Need advice on snow removal. Deere 345 w/ 42' snowthrower or plow

14 years ago

I just bought a new house outside of Buffalo NY. The blacktop driveway is 600 feet long and opens up near the house with an upper and lower area to park cars. The parking area's have almost the same surface area as the driveway itself. I currently own a John Deere 345 with 800 hours that I use to cut the lawn with. I am wondering if a 42" snowthrower mounted on my 345 will do the trick? A few people I work with are laughing at me that the 345 Deere will never clear the amount of snow we get in the Buffalo winters. If this setup will not work then I will be forced to pay someone to plow. Does anyone have experience with this that can offer advise? Thank you in advance.

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HU-417800823

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

My JD 345 is an 1988. Eastern Ontario with a lot of snow but I know Buffalo has had a few mega events. Fortunately, I think not a daily event. My JD and 42" blower does two properties (my neighbour looks after our cat in the summer if we are away and I do their snow most of the winter when they are away) that have 250' driveways plus parking. We live on a major highway with 5 lanes of traffic that snow is plowed to the ends of our driveways. I also have a Kubota BX25 diesel but the JD is the snow removal machine of choice. Chains and rear wheel weights Plus the rear tires are loaded with calcium chloride have never failed to do the job. I have not found a need for any additional weights. As a bonus, I leave the chains on all summer as we have a slope that when wet is now not a problem. NOTE: the older JD 345 have a plastic cam gear and if suddenly everything stops it may be the cause. This is quite common and you can check the hours run average for the details. Some never have the problem, mine did. About $500 parts for a completer rebuild (home style) and it runs better than new. You might also check the mods to the snowblower were a flapper is installed to improve the distance the snow and slush will be thrown. It's a good machine (older ones) with a strong frame and not like the newer ones that are a pressed metal unibody style. Mine will blow snow 2' deep without a problem. Use high test gas to avoid ethanol related problems.

Brian

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Comments (9)

tomplum
14 years ago
In Buffalo- I'd have it plowed. Yes, it can be done, but you might want to put off that decision until you go through a typical winter. With that being said, you may find your neighbors keep a snowthrower for clean up after the plow guy goes. It really depends on how the plow guy works. I had a plow guy in the midwest for 1 property. He would plow with the truck or tractor if needed, then do the walkways etc and I rarely needed to pick up a shovel. Others had guys that would plow only and they did their own walks etc. Quality of their work come into play as well. Does your schedule allow you do do the snow work?
Remember too it also means more tractor wear, maintenance, the changing of attachments, installing weights, chains etc.
gzec
14 years ago
Look at the surrounding areas. See how most people are doing it. Blower is an expensive attachment to be wrong!
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if you are mechanically inclined, go for the 345, MUCH more machien than the current X3xx series. if not, then get a new machien with a warranty. as to "a x534 and it takes 1 hour 20 min. to mow 7/10 acre 48 inch deck " that is going to be due to your personal mowing habits and obsactles. i mow my 4 acres in in 2.5-2.75 hours on my X500. i have over 50 trees to mow around, and i have them either mulched or sprayed 4-5' around them so i don't have to trim right up to them with the tractor. my lawn is as evenly mowed as anyone elses, no skips/streaks/strips/etc.. so either you are going REAL slow, you back up a lot, or you have a lot of obstacles. no way a X5xx series should take that long on less than an acre. in the areas where i have no trees/obstacles, i can mow just over 2 acres per hour.
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User
14 years ago
"Blower is an expensive attachment to be wrong"... not a chance it's a wrong choice in Buffalo.

Your JD 345 will do a yeoman's job as long as you add a pair of wheel weights, about 4 suitcase weights to the rear, and chains and get at the snow before it's higher than you sitting on the tractor.

A blade would be a waste of money there, but the blower will work nicely. You'll want to watch the snowfall and get after it at about 10 to 12 inches.

I've been in upstate NY in winter and he who hesitates is buried so repeated snow attacks are the proper war plan.

Have fun
jdgx335bill
14 years ago
Wow-haven't been on this site for a couple years or more! Anyway, I have a GX335 with the 42" snowthrower and mine kicks butt. That said, mine's an 03 with 20HP and only 200 hours, but I'm sure yours would be fine. Look for a used blower and good luck.
bunnyman
14 years ago
No you don't need suitcase weights. You will want tire chains. I never had any problems with snow even if it was deep, packed down, and wet. Lots of blowing, drifted, lake affect snow around here.... never even challenged my 345. I moved up to an X485 for other reasons. Kept the 345 for a couple years just for the snow but parted when offered a fair sum of cash.... hard to justify two JDs for one guy! Way better then a plow truck in my opinion. Plows make huge piles of snow... throwers toss it further and spread it out so that it does not heap up. A buddy with a truck sometimes does a sweep up my drive but then I have to go knock holes in the piles for the propane man to fill my tank. Thrower does a fair job of getting up close... much better then a plow truck. I have back problems and avoid using a shovel for even small amounts.

My biggest problem was going to fast. The tractor will bounce leaving a washboard finish. Sometimes wished the front tires had more bite for turning sharp. Be careful around ditches and drop-offs... if a tire drops in you are stuck (pop hydro release and pull out with truck).

{{gwi:355598}}
User
14 years ago
You will want the suitcase weights along with the chains and if you can swing it wheel weights.

The chains are a must if the snow freezes at all. Turf tires are as slippery on ice and frozen snow as snot on a peeled onion.

The wheel weights will increase traction and the suitcase weights hanging off the back will counterbalance the blower which eases steering and improves traction on inclines.
bunnyman
14 years ago
The 345 has power steering... no need to off load the blower weight. Those front tires need the load for steering. Works out really good as the steering wheel needs to be palmed while working the chute direction with the other. With a little practice the snow can be put exactally where you want it thrown.

I've had shovels, plow trucks, back blade, and a couple throwers. Far and away the 345/thrower was the best. Small enough to get in close but powerful enough to eat snow like it was made to do. I've yet to buy a thrower for my X485!?... this forum will get the first reports when and if. Hmmm... been wondering what to buy myself for christmas....

Other options that are really nice would be a ski mask and carhart snow suit. Maybe a slow moving vehicle sign in case you feel the urge to clean all the drives around you.

If a guy really needs more weight I advise two beers after work everyday until you have gained 40lbs. Worked for me... *hic*

How about a look at the other side of the machine... notice the dusting of snow everywhere but on the seat.

{{gwi:317538}}
ducati996
14 years ago
wonder how the OP made out with his decision? seems like its been busy around his parts -

I would say his machine would be fine, if setup correctly like the others have suggested...

Need advice on snow removal. Deere 345 w/ 42' snowthrower or plow

HU-417800823

Comments (9)

tomplum

gzec

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