Best hydrostatic range for plowing snow

[nerwin]

As I learn how to plow with a tractor, I am trying to figure out the best method for plowing with the tractor. I previously plowed with a side by side in low gear but it was still plenty of speed to push through all the snow without problem. The tractor on the other hand is MUCH slower. if I use low range, its just too slow for snow. Medium range is better because I have some momentum to plow through the snow but it's still pretty slow. I haven't tried out high range yet because I'm worried its not good for it. But I see in the manual that the tractor could get up to like 12.7mph which is more than enough speed for plowing snow. Having that extra momentum to break through snow drifts and things like that would be nice but what I've always learned was...

Low - Loader
Medium - Mowing
High - Highway

So I'm just curious, for those who plow with their tractor using a snow plow on the FEL, what range, if hydrostatic do you plow in?

Will 4wd in high range be bad for the tractor?

Thanks!

 

[Mitjam]

As I learn how to plow with a tractor, I am trying to figure out the best method for plowing with the tractor. I previously plowed with a side by side in low gear but it was still plenty of speed to push through all the snow without problem. The tractor on the other hand is MUCH slower. if I use low range, its just too slow for snow. Medium range is better because I have some momentum to plow through the snow but it's still pretty slow. I haven't tried out high range yet because I'm worried its not good for it. But I see in the manual that the tractor could get up to like 12.7mph which is more than enough speed for plowing snow. Having that extra momentum to break through snow drifts and things like that would be nice but what I've always learned was...

Low - Loader
Medium - Mowing
High - Highway

So I'm just curious, for those who plow with their tractor using a snow plow on the FEL, what range, if hydrostatic do you plow in?

Will 4wd in high range be bad for the tractor?

Thanks!

I have a snowpusher but same idea momentum is your friend. The one thing about your L series vs sxs is you also have way more weight with tractor, weight moves weight. So although you feel it’s slow your prob actually moving more snow in medium range vs faster speed with sxs. I use medium range for most snow plowing unless I’m moving piles back where I switch to low range. As far as 4x4 I couldn’t tell you I would think as long as your tire pressure are all on specs it shouldn’t hurt to much.

 

[nerwin]

I have a snowpusher but same idea momentum is your friend. The one thing about your L series vs sxs is you also have way more weight with tractor, weight moves weight. So although you feel it’s slow your prob actually moving more snow in medium range vs faster speed with sxs. I use medium range for most snow plowing unless I’m moving piles back where I switch to low range. As far as 4x4 I couldn’t tell you I would think as long as your tire pressure are all on specs it shouldn’t hurt to much.

That's a good point. The side by side had the same size plow as I have on the tractor but yeah its def much heavier which is a benefit sometimes but the downside is that it really packs the snow and it makes it pretty slick.

 

[woodman55]

With the L6060 and a snow pusher, I do most of mine in Medium. But that being said, the weight of the snow is a big factor, lite loose snow I am sure you could use high, but in wet heavy slushy snow low might be the better option.

 

[Mitjam]

That's a good point. The side by side had the same size plow as I have on the tractor but yeah its def much heavier which is a benefit sometimes but the downside is that it really packs the snow and it makes it pretty slick.

I truly don’t know what the best snow removal machine/ set up is. Wish it wasn’t so expensive to try different ones out. That’s why I sit with a coffee read this forum and watch YouTube

 

[hedgerow]

I truly don’t know what the best snow removal machine/ set up is. Wish it wasn’t so expensive to try different ones out. That’s why I sit with a coffee read this forum and watch YouTube

I started plowing snow when I was kid at my folks business, streets, businesses in the small town I grew up in and have used a lot of equipment from tractors, pickups, dump trucks, wheel loaders ,ATV's, side by sides but my favorite is a 100 HP skid steer with a cab and mostly using a snow bucket on it. PS I have scooped and blown a lot of side walks in my day also.

 

[Orange man]

I have always plowed snow in medium range , I use the bucket no blade on the front.

 

[mcmxi]

The MX stays in mid range all winter with an 8ft hydraulic angle snow blade up front and 6ft blower out back. 99% of the time I'm pushing snow downhill (@ 2,000rpm) so I don't need low range. With wheel weights, filled tires, the loader and implements it's a heavy rig which is good when pushing snow.

