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frosty_freeze t1_iyscemm wrote

Reply to comment by icysandstone in Help me buy my first snow blower! What am I going to regret in 2 months? by icysandstone

There were some drawbacks:

  1. It sucked to convert from lawnmower to snowblower and back twice a year. Especially in the fall. Had to use the lawnmower to suck up leaves until right before the first snow, so the switchover was always cold, the lawnmower deck weighs a ton (as does the snowblower), the rubber bands that gave the tire chains tension were hard to manipulate. It got to be such a pain I eventually bought a second tractor so I wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore. And then we moved! LOL
  2. At least with my setup, the snowblower could only lift a couple of inches off the ground. My driveway was pretty flat but if you have much incline be aware that this might be an issue.

But if I had to do it again I’d definitely go that route. So much easier physically and faster, since the snowblower was 45 or 50” wide!

Not my video but here’s a good idea of how it works:

https://youtu.be/yReUExpxNS0

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icysandstone OP t1_iyselt3 wrote

Holy shit @ that video! That's no joke!!

How much is that setup? My Deer rider mower is just their entry level ($2,000) model. Not sure if that is adequate? Model is the E110.

https://www.deere.com/en/parts-and-service/lawn-tractors/e100-series/e110/

https://www.lowes.com/pd/John-Deere-E110-19-HP-Side-By-Side-Hydrostatic-42-in-Riding-Lawn-Mower-with-Mulching-Capability-Kit-Sold-Separately/1000368403

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frosty_freeze t1_iysg3ga wrote

Well, I bought both tractors and the snowblower used. I want to say I had 22 or 24 hp tractors? Pretty powerful. They’d still chug a little like the one in the video if you really pushed through heavy wet snow. I think bercomac has recommendations for power and that limits the width of the snowblower you can use? BTW, husqvarna and other tractor makers make their own snowblower attachments. But I’ve never used one and in the spirit of the sub the Berco snowblower was BIFL. Super thick gauge steel. I bought some sheer pins and a spare belt and some transmission oil but it would take a lifetime to break or wear out anything important on it. I was very happy with my Husqvarna tractors too. Pretty sure I sold all for the same amount or more than I paid after years of use!

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icysandstone OP t1_iyskwcg wrote

Thanks for the info! I will keep this in mind. Can’t beat that depreciation schedule!! :)

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P3V8S80 t1_iyviuor wrote

I second a garden tractor with attachments. I like the older IH Cub Cadets. The early MTD Cubs (80's-mid 90's) are really good too. Currently have a 1976 Cub Cadet 1450 and love it - it's a tank. Takes about 2 minutes to remove the mower deck. My son and I put the snowthrower on in about 10 minutes. You can get a snow blade for it as well if you just want to plow. You can find a decent one for anywhere between $500-$1000 on FB marketplace. Very simple to work on and it eliminates different machines not being used in the off season taking up space. 👍😎👍

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icysandstone OP t1_iyw458g wrote

Thanks! I appreciate your perspective. It sounds like the consensus is the older stuff was made much better!

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