2024-2025 Winter Snow Ready Equipment

[gwiseman]

First day of winter is upon us and some of us still use tractors as our snow removal machines. Post pictures of your snow ready tractors/equipment...I'll start. 

Doesn't seem to me we get as much snow anymore but still need to be ready. I have the Agco 2025 loader tractor always ready

Hydro 18 has turfs that need chains and I hate fooling with those anymore so yesterday I swapped out for a set of Carlisle bar 23x8.50-12s I had setting around. 

Going to set a bit low on the rear but that's what I had. Next to mount an older spring trip blade I got in a "deal". 

[Tarheel]

My snow removal equipment = sunshine

[PhanDad]

Same setup since about 2020:

 

Although I don't know why I bother since there hasn't been much snow for the last several years.  

 

I've come along way with snow equipment over the years.  Dad started with the B-110 and a 36" snowblower in about 1969; I got the B-110 about 1974 when he got the Homelite T-12, the earliest pic I have is from '78: 

 

Sold the B-110 to my neighbor in the mid '80's when I got the T-12 but it was still available to me for snow duty.  Good thing as I'm not sure the T-12 with blade would have handled this 30" snow in January 1996: 

 

T-12 with blade in 1990:

 

In 2003 I discovered used tractors/attachments;  my first Sovereign (became a 16GTHL) with 36" FDT engine driven snowblower:

 

Then a proper center PTO driven 42" snowblower (manual spout rotator) in 2006:  

 

Cab and "window operator" electric spout rotator in 2009:  

 

In 2011 the 75th had a go at snow duty:

 

In 2014 the 16GTHL with the new style 42" snowblower (4 paddle rotor with electric spout rotator and manual chute flap actuator I moved from a 46" Prestige snowblower) and rear weight carrier:   

 

 

Last big snow in 2016 with the T-12 and 75th ready:  

 

[craftsmangt]

Nice!  is that you in those pics.?

[SmilinSam]

Like Bill, Same stuff for the last few years...

 Kubota BX25D 4wd with heated cab & Blower..leave the backhoe on anymore for weight( too Lazy to take it off)

Older Single Cylinder 16hp Sunstar dressed in AC colors with a 46" dozer blade , weights, and a weight box on the 3 point. No chains ...never needed them with the Deestone 26x12-12 trencher type tires

Backup rig is the Prestige. Got a 42" blower w/chains in the corner and a cab hanging in the rafters that can all be quickly thrown on in an emergency

[GardenTrACtorguy]

Used to use the 718H until I left it sit for that last 5 years awaiting an engine. (Too many projects lol) B-112 has been my go to for that last couple of years if we even get a measurable about of snow. The sunstar is this years candidate for snow removal. 

[Chris727]

Same old 7116H with green hood. The blade, chains, and weights are on it year ‘round. Haven’t pushed a good snow for since 2022. 
 

[PhanDad]

17 hours ago, craftsmangt said:

Nice!  is that you in those pics.?

Yep.  

[GregB]

I might regret saying this, but the last bunch of years I have not prepped or gotten anything ready.

Put the windbreaker cab on the XL, cause it hauls the firewood.

I always try to keep the gas cans full and wood shed at the house stocked.

 

If they call for anything beyond a couple of inches I switch the loader for the blade on the Legacy XL.

If they call for 12"+ I can mount up a 42" blower on the 16GTHL, but right now it still has the frame mount PECO vac system on it from fall duties.

[craftsmangt]

Say... is there a good way to know if the rear dif' is set snow on my simplicity?

 

Cause someone say'ed there was a way to reverse the springs in the dif...

[AC710]

The usual 710 with plow for the week-long daily plowing of 2-3" per day a few times a season. We haven't had the Wx systems from the northwest coast set up yet this season, but have had a couple of very wet 4-6" dumps since Thanksgiving. The cutting board edge is getting beat up quickly, so I think I'll try a one-piece plastic edge. And, it's time to replace the red liner. Black roll of plastic is ready for that. After the holidays.

 

The 7016 - 6-speed with front PTO and two-pulley system. It's working great for deeper snows and cleaning up plow berms from side casting a couple times a season. I thought I had a more recent photo with decals and hooked up blower, but can't find it.

"Ford-16" Snowblower setup. 416 Shuttle with a Ford/Jacobsen snow blower. I got this up and running with the blower in operating condition. I offered it for sale and sold it the first day. Hope they're enjoying it!

Edited December 19, 2024 by AC710

[AC710]

3 hours ago, craftsmangt said:

Cause someone say'ed there was a way to reverse the springs in the dif...

Sounds like a snipe hunt to me. 

[PhanDad]

4 hours ago, craftsmangt said:

Say... is there a good way to know if the rear dif' is set snow on my simplicity?

 

Cause someone say'ed there was a way to reverse the springs in the dif...

23 minutes ago, AC710 said:

Sounds like a snipe hunt to me. 

No "setting" on the newer (1970's up) differential and reversing the springs wouldn't do anything IMO.  

But I think the pullers add washers to the spring stack and if too many are added the differential will lock up.  Someone should confirm.

Some of the old FDTs did have a "controlled traction differential" that could be adjusted; from the B-110 Operators Manual:  

 

[craftsmangt]

Okay thank's  maybe i heard something different'  basics are that somone say'ed there was a summer and winter setting...

[AC710]

Here's a note from Al Eden from a 2000 post. The Simplicity differential applies torque with friction springs not provided by an ordinary differential. That means it takes more torque for the diff to break free on a curve or when only one wheel will start to spin in poor traction conditions.

"Hi, None of these are limited slip like cars. They have a spring pressing on some clutch disks in the differential or in the case of the Sovereign family the springs press against the pinion gears in the differential. Thes clutches only provide 30 to forty foot lbs of torque to the wheel with traction when the other wheel loses traction. This is why it is called "Controlled Traction", and in our marketing meetings we were cautioned to NOT refer to it as "Limited Slip". Good luck, Al"

[dhoadley]

17 hours ago, GregB said:

I might regret saying this, but the last bunch of years I have not prepped or gotten anything ready...

My people! 😁

[Mikeac]

912H, BumbleB10, D15II

[AC710]

22 hours ago, GregB said:

I might regret saying this, but the last bunch of years I have not prepped or gotten anything ready.

 

"me too" Of course! It's a lot more fun to drag the busted machine out of the snow and fix it - if you're lucky - in a warm, or at least dry, shed or garage.

I once visited a logging job in the winter at around 10 degrees with 2' of snow. They had built a giant vis-queen plastic tent over their D-6 Cat, built a campfire inside and were replacing a final drive. Gotta love 'em.

[craftsmangt]

You are lucky man' we are hardly getting anything in terms of snow though i shouldent be complaining.

[irvtoms]

same stuff since 2000. just improvements each year.

2000 dlx. and 09 rubicon honda

[GregB]

This is having me rethink my preparedness status:

and then followed by below average cold.

I see gas and firewood run, and then loader off and Power angle plow on to the XL.

[PhanDad]

Just helped my daughter and SIL put the snowblower, wheel weights, and chains on their Sovereign here in MD. 
More snow expected here than home - she moved south to avoid snow but seems to get more than the Philly area. 
 

[GregB]

I got a bunch done, half the gas cans are full, can fill the rest tomorrow.

 

[Bill725]

@GregBI think you can turn the rear suitcase weights around so they don't stick out so far. That is how I have mine mounted.

[GregB]

I have run them that way when i was a little tighter in the garage, but the hitch tube sticks out.  I have the room now so they go that way for additional counter balance force.  Not much but any little bit helps sometimes.

I'll post a pic tomorrow that sort of explains it.