snowblower vs snowplow

[mark in ny 27]

So today i was able to use my tall chute on my 312 for the first time. Ill be honest i think it was much easier using a walk behind blower. My driveway itself is small i would say i could fit 5 cars maybe but i have 325ish feet of sidewalk to maintain. Maybe its just me or maybe its the gear box for the tractor and is better suited for a hydro idk. But i think i like the idea of a plow better whats your guys thoughts? I also have a electro 12 hydro that came with the blower that i may fix up and use as a dedicated snow mover.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,311]

That’s how I do it...plow equipped tractor and a walk behind when it’s to much snow for the plow.

[cleat 5,812]

I have both and they each have their place.

 

A plow works good for lighter snows but for really deep stuff a blower is better.

 

However, a blower does not like really wet snow and that will plow better.

 

Of course for the really big snows (or if it is too cold out) then the big girl comes out.

 

She does tear the yard up unless it is really frozen.

 

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by cleat

[SylvanLakeWH 25,493]

7 hours ago, Sparky said:

That’s how I do it...plow equipped tractor and a walk behind when it’s to much snow for the plow.

[ebinmaine 67,290]

Up to 3 or 4 inches I'll use the Cinnamon Horse with the 48" plow.

 

More than that...

We use walk behind snow blowers to clear the yard first then a plow to scrape it clean.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

I had a tall chute blower on a 416-H.I wasn't impressed with the tall chute.Had a 2 stage on a 520-H.Worked much better.Plowed here for almost 20 years with a Ford 3000 diesel 40 horse tractor.Plow worked great.Now,I'm old and bought a Mahindra Emax-25 with a heated cab a few years ago.It has a 56 inch hydraulically operated 2 stage blower on the front.Still use the Ariens walk behind to clean up the dog pen and chickens yard.Don't think I'll ever go back to using a plow.I like to blow the snow far away,not just push it a short distance away.Just my opinion.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,311]

27 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 snow blowers to clear the yard first then a plow to scrape it clean.

Same here, anytime I have to use the blower I go back and “clean up “ with the plow.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

8 hours ago, mark in ny said:

 Maybe its just me or maybe its the gear box for the tractor and is better suited for a hydro idk. But i think i like the idea of a plow better whats your guys thoughts? I also have a electro 12 hydro that came with the blower that i may fix up and use as a dedicated snow mover.

All I have ever used for a snow thrower (single stage) or blower (2stage) has been a hydrostatic 520H IMHO you are better off never in the wrong "gear" and no tired left arm/shoulder lifting those throwers up... Also use the 520s for a snow plow used to have CC gear tractors before will never go back to gear drive garden tractors for snow or grass again just my personal experiences.

[JoeM 7,871]

I have about 150' of side walk/concrete that I use a manplow https://manplow.com/  to clean. I have two different sizes and it help the wife with her cardio. Just kidding, she helps but I generally clean most of it. I do have one of those two stroke, paddle type, snow throwers that works pretty well on light fluffy stuff. But those plows push so easy and if you catch it before it gets over 2 inches (heavy) 6 inches (light) it is not bad and quick. I use a plow on a C145 for the drive way and have a thrower for it but never had a need to use it, The c145 with the plow has pushed upward of 12 inches.

 

 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

This is one of those topics that is like a revolving door...always comes back around.

 

temps were around 34-36 on Saturday when the weather started to come in.  We got rain and some sleet for the first part of the disturbance.  Then overnight the temps dropped to freezing and it changed to snow. Woke up to about 3-4” of the wet heavy stuff and so I got out the blade tractor.  It worked great to clean the driveway off and in a hurry.  Both of my snow removal tractors are hydros for ease and efficiency of operation.  I like the fact that I can select exactly the right speed for the amount of snow that I’m trying to remove.  I have cleared my style of driveway with a GD machine and it works but it takes FOREVER.  If I didn’t have to keep backing up and going forward, I don’t think I would mind as much—Just a personal preference.  I use my two stage hooked to the 523Dxi when the snow gets deeper than 6” or it is the light stuff.  When blading like yesterday, I make sure to push it back plenty far otherwise I’ll regret it later in the winter especially if we don’t get some type of a warmup.

[71_Bronco 1,072]

Last night, we got about an inch of snow and then it rained on top of it to make it a slushy wet mess in the morning. I have a push show-blower, and I'm working on setting up a plow on my Commando 8.

 

I cant even imagine trying to snow-blow the slush I have right now, too wet and heavy. I bet a plow would be perfect for it.

 

As others said, it really depends on the depth and type of snow.

[Herder 2,354]

 I think I may resort to using one of these for this years snow cleanup, could help to get rid of the neighbors too.

