Just Picked Up a New RTV X1100C
- Thread starter 1HOTDJ
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TrueJourney
New member
I've just started searching UTV spreader options and was wondering if you received and have had a chance to use your Boss VBX 3000, as well as your initial impressions of the unit?
I have a Kubota Mule Pro FXT LE due to arrive within the week and am contemplating my spreading options. I have a 2,000' limestone driveway and about 1/3 of it has a grade that will require occasional treatment (sand and/or grit). My alternative vehicles are a Toyota Tundra 4wd and a Kubota B-2710.
Thus far I've used a rear blade on the Kubota for snow clearing, though the hill can be a challenge (such as today with the several inches of freshly fallen snow) and I will eventually be either adding chains to the Kubota, or a plow to the Tundra or the Mule.
I have a Kubota Mule Pro FXT LE due to arrive within the week and am contemplating my spreading options. I have a 2,000' limestone driveway and about 1/3 of it has a grade that will require occasional treatment (sand and/or grit). My alternative vehicles are a Toyota Tundra 4wd and a Kubota B-2710.
Thus far I've used a rear blade on the Kubota for snow clearing, though the hill can be a challenge (such as today with the several inches of freshly fallen snow) and I will eventually be either adding chains to the Kubota, or a plow to the Tundra or the Mule.
Welcome to the forum!
I assume you mean Kawasaki Mule.
Do you have ag tires on your tractor?
Can you tell us approximately where you live? IMHO, there's different kinds of snow based on where you live. E.g. I lived in the snow belt south of Buffalo NY for 20 years and the last 20 years living north of Pittsburgh. It's completely different for winter snow yet only 100 miles apart as the crow flies.
I assume you mean Kawasaki Mule.
Do you have ag tires on your tractor?
Can you tell us approximately where you live? IMHO, there's different kinds of snow based on where you live. E.g. I lived in the snow belt south of Buffalo NY for 20 years and the last 20 years living north of Pittsburgh. It's completely different for winter snow yet only 100 miles apart as the crow flies.
Mark.Sibole
Well-known member
That almost looks like a hybrid ATV snowmobile strange seat and front end for an ATV
TrueJourney
New member
Thank you for the welcome.
I have 103 acres in east central Ohio that is about 70% wooded with a five acre lake in a large open meadow, 2,000' limestone driveway, 2,000' grass road to the lake and various other trails.
The Kawasaki Mule with the trans-cab should be a good fit for our purposes and generally my wife and I will be the primary users in one-seat mode, and when family & friends come to visit, it can be quickly switched to two-seat 6-person mode with plenty of bed space for the cooler, fishing and other gear, as well as with the ability to trailer the kayaks to the water.
My Kubota B-2710 has R-4 general purpose / industrial type tires which have offered a great balance of traction performance and turf gentleness for finish mowing and brush cutting, FEL and rear blade work, tiller and backhoe tasks, trailer towing and more. The combination has done a LOT of work over the past 15 years and has been well suited to our needs.
The challenge now is to determine the best long-term approach to winter snow / ice conditions, particularly concerning the last 700' of driveway which leads down a hill to the house.
We have had the property for about a dozen years, and built a new home and moved here in late 2014. Last winter the Tundra (4wd) was able to navigate in and out without issue. I only used the tractor and rear blade to plow the snow once when it became deeper last season, primarily to see how it would do, and as predicted, with the tractor size and weight, traction was an issue as well as having 'the tail wagging the dog' syndrome to deal with.
I plowed early this morning before the majority of the snow fell (approx. 5") and while I was able to plow partially up the hill, I then lost traction and had to raise the blade and get a run to make it up the hill. The level grade as well as downhill (once I get to the top) are somewhat manageable, but that can change depending on the depth of the snow.
I had a John Deere 318 Lawn and Garden Tractor with turf tires, weights and chains that did well clearing snow on level ground for years, and feel that chains might provide a good boost to the Kubota if I decide to stick with the tractor for snow removal. Another option is to see how the Mule does in the snow and a snow blade can be an option there. The third alternative is to install a blade on the Tundra and use it for winter plowing. At this point though, I'm still on the fence as to which way it will go.
Regardless of what I use to remove the snow, traction issues are still a concern, particularly in packed snow / turning to ice conditions, or when the driveway freezes solid - and hence I am beginning my researching of spreader options - for the Mule, Tundra or Kubota.
