I am thinking of purchasing a garden tractor that I can set up as a snow plow for my driveway. I'd like it to have a hydro transmission and a diff-lock. I will probably add ag-lug tires and weights. I really like the vintage tractors due to their heavy construction, simplicity, and the "old school" look. So far, I have done some research on Bolens HT series tractors and John Deere 140's. I like both, but would like to see some more options. Please post some pics of your tractors set up for serious snow plowing!! Thank You.
Pics of garden tractor snowplow setups.
chevy_tech
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I am thinking of purchasing a garden tractor that I can set up as a snow plow for my driveway. I'd like it to have a hydro transmission and a diff-lock. I will probably add ag-lug tires and weights. I really like the vintage tractors due to their heavy construction, simplicity, and the "old school" look. So far, I have done some research on Bolens HT series tractors and John Deere 140's. I like both, but would like to see some more options. Please post some pics of your tractors set up for serious snow plowing!! Thank You.
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Simplicity Sunstar, Power Steering, Diff Lock, 4-way plow, wheel weights, chains but not installed.
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First off, lug tires will be a bad idea, unless you can find the ptoper chains for them, and that ain't easy.
Your best bet for snow plowing would be turf tires with 2 kink chains.
Also you want to fluid fill the tires. Rim Guard would be the best option,, as it add more weight/Gal. that the other options. Then you add wheel weights. Only add rear hanging weights as a last resort because they add stress to the rear axle while fluid and wheel weights don't.
As for a diff lock, that only HT Bolens that has that would be the HT20D and HT23. Even then it's not a true diff lock, but postreaction rear end.
For a true diff lock in a Bolens you would have to go with one of the tube frames, except for the G9, 10 and 11. All of the others have a controlled diff that allows you to lock the rear end so that both rears drive all the time.
As for comparing the JD 140 to one of the HT Bolens, that's not a fair comparison. Nothing wrong with a JD 140 (other than it's green), but that's like trying to compare a Ford F150 (JD) to the F350 (HT). They are both pickup trucks, but one is much larger, heavier and heavier duty.
My snow plow tractor is an HT20D with the hydro angle blade, and the only thing that could make a better snow plow tractor would be a full metal cab:
Your best bet for snow plowing would be turf tires with 2 kink chains.
Also you want to fluid fill the tires. Rim Guard would be the best option,, as it add more weight/Gal. that the other options. Then you add wheel weights. Only add rear hanging weights as a last resort because they add stress to the rear axle while fluid and wheel weights don't.
As for a diff lock, that only HT Bolens that has that would be the HT20D and HT23. Even then it's not a true diff lock, but postreaction rear end.
For a true diff lock in a Bolens you would have to go with one of the tube frames, except for the G9, 10 and 11. All of the others have a controlled diff that allows you to lock the rear end so that both rears drive all the time.
As for comparing the JD 140 to one of the HT Bolens, that's not a fair comparison. Nothing wrong with a JD 140 (other than it's green), but that's like trying to compare a Ford F150 (JD) to the F350 (HT). They are both pickup trucks, but one is much larger, heavier and heavier duty.
My snow plow tractor is an HT20D with the hydro angle blade, and the only thing that could make a better snow plow tractor would be a full metal cab:
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kb4212, how does it work? Will it push a large amount of snow? Hows the traction?
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OldBuzzard, thanks for the good info. A few friends of mine have old Bolens from the 60's. Not sure of the models but I know they are manual transmission tubeframe tractors. They are very cool, and remind me how much better machinery was constructed fifty years ago!
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I made this unit... a JD LT155.. u can angle the blade from the seat .. that's a Haban self trippin blade I made the mount for... it is bolted to the frame just in front of the rear axle.. on the rear is a weight box with 110 pounds in it.. the tires have Bolens wheel weights on them.. 50 pounds each.. the tires came of an ATV.. the last pic shows a lil box on the blade mount just under the engine.. in that box is about 100 pounds to add weight for steering..
A friend of mine uses this unit for his long concrete driveway...he has yet to make a tire spin.. even on ice.. this is the second year he has used this machine..
A friend of mine uses this unit for his long concrete driveway...he has yet to make a tire spin.. even on ice.. this is the second year he has used this machine..
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I owned and set up allot of tractors for plowing. The big older GTs are the best. They weight allot and with loaded tires,weights and chains. They are hard to stop.
Turf tires and chains are the best. But I found AT tires do fine.
You will run out of traction before power. (Providing the machine is running correctly.)
I set my machine how I like it. It works great,,but there allot of options out there.
Here's what I have. 1990s restored Cub Cadet 3235. Dif lock,,,, 24" AT tires,,that are loaded ,,,,and wheel weights.
It has hydraulic lift and angle. (Can lift the front of tractor off the ground with down force ,with any attachment.)
Have several different attachments,,snowblower,,,jonny bucket and a snow blade.
I used the blade for one year(before I got the blower) and I could push any amount of snow there was. I did need the dif lock,,but only a few times. It did more than what I thought it would.
Here's a few pics,,same tractor,,,different attachments. (It took me years to get this set-up.)
I dont have any pics of pushing snow with blade unfortunately.
Turf tires and chains are the best. But I found AT tires do fine.
You will run out of traction before power. (Providing the machine is running correctly.)
I set my machine how I like it. It works great,,but there allot of options out there.
Here's what I have. 1990s restored Cub Cadet 3235. Dif lock,,,, 24" AT tires,,that are loaded ,,,,and wheel weights.
It has hydraulic lift and angle. (Can lift the front of tractor off the ground with down force ,with any attachment.)
Have several different attachments,,snowblower,,,jonny bucket and a snow blade.
I used the blade for one year(before I got the blower) and I could push any amount of snow there was. I did need the dif lock,,but only a few times. It did more than what I thought it would.
Here's a few pics,,same tractor,,,different attachments. (It took me years to get this set-up.)
I dont have any pics of pushing snow with blade unfortunately.
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I have had one of these tractors before. It is a beast!!! Works great for plowing.
It has to be one of the largest GTs out there when just looking at the body size.
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I think most of the heavy weights come from the mid 70s to mid 80s, I use a '74 Columbia with ATV lugs, be a bit over 1000lbs w/54" blade
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a08a5p88jx25ffh/Col_008.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m2bzdjahdje3qml/Col_018.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a08a5p88jx25ffh/Col_008.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m2bzdjahdje3qml/Col_018.JPG
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Not mine, saw it in a for sale ad.
Is this a common snowplow set up for a John Deere ?:dunno:
I get a stiff neck just thinking about it. :hide:
Thanks Guys.
Is this a common snowplow set up for a John Deere ?:dunno:
I get a stiff neck just thinking about it. :hide:
Thanks Guys.
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That's how we roll!!
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In reverse, always lookin' over your shoulder ?
I'm way too old. That's what they made forward for.
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sure is..... I'll take a dozen of them for some people I know near us here..... they like doin stuff backwards anyway...
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No no Larry, JD will eliminate fel's and have bel's in the future too.
Back end loaders! :hide: :sidelaugh
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UUUMMMM.... ain't the BE end used for unloadin only....??
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You mean load 'em in the front and unload 'em in the back. I like it.:thThumbsU
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My ag tires work just fine. Rarely even need to use the diff lock.
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With that beast I wouldn't think you would ever need too!
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When the chains are on it will push a large amount of snow. The tires aren't filled but if they were I assume it would have even more pushing ability.
BTW - it is for sale if you are interested.
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