New attachments for the X749 needed

Thanks for all the replies and helpful advice, sure is a lot to think about.

I was looking into the idea of a snow push with the rubber edges and found this one from the Worksite Pro line http://www.deere.com/en_US/cfd/cons...dia/pdf/attachments/DKASPCWP_snow_pushers.pdf

Would consider the 8 ft model for the tlb, but would still need a broom.

Alot depends on whether I get the year round contract on a large condominium at the right price. Should be a decision made in the next week after Thanksgiving. If not I will stick with the smaller equipment for residential use and bundle up.

Correct me if I am wrong but there does not seem to be alot of price difference between a snowblower on the X749 and a 72-78" 3 pt model for the tractors. Just trying to consider all of my options before narrowing this down.

jenkinsph said:

Pete,

That is a great looking 318 you have, looks well cared for.


What is your take on having the implements balance each other out?

Click to expand...

Yeah, the 318 is in good shape. Given what I just spent for the new starter and deck, I need to get 4 more years out of it before I could think of upgrading.

Ok, I measured the blower and it's the 47", you think I'd trust my own signature... it has the metal blade on it. Spudland, I agree that the impeller chamber is not as sturdy as it should be. It was designed for light residential use, and definitely not gravel abuse. The blower and bizarre adapter for the 318 cost $2K back in 2000.

All I've ever used is a front mount blower.

As for the balance question, it comes down to weight. Much like a ballast box is the most compact weight, same here in small tractor land. So the implements will balance each other out, but it will be long. Plowing can only go bad two ways: Not enough rear traction so tires spin, and not enough front tire sideways traction so tractor can't push the snow to the side. If the blade is angled right, there is some push down on the front tires that helps. As the blade curls and throws the snow out over the top, there is a reactionary force that pushes down. There's a sweet spot of speed, angle, and snow curling out the top. At times, I've had to take a running start at it because you can't start from zero just pushing up against the snow.

For the blower, it's only traction. The 4WD I'm _guessing_ would really be great. The weight of the blower would help on the front, and rear weight (weight of plow or add weights to plow if you can figure out how to add weights to the plow and I know you can) would give you tons of traction.

You'd just have to see if you need chains with this arrangement. Chains will scratch asphalt and concrete, and if either is sealed it shows up even more. I'd be sure your customers know this or be able to stop if you can't get it without chains and have them understand. I'd have them ready. It sucks putting them on in the cold, but it would get you out if there's a problem. I also claim that anyone who says they've never had to put chains back on a tractor during show work is lying. And the smaller the tire, the harder it is. I usually let some air out of the tire to get the chains on, then re-inflate. I put a bungee strap around and tie it in at about 10 different places. Enclosed is a picture of this. Some copper wire attachment points, some zip ties.

So with 4WD, implements will balance, I'd also look at a way to add weight to the blade. Overall length is only issue, you should be able to figure that out from your reconnaissance today. Be ready with chains. Front blowers are very easy to use, and I think they are better on small tractors, but I've yet to use a rear one.

I think I posted this, but, I've priced an 8' blade with rear wheel for my 4520. If I freeze plowing snow (when next I plow), it will be on order. Hard for me to justify a blower for the 4520 when I've only used my blower 3 times in 10 years, and 1 of those times was just for sport.

Finally, here's a shot of the 318 from this spring when it was all cleaned up ready for another summer.

Pete

Well, here is the deal..... If you had a real-real dry powdery snow, I think the rubber scrapper on the snow push would wear out fast from the dry pavement. Here we ussually have enough snow to make it lubricate the rubber. IF we got a light snow, I would take out the leaf blower and blow it off.

I have to assume that the light snow you are talking about is heavier than something you would use a leaf blower with. With that said, I think it would scrape it away since your 749 will not pack it too bad. Sometimes I have issues getting the driveway perfectly clean if we get a wet snow, I drive over it with trucks, then it gets cold, then I try to remove it.

IMHO, you are on the right track. The only thing I would want to do if I was in your position is be able to snow blow down a pile I made with the snow push. with a pull behind, that would not be possible.

Let me get you some pics of my push... One sec.

Brian,
What I am looking at now is to fit the 110tlb, not the 749. The snowpush I am considering is an Erskine 8' model with the pull back feature, this allows you to rotate the push 90 degrees and use a separate blade to drag back the snow close to a wall.

The blower is a 78" wide rear pull for the rear as mentioned earlier and I agree that trying to drive over a pile would be an issue. It would seem that you could break this pile out though and them run over it. I think the pull back feature should aid in pulling back and breaking up the pile to drive over it.

I am beginning to wonder if the snow push by itself would be enough for most years? May not need to buy a blower just yet.


That is a nice snow push you have, I think I would add a pull back blade to it.
If I had more time I would build a snowpush, seems like a good project.

Brian,
Don't have loaded tires on any of the tractors but would have either the backhoe or snow blower on the rear. The 110tlb weighs about 6400 lbs without a backhoe but with the cab. Quite a bit more weight than my 4520 which has about 1075 lbs of front and rear weights and totals about 5500 lbs.

If I start out with a snow push on the front and leave the backhoe in place this would be the easy and cheap way to go for now. I am sure I would need more equipment if I add to the customer list but I think the snowpush will work for now. I should add that my main focus is taking care of my existing customers needs and not trying to get into commercial snowblowing as a fulll time job.


The Erskine 8' snowpush with the pull back blade is roughly $3200 msrp according to the rep I spoke with yesterday. The Frontier Worksite Pro model that is similar is about $4300 and I can't see where it is any better.