[ebinmaine 67,290]

10 minutes ago, Herder said:

 I think I may resort to using one of these for this years snow cleanup, could help to get rid of the neighbors too.

Now that's just funny right there. I don't care who you are. That's just funny.

 

[Alex175 784]

I bought a second tractor last year so that I could have one of each ready at all times.  My driveway is a bit long for a walk behind blower (alright maybe I'm just lazy) but this way no matter what type of snow falls I have a machine ready.

[rjg854 11,350]

Had 6'' of snow, and about an inch of sleet below that.  So I went over it first with the snowblower on the 16 auto, then scraped up the rest with the plow on the 877.  Pushed it all to one side of the driveway and then ran the snowblower through that to get rid of the residue.  That way I don't have to worry about pushing the snow back so far.  Both tractors are great for what they do.

[tom2p 2,394]

 

our house on a private road with two other houses ;  road is maybe 1/10 mile (?)

 

all have 4wd vehicles - so we often  don't clear the road 

 

at one time one neighbor had a 4x4 quad with a plow and it worked really well - heckuva lot better and faster than my 312-8 with a plow 

 

have not had plow on my 416-H - but still would not be like that 4x4 quad 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by tom2p

[js5020 111]

In the past I have primarily used a 4x4 quad with a plow and kept the blower on the 16 Auto for the deep stuff.  This year I took the blower off the 16 and mounted the plow as I have grand sons who want to plow snow and it's easier to have them learn on the 16 than the manual shift quad.  Last I used the blower was 2017 when we got a 2 ft spring storm.  The quad is way faster, uses less gas and for the most part you don't have any traction issues to deal with.

[Sherwood’s Power 0]

I have had a 520H tractor with a 48” plow and I can’t take it any more. If it’s fluffy it works some what but heaven forbid it’s wet! Plus 48” is to small, my driveway is 500-600’ ft long and the 48” leaves to many trails off the side of it and once you cock it to a side it’s only 40” is your lucky! I just bought a D200 with a 56” plow and about 600lbs of extra weight and what a difference!!! I think I’m going to make extra wings for due to the fact it don’t stop. Night and day difference but thats what 400lbs difference in tractor chassis

[ebinmaine 67,290]

8 minutes ago, Sherwood’s Power said:

I have had a 520H tractor with a 48” plow and I can’t take it any more. If it’s fluffy it works some what but heaven forbid it’s wet! Plus 48” is to small, my driveway is 500-600’ ft long and the 48” leaves to many trails off the side of it and once you cock it to a side it’s only 40” is your lucky! I just bought a D200 with a 56” plow and about 600lbs of extra weight and what a difference!!! I think I’m going to make extra wings for due to the fact it don’t stop. Night and day difference but thats what 400lbs difference in tractor chassis

 

 

That's why my C160 is set-up the way it is.

Oversized tires.

All 4 fluid filled.

Steel weights.

 

 

Plows like a bull....

 

 

[AHS 1,440]

35 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

That's why my C160 is set-up the way it is.

Oversized tires.

All 4 fluid filled.

Steel weights.

 

 

Plows like a bull....

 

 

💪💪💪👍😄

[Sherwood’s Power 0]

34 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

That's why my C160 is set-up the way it is.

Oversized tires.

All 4 fluid filled.

Steel weights.

 

 

Plows like a bull....

 

 

 

What size blade you running? I also have a snowblower that came with it, might have to try that out soon

[ebinmaine 67,290]

8 hours ago, Sherwood’s Power said:

 

What size blade you running? I also have a snowblower that came with it, might have to try that out soon

The one that lives on there all the time is a 48".

 

Fella named John  @wallfish. Gave us a handmade 60" to try out.

At some point this winter I'll throw that on and see how Cinnamon Horse does with it.

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

10 hours ago, Sherwood’s Power said:

I have had a 520H tractor with a 48” plow and I can’t take it any more. If it’s fluffy it works some what but heaven forbid it’s wet! Plus 48” is to small, my driveway is 500-600’ ft long and the 48” leaves to many trails off the side of it and once you cock it to a side it’s only 40” is your lucky! I just bought a D200 with a 56” plow and about 600lbs of extra weight and what a difference!!! I think I’m going to make extra wings for due to the fact it don’t stop. Night and day difference but thats what 400lbs difference in tractor chassis

Maybe it's just me but with fluid filled tires and iron wheel weights and a 50" then 54" snow plow I never really had an issue with dry fluffy or heavy wet snows on my 520H plus I always had a snow thrower too just in case.

[ebinmaine 67,290]

4 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

with fluid filled tires and iron wheel weights

Yepp... Gotta have the heavy...

 

[tom2p 2,394]

my 312-8 did fairly well with just chains and weights - including heavy wet snow 

 

for the driveway it was fine - but for our road took long time (too long)