5 Mar ’12
So I still have my post up on Craigslist and found a '94 Ford Ranger 4x4 Extended Cab with 150k miles. 5 speed. No plow but I think I would prefer that -- meaning it is not beat up. I would spend the next few months trying to source a lightweight residential plow for it. I just need to be able to drive with an angled blade to push the snow off of the road.
This would give me a heated cab, a 4x4 vehicle, and the means to transport things in something else other than my minivan. I would lose the hydraulic ability of the tractor, grading blade, etc.
I figure I win some and lose some... any advice?
P.S. the truck has a recent clutch, clutch master cylinder, and some other work and looks like it is in pretty decent shape and not beat down. Going to check it out tomorrow night.
12 Oct ’12
What about buying a lawn tractor with a snowblower on the front of it?
Pork, Have you considered a old lawn/garden tractor? If you go with the older ones (back when they were built tougher), you can get good setup pretty cheap (and not have to sell your big tractor).
I paid $375 for this set up last year. Came with the snow plow, 3 point hitch, 1 bottom dirt plow, and a 36" garden disc and wheel weights. Check around on Craigslist; there are a ton of them out there.
12 Oct ’12
So I still have my post up on Craigslist and found a '94 Ford Ranger 4x4 Extended Cab with 150k miles. 5 speed. No plow but I think I would prefer that -- meaning it is not beat up. I would spend the next few months trying to source a lightweight residential plow for it. I just need to be able to drive with an angled blade to push the snow off of the road.
This would give me a heated cab, a 4x4 vehicle, and the means to transport things in something else other than my minivan. I would lose the hydraulic ability of the tractor, grading blade, etc.
I figure I win some and lose some... any advice?
P.S. the truck has a recent clutch, clutch master cylinder, and some other work and looks like it is in pretty decent shape and not beat down. Going to check it out tomorrow night.
3.0 v6 or 4.0 v6? I have owned 3 Rangers over the years, and quite honestly, wouldn't waste my time with another 3.0 (they get the mileage of the 4.0 with the power of a 4 cyl).
5 Mar ’12
I have considered them. I actually owned an older Craftsman that we bought for the land. Sadly the engine gave out before I could plow or snowblow with it.
I just don't think one of those would cut it. I need a blade that is at least 5' and ideally 6' so that when I tilt the blade I can still clear the road in 2 passes (down the road and back). It is 1/2 mile each way and so that is a mile of clearing snow. My 8N tractor struggled for traction some days when I was plowing without chains and I just don't see how one of these could push such a large blade -- even the older and larger Deere 318's (for example).
Just saw your post -- this Ranger is the 4.0. I agree on the 3.0 -- that's why this one got my interest.
5 Mar ’12
True. I want to get a really lightweight plow like a snowsport or snowbear -- which weigh very little. So little that it is said you don't need to beef up the suspension at all (e.g. the Snowsport is ~66lbs). The downside is all of the cheap plows are the very large ones -- there are fewer of these smaller ones out there and they are more expensive.
5 Mar ’12
All it needs is a front 2" hitch. It is a manual rotate deal and it doesn't have any hydraulics. For my uses I think it will be perfect because you can just lift the blade off and use the vehicle if you need to. Doesn't look like it would work but from everything I can tell they are awesome.
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