001 Kubota LX3310 with LX2963 struggling in the snow!

[@drbankhead1]

Nice job! Everyone starts somewhere. We are here in Utah (6000 ft) and have the LX3310 with the commercial blower. What I have found useful is starting from the top of the mountain and blow going downhill. Like a lot of locations, we get all types of snow but on the mornings with I wake up to more than a foot, I take the “top down” approach. My setup has chains on the rear tires and I can move snow as deep as 24”. The LX is a snow beast and for anyone on a slope I would go with chains and wheel spacers on the rear help me feel more stable. I went with BORA 2” spacers on mine. Keep up the good work! Dr. B

[@MultiJono86]

This is where a 3 stage blower makes a ton of sense because theres an impeller fan in the middle of the main auger that prevents snow piling up like that.

[@BeginnerforBSeries]

Good first run. Like others said, just going a bit too fast for the intake. The wet sticky doesn't help either but spraying some wax spray in that whole box will keep it from sticking so much. I use a product called More Shine which is a tire shine product for tires. Works great! I definitely recommend loading those rear tires. They won't affect compaction with you mowing and will also help with stability while mowing. There is just not enough weight without having loaded tires. Good luck... you will love that Kubota. It's a great machine!

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Thanks for the advice. I am really liking the LX3310 so far. That heavy snow was a pressure test, and it did great.

[@jimb9935]

finally someone that says they have wet snow that really has wet snow,

[@xdude2x]

I have the LX3310 cab with loaded turf tires and the commercial blower. I also have a rear blade with hydraulic angle kit. Traction and power are never an issue. Thanks for the video

[@Malpeque_Bay_LX3310]

I have a LX3310 with the larger R14's. They are loaded and i have the commercial front blower and a 1672 rear blade. I find that combination will keep the rear end planted. I also run a LP 2584 rear finish mower in the warmer months and have no issues with the loaded tires on the lawn.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've got a feeling there's some ballast fluid in my future....

[@bernardtyo980]

I also have a LX3310 Cab kubota tractor with the LX2963 blower. I had the dealership put on wheel spacers for more stability, and I also put on quick disconnect hoses for the bucket. R14 loaded tires and a ballast box. I have had no issues with blowing snow. A nice video by the way.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Thank You! This snow fall was really tough. I've been blowing snow with my 1025R since 2016 and I've never seen snow this sticky. I am really liking the LX