Snow Removal

[Little Jon]

I was just woundering if anyone here has used a loader for pushing snow? What was it and did it work good or what? We currently have a Komatsu wa250, use to rent a 380, and now have a sub with a JD 544 that looks like its been through the war.

[Dwan Hall]

Started with a pair of 975 bobcats with 3 yd. 9'wide buckets, then to a IT 28, also IT24 and a cat 309 along with Volvo L70E. All worked fine some better then others.
Working in a crowded parking lot the Bobcats worked the best but were slow to transport between jobs. I now like the comfort of a new machine. The L70E has been the best all around because of the comfort. but the bobcats have been the most productive and bang for the buck.

[Little Jon]

So far for us the 544 is just too old and cant push for ****, the 250 just cant push the amount of snow that we push, and the 380 was a beast when it came to pushing. To me the 250 is the worst machine to use (atleast for our company). Its too big to do the lots that require a smaller more nimble loader, and doesnt have the balls to do the big stuff.

[stumper120]

i have pushed snow with many loaders of different size and makes. from kubota r520s to cat 988s. it is important to have the right size rig for the area you are working in. you shouda seen the look on the peoples faces when i ran my 988 up on the concreate sidewalk in front of the mall i was plowing, but hey im paid to run my equiptment not shovel,right. but anyway new equiptment is nicer to run especialy for long hours but when it comes down to it a 1970 cat 933 makes the same money an hour as a brand new w250 and if something happens in the middle of the storm the old crap is easier to mickymouse back into action.

[Makensmoke]

I used a new komatsu last winter plowing and it was very nice, the hydrostatic drive worked very well, very fast cycle time for dumping the bucket at the end of a push. I've used alot of different cat loaders, from 928 to 970 in the snow. I guess I prefur a little smaller machine with the faster bucket cycle time vs. the grunt of a 966 or 970. Traction is usually limited, so the big bucket isn't always a huge advantage. Of course there are million different sceneros, but for what I usually plow, my experience has been a little smaller.
I've never moved as much snow as what I did with a 928 with another competant operator in a 938 teaming up and v'ing our buckets together.

[dayexco]

we run a 544g with 14' pusher, and a 624g with a 16' pusher....work slick

[zlssefi]

I currently run a 74 h90E international with a 573 turbo under the hood. This thing is a tank, pushes an 18 foot pro tech in dry stuff like its not there, in wet stuff will take a full blade 1200 feet to the pile. I also own a w20b case with a 12 foot pro tech which i use on a smaller freight terminal, maybe making 400 foot pushes to the pile which works well. My newest airport machine is an 86 terex 72-31 ba that im putting a 14 foot protech steel edge pusher on...havent moved snow yet but hopefully itll be good. We also use as s185 bobcat with a hydraulic v plow for a condo complex which is slicker than snot on a door knob!!

[Little Jon]

i have pushed snow with many loaders of different size and makes. from kubota r520s to cat 988s. it is important to have the right size rig for the area you are working in. you shouda seen the look on the peoples faces when i ran my 988 up on the concreate sidewalk in front of the mall i was plowing, but hey im paid to run my equiptment not shovel,right. but anyway new equiptment is nicer to run especialy for long hours but when it comes down to it a 1970 cat 933 makes the same money an hour as a brand new w250 and if something happens in the middle of the storm the old crap is easier to mickymouse back into action.

I would have loved to see that, I thought people looked at me weird for jumping an F550 on the sidewalks to plow.:)

[surfer-joe]

In past years I used a Case 580, but it was slow and inefficient on bigger jobs like oil well locations and parking lots. However, if you hit something on the location, chances were you wouldn't hurt whatever it was. The outfit I worked for also used Deere 644 loaders. These were quicker, but only had standard buckets with straight edges, so they tended to take quite a while to get the job done as well.

My favorite machine for snow removal was a Michigan 280 rubber-tired dozer. It made short work of almost every job. It was great for clearing oilfield roads with one pass. Parking lots were a snap. By the way, most Michigan parking lots don't come with all the crappy medians, trees, and flower pots that you see in places like California and Arizona.

