[TheForge] northern tool question

[dann]

Terry,

I run   a  3 point hitch  7 foot snow blower that  I run on my old 
856 International tractor.
That is a 1970 vintage tractor is an aging diesel that runs in the 
100 hp class (more hp if you run a turbo -charger) 100 hp.
A  good running tractor of that vintage, runs in the $4,000 to $6,000  range.
I think that I paid about $800 for the big blower at a farm 
auction.  I've seen them sell cheaper,  since.

I've run it for over 10 years with just a few shear bolts for repair costs.
When you grind the snow blower into a cinder block, or a 4 by 4 post 
that some one failed to pick up before snow fall, a shear bolt is a 
cheap repair.
I have often opened up neighbor's driveways, when their walk behind 
snow blower was overwhelmed.
Mine will deal with "real" snow banks.

My brother runs a smaller snow blower on his  little kabota 
diesel  tractor, but I  don't know what brand he bought.
He buys new stuff.

Like a cat fish, I am a bottom feeder : get my stuff from the bottom 
of the food chain.

I love the way his Kabota  "sips" diesel fuel.
Still,  brother  bought his Kabota  purchased new f@ 5 or so  times 
the cost of my much larger diesel,
but when we get a  real snow fall,    I wouldn't trade mine for his.

Last year, My father-in-law  bought a new Ford " (small tractor ) 4 
wheel drive diesel that looks a lot like my brother's Kabota.
Father-in-law runs an older snow blower,  perhaps  a 5 foot  version 
of mine. on his.

My old tractor has a good cab and a good heater.
My father-in-law's  Ford  now has a  pretty ingenious home made cab 
on it, that he built this Summer,
  but  I doubt that it is  as warm as my "antique" tractor.

Ease of getting on or off the tractor might be an issue for you.
For example, my father-in-laws new Ford  tractor  is much easier  to 
get on and off.

I've no experience with Northern tools "farm like"
  implements"

Dann

At 05:09 AM 11/18/2008, you wrote:
>hello;
>
>would anyone have either firsthand experience with the tractors and
>3-point hitch snow blowers for the tractors that are sold by northern
>tool? given my continuing inability to walk much nevermind attempting to
>walk behind a 2-stage snow blower i am looking at a tractor with snow
>blower as an alternative. i am also looking at used tractors with a
>front-end loader.
>
>http://www.northerntractor.com
>
>also would anyone have plans for building a log splitter?
>i have searched on the internet and none of the plans i have found are
>what i would consider complete and safe. i am looking for a vertical
>log splitter. i have enough trouble balancing my own body when i attempt
>to stand up nevermind attempting to pickup a log to place in a
>horizontal log splitter. i have roughly 10 full cords of wood that needs
>splitting.
>
>i need some projects for the winter. i am all ready getting bored with
>the cold and damp weather settling in on us. one can work crossword
>puzzles for so long before one's mind starts to go.
>
>
>--
>terry l. ridder ><>
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