I don't know what the "best" set up or equipment is for snow removal, but this set up works well for me, and if I ever upgrade it will most likely be to pull type rear blower.

 

[Mitjam]

I started plowing snow when I was kid at my folks business, streets, businesses in the small town I grew up in and have used a lot of equipment from tractors, pickups, dump trucks, wheel loaders ,ATV's, side by sides but my favorite is a 100 HP skid steer with a cab and mostly using a snow bucket on it. PS I have scooped and blown a lot of side walks in my day also.

Ya. I have a nice hla snow blade on my 108. They sure can move snow but I agree skid steer are very agile especially in yard and parking lots

 

[Bearcatrp]

Until you get comfortable plowing, probably not a good idea plowing in high. Something may go wrong and being in high may cause an accident. Medium or low will give you better reaction time.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Until you get comfortable plowing, probably not a good idea plowing in high. Something may go wrong and being in high may cause an accident. Medium or low will give you better reaction time.

my opinion as well. depends on comfort, experience, visibility and knowledge of whats below
Medium most of the time.
Low when plowing next to buildings or when I don't know exactly what can be under the snow like a curb / stump, etc...
Expensive damage is best avoided the slower you go.
Mistakes happen much slower in slow.
But when doing a roadway where I know its clean underneath like the local roadway to the next yardsite then the speed can go into high at times.

I will do the full width middle pass up the center of a drive way first and faster as less chance of dangers and damages. Drop down and do the edges (partial passes) slower. (or around vehicles/buildings/gates/fences)

cheers

 

[nerwin]

my opinion as well. depends on comfort, experience, visibility and knowledge of whats below
Medium most of the time.
Low when plowing next to buildings or when I don't know exactly what can be under the snow like a curb / stump, etc...
Expensive damage is best avoided the slower you go.
Mistakes happen much slower in slow.
But when doing a roadway where I know its clean underneath like the local roadway to the next yardsite then the speed can go into high at times.

cheers

That's a good point! The trip blade is nice as it will just go over some stuff. I'll tinker with going between low and medium and probably could use high for doing the main part where there is nothing in the way.

 

[chim]

As others have said, do-do happens and the severity is generally proportional to the amount of speed at which it happens. I have a bottom-trip blade that works OK for protruding manhole covers, etc. It doesn't help if the end of the moldboard snags the end of a curb that was buried in the snow

 

[mcmxi]

knowledge of whats below

And there you have it.

 

[Dchemphill1]

Push snow in medium. I just use the bucket with three skids on it to keep from getting to much gravel. If it is really deep and heavy I have gone to low.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

I plow in medium, using a snow pusher or back blade on my L4701.

 

[BAP]

That's a good point! The trip blade is nice as it will just go over some stuff. I'll tinker with going between low and medium and probably could use high for doing the main part where there is nothing in the way.

I would not use high when plowing, especially with a loader mounted plow. At the speed of high range, if you hit something, even just a protruding rock frozen in place, you increase chances of bending something.

 

[nerwin]

I would not use high when plowing, especially with a loader mounted plow. At the speed of high range, if you hit something, even just a protruding rock frozen in place, you increase chances of bending something.

Good point.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Mid '70s I plowed a LOT of small lots with my '73 CJ-5, found low range,4WD, 2nd was the 'optimum' setup. I remember to this day, a guy in a 3/4t Chevy doing a 'walmart' sized lot.zip,zip,zip, WHAMM, donuts ! Destroyed his plow setup, front end of truck.His buddy removed mangled plow,loaded into box, towed him away. I wondered ho BAD of a headache he had for the next 2-3 weeks.
so, it's kinda important to KNOW what's under the snow !!

It took me 1/2 a day to get my plow 'setup' just right. Every rig is different, tire size, plow mount, angle of attack, forward tilt of blade to name a few. Odds are real good 'out of the box' will NOT be close to perfect, let alone perfect !

 

[mikester]

Select your gear so you aren't lugging the motor. I can run my HST in 3rd gear Low range in most situations with the snowblower.