One of our competitors broke his plow and we had to pick up his contract at a local airport. It had been several days with lots of snowfall since he had done anything there and when I finally started, I quickly found that his rig hadn't been able to push the snow all the way back off the runway for a long time. I spent the better part of a week clearing the accumulation plus what he hadn't been able to move, which was frozen and crusted pretty badly.

The 280 was great for snow plowing. It was fairly fast traveling down the road, the only problem being that 14 foot plus wide blade made for difficulty with people passing or them going by in the other lane. I often came up on oilfield trucks stuck in a ditch or snow bank and the 280 was a brute at pulling them out. Had to be careful not to pull important parts off their machines.

All locations have deadmen buried at 4 points around the wellhead. No problem! The 280 sheared them off easily and buried them, not to be found till spring you know. It also would bust off other items like pipes, valves, electrical control boxes and motors. Ya had to be real careful with the beast till you got to know the individual locations and what was on them. All this stuff was supposed to be marked by 8 foot tall orange or red flags, but over time, these would sometimes disappear, even get buried in a big drift. Then the next big snow would happen and whatever had once been exposed, was now buried, but not for long..........

I was plowing a county road one time and hit a pretty good sized stump, bout put me through the windshield. That made me mad you can figure, so I thought to take all the offending stumps out of this short section of roadway that the county hadn't plowed. I thought there was just a few, and as it was on an upslope, I figured that was the reason the county hadn't plowed that section, because they surely lost traction going up hill with a full plow.

Well, it seems the county boys had just cut those trees before the snow fell. They were to have cleared the stumps out in the spring then, at which time they would have graded the sub-base and installed road gravel. I saved them the trouble, though it took me about four hours. Took awhile to work that mad off. I did leave the stumps for them to pick up, all piled neatly in the snow bank. Nearly two hundred of them.....

I was blasting up a trail early one morning in blizzard conditions, full thottle in 6th gear with about three feet of snow blowing out both sides of the blade very nicely. The 318 Detroit was making a nice throaty howl as it usually did when working at top RPM. Hmmm..... what's that big dark spot coming towards me through the white-out? OH CRAP! It was a huge quad work-over rig, and he was coming down hill fast! I immediately turned the wheel hard to the left and fortunately, ran full bore off into a gully between the trees. I heard -- rather than felt -- a slight banging noise at that point, which when I stopped and got out to see what the hell, turned out to be the work-over rigs right front mirror assembly. He had actually hit the 280 radiator guard with it and it sheared off in a mess of crumpled metal and busted glass. Of the rig there was no sight nor sound, but as I turned, here came the rest of the crew in their crewcab pickup pulling the doghouse. They nearly ran me down, would have if I hadn't hurled myself into the snow bank. By the time I got my head out of the snow, they were gone in the storm.

I never saw anyone else all day till I got back to the shop that evening. I fully expected to get a big ass-chewing for the incedent with the rig, but no one ever said anything and so, of course, neither did I.

In Kentucky I used both Cat 988B's and 992C's to move snow. Also 16G's, which I used many other places around the country as well. Not too practical for commercial work, but ya run what ya brung when you have too. In the service in Rhode Island I used open-cab Case loaders, and International TD24 dozers. Also Galion 118 graders and Awful-Western Pacer 100 graders.

I've seen a lot of folks use Cat 950's and 966's. The Deere 544 and 644 were popular for removing snow. Lots of Airports and other big facilities have used Michigan 280's and 380's with great big snow blades on them. International 560's and 400's were popular with snowblades, also the smaller 120's, 100's, and 90's.

For most commercial work today, anything smaller than a 950 is good, with a full cab of course, and a great big heater. I suppose there are places for skidsteers and very small loaders, but the production rate isn't going to be great with them. That doesn't matter to some guys I guess.

[nedly05]

We run a 444-H with "h pattern" ice chains on the front. If we were doing big lots it would be a little small, but for the driveways we do it's ideal. I love it for plowing.Here she is in action.

