Pickup mounted snow-plows - any advice?

[Rob]

Hosepower should not exceed IQ so that tractor is out of my league!

[Ridgeratt]

Hosepower should not exceed IQ so that tractor is out of my league!

Not sure about Hosepower, 
But when I was looking to upgrade my tractor 4 years ago, I talked to one of the local farmers. He said that you can't make up for the lack of horsepower. Depending on what equipment you choose and how much it takes to operate it.

He also cautioned about putting a blade on the front of a tractor and pushing snow. He said that when he was in the basin, he had hit a solid frozen pile of ice with a buried rock and tweeked his loader frame.
 

[Caseknife]

Apologies for posting and then going dark.  Been slammed with my move. 

Some really good info above.  After spending an hour plowing with the ATV today i am thinking hard of alternatives.

 I did not figure a plow would reduce the value of the truck.  I like the idea of a dedicated plow vehicle but I really like the idea of a tractor.  How big of a tractor would you need to do a few hundred yards of driveway and a 60x30 parking area efficiently?   I looked briefly at tractors a few years back and they were rather spendy.

I've got a Kubota 3130 with the back blade and the 7' quick detach blade on the front, makes quick/fun work of our community 3/4 mile lane.  Takes longer to plow around the driveway and between the house and shop.  I would say a tractor in the 25-30hp range would be more than adequate.

[Mark Brenckle]

If you don't have any other chores for the tractor, I'd go with an older used pickup with a good heater.

[follow maggie]

In my area, the most common brand I see, by far, is Boss

[Timberstalker]

As has been said, if you have any property to maintain, buy a tractor.  You can use them year round.  Get a 35-45 HP tractor and you will be set.  Front bucket works just fine.

[KFhunter]

If you can swing it, get a tractor with a cab   

[Rainier10]

If you can swing it, get a tractor with a heated cab   

fixed it for you.

[Rob]

Great info everyone.  Lots of ideas to consider.

Had anyone used a blade that mounts on the rear of a truck?

After reading all this a tractor would be first choice followed by a beater dedicated pickup. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

My tractor has 43hp 4 wheel drive on the wetside, I plow more driveway than that, I find it sufficient.👍

[boneaddict]

Here I always assumed you were fascinated with snowplows and thus your handle 🤔

[Jingles]

Of course if you don't want a plow there are snow blowers that mount on the front of pickups

[huntnnw]

Depends what you use the tractor for 35+  hp is a big tractor and better be using it alot. I have 27Hp and it has been more than plenty for everything i have done

[buckcanyonlodge]

A craigslist purchase  '94 F-350   460 V-8 side to side tilt is a must

[KFhunter]

Great info everyone.  Lots of ideas to consider.

Had anyone used a blade that mounts on the rear of a truck?

After reading all this a tractor would be first choice followed by a beater dedicated pickup.

Are you talking about ones tbat plug into your receiver hitch?

Ya no, thats an insane amount of leverage being applied to a hitch that isn't designed for it, not side to side twist leverage


No freaking way would I do that, stupidest plow design I've ever seen