Originally I was running the plows electronics but the alternator couldn't keep up sometimes so I switched to the tractors hydraulics. It functions really nice off the tractors hydraulics but does require a crossover relief valve and flow control valves. The wings are run off the rear remotes.
I absolutely love it. Most of my accounts were given to me because they're horrible to plow in a truck. For instance, I plow an ambulance dispatch a TV station, and a drug store to name a few so tons of vehicles and obstacles but in the tractor its never a problem. Traction isnt an issue any more than in a truck. The power is adequate to where im never less productive than a truck, but i could always use more. If they come out with higher hp tractors with hst i'll be all over it. All 4 tires are loaded and it has a 1000lb weight box so at close to 7000lb, its own weight seems to slow it down more than the snow does sometimes. I went with a frame mounted plow because even an underslung loader mounted plow wouldve moved the plow further forward than i wanted. Ive found that every inch that you can get the plow in closer matters for stability and control. Also, having both the weight of the loader and plow leveraged out in front causes a pretty bad ride on bumpy pavement. The top speed with turf tires is 15mph. I think with other tires its up to 17. That would probably be a deal breaker for many people but all of my accounts are within a mile and in a down town area.
Yeah, but it may not happen this year. Its getting pretty late in the season and we may not get much more snow. ironically, a week before this video i had planned to record a 7-9" snow but somehow our diesel fuel was contaminated with water and froze in the tractors tank causing it to not run and i had to plow in a truck. We ended up having the tractor towed to a nearby shop to warm up and bleed the system. I have a video posted from a few years ago plowing 6" but with a Curtis plow if that helps.