[mikef87]

I used a new komatsu last winter plowing and it was very nice, the hydrostatic drive worked very well, very fast cycle time for dumping the bucket at the end of a push. I've used alot of different cat loaders, from 928 to 970 in the snow. I guess I prefur a little smaller machine with the faster bucket cycle time vs. the grunt of a 966 or 970. Traction is usually limited, so the big bucket isn't always a huge advantage. Of course there are million different sceneros, but for what I usually plow, my experience has been a little smaller.
I've never moved as much snow as what I did with a 928 with another competant operator in a 938 teaming up and v'ing our buckets together.

I'd prefer an old loader that's been fixed up for snow. I have a trojan 1500, a Trojan 1900 and a terex 72-31B with a cummins motor in it. My Cat 966G had a sensor go bad and the transmission wouldn't shift from forward to reverse. Knock on the wood the trojans have never given me any trouble, they could sit for 2 months in 0 degree weather and start up right away on every cylinder with no ether. They don't make machines like they used to thats for sure.

[RonG]

I currently run a 74 h90E international with a 573 turbo under the hood. This thing is a tank, pushes an 18 foot pro tech in dry stuff like its not there, in wet stuff will take a full blade 1200 feet to the pile. I also own a w20b case with a 12 foot pro tech which i use on a smaller freight terminal, maybe making 400 foot pushes to the pile which works well. My newest airport machine is an 86 terex 72-31 ba that im putting a 14 foot protech steel edge pusher on...havent moved snow yet but hopefully itll be good. We also use as s185 bobcat with a hydraulic v plow for a condo complex which is slicker than snot on a door knob!!

That W 20 is one miserable machine for plowing and stacking snow,isn't it.
Those Cases and the Houghs that articulate on the wrong end are a pain to do any close quarters work with although they are a good machine otherwise.I wonder why they were ever built that way and even worse why did it take them so long to conform to the rest of the world.Ron G

[Makensmoke]

I'd prefer an old loader that's been fixed up for snow. I have a trojan 1500, a Trojan 1900 and a terex 72-31B with a cummins motor in it. My Cat 966G had a sensor go bad and the transmission wouldn't shift from forward to reverse. Knock on the wood the trojans have never given me any trouble, they could sit for 2 months in 0 degree weather and start up right away on every cylinder with no ether. They don't make machines like they used to thats for sure.

I agree with you that the old mechanical engines were pretty bullet proof, but i'll take a glitch here and there in trade for ride control, pilot controls, and sound deadoning interiors...wait till those strict emission standards get to us and we have particulate filters etc. in our new equipement. Better take good care of ol dependable!

[Makensmoke]

nedly05...nice plow route eigh? I'll trade you, do you want the bank or the 24hour grocery store?

[nedly05]

nedly05...nice plow route eigh? I'll trade you, do you want the bank or the 24hour grocery store?


Most of our driveways are long, steep and a PITA, but I would never trade them for lots. Thanks anyways for the offer!!

[zlssefi]

The first loader i ever ran was my 74 hough so i was used to the cab swinging with the bucket. The first time i ran a cat, i was like whoa what the hell is this!! Far as the case it works great for plowing, except for the cold starting, forget about it without a block heater plugged in.

hey nedly, do you happen to plow near the area of old forge ny??

[RonG]

That's why they put the batteries where they did,chest high at the back of the machine,just swing open the grill in front of the radiator.:D
Just kidding,those loaders had a nice Cummins in them,if they could turn over a little smelling salts would wake them right up usually.
I ran one for several years and of course plowing in the winter too here in Connecticut,we also had a W14 and one of the Volvo versions of a Michigan L70 but if my particular job needed a loader I usually got the W20.I really liked the loader otherwise but there is a reason that they are no longer building that configuration.Our W20 had oversize tires on it to give it a little more height which looked pretty cool but the downside was that the width of the tire footprint was wider than the bucket so that brought its own set of problems in tight places or when fine grading with it.Ron G

[nedly05]

hey nedly, do you happen to plow near the area of old forge ny??

It's about 1.5 hrs South Westish from here.More Westish than Southish.

[mikef87]

I agree with you that the old mechanical engines were pretty bullet proof, but i'll take a glitch here and there in trade for ride control, pilot controls, and sound deadoning interiors...wait till those strict emission standards get to us and we have particulate filters etc. in our new equipement. Better take good care of ol dependable!

