted to a QA plate. This is fit to a L3901, plowing light snow is no issue with a straight or angled blade. The fully angled blade just barely clears my tire tracks running R4's with spacers.
Wet or deep snow will severely skate the front of the tractor while plowing straight with an unevenly loaded blade or angled even with loaded rears and a 6' back blade mounted for ballast.
I found last winter that mounting rear tire chains helped greatly with what appeared to be a front skating issue in wet or deep snow but did not entirely eliminate it.
My guess is the rear tires with chains kept near equal traction so the whole tractor was more equally planted against the slippery surface and the moving snow pile, so it may not be just the front skating sideways but the whole tractor twisting on a slippery surface. This coming winter I plan on mounting front tire chains, this I hope will at least make the skating much more manageable in wet and heavy snow conditions.
This is basic algebra.What is the loss for coverage when fully angled?
Then with spacers on rear 72" will not cover. I may look into bucket wings with my 84" back blade. Its really only 1 or 2 storms per season I wished I had a plow.This is basic algebra.
Angled cutting width = blade width x cos(cutting angle)
The STB15 series ( I have an STB1596) has a maximum angle of 30 degrees left or right. The cosine of 30 degrees is 0.866. So multiply the blade width by 0.866 to get the minimum cutting width at a maximum angle of 30 degrees.
60" > 52" angled
72" > 62" angled
84" > 73" angled
96" > 83" angled
These values are provided on the spec sheet for the STB15 snow blades.