How do you get a 2wd to go in the snow?

[Daren Todd]

I've know a few people use there mower to plow the driveway. In all instances they used a set of cleated chains on the rear wheels. They didn't have any issues with there paved driveways. Hell, for what it's worth, we used to use a one ton dump truck loaded with sand, sander, a 7ft fisher snow plow and chains if we got a lot of ice. Never had an issue with the paved portion of gramps driveway. Once we blew off the sand in the spring, it would look the same as it did the year before.

 

[Searay45db]

Here is the result of our discussion. It's not the biggest on the block, but it still rocks!

 

[Daren Todd]

Thats a mean looking little cuss I like it

 

[Searay45db]

Thanks. Because of Global Warming, I got the Sims Cab on e-bay. It was in rough shape. The blower had a lot of wear as well. So I sprayed the blower and the cab. Then I used Slip Plate for the blower. You can brush it on, but I sprayed it. Don't know if you have ever seen it, but this version is designed for snow. It's basically graphite paint. So,when you get the heavy sticky snow, it doesn't clog anymore. I tried it last year from a spray can, and it really worked. Now this pic does not show the finished product, my 10 y/o made me put flames on the side of the blower. Not that's style'n, lol

 

[ShaunRH]

We used my dad's Craftsman 20HP lawn tractor to blade off the snow if it was less than 8" deep at his place. We would just load down the back end, angle the blade and boogie as fast as we could. Stopping was not a wise idea, you put the pedal down and took half a blade of snow as you went.

It worked well, and being a gravel drive chains worked fine. The unit was light enough that even on a paved drive it probably would have been okay.

When the snow got over 8" deep, we got out the D-17 and played bulldozer.

 

[Searay45db]

And the envelope please...it snowed on Wednesday. Not bad, only 5",s.

It SUCKED!

On the paved road it was great, but on the driveways where it's had been seal coated, to was like being on ice.

Would not have mTtered if I had 4WD. SO, am I better of putting AG tires on this beast?

 

[85Hokie]

Here is the result of our discussion. It's not the biggest on the block, but it still rocks! View attachment 13467

that sum beaauch ought to run up mt everest !!!!

nice looking machine!! - that thing got a flat screen in it too????

 

[OldeEnglish]

View attachment 13126


View attachment 13128

Ok, so I am not dropping 15k to get AWD. I have both rubber and chain. For blacktop that gets coated every year, I have found rubber to work the best as I always get a clean pass.

So, Can I add more weight to the rear? Chain has nothing to grip to on a sealed driveway.

If you get your driveway coated every year I don't see the big deal of some scratches in it but I completely understand not wanting to scratch it. I know where your coming from with the ice like feel of the seal coat. A neighbor next to my folks has a steep driveway and they get it coated every year. I laugh all the time watching that poor sap try to climb his drive with a Prius . Like someone said before, your best bet is to get your rear tires loaded. That would solve your worries about having too much weight on the axel because the weight will be directly to the ground and not sitting on the axels. Combined with the wheel weights that should do the trick. Very nice looking machine! Does it have heat in the cab too?!?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

SO, am I better of putting AG tires on this beast?

No, AG tires are not going to help you.
Your better off selling it and getting a 4WD!

 

[uglyboy]

I think you need to add more weight to the rear end. You say you've got wheel weights, great, but they are not adding weight to the axles, so find a way to add another couple hundred pounds on the back end. Other wise, when you've got the blower lifted, the back end wants to come up, so it'll just spin spin spin...
I cleared my 200ft driveway for years with a Bolens 1050 10HP 2WD garden tractor with front mount blower, made in the 1960's. Had wheel weights & chains plus 150 pounds hanging on the back plus my 200 pounds on the seat. worked great, but it had diff lock-up which helped a lot.

Pete

 

[Bluegill]

I think you need to add more weight to the rear end. You say you've got wheel weights, great, but they are not adding weight to the axles, so find a way to add another couple hundred pounds on the back end. Other wise, when you've got the blower lifted, the back end wants to come up, so it'll just spin spin spin...


Pete

This is the answer! Read it a couple more times...

 

[trouble11]

What Bluegill said. !!!

 

[Bluegill]

10-13-2014

Best you can do is add counter weight to the 3 pt. At least as much weight as
the front blower, but as much as it will handle is better.

Then add chains to the rear tires...

 

[sheepfarmer]

After last winter I might have gone overboard, but besides trading the 1950 8N in on a 4 wd l3560, I loaded the tires on my old Ingersoll lawn mower/garden tractor, put its snow blower on and yesterday put chains on the rear tires. The idea is to use the Ingersoll to make paths across the lawn where I have to walk between the barns and the tractor won't fit. It is not flat. But the problems I remember having with it and with my Gator, also 2wd, is that they won't steer in deep snow. Other than careful driving, anyone got any ideas? The Ingersoll has really big rear tires and little front ones. Gator has turf tires but little clearance.

Of course the years I drag out the snowblower and put it on, it is cold and wretched but we don't get much deep snow.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

But the problems I remember having with it and with my Gator, also 2wd, is that they won't steer in deep snow. Other than careful driving, anyone got any ideas?

Get a set of ski's for the front tires!

I used a 1970's 2wd simplicity with a front blade and a snow blower to clear 1/2 mile of private road and several driveways so I know it can be done, also my driveway has a 300+foot run of over 10% grade.
It's all in weight on the rears, and a good set of cleated chains!

But I have upgraded to a 4wd tractor, it's night and day ahead of what it was before!

 

[hodge]

Ag tires will be worse than what you have- less surface area to grip, and in snow/ice, the more biting edges, the better.
You need to counter the weight of the blower. If you can't do that effectively, then your setup isn't going to get it done.
Kubota selling them has nothing to do with you. The setup works fine within the realm of what it was designed for. You are pushing that envelope, and have entered the territory of why Kubota has so many models- to meet other needs. A 4WD tractor will offer two things, among many others- more weight, and the weight of that blower will be pushing down on powered front tires. It would make a lot of difference.

 

[Searay45db]

No, AG tires are not going to help you.
Your better off selling it and getting a 4WD!

I already have one wife. I don't need another! Stop spending money!

But what would you get. Only have an acre of lawn.

 

[olthumpa]

In this thread and many others I have read where people have posted that R3's and R4's are better in snow than R1's. I assume that everyone is referring to plowing driveways apposed to crossing unplowed fields or other places.

They definitely rule in mud. 4 hours of work yesterday.

 

[hodge]

I already have one wife. I don't need another! Stop spending money!

But what would you get. Only have an acre of lawn.

You could move up to a BX, depending on your budget.
I bought my B7100, with less than 650 hours on it, 4WD, with a Woods finish mower, for $3000. I mow my grass with it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

In this thread and many others I have read where people have posted that R3's and R4's are better in snow than R1's. I assume that everyone is referring to plowing driveways apposed to crossing unplowed fields or other places.

They definitely rule in mud. 4 hours of work yesterday.

olthumpa,
I have that same model of seat protector / anti back side soaker, mine is in black!
One of these days the tractor will get a proper home!

Searay45db,
You could only be so lucky as to have me for a wife!
If you want new go BX, If you want used B7100 or newer BX or B!