Overall it will come down to performance, amount of required work, ease of use and comfort, as well as cost, and while I am presently only in my mid-50's, I am looking at it in the perspective of growing older as well as should the wife need to manage things at some point.
I have 103 acres in east central Ohio that is about 70% wooded with a five acre lake in a large open meadow, 2,000' limestone driveway, 2,000' grass road to the lake and various other trails.
The Kawasaki Mule with the trans-cab should be a good fit for our purposes and generally my wife and I will be the primary users in one-seat mode, and when family & friends come to visit, it can be quickly switched to two-seat 6-person mode with plenty of bed space for the cooler, fishing and other gear, as well as with the ability to trailer the kayaks to the water.
My Kubota B-2710 has R-4 general purpose / industrial type tires which have offered a great balance of traction performance and turf gentleness for finish mowing and brush cutting, FEL and rear blade work, tiller and backhoe tasks, trailer towing and more. The combination has done a LOT of work over the past 15 years and has been well suited to our needs.
The challenge now is to determine the best long-term approach to winter snow / ice conditions, particularly concerning the last 700' of driveway which leads down a hill to the house.
We have had the property for about a dozen years, and built a new home and moved here in late 2014. Last winter the Tundra (4wd) was able to navigate in and out without issue. I only used the tractor and rear blade to plow the snow once when it became deeper last season, primarily to see how it would do, and as predicted, with the tractor size and weight, traction was an issue as well as having 'the tail wagging the dog' syndrome to deal with.
I plowed early this morning before the majority of the snow fell (approx. 5") and while I was able to plow partially up the hill, I then lost traction and had to raise the blade and get a run to make it up the hill. The level grade as well as downhill (once I get to the top) are somewhat manageable, but that can change depending on the depth of the snow.
I had a John Deere 318 Lawn and Garden Tractor with turf tires, weights and chains that did well clearing snow on level ground for years, and feel that chains might provide a good boost to the Kubota if I decide to stick with the tractor for snow removal. Another option is to see how the Mule does in the snow and a snow blade can be an option there. The third alternative is to install a blade on the Tundra and use it for winter plowing. At this point though, I'm still on the fence as to which way it will go.
Regardless of what I use to remove the snow, traction issues are still a concern, particularly in packed snow / turning to ice conditions, or when the driveway freezes solid - and hence I am beginning my researching of spreader options - for the Mule, Tundra or Kubota.
Overall it will come down to performance, amount of required work, ease of use and comfort, as well as cost, and while I am presently only in my mid-50's, I am looking at it in the perspective of growing older as well as should the wife need to manage things at some point.
Sounds like we're pretty much neighbors. I'm in PA, about 10 miles from Ohio, east of Columbiana.
Our winter weather is tough to deal with. It snows but on some days, it goes above freezing, melts then re-freezes at night giving a nice coat of ice.
My primary snow removal is a tractor that's similar in size to yours and I use the FEL and blade off the back. I do have the R1 tires so I get adequate traction. I would think chains on your tractor would make a huge difference and allow your tractor to go anywhere without issue.
My secondary snow removal is a Honda ATV with plow off the front. It's faster than the tractor but doesn't do as well in heavy or deep snow.
I do have spreader that I can hang off the back of the RTV but I don't think I've ever used it. Pic below. If this may be an option for you, I'd probably sell it if you're interested.
Something new I'm going to try this year is a DR power grader (pic below). Once I remove as much as I can with the other snow removal equipment, if I have hard-pack snow or a coat of ice, I'll pull this behind the ATV and lower the teeth to rip into the snow/ice and pull up enough stone for traction.
As for spreading something for traction, I don't need it on the stone driveway. It's for the concrete. I rarely use salt and a 50# bag lasts me about 4 years. Instead of salt, I either use Urea (46-0-0 fertilizer) or ashes/cinders from the wood stove. The urea works well down to about 15-20° but when it does run-off or seep down, it doesn't burn the yard or pull mud up from under the stone like salt does. Ashes/cinders work well but if used in excess can leave you a little bit of a springtime mess.
So, what's the best option for you??? I think that's going to be personal choice based on how much you want to spend and how much of a hurry you're in.
