Snow plow on a ztr???

[DoetschOutdoor]

I was wondering if anyone has put a plow on their ztr? I saw the picture in the exmark brochure of a plow but just didnt know how well this would work for strictly residentials. Does a mid size ztr have enough power to push driveways?

[ballstar]

I don't see why not.

[daveintoledo]

why ruin your mower..... use a hammer for nails , a saw to cut wood, a mower to cut grass and a plow truck to plow snow........

[DoetschOutdoor]

Im talking simply for residential driveways and the like. Nothing where I would really need a truck and also we get very little snow around here as of the last few years. Probably going to just buy a snow blower or rent.

[bln]

I don't see the benfit, if anything it would be more of a hassle, not four wheel drive = alot of slipping and sliding. Now an ATV with a plow is the way to go.

:nono:

[John Gamba]

Does a mid size ztr have enough power to push driveways?




If you dont get more then six inches a storm then it might work well.If your snow that you plowed the storm before freezes, you could be in trouble pushing the new stuff in its place.

[KathysLGC]

I agree, the 2WD is your biggest problem. It will have the power. How many times does that mower pull you up a steep hill? The mower probly weighs close to 1000 pounds with you on it. Pulling your trailer in bad weather and unloading the Z will be a big headache.

[RickO]

I've been reading a lot about this and have yet to hear one person that has tried and said it doesn't work well. Everyone that I have read said it works pretty well. People have been putting snow blades on lawn mowers that weigh 300 - 800 lbs. for years. All you need is traction and weight to push snow. Well a ZTR has all of it's weight right over it's rear drive tires. My ZTR weighs 900lbs. Put some chains or cable chains on there and I think it would push snow like a dream. Think about it... a lot of lawn dractors don't have locking differential in the rear ends, you know how you will often get stuck on them because only one wheel is spinning. You won't get that with a ZTR Both wheels spin.

And for those who don't think a ZTR is made to handle the "abuse", are you kidding me...what kind of ZTR do you have. My ZTR is a tank. In fact, Hustler makes a front blade for their home owner ZTR. I don't think they would be doing that if it would tear it up. I see a lot of ZTR Mfrs. making blades for their models now.

I am getting one for my Huster Mini Z as soon as I find the right price/quality blade.

[John Gamba]

I am getting one for my Huster Mini Z as soon as I find the right price/quality blade.


Let us know how it works. How much snow do you think you can push with your mower??

[MarcSmith]

i think if you were in a situation were you had to continually move the snow and keep things open. Like on a campus or mall sidewalks, ect...it would be great for that type of an application rather than just keep doing by hand or burning chemicals. but it it got deep I don't think it would work that well. all of you weight is over your drive tires, and you have this plow blade way out front acting like lever and you push start building up a pile with the blade angled its going to want to pivot around the rear tires I would think...

Id love to see one in action before i dropped any money. plus I'm not sure I'm ready to put my mechanic through removing the deck and reinstalling each year....

[John Gamba]

Id love to see one in action before i dropped any money. plus I'm not sure I'm ready to put my mechanic through removing the deck and reinstalling each year....


I think dixie and jrcoinc have vids on the plows they sell. you are alot better off with a snow blower then a plow. if you put chains on the tires(you will) you will loosen the machine up.

[mmellin]

I would love to hear how it goes. I am looking at a ZTR but Im heistant because I have a 400 ft drive that I need to plow as well.

[daveintoledo]

a z slips in wet grass, let alone snow, even with chains on, i just dont see it working...... i guess in just the right conditions maybe...

[John Gamba]

a z slips in wet grass, let alone snow, even with chains on, i just dont see it working...... i guess in just the right conditions maybe...



Chains and a 800lb of weight:laugh:

[branhamt]

Hi, I have a 42" blower on a 48" Exmark HP. Is this what you are talking about?

[topsites]

Yeah a blower would work, a shovel is more for a 4wd work atv, even then the lack of weight makes it to where it doesn't clear down to the pavement (but it does make it into a driveable surface). It's just one more reason to buy an atv, one great thing would be railed sprayers, or booms, for liquid chem treatments.

Because the thing with a shovel, you have to be able to raise and lower it...
Then again for most paved residential driveways, a manually operated 4 or 5 foot blade probably would work.

[Breezmister]

Hi, I have a 42" blower on a 48" Exmark HP. Is this what you are talking about?

Where did you get that :confused: How is it powered;)

[Runner]

If it is supe super light stuff, it works. Just don't go off the walk or drive, or plow yourself into a ditch. If you ever have to back up,...hang it up. You're done. Also, expect to have a nice rusted up mess in a few years.

[IMAGE]

Grasshopper has all kinds of snow attachments, check out thier website. They have vids of them in action also. They look to work very well.

[smcunningham]

I subcontracted from brickman at the department of homeland security in D.C and brickman had like 4 exmark w/b's with the front deck removed and a plow blade attached to the front and let me tell you what those little buggers would clear some side walks and clear em quick... they could handle 6" of snow like it was'nt even there...

[Breezmister]

brickman had like 4 exmark w/b's with the front deck removed and a plow blade attached to the front ...