It is a big difference to go from the 1980 Terex to the 2004 Komatsu, a radio, comfortable, it's like driving a car.

[gordyo]

Here is my office: 2001 John Deere 344H. Works on a college campus. Best snow machine we ever bought. Also have a 4 yard snow bucket for it. Has what Deere calls stereo steering. The rear wheels also steer 18 degree's. This thing can get into real tight areas. So much so that sometimes you have to stop and think your way out!

[Little Jon]

Here is my office: 2001 John Deere 344H. Works on a college campus. Best snow machine we ever bought. Also have a 4 yard snow bucket for it. Has what Deere calls stereo steering. The rear wheels also steer 18 degree's. This thing can get into real tight areas. So much so that sometimes you have to stop and think your way out!

Stop and think?? Whats that??:beatsme :)

[EZ TRBO]

Just last week I spent time in four different machines plowing snow. First in a single axle dumptruck plowing roads for the township, then to work and in a older case W24 Loader plowing at the shop and plant. Then to the rock quarry, Case 721. When I got all done that day I still had my own stuff to do and got the 773 Bobcat out and plowed there. The loaders work very good, a blade would have have been faster but for getting around the buildings and retaining walls, etc the loaders worked great. As far as the bobcat, I have a truck plow I fabricated to go on the skidloader and as long as its fluffy snow, it works awesome, however, if it is wet and packy the bucket is the best choice.
Trbo

[Dwan Hall]

Here is our candy wrapper for this year. We wrap Hershey's Candy bars for some of our customers.

Also our leased L70E stacking snow

[Construct'O]

Here is our candy wrapper for this year. We wrap Hershey's Candy bars for some of our customers.

Also our leased L70E stacking snow

Great idea for Christmas,nice pictures .Thanks for sharing:usa

[bonanno23]

we plow with pretty much everything we have minus rollers and excavtors.

2 980g's
3 446 hoes 2 430 hoes 1 426 hoe this year the new 450 hoe
3 966 loaders
1 950
2 old dressers
2 case POS's
cat grader
4 287b skid steers
2 takeuchis'
1 cat 268 skid steer
missing others but you get the point
and probably 40 plus trucks.

all this and i live on long island ny ( which our snow fall is most likely less than two feet a year) all blood money

[RamDodge]

We use only wheel loaders when we remove snow at the plant here. My favorite would be the Volvo L50C with a 11 foot blade. We also use a L90C with a 3 piece 20foot blade and the L220F with a 14foot wide bucket for moving and stacking snow.
One reason I like the L50C is it was a test mule for Volvo with Thorsen diffs in both axels, so you have true 4x4 when it's gets tough pushing heavy snow. It's also fast and agile, and pretty compact in tight places. The L90C with the 3 piece blade are great for big lots and moves a lot of snow in a hurry, but when it gets tight it takes some thoughts to keep full control over the three extra controls for the blade.

If it's just a light snowfall we have an open hydraulic 9foot brush for fast removal also. + we also got a bucket with hydraulic spreader for sand and salt.

With the two loaders we usually clear the whole plant in three hours after a heavy snow fall

[KMSEXC]

We run a 444-H with "h pattern" ice chains on the front. If we were doing big lots it would be a little small, but for the driveways we do it's ideal. I love it for plowing.Here she is in action.

How are the chains on the asphalt do they do any damage KMS

[nedly05]

How are the chains on the asphalt do they do any damage KMS

I put about 100 hrs on them last winter and they only damage it if you spin, but when you are running those chains and you start to spin you need to stop fast cuz you can tear something up quickly if it suddenly catches. As far as walking them over the road they dont seem to damage the road any, and they ride decent due to the chains being like a solid mat. I will try to get a pic of them up.

[nedly05]

Here they are.

[Tegian]

Nowadays the most popular tool for snowremoval here in Sweden seems to be a snowbucket with wings.

[Dozerboy]

cool

[Dig-UP]

Nowadays the most popular tool for snowremoval here in Sweden seems to be a snowbucket with wings.

