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Advice for Kuboda B2620

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Westies
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2 Massachusetts
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-12-12          158528


Hi, Guys,
First time writer. I appreciate the access to knowledgeable people. I need advice for Kuboda tractor snow removal. I live in the northeast with an average snowfall of 50". We have a 400' gravel (1/2" stone) driveway as well as a small nursery. I have been considering a tractor primarily for snow removal and secondarily for light nursery work.
My questions are:
1) What size tractor do I need to handle a typical 5 - 10" storm? I've been considering the B2620 but don't know if 26HP is enough power.
2) I've been planning to use a blade since I have plenty of room to push snow, but should I be considering a snow blower? Lots of trees and debris so I don't want to be changing shear pins all the time.
3) Would I need chains if I'm using R-4s on this surface?
4) I can change oil, etc., but am not highly mechanical so easy attachment changes & general ease of operation are considerations for me. I read that the 2620 did not have a quick change capability and I definitely want to swap over to a FEL several times a year. Any thoughts on this?
5) Would you suggest a block heater?

Any advice on these topics would be greatly appreciated. I have many friends with regular truck plows so I'm not looking to do the occasional heavy 12" storm--I'll call in one of my favors for that!
Thanks, Chuck




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Advice for Kuboda B2620

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Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-12-12          158530


First off, WELCOME!!!

As for your questions, from my point of view the question isn't really "How much power do I need?" but rather "How fast do you need to go?".

I know of many people who maintain sometimes pretty big areas with a small ~25hp tractor and have no problems at all. Others have 100+hp tractors and it still isn't enough.

As general observations, a blower will do a better job of it, but you will need to get some snow packed down to lock the gravel in place and keep the skid shoes properly adjusted so as not to dig up the gravel. A slip clutch on the drive shaft will solve your shear pin problems.

As for general nursery duties, a B-series with a loader (for forks and bucket) and a 3pth rear blade to keep the gravel and yard graded nicely and you should be just fine.

Best of luck. ....


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Advice for Kuboda B2620

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candoarms
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1932 North Dakota
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2008-12-12          158534


Westies,

Welcome to the group!

26 horsepower is plenty for what you need to do. However, as Murf correctly pointed out, power factors depend on the size of the equipment you plan to power, and the speed at which you wish to accomplish the job.

Commercial operators make their money by completing several jobs in a very short amount of time. Therefore, they need equipment that allows them to "get in and get out". That's the primary reason behind commercial operators using large equipment. The B2620 would do the job just as well, though not nearly as quickly.

If you have a lot of debris to work around, it might be best to use the loader in conjunction with a rear mounted blade, or box-scraper. You can use the blade to push the snow as far as you can, and then use the loader to pile it high and out of the way.

Chains aren't necessary, unless you're working on ice. You will need 4-wheel drive, however. You might also find that you'll have a hard time pushing lots of heavy, wet snow, without chains. If chains are necessary, one pair for the rear wheels is plenty. You also have the option of engaging the differential lock, which powers both rear wheels. With chains on the rear, and the differential locked, a tractor is almost unstoppable. (The front axle doesn't lock. Only one front wheel has power.)

Kubota's attachments are super easy to attach and remove. You'll find that the loader will come off and go right back on in less than 5 minutes, and with little or no effort. Mid-Mount Mowers (MMM) are a different story.....not so easy.

Changing the oil on the Kubota is a very simple operation, but you MUST read the manual. It would help a whole lot if you have even a small air compressor around, as well as grease guns, a few wrenches, etc. The air compressor is essential for blowing out the radiator and the air filter. Your tractor will overheat quickly with even a small amount of debris in the radiator. Small tractors just don't have a lot of radiator cooling surface to spare. Keep the radiator CLEAN! (It's easy to do.)

On ice and snow, you'll find that you'll have far better traction if you let about 10 pounds of air pressure out of the tires. This causes the tires to flatten out a bit, providing far greater surface contact, and lots more traction. (Another reason for having an air compressor on hand.)

And yes......there are some tractors which are designed to be used with the loader at all times. Some machines are designed for use by contractors, who never remove their loaders. Make sure you get yourself a tractor that falls under the category of "Compact Utility Tractor" (CUT), rather than a "Dedicated" machine.

Any questions?.......feel free to ask. We'll do our best to help you in any way we can.

Thanks for stopping by.

Joel ....


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Advice for Kuboda B2620

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r1bourg
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 14 Whitefish Falls,Ontario
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2008-12-22          158802


My B7510 is a 21 hp and is very handy on the 400' driveway. Not very efficient with a 51" wide bucket.Looking at getting a 5'-6' wide ,front ,adjustable blade to run up and down quickly. When the snow crowds me out I will put the bucket on and push the banks back.In heavy wet snow the tires spin...will be buying chains soon.I put a pallet lifter on the 3 point hitch.Added 3 sand bags for weight. Sand can be used for ice as required.Would suggest 5 bags sand is a bit better as the weight will add traction. Bottom line is 21 hp is plenty for me with power to spare. A front mounted snowblower with it's own engine would be nice as it throws the snow evenly without the snow banks to trap blizzard snow. Snowblower working off the pto will is very hard on the engine.I would not work it comercially as it is too slow as the previous gentleman stated...all good info. Another point is my fuel consumption is minimal...I would guess max. 1 gallon for a moderate snowfall using the inefficient bucket.I would expect the blade would use a quarter of a gallon or so. ....


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1timefarmer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 12 Kingston area Ontario, Canada
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-12-23          158821


A block heater is always a good idea for diesels (and even gas) in the winter.
It is not that they won't start - just makes it easier on the engine, and faster warm up - particularly when it gets colder than 15-20 degrees F.
You don't have to leave it plugged in all the time -- 1-2 hours before you plan to use the machine should work fine. ....


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Advice for Kuboda B2620

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ejkessler
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 95 Northern CT
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2008-12-23          158836


I live in the NE as well. Northern Ct. and I have a horseshoe driveway that is about 500 to 600 ft long and a fairly large parking lot area (all stone and millings) along with blowing a path in a 2 acre pasture. I originally handled it with a BX22 with a front mount and handled it just fine (threw 10 to 14" just fine). I traded it for a L2800 a couple of years ago and just last week replaced it with a L3540. It wasn't because of the snow removal capability. I needed more loader, 3PT and BH capability. I am currently using a 3pt rear blower because I did not want to lose my FEL for the winter and the cost of a front mount (approx. 6500.00). That said I miss having a front mount snow blower. The cost of a bx series front mount is also a little more than half of what it would be on the L series tractor if I am not mistaken. Don't know how much for the B series front blower. The Bx series tractor is the biggest little tractor you will ever find and the maneuverability with it for nursery work would be an advantage. The loader specs on my BX22. was around 480 #'s. Now the BX's are up around 760#'s plus. The Bh on it is really strong. Good luck on whatever you decide. I am definitely a believer in the Kubota line up. ....


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