Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

..


--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

cloud dreamer wrote:

Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

Traction is much more of an issue when plowing than when blowing.
Problem with blowing on a gravel driveway is picking up all the gravel.
You have to get a solid snow / ice pack down initially to lock in the
gravel and then only cut down to that point with the blower on future
passes.

On Dec 30, 6:23�pm, "Pete C." wrote:
cloud dreamer wrote:

Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

Traction is much more of an issue when plowing than when blowing.
Problem with blowing on a gravel driveway is picking up all the gravel.
You have to get a solid snow / ice pack down initially to lock in the
gravel and then only cut down to that point with the blower on future
passes.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

note

snow may be blown 5 feet, a decent sized rock 30 feet.

you shou;ld only blow snow in gravel driveways if no one and nothing
is around!

all it takes is one skidding tire to displace a little gravel into the
snow and then blow the snow and gravel thru your neighbors car window.

dont ask how i know so much about this

wrote:
On Dec 30, 6:23�pm, "Pete C." wrote:
cloud dreamer wrote:

Hi,
I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?
My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.
Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??
Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA
Traction is much more of an issue when plowing than when blowing.
Problem with blowing on a gravel driveway is picking up all the gravel.
You have to get a solid snow / ice pack down initially to lock in the
gravel and then only cut down to that point with the blower on future
passes.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

note

snow may be blown 5 feet, a decent sized rock 30 feet.

you shou;ld only blow snow in gravel driveways if no one and nothing
is around!

all it takes is one skidding tire to displace a little gravel into the
snow and then blow the snow and gravel thru your neighbors car window.

dont ask how i know so much about this


lol....yeah...I live on ten acres surrounded by lots of trees, so taking
out a neighbours car isn't a concern...unless I tried really really
hard...

I have a regular snowblower now and can see how the gravel shortens its
life...as it's rusted where the inner auger turns, catching the rocks
between the blades and painted surface.

Since I have to get a ride on mower anyway, I'd like to get the
snowblower attached, rather than get a second machine. I can also use
the ride on for some basic garden tasks too, which will help (I'm not
getting any younger).

Any suggestions on the brand names? Toro, Kubota...any others?
Good...bad...all the same...

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

always wear eye protection when blowing snow, i got hit bad in head
once with a rock that bounced back somehow........ scary bloody
mess........ head wounds bleed a lot

might check consumer reports for tractor info, dont buy a rider mower,
they are too small for everything.

if you have acres to cut probably better off speed wise with a
dedicated grass cutter. those sit on center with 2 arms for direction
are so fast its unreal

if most is woods thats not a issue

wrote:
always wear eye protection when blowing snow, i got hit bad in head
once with a rock that bounced back somehow........ scary bloody
mess........ head wounds bleed a lot

might check consumer reports for tractor info, dont buy a rider mower,
they are too small for everything.

if you have acres to cut probably better off speed wise with a
dedicated grass cutter. those sit on center with 2 arms for direction
are so fast its unreal

if most is woods thats not a issue

Yeah, it's mostly woods. My lawn is small enough to do with a regular
mower, but it's getting tough on my poor arthritic knees. That's why I'm
looking at combining mower/snowblower...and looking for recommendations.
In the end, I'm thinking a higher end ride-on might suffice...something
4wd. I have someone to clear the driveway for heavy snowfalls, so the
ride-on would only be necessary for smaller snowfalls...under a foot
type thing. Everything I've seen so far has me looking toward Kubota.

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

on 12/30/2007 6:13 PM cloud dreamer said the following:
Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with
a blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the
driveway...so I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD
standard on all ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota
list 4wd on some of their machines but I can't find anything on the
Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

..


I have an old Murray garden tractor with an old Haban Snowblower
attachment. My driveway is only about 100' long and is asphalt paved. I
have had to replace a belt and a chain because of broken asphalt at the
roadway edge of my driveway (asphalt road is deteriorating due to
surface water).
If I had to blow a gravel driveway, I would set the blower to be not
more than 1" from the surface and go slow as to not allow the blower to
bounce down below that 1". Any rock getting caught between the blower
blade and blade housing is sure to do some damage.
A 2 wheel drive tractor is sufficient when using a blower since the snow
is thrown out of the path of the tractor, whereas a plow is pushing snow
in front of the tractor and causing more resistance to tractor movement.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

On Dec 30, 5:13*pm, cloud dreamer wrote:
Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

* ..