Very Cool

[JS580SL]

I plow with our 580Super L with a 10ft fisher power angle blade. I probaly do more than the average backhoe around here with the size of my lot. I feel any machine can be effective with the right operator.

On the other side of my lot we have a 980A and a older 950 both with pushers. I can do all the tight areas and still do the big lots. If I stick to business and be methotical I usually finish 20-30 mins before the loaders.

I use to run a 938F with a pusher from time to time and other equipment, Id rather take the backhoe any day. Its more maneuverable and versatile along with having the backhoe on the back, I get to run around and pull the newbies outa snow banks.:D

[brycemaclennan]

The city here uses a Cat 143H, a Cat 980(I think), a backhoe and a little skid steer to clean up the streets and sidewalks around here.

No image privileges yet, so here are some links to pictures of the equipment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brycemaclennan/330538328/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brycemaclennan/330538324/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brycemaclennan/320626113/sizes/o/
And here is the same 143H, just not plowing snow, but in a big size.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brycemaclennan/2246205117/sizes/l/

[Young James]

we use a fair bit of equipment for snow removal too. Our current machines are:

2007 JD 644J
1999 JD 624H with wings (X2)
1999 JD TC-62 (X2)
200X JD 310SG Backhoes (X2)
198X Volvo Michigan Loaders (X3)
1999 JD 744H
2003 JD 824J

We have a fairly big contract, so that keeps us busy. Sorry, no pics tho

[thejdman04]

llots of guys round here do it

[mark2601]

cool....

[Sk187]

I plow a 2.5 million sq ft mall

Loaders and push boxes.............

http://www.********.com/showthread.php?p=514008


pics in link

[KMSEXC]

I plow a 2.5 million sq ft mall

Loaders and push boxes.............

http://www.********.com/showthread.php?p=514008


pics in link

Do you plow by Inch or yearly contract , what do you get for your loaders per hr if by hr I have same set up i think im to low on price what are you getting per ton salt sand

[KMSEXC]

Here is my office: 2001 John Deere 344H. Works on a college campus. Best snow machine we ever bought. Also have a 4 yard snow bucket for it. Has what Deere calls stereo steering. The rear wheels also steer 18 degree's. This thing can get into real tight areas. So much so that sometimes you have to stop and think your way out!

I should have gone with plows instead of snow boxes , they clean up better

[tuney443]

Not enough snow this Winter to use my 410G Deere.

[mikef87]

I should have gone with plows instead of snow boxes , they clean up better

I have a few pushers and they work nice. They have the steel cutting edge not the rubber one. I also have 2 double buckets. One has a quick coupler I put on my 966 and the other is on a Trojan 3500Z. They are 2 buckets welded together. I got the idea about 20 years ago. For the 966G I get $225 an hour. A 938 is $175. Ten Wheelers are $85 an hour $95 for a triaxle and $105 for trailer dumps. I was paying $60 a ton for straight salt.

[KMSEXC]

I have a few pushers and they work nice. They have the steel cutting edge not the rubber one. I also have 2 double buckets. One has a quick coupler I put on my 966 and the other is on a Trojan 3500Z. They are 2 buckets welded together. I got the idea about 20 years ago. For the 966G I get $225 an hour. A 938 is $175. Ten Wheelers are $85 an hour $95 for a triaxle and $105 for trailer dumps. I was paying $60 a ton for straight salt.

Thanks im only getting 125 for 320 komatsu and cat 936 i need to up the price what our you plowing by hr only, Im getting pd per inch i dont really like that idea

[Sk187]

Do you plow by Inch or yearly contract , what do you get for your loaders per hr if by hr I have same set up i think im to low on price what are you getting per ton salt sand

We are seasonal but I priced the loaders at 150/hr when I did the bid.

Salt you just usually double your per ton price.

If it cost you $45 per ton you apply it at around $80-$90 per ton, at least that's what seems to be fairly standard around here.

[KMSEXC]

We are seasonal but I priced the loaders at 150/hr when I did the bid.

Salt you just usually double your per ton price.

If it cost you $45 per ton you apply it at around $80-$90 per ton, at least that's what seems to be fairly standard around here.