You have any Pics, I would love to see how they where set up

[smcunningham]

You have any Pics, I would love to see how they where set up

Not right now but the first time it snows im D.C. I'll be sure to snap some...
Once the mowing season is over brickman switches the deck out for the blade..i'll get my buddy who works there to snap some pics and e-mail to me then i'll post them

[Daner]

why ruin your mower..... use a hammer for nails , a saw to cut wood, a mower to cut grass and a plow truck to plow snow........


I Agree with this guy^^^^^^^^ the snow can be very heavy...same goes with towing heavy Implements with a Z.
Imo...Use the right tool for the job.

[MarcSmith]

At TGLC we had a couple WB with plow blades on em....but you had to really keep up with the snow. more than 6" (since it usually a wet snow) it kep tpushing the WB off the side walk...

[nmurph]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showpost.php?p=1216996&postcount=28

Hustler's blade in action.

[John Gamba]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showpost.php?p=1216996&postcount=28

Hustler's blade in action.


That is very lite snow and its not deep at all. if they had a snow blower like grasshopper and walker you could do that job faster with better results.

[MarcSmith]

2-3" of snow is tough to move....:rolleyes:

I'd have to see one in person and drive it, to really be convinced...

[nmurph]

not much need for one in deep south ga. in my 44 yrs, i can remember exactly two snow that covered the ground, completely. one in '73 that put over a foot on the ground and one xmas 89 (?) that put about 10 inches. i have pics of me snow skiing 50 miles from the FL border....i remember a deputy sheriff riding up and looking at us like we had totally lost our mind. i was living in Atl and was headed to NC when xmas was over, so we happened to have our skis.....when i was in college, in statesboro (southern-central ga or northern-south ga), we had a couple of good snows that covered the ground.

[John Gamba]

not much need for one in deep south ga. in my 44 yrs, i can remember exactly two snow that covered the ground, completely. one in '73 that put over a foot on the ground and one xmas 89 (?) that put about 10 inches. i have pics of me snow skiing 50 miles from the FL border....i remember a deputy sheriff riding up and looking at us like we had totally lost our mind. i was living in Atl and was headed to NC when xmas was over, so we happened to have our skis.....when i was in college, in statesboro (southern-central ga or northern-south ga), we had a couple of good snows that covered the ground.




Push dirt:laugh:

[Meg-Mo]

We put a 56" snow blower on the front of our 28 hp. bad boy Z and it does one find job . No need to let those mowers set in the winter.

[MarcSmith]

I coudl see a snow blower...since all you are really pushing then is the weight of the snow blower....the snow is getting tossed aside...

Here in DC I could use it about one every 3-4 years...

[branhamt]

Breezmister, I bought it off another contractor around me. He purchased from a local outdoor equipment dealer. It really is jrco piece from Canada. Powered from engine. lift up and down with a electric cylinder and power rotate all from a clamp on control to your operator handles. Pretty slick. Worked fine when I used it two times. I need to make trailer more user friendly for it along with different tires. I did have a lot of weight, counter balance on back but needed a better way to carry weights. Simple bracket or holder. When a machine is set properly I think this would be good. I agree with you, why let machine set all winter long, on the other hand I think a dedicated machine for snow removal will pay off as a better investment.

[weve]

Here's a three year old thread link on the same topic. My snow blade on a zero turn is pictured on the second page. The weight of a diesel engine helps. Turning or backing with ice under snow can be a problem but it can push a lot of snow in a straight line. Large drifts are not recommended. At present I mount mine on a 35hp Dixie Chopper.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=82212

[MarcSmith]

Breezmister, I bought it off another contractor around me. He purchased from a local outdoor equipment dealer. It really is jrco piece from Canada. Powered from engine. lift up and down with a electric cylinder and power rotate all from a clamp on control to your operator handles. Pretty slick. Worked fine when I used it two times. I need to make trailer more user friendly for it along with different tires. I did have a lot of weight, counter balance on back but needed a better way to carry weights. Simple bracket or holder. When a machine is set properly I think this would be good. I agree with you, why let machine set all winter long, on the other hand I think a dedicated machine for snow removal will pay off as a better investment.

instead of weight on the back how about "wheel mounted weights" or filling the tires with water and antifreeze..just a thought....

[jpiwowar]

If you have a Grasshopper Front Mount, you can put a plow, v-plow or snow thrower on the front. I have used the power broom on some brick driveways and sidewalks, it works great.

[cleanlawn]

I started plowing snow with a grashopper and a 5ft blade, did a couple of parking lots that fit about 25 to 30 cars. took some time but did do the job, and got me into a a new service with very little investment. Since then it has gone back on the truck and comes off to do detail work were the truck won't fit. Also have spread rock with it for a gravel parking lot again it took some time but did get the job done without the need for renting skid loader. So as for your original question in an area where you don't get much snow, a plow on your z will do just fine, without the need to purchase and maintain a seperate dedicated machine. The weight of the snow is not gonna b much of a factor not on driveways.

[Athletic field]

Grasshopper makes a blade and snow blower for their bigger front deck mowers. I have no experience with them.