Our winter weather is tough to deal with. It snows but on some days, it goes above freezing, melts then re-freezes at night giving a nice coat of ice.
My primary snow removal is a tractor that's similar in size to yours and I use the FEL and blade off the back. I do have the R1 tires so I get adequate traction. I would think chains on your tractor would make a huge difference and allow your tractor to go anywhere without issue.
My secondary snow removal is a Honda ATV with plow off the front. It's faster than the tractor but doesn't do as well in heavy or deep snow.
I do have spreader that I can hang off the back of the RTV but I don't think I've ever used it. Pic below. If this may be an option for you, I'd probably sell it if you're interested.
Something new I'm going to try this year is a DR power grader (pic below). Once I remove as much as I can with the other snow removal equipment, if I have hard-pack snow or a coat of ice, I'll pull this behind the ATV and lower the teeth to rip into the snow/ice and pull up enough stone for traction.
As for spreading something for traction, I don't need it on the stone driveway. It's for the concrete. I rarely use salt and a 50# bag lasts me about 4 years. Instead of salt, I either use Urea (46-0-0 fertilizer) or ashes/cinders from the wood stove. The urea works well down to about 15-20° but when it does run-off or seep down, it doesn't burn the yard or pull mud up from under the stone like salt does. Ashes/cinders work well but if used in excess can leave you a little bit of a springtime mess.
So, what's the best option for you??? I think that's going to be personal choice based on how much you want to spend and how much of a hurry you're in.
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I'm jealous. I don't even have a cab on any of my equipment.
blue-comet
Member
bczoom- I live in Chippewa Twp, Pa. - so sounds like you live close by. Does the Urea actually melt the ice or is it just good for traction?
TrueJourney
New member
A nice looking machine DJ and it looks like it would be quite capable - as well as quite comfortable - and you really seem to have done it up right. A first class outfit. That CanAm looks like a total beast too and will probably go places my where even my snow mobile wouldn't dare.
I was wondering where you served in the Coast Guard? I was active duty for four years in the early 80's, Cape May for boot camp; Petaluma, CA for radioman school; Group Sandy Hook, NJ for my duty station; and had an additional trip to Petaluma for Emergency Medical Technician training. I was also in the CG Reserve afterward and my Port Security Unit was deployed for six months during Desert Storm where I was stationed in Manama, Bahrain. I spent the following 29 years in the fire service before retiring last summer.
Thank you for the insight BCZOOM and I am located near the intersection of I-77 & I-70.
I took the Kubota out a bit after midnight last night and went up the hill without issue (5" snow covered), then ran the rear blade down a couple times which cleared the drive and stirred up some of the limestone base for an easy travel in and out today in the Tundra. A crew is in the process of constructing a 30'x40'x10' pole building near the house and I wanted to have things cleared if they worked today.
The DR power grader looks like it has good potential for breaking ice and scarring frozen ground, as well as freeing stone for a traction aggregate. I had considered tinkering with the landscape rake or possibly the box blade with rippers slightly down as an option to roughen the drive but haven't gone there yet (though neither would quite equal your DR).
I had a frozen driveway issue last winter and while hauling a load of dirt in my one-ton dump (2wd), I lost traction and just sat there and spun. I ended up dumping the load in the driveway and still had a most difficult time making it up the hill (used a combination of sand & salt to help). The first load went up okay and needless to say, I didn't attempt a third.
I appreciate the insight and am still researching and evaluating. An additional thought is that if I go with a spreader, something that could be utilized and switched between the Mule, Tundra and/or possibly the Kubota could increase my options.
If anyone has an estimate about how much sand and/or grit would be needed on a 700' stretch of single-lane driveway for hill-climbing traction (primarily when it is ice-covered or solid-frozen), it would be appreciated and can help in determining spreader size and style. I also maintain a pile of #4 limestone (eventually switching to #57) on site and as an option may just may dump a couple buckets of stone along the way and do a final drag with the rear blade to spread it down the hill - and $$ wise may go with that for a while.
I was wondering where you served in the Coast Guard? I was active duty for four years in the early 80's, Cape May for boot camp; Petaluma, CA for radioman school; Group Sandy Hook, NJ for my duty station; and had an additional trip to Petaluma for Emergency Medical Technician training. I was also in the CG Reserve afterward and my Port Security Unit was deployed for six months during Desert Storm where I was stationed in Manama, Bahrain. I spent the following 29 years in the fire service before retiring last summer.