Thanks

[mikef87]

Thanks im only getting 125 for 320 komatsu and cat 936 i need to up the price what our you plowing by hr only, Im getting pd per inch i dont really like that idea

One contract is seasonal, the other 2 are by the inch. I like plowing by the inch, because we start hauling snow right after, so we can make good money. I keep an articulated rock truck at the large mall I do. We haul all on site. The city is paying $125 for a backhoe, $130 for a Cat 920 size, $140 for a $930 size, $150 for a 950 size, and $175 for a Cat 966 size.

Those first set of prices are what we get for by the hour to haul snow. To make money you have to plow by the inch. Seasonal contracts are alright if you have a cap on it. The second or third year I had mine I got croaked on it. The contract is unlimited and I have to provide the calcium to the groundskeepers at the office building. They go through 4 pallets a storm at $600 a pallet. I spent $48,000 in bags of calcium one year, when I was getting $125,000 for the whole thing. We plowed 250 hours up there 2 loaders 1 backhoe a pickup and a bobcat. Plus hauling snow. After that I asked them to change the contract and they told me to find somewhere else to plow, so I did, but in January after a few storms they called me and asked me to take over again. Now I can make money whether it snows or not, because of the 48 inch cap they have in the contract now.

[ASPHALT04]

This winter I plow w/ an S300 Bobcat. Now with the machines having two speed I always have it in the high side which does about 12mph. I bought a 100" snow bucket for it which I must admit I really wanted a plow. But after using the bucket, I now perfer it over the plow. The lots that I do are tighter and usually have plenty of cars left in them to manuever around. We have had record snowfall here this year, so it has been a good one.
I can plow my lots twice as fast with the skidloader over a pick-up. (when getting paid by inch really adds up) I have also found advantages in stacking as well as moving snow as well as baring the lot which has won me a lot of praise by my customers.

[VeePlow]

www.craig-mfg.com/images/links/Deere624J-endgate.jpg (http://www.craig-mfg.com/images/links/Deere624J-endgate.jpg)

We put a lot of wings on loaders. This pic shows one with an endgate that the operator can slam down when they get to a driveway to keep from filling it in. (I wish the government plows in my neighborhood had them!)

PS.. I can't for the life of me figure out how to link this as an image?

[nedly05]

Here ya go VeePlow!

[Grader4me]

We put a lot of wings on loaders. This pic shows one with an endgate that the operator can slam down when they get to a driveway to keep from filling it in. (I wish the government plows in my neighborhood had them!)


Yeah right! Do that and miss all of them one fingered salutes? Come on now:eek:

Nice looking set up...

[Countryboy]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums VeePlow! :drinkup

PS.. I can't for the life of me figure out how to link this as an image?

You won't be able to link to a picture. You'll have to upload the picture with the Attachment Manager in your reply. Check out the second red link in my signature for help with posting pictures.

PS: Do you have a normal size picture of the machine in your avatar. :D

[VeePlow]

Welcome to Heavy Equipment Forums VeePlow! :drinkup
PS: Do you have a normal size picture of the machine in your avatar. :D

Thanks Countryboy, I think that feature must be turned off for the first few posts. I've got the "attachment manager" option now, Thanks!

I've had a few people asking about my avatar, I've put up som more pics in the forestry forum.

Cheers,
VP

[grassmanvt]

We are seasonal but I priced the loaders at 150/hr when I did the bid.

Salt you just usually double your per ton price.

If it cost you $45 per ton you apply it at around $80-$90 per ton, at least that's what seems to be fairly standard around here.

This caught my attention because right now, when its available (extreme demand in the northeast this year) its up to $84 a ton last I got some. $70 a ton for 15 ton or more at one time. Went up 20% mid winter.

[buddy605]

here are some pics that I found cool.18541

18542

18543

[Gavin Phillips]

The last time I was in Ontario Canada, saw lots of John Deere 544 and JCB 426BZX wheel loaders fitted with either rubber-edged blades or rotary brushes for snow removal - but Toronto airport had a really nice Cat 966D loader fitted with a really cool long blade:

http://www.lucidstar.net/heavymetal/wheel%20loaders/wheel2.html

My uncle also told me he saw a Cat 980C wheel loader being used to shove snowfall off the roads near the mine site where it worked. Can't quite believe it didn't damage the road surface!

