I bought my 2230 this summer (300 hours and $9500 w/ FEL and mower). We had purchased 2 years earlier an Ariens Snow Blower to get away from from HD/Lowes stuff (and it is a real difference).
Anyway, as we were considering selling the blower, I paid attention to what several people here said about the limitations of using the FEL. GLAD I DID!!
We abandoned the FEL as the primary tool after 5 minutes.
We used the snowblower to clear off the top 28 inches or so, then I scraped to the asphalt with the FEL.
FWIW, I had installed a bolt on edge from something big; got an 8 foot piece from the dealer that was sitting around for $100. Burned bolt holes in the bucket, cut off the excess with an angle grinder.
I also paid attention and made a weight rack using a 3 pt tow bar, some 1/4 inch steel plate and a couple bolts with spacers made from iron pipe. Hung 5 JD weights (still painted green sadly) off the back.
That made me very confident in forward and reverse scraping; no damage to 1/4 mile of asphalt (serves 6 houses).
Only downside was I had to remount two mailboxes I swiped while working up at the road.
But after 30 years here, I have to say we found the answer (we used to shovel believe it or not). And Again, THANKS to those who cautioned against looking at the snoblower as dead cash.
OTOH, a neighbor with about 600 feet and a similar Kubota had to pull is out 4 times with his pickup truck.
Orange stuff works great.
Anyway, as we were considering selling the blower, I paid attention to what several people here said about the limitations of using the FEL. GLAD I DID!!
We abandoned the FEL as the primary tool after 5 minutes.
We used the snowblower to clear off the top 28 inches or so, then I scraped to the asphalt with the FEL.
FWIW, I had installed a bolt on edge from something big; got an 8 foot piece from the dealer that was sitting around for $100. Burned bolt holes in the bucket, cut off the excess with an angle grinder.
I also paid attention and made a weight rack using a 3 pt tow bar, some 1/4 inch steel plate and a couple bolts with spacers made from iron pipe. Hung 5 JD weights (still painted green sadly) off the back.
That made me very confident in forward and reverse scraping; no damage to 1/4 mile of asphalt (serves 6 houses).
Only downside was I had to remount two mailboxes I swiped while working up at the road.
But after 30 years here, I have to say we found the answer (we used to shovel believe it or not). And Again, THANKS to those who cautioned against looking at the snoblower as dead cash.
OTOH, a neighbor with about 600 feet and a similar Kubota had to pull is out 4 times with his pickup truck.
Orange stuff works great.