--

We must change the way we live,
* * or the climate will do it for us.

We have a 20HP Simplicity to use around our self storage on tightly
packed gravel. Usually however, the snow last few years has been so
light we've had the guy across the road in his pickup with blade just
do it for us. Had a Simplicity with a blower back in 60's that worked
just great in upstate NY snows. HTH

Joe

Joe wrote:
On Dec 30, 5:13 pm, cloud dreamer wrote:
Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

We have a 20HP Simplicity to use around our self storage on tightly
packed gravel. Usually however, the snow last few years has been so
light we've had the guy across the road in his pickup with blade just
do it for us. Had a Simplicity with a blower back in 60's that worked
just great in upstate NY snows. HTH

Joe

Yes, it helps. Lots of good advice here. I'm in Eastern Canada, so I
imagine we get snow like they do in upstate NY. I'm not sure if
Simplicity is available locally, but I haven't started seriously looking
(no sense until the spring...when I called a couple places I got that
"you're looking for a mower in December?" response

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

cloud dreamer wrote:
I'm not sure if
Simplicity is available locally, but I haven't started seriously looking


Maybe I'm just used to the plain-jane SIMPLICITY of 30yr old Bolens
blowers- 3 bolts & 10 minutes to change a belt; sparkplug on top
where it can be checked in seconds; 4 screws bring the carb into
plain sight.

My brother-in-law called one day last winter to ask if I'd come over
with a 5/8? socket so he could change the plug in his 3yr old
Simplicity. When I got there he had a pile of tools laid out-
had removed one shroud, [some screws and 2 different size bolts] but
couldn't get the next one. And the plug was still not visible.

He told me he had had it tuned up a couple months before- so I
suspected ice in the gas-- but couldn't see any way of checking that
without tearing a whole lot more of his snowblower apart.

Luckily- when he went in the house for something, I tried it 'one last
time - and the beast started- so it was probably just flooded. But
just looking at how difficult it was to perform the simplest of
repair/diagnoses, convinced me I'd never own a Simplicity.

Jim

"cloud dreamer" wrote in message
...
wrote:
always wear eye protection when blowing snow, i got hit bad in head
once with a rock that bounced back somehow........ scary bloody
mess........ head wounds bleed a lot

might check consumer reports for tractor info, dont buy a rider mower,
they are too small for everything.

if you have acres to cut probably better off speed wise with a
dedicated grass cutter. those sit on center with 2 arms for direction
are so fast its unreal

if most is woods thats not a issue

Yeah, it's mostly woods. My lawn is small enough to do with a regular
mower, but it's getting tough on my poor arthritic knees. That's why I'm
looking at combining mower/snowblower...and looking for recommendations.
In the end, I'm thinking a higher end ride-on might suffice...something
4wd. I have someone to clear the driveway for heavy snowfalls, so the
ride-on would only be necessary for smaller snowfalls...under a foot type
thing. Everything I've seen so far has me looking toward Kubota.

I have had good results with John Deere products, durable, easy to repair,
easy to get parts for old equipment, good support from the dealer (not Big
Boxes but an actual John Deere farm dealer). They will not question the
purchase of a mower in the winter, especially if you are adding a snow
blower for it.

EXT wrote:
"cloud dreamer" wrote in message
...
wrote:
always wear eye protection when blowing snow, i got hit bad in head
once with a rock that bounced back somehow........ scary bloody
mess........ head wounds bleed a lot

might check consumer reports for tractor info, dont buy a rider mower,
they are too small for everything.

if you have acres to cut probably better off speed wise with a
dedicated grass cutter. those sit on center with 2 arms for direction
are so fast its unreal

if most is woods thats not a issue
Yeah, it's mostly woods. My lawn is small enough to do with a regular
mower, but it's getting tough on my poor arthritic knees. That's why I'm
looking at combining mower/snowblower...and looking for recommendations.
In the end, I'm thinking a higher end ride-on might suffice...something
4wd. I have someone to clear the driveway for heavy snowfalls, so the
ride-on would only be necessary for smaller snowfalls...under a foot type
thing. Everything I've seen so far has me looking toward Kubota.

