[TheForge] northern tool question

[sos at frii.com]

Hi Terry,

No experience with Northern's tractor/snow blower offerings.
We have 1/4 mile of driveway due to being the second lot in. When we first
moved to Maine (from Colorado), we bought a good sized yard mower and put
a snow blower on it. We found that getting six inches off the gravel drive
meant we were stuck pretty good. The shop we bought from applied the yard
mower to the purchase of a bigger machine. What we bought was the smallest
tractor Cub makes that can mount a front end loader. I can get you the
model if interested. Cub's have a driveshaft for the PTO to the
snowblower, instead of a belt. This is supposed to allow much better
transfer of power.

It has worked pretty well for us over the past five years. We've had a
couple of problems, with excellent support from our local dealer (Bartlett
Service in Bartlett, NH). Our snowblower has led a hard life; a few years
ago we tried to work on driveway drainage with some fist sized rock.
Drainage improved, but boy did I have to replace a lot of shear pins.
There was also a fair bit of wear and tear on the rest of the machine,
especially the impeller and screws. After five years use, we had to do a
major rebuild on the snowblower. So that gives you an idea of future
expenses (hopefully your future machine won't encounter quite as many
rocks).

Getting on and off of our machine when the snowblower is mounted is pretty
awkward. On the right of the seat are the two levers that control the
hydraulics; Cub's intention is that you mount the machine from the left.
This is fine until you add the snowblower, which has a long control arm
coming up the left side. I can get on from that side, but it is pretty
tricky. With snowblower, I mount from the right. So if you want to look at
Cub's, be sure to check this out.

Do keep service in mind. If you're planning on doing service and repairs
yourself, that's one thing. If you want a shop to do it, consider buying
local.

Steve

> 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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