JD LA120 and snow blades

16 years ago

I'm about to purchase a JD LA120 and was wondering about the snow blade attachment. Would it work for this size mower on a gravel/packed dirt driveway in VT? Maybe with chains?

Anyone have experience with this?

Cheers

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

wally2q
16 years ago
that blade won't touch packed dirt... too light and flimisy. Believe it or not, snow does not pose such a huge load on a blade. Dirt is a different story. What you need is a box-scraper. you'll need chains and weights to make it effective. The LA120 will probably do it, but it's not designed to do it every day.

FYI: I have an L120, with a blade, and a dirt/gravel driveway.
metolius
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks wally2q. In terms of pushing/moving snow on my driveway (less than a foot - I know more than that I'd need to shovel) you think it would work ok?
Related Discussions
X300 44" snow blade install pictures
Q
Comments (5)
JD manuals are VERY specific and their parts lists and diagrams even more so.Perhaps one advantage of being a manufacturer. If the OP's X300 never had a front blade or blower installed then it needs all the hardware this picture.less what he has plus maybe the optional spring assist for the pedal lift. It's too common for people selling JD X series attachments to simply "drop" the attachment and sell it without realizing that the hardware is not being included. The buyer doesn't do their homework first to know what he should be getting and might end up not getting the deal he thought he was getting. If all the OP got was the blade and frame (item 23) and all the rockshaft hardware is missing, which is what usually gets left behind, then it might be a better deal to go with the power lift kit... http://www.superior-tech.com/front-attachments_03.php This post was edited by justalurker on Sat, Mar 22, 14 at 14:09
...See More
Snow blade question
Q
Comments (1)
The 110 and 111 are two very different tractors. If it's off a 108, 111, 111H, or 116, it will fit the 112L. If you post a picture/link, I'll be able to tell for sure. 'Tis the season to get a great deal on a snow blade. I just bought one myself for my in-laws' 111H for $20.
...See More
New JD LA120
Q
Comments (9)
Careful with that JD. I bought a L111 two years ago, which is the same machine with the 20 HP briggs twin. I love the tractor, but the deck is terrible. My 15 year old MTD did a much nicer job on the lawn, rusty deck and all. I can't get this John Deere to mulch. I've tried everything from ultra slow mow to gater blades. I've levelled the deck, sharpened blades, cleaned the underside until it shined and it continues to leave ugly clumps in it's wake. My neighbor's 10 year old Craftsman does a much better job than "Clumper". I will never buy another JD product again.....
...See More
JD LA120 not mulching well anymore
Q
Comments (7)
bhshaman-is it hard to back up with the sweeper attached? I left my mulch kit on when I added Gators so less grass would get on the street and driveway. Something in your case has changed, either the grass has changed, as bhshaman refers to, or you need to sharpen your blades, as d&k suggests. It doesn't make sense that it mulched fine and then all of a sudden problems arise for no reason.
...See More
sawdust_maker
16 years ago
A snow blade will work nicely for you, as long as you limit the depth and heaviness of the snow that you try to push. You will probably want chains though. I'm in upstate NY, and I could push only a few inches without chains. With chains, I could go up to at least 8 inches of heavy snow, over a foot of the fluffy stuff. Much does depend on the weight of the tractor. When it gets worse than that, I pull out the walk behind blower, probably only a few times per year.

John
wally2q
16 years ago
Sawdust is 100% right...

Some folks will tell you that you need weights for even more traction - with a dirt / gravel driveway, the chains get so much bite, that I don't even run weights on my machine - just chains. If the snow gets thick and heavy, just take smaller bites out of it.......

Even when there is a bit of ice build-up, I can still push snow with no weights.... I even plow the snow off my pond - nothing but ice (duh!), and sometimes I'll push 8-10" of snow - I'll have to take a run at it, but once under motion, it takes quite a bit a snow pile to slow down and spin wheels on the tractor...
metolius
Original Author
16 years ago
great - thanks to you both for the help and suggestions.

First time here...this place is helpful and addictive.
User
16 years ago
I don't know how much snow you get and how often but here in the west at 7000 ft we get snowed on regularly and I tried a blade.

Unless your tractor/blade combo offers a way to keep the blade slightly off the ground it will dig into the gravel. Skid shoes don't seem to work well on my gravel driveway as they dig in to the gravel. With a gravity controlled blade the gravel gets chewed up and pushed around.

Depending on layout of your driveway and how much snow and how the snow lasts between storms using a blade will "narrow" the driveway everytime you plow. If you have room to get the snow far off to the side that won't be a problem but if you don't have the room and the snow lasts then you might have a problem.

After one winter I sold the blade and bought the factory snow thrower for my tractor and that has proved to be worth the investment. This last winter the thrower paid big dividends.

If you plan on having your tractor for a while and you get enough snow and can afford it you might consider a snowthrower.
ctpuritan
16 years ago
I am very familiar with Vermont. Vermont is snow country. The Official Vermont website notes that snowfall averages range from 100" to 250" statewide except for the southern Connecticut river valley which averages about 65" and this is a very small area of the state. I think your buying the wrong machine. I have no bones to pick with the LA120. I think the k46 tranny is not beefy enough to move this amount of snow year after year. I think you should be looking at a garden tractor series with at least a K66 transmission or equivalent. As for using a plow. If your driveway is really packed gravel you will have no problem in winter. The problem could be the late spring storms when "Vermont Mud Season" has started. As your snow tends to stay for lengthy periods of time you really have to have a good amount of area to push snow into or you will quickly run out of space. A snow blower is an option to consider if the above conditions exist.
metolius
Original Author
16 years ago
We do gets tons of snow. Wet, fluffy, icy mix... and it generally lasts through into April. I'm thinking the LA120 will be good for mowing my yard but not enough to clear my driveway. I'll plan on looking into a walk-behind snow blower for next winter. Thanks everyone.
User
16 years ago
There's no reason the LA120 won't work nicely with a snowthrower, weights, and chains.

If you ever experience a snowthrower on a tractor then you'll NEVER consider a walk behind. Why walk when you can ride?