Thank you for the insight BCZOOM and I am located near the intersection of I-77 & I-70.
I took the Kubota out a bit after midnight last night and went up the hill without issue (5" snow covered), then ran the rear blade down a couple times which cleared the drive and stirred up some of the limestone base for an easy travel in and out today in the Tundra. A crew is in the process of constructing a 30'x40'x10' pole building near the house and I wanted to have things cleared if they worked today.
The DR power grader looks like it has good potential for breaking ice and scarring frozen ground, as well as freeing stone for a traction aggregate. I had considered tinkering with the landscape rake or possibly the box blade with rippers slightly down as an option to roughen the drive but haven't gone there yet (though neither would quite equal your DR).
I had a frozen driveway issue last winter and while hauling a load of dirt in my one-ton dump (2wd), I lost traction and just sat there and spun. I ended up dumping the load in the driveway and still had a most difficult time making it up the hill (used a combination of sand & salt to help). The first load went up okay and needless to say, I didn't attempt a third.
I appreciate the insight and am still researching and evaluating. An additional thought is that if I go with a spreader, something that could be utilized and switched between the Mule, Tundra and/or possibly the Kubota could increase my options.
If anyone has an estimate about how much sand and/or grit would be needed on a 700' stretch of single-lane driveway for hill-climbing traction (primarily when it is ice-covered or solid-frozen), it would be appreciated and can help in determining spreader size and style. I also maintain a pile of #4 limestone (eventually switching to #57) on site and as an option may just may dump a couple buckets of stone along the way and do a final drag with the rear blade to spread it down the hill - and $$ wise may go with that for a while.
1HOTDJ
Member
USCG joined 1984, also boot camp Cape May, NJ. From there to Tampa MSO station on Davis Island. From there Kodiak island 6 weeks turned into 6 months. Then to Cleveland, OH Lake Erie. My AOR was Detroit to Buffalo. I was the AIDS to Navigation Expert (Gloified Bouy Tender) I did channel depth soundings and marker placement & replacement etc...
I got out in 1993. GPS was just starting to take off in the public sector. Loran stations were becoming obsolete.
Always good to meet a fellow Coastie. Semper Paratus
I got out in 1993. GPS was just starting to take off in the public sector. Loran stations were becoming obsolete.
Always good to meet a fellow Coastie. Semper Paratus
We are pretty close! I live between Ellwood and Zelie.
For the urea, it's probably a mix of traction and ice melt. When it's cold (let's say less than 20°), it's more for traction. I think urea melts (and therefore melts ice) at around 25° which is when you get most of the ice, it does the melting. In general, it works for me but urea for melt/traction does not work as good as salt (calcium chloride).
I buy urea by the half-ton or ton and regularly end up with more than I use before winter. When buying in bulk, it equates to $7-8 per 50# bag. I just looked at Lowe's and salt is $19 for 50# of salt.
That puts you about 70 miles away as the crow flies. I'm in the wedge between I-79 and I-376 north of Pittsburgh.
I "inherited" (but nobody passed away) the DR grader when my dad who's pushing 80 sold his farm and moved into a house that's much more manageable for someone his age. It works great for grading stone but I have not yet tried it on ice. It's pricey and I wouldn't have bought it myself but I'd definitely try the landscape rake first. Is yours a tow-behind or 3-point hitch?
blue-comet
Member
Going to have the urea a try. I have a very long elevated concrete driveway and heard that the urea is a lot less damaging to concrete than salt is.
Do you know of a place locally to get it (at a reasonable price)?
I normally get mine from Studebaker's up in Slippery Rock but I get my corn from Witmer's which is close to you (just over the OH border in Columbiana). I'm pretty sure they have fertilizer as well. www.witmersfeed.com
I normally get mine from Studebaker's up in Slippery Rock but I get my corn from Witmer's which is close to you (just over the OH border in Columbiana). I'm pretty sure they have fertilizer as well. www.witmersfeed.com
blue-comet
Member
I believe Agway sells it for $16 for a 50 pound bag. I bought my brush hog off of Witmers- will give them a try. Thanks
Mark.Sibole
Well-known member
V plows are nice but I just cant afford a plow that costs havf the price of the machine.