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 | Rich in PA
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-03-24 36690
I would first like to thank all the knowledgable people on this site. The information provided is valuable and without bias. I am about to purchase my first tractor. I have 7 acres, half of which has been hayed over the years and the rest about 3' high in the summer. I have just completed building a home on this property. My main use will be cutting all of the land, clearing 300'of unpaved driveway of what the locals describe as the snowbelt. Would eventually like to have 2 acre garden and finish landscaping. I have my eye on the 2710 hydro with belly mower. Any suggestions as to snow removal equiptment as well as any other info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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| Bird Senter
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 962 
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2002-03-25 36700
Rich, I think the B2710 is a good choice. I've certainly enjoyed mine, although it and all the implements are for sale now. Too bad you live too far from me, and of course, in my part of the country we don't use snow removal equipment, so I can't help you there. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-03-25 36701
I haven't heard anything described that a 2710 wouldn't do. Mowing, say 5 acres might take a bit of time depending on the mower width. You might check how wide a mower a 2710 can handle at what ground speeds. A rough guess at the time per pass and the number of passes required, with a liberal allowance for maneuvering, would 'ball park' the mowing time required. If it seems more time that you want to spend, a bigger tractor is a solution, except if a lot of maneuvering is required, then smaller may be faster.
Two problems with gravel drive snow removal. First is that before freeze-up, almost everything sinks into the gravel except the bottom of a loader bucket. Blades or blowers with extra large skid shoes also work. The second problem is figuring out where to put the snow if it's plowed. With a bit of experience, most folks know how far they have to push back the banks to start with so they don't run out of space by spring.
Running out of space means that there's little alternative except to stack the snow high with a loader, which takes a lot of time, and of course a loader can only stack so high. A compact tractor of any size just isn't capable of pushing back the birms a plow leaves to the side once they sit and get frozen. My township's road crew ran out of space two of the last three years. The contractor has to bring his heavy loader that has the traction to push back the banks or stack it higher.
Myself, I use a 3ph blower for most removal. It just blows it into the yard and I don't have to think about where to put it. However, I use the loader floated and curled back before freeze-up, and just hope there are no heavy snows. I also use a box scraper with a little scarifier bite to take old ice off frozen gravel--without messing up the gravel much.
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| MD
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-03-25 36705
Rich, I also have the 2710. Being from Michigan, my snow situation can be much like yours at times. I have appx a 400 foot long drive in which in have to move snow. I use the rear blade turned around and anlged of course. By turning the blade backward it dosen't bother the stone. After you have driven over the snow it packs down and from then on it is very easy to move. This seems to work really well. Having woods on both sides of the drive I end up pushing it all to the ends of the drive and then stacking it with the loader. It usually takes me appx 20 minutes to do this with average snowfall (4"). I dont use mine to mow yet. I understand you can out up to a 60" belly mower in the mid mount area and even larger on the rear. FYI: when I was looking to buy I had narrowed the field to the 2710 or the JD 4100. Sure am glad I went bigger! ....
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| Duane
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 53 Western PA
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2002-03-25 36709
Rich, I own a little B7500, and I am able to do with it just about everything you describe you want to do with a 2710... It would only stand to reason that a 2710 would also do all of these things but with greater speed. I live just a bit south of the snow belt here in western pa, but my drive is about 1/3 the length of yours, and for that size the loader works fine... up around 300' I would guess a person might want a blower or plow. Kubota has a very nice front mount snow blower for the B series tractors, but they run around 3k. You can get a 3 pt hitch blower for less.
You said you had your eye on a 2710 hydro with belly mower... in my opinion, the belly mower is the way to go. Seems easier to mow in tight areas with one than a rear mount. Although lots of folks swear by thier rear decks. IF the tractor doesn't have a loader I would suggest adding one... it's the most expensive wheel barrow you will ever buy, but it's worth it. You might even TRY moving snow with it a few times before you purchase a blower or plow, you might decide that it works well enough for your situation. And like MD said, the rear blade/loader combo works pretty well for now removal. And you won't ever regret getting a hydrostatic tractor either... they are so smooth to operate especially for loader work. Hope I was of some help.
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| Rich in PA
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-03-26 36748
Thank you ALL so much for taking the time to give this valuable information. I can now go to the dealer with more knowledge and not look like too much of an easy mark. Will let you all know how I make out if I don't have more question first, Thanks again so much friends, this place is the best! ....
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