I have had good results with John Deere products, durable, easy to repair,
easy to get parts for old equipment, good support from the dealer (not Big
Boxes but an actual John Deere farm dealer). They will not question the
purchase of a mower in the winter, especially if you are adding a snow
blower for it.



Thanks. I didn't realize we had a John Deere dealer local, but
apparently there is one. I'll check them out.

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

Let's face it, your driveway is not that big. Either will do the job in
a matter of minutes. And both will have to be set high to avoid picking
up stones. So now you've got to look at other factors: cost, storage,
maintenance.

A ride-on will be more expensive (ie. $1200 for the ride-on + $1200 for
blower attachment), takes more space to store, and has more parts to
maintain. You will be able to use it to cut grass in the summer. It's a
4 season tool.

A snow blower will be cheaper (ie $1200), take up less space in your
garage/shed, and require less maintenance.

I used a ride-on for 3 years before I gave in and switched to the
snowblower. I found it easier to use and faster than the ride-on.

Good Luck,
Mark


cloud dreamer wrote:
Hi,

I'm just starting to take a peek around at ride-on mowers that have
snowblower attachments. Any recommendations out there?

My driveway is 300 feet long, gravel and is sloped. I had an ATV with a
blade and I know it often needed to be in 4WD to plow the driveway...so
I can't see a 2WD mower being able to do it. Is 4WD standard on all
ride-ons or just the high end ones? I've seen Kubota list 4wd on some of
their machines but I can't find anything on the Toros.

Even with 4WD, are they good snowblowers or more trouble than they're
worth? Do they slide all over the place...not have the HP push up the
driveway??

Any experience, opinions appreciated. TIA

..

Mark Witczak wrote:
Let's face it, your driveway is not that big. Either will do the job in
a matter of minutes. And both will have to be set high to avoid picking
up stones. So now you've got to look at other factors: cost, storage,
maintenance.

A ride-on will be more expensive (ie. $1200 for the ride-on + $1200 for
blower attachment), takes more space to store, and has more parts to
maintain. You will be able to use it to cut grass in the summer. It's a
4 season tool.

A snow blower will be cheaper (ie $1200), take up less space in your
garage/shed, and require less maintenance.

I used a ride-on for 3 years before I gave in and switched to the
snowblower. I found it easier to use and faster than the ride-on.

Good Luck,
Mark

I have both a regular snowblower and lawn mower - both stored in a
spacious garage...I'm looking at the ride-on simply because I'm
physically having difficulty doing both.

I'm trying to weigh the ride on and its abilities against hiring someone
to do it all for me. Around here, that can run upwards of $1500 a year
or more...so cost and storage isn't too much of a concern...I guess one
thing I really need to know is that a ride on pushing a blower can climb
the gradual slope of my driveway with hard snow/ice under the wheels
while clearing 50 cm of snow.

..


--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

EXT wrote:
"cloud dreamer" wrote in message
...
wrote:
always wear eye protection when blowing snow, i got hit bad in head
once with a rock that bounced back somehow........ scary bloody
mess........ head wounds bleed a lot

might check consumer reports for tractor info, dont buy a rider mower,
they are too small for everything.

if you have acres to cut probably better off speed wise with a
dedicated grass cutter. those sit on center with 2 arms for direction
are so fast its unreal

if most is woods thats not a issue
Yeah, it's mostly woods. My lawn is small enough to do with a regular
mower, but it's getting tough on my poor arthritic knees. That's why I'm
looking at combining mower/snowblower...and looking for recommendations.
In the end, I'm thinking a higher end ride-on might suffice...something
4wd. I have someone to clear the driveway for heavy snowfalls, so the
ride-on would only be necessary for smaller snowfalls...under a foot type
thing. Everything I've seen so far has me looking toward Kubota.

I have had good results with John Deere products, durable, easy to repair,
easy to get parts for old equipment, good support from the dealer (not Big
Boxes but an actual John Deere farm dealer). They will not question the
purchase of a mower in the winter, especially if you are adding a snow
blower for it.



Yeah, but most of them are at least partly.....shudder... American made.
blechhhhhh

On Jan 1, 6:37 pm, cloud dreamer wrote:
Mark Witczak wrote:
Let's face it, your driveway is not that big. Either will do the job in
a matter of minutes. And both will have to be set high to avoid picking
up stones. So now you've got to look at other factors: cost, storage,
maintenance.

A ride-on will be more expensive (ie. $1200 for the ride-on + $1200 for
blower attachment), takes more space to store, and has more parts to
maintain. You will be able to use it to cut grass in the summer. It's a
4 season tool.

A snow blower will be cheaper (ie $1200), take up less space in your
garage/shed, and require less maintenance.

I used a ride-on for 3 years before I gave in and switched to the
snowblower. I found it easier to use and faster than the ride-on.

Good Luck,
Mark

I have both a regular snowblower and lawn mower - both stored in a
spacious garage...I'm looking at the ride-on simply because I'm
physically having difficulty doing both.

I'm trying to weigh the ride on and its abilities against hiring someone
to do it all for me. Around here, that can run upwards of $1500 a year
or more...so cost and storage isn't too much of a concern...I guess one
thing I really need to know is that a ride on pushing a blower can climb
the gradual slope of my driveway with hard snow/ice under the wheels
while clearing 50 cm of snow.

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

To us Yanks down here...if you said half-a-meter, we would have a
better idea of what you meant! 8^)
(Don't call Southerners Yanks...they would get pi__ed!)

wrote:
On Jan 1, 6:37 pm, cloud dreamer wrote:
Mark Witczak wrote:
Let's face it, your driveway is not that big. Either will do the job in
a matter of minutes. And both will have to be set high to avoid picking
up stones. So now you've got to look at other factors: cost, storage,
maintenance.
A ride-on will be more expensive (ie. $1200 for the ride-on + $1200 for
blower attachment), takes more space to store, and has more parts to
maintain. You will be able to use it to cut grass in the summer. It's a
4 season tool.
A snow blower will be cheaper (ie $1200), take up less space in your
garage/shed, and require less maintenance.
I used a ride-on for 3 years before I gave in and switched to the
snowblower. I found it easier to use and faster than the ride-on.
Good Luck,
Mark
I have both a regular snowblower and lawn mower - both stored in a
spacious garage...I'm looking at the ride-on simply because I'm
physically having difficulty doing both.

I'm trying to weigh the ride on and its abilities against hiring someone
to do it all for me. Around here, that can run upwards of $1500 a year
or more...so cost and storage isn't too much of a concern...I guess one
thing I really need to know is that a ride on pushing a blower can climb
the gradual slope of my driveway with hard snow/ice under the wheels
while clearing 50 cm of snow.

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

To us Yanks down here...if you said half-a-meter, we would have a
better idea of what you meant! 8^)


Or 20"



--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

"cloud dreamer" wrote in message
...
wrote:
On Jan 1, 6:37 pm, cloud dreamer wrote:
Mark Witczak wrote:
Let's face it, your driveway is not that big. Either will do the job in
a matter of minutes. And both will have to be set high to avoid picking
up stones. So now you've got to look at other factors: cost, storage,
maintenance.
A ride-on will be more expensive (ie. $1200 for the ride-on + $1200 for
blower attachment), takes more space to store, and has more parts to
maintain. You will be able to use it to cut grass in the summer. It's a
4 season tool.
A snow blower will be cheaper (ie $1200), take up less space in your
garage/shed, and require less maintenance.
I used a ride-on for 3 years before I gave in and switched to the
snowblower. I found it easier to use and faster than the ride-on.
Good Luck,
Mark
I have both a regular snowblower and lawn mower - both stored in a
spacious garage...I'm looking at the ride-on simply because I'm
physically having difficulty doing both.

I'm trying to weigh the ride on and its abilities against hiring someone
to do it all for me. Around here, that can run upwards of $1500 a year
or more...so cost and storage isn't too much of a concern...I guess one
thing I really need to know is that a ride on pushing a blower can climb
the gradual slope of my driveway with hard snow/ice under the wheels
while clearing 50 cm of snow.

..

--

We must change the way we live,
or the climate will do it for us.

To us Yanks down here...if you said half-a-meter, we would have a
better idea of what you meant! 8^)


Or 20"

OR to be more accurate: 19.68503937" --- I hate instructions that have been
translated from inches to metric where they say to install something
approximately 1" or 2.54 centimetres from something else. How can you have
something measured approximately to two decimal places.