From what I recall of Frankfurt airport in Germany, they had at least 6 O&K wheel loaders and some wheel loader/snowblower hybrid as well!

[djmacc]

My son recently began clearing snow in large shopping mall parking lots here in Michigan. One of the pieces of equipment he is using is a 924 Cat Loader. As you might expect they have traction problems when pushing a long row and he is wondering what would be the best route to take to improve traction. I have read about studs, fluid in the tires and tire chains. You guys have any idea about the pros and cons to each approach?

[Dwan Hall]

I ave had great luck with siping the tires on smaller equipment and have been trying it on my grader with good results. Takes a lot of time to do it by hand but I think it is worth it.
I have only been siping them about 1/4" deep so ware does not seem to be a problem.

[John H]

Heres my view from the weekend.

[BAD5oh]

New guy here 15 min north of Boston.

We use loaders for snow too. We currently have:
86 Komatsu WA350 12ft double wing PA plow
88 Dresser 520B 12ft PA plow
94 Komatsu 11ft PA plow
95 Dresser 515C 11ft PA plow

We have a 10 and 12.5 pusher blade but we use them only during the day when we have to scrap aisles.

We do about 200hrs each machine per season. Fortunately we had no break downs and had a great winter

We picked up the 95 Dresser last summer from a car dealer that closed. It had 1300 original hours but had no plumbing for a plow. I plumbed in a diverter valve to the bucket curl. I used an old Fisher plow cable with w T handle and attached it to the curl lever. When I pull it the curl lever angles the plow and when I push it back down it goes back to the curl. Pretty cheap alternative than a 3rd valve

[bignorms32]

Ive got a problem with an older trojan loader. anyone know why i would have good power in all the reverse gears but no power in the forward gears? someone said there are adjustments and even one on the converter?? When should the rans fluid be checked? running warm? engine off warm? running cold? engine off cold?

[4x4Farmer]

heres a link to a video of our 924's moving snow.
YouTube - 2009 2010 SMITHCO (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFPngX86k1I)

[Dwan Hall]

JD 444 with a 11' angle blade. I think I am going to miss the Cat 908 with 10" blade. that was fun. Maybe after I use this for a year or 2 it will grow on me.

Notice no trip springs. I have to watch out for things and ware the seat belt on this one.

[Colorado Digger]

I have a very similar setup

[MKTEF]

Those chains just have to be dangerous..
On snowy asphalt/ice i bet it behaves like a sledge..

[qball]

YouTube - qball loads snow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwiGZYXY904)

[DigDug]

qballs , that funny as heck!

[Wolf]

Heres my view from the weekend.

That's beautiful. looks like fun.

[KevD815]

"......you're being duped into thinking a dump truck should have 37 axles under it"


HAHAHAAHA:D

[coopers]

Dwan Hall, nice loader! Why not a 544 instead? You should keep us up to date on photos w/ that beauty.

[petercat966]

my father and I run a Cat 966B and a Cat 824C for snow removal.
both excellent machines for large areas.

[pigpen60]

here's one in belvidere il, pigpen

[bonanno23]

YouTube - qball loads snow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwiGZYXY904)

Love the video. pretty funny

[mikef87]

Ive got a problem with an older trojan loader. anyone know why i would have good power in all the reverse gears but no power in the forward gears? someone said there are adjustments and even one on the converter?? When should the rans fluid be checked? running warm? engine off warm? running cold? engine off cold?

What year and model Trojan? You can adjust the pressures to the tranny, I can't remember how but when I blew the tranny on my 1500Z that was part of the problem. That had a Funk Transmission.. Check the fluids when its running for 10 minutes or so. Any other questions you can PM me if you want.

[hartzou]

loader is very easy to remove the snow.

[9420pullpan]

764 High Speed Dozer pushing Snow

YouTube - 764X High Speed Dozer pushing Snow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkjxesBJR6o)

[Cat is ALL]

Loved the video commentary qball.

Loaders is all we use to plow snow. 4 loaders, one does all the industrial and sports a 16' blade that is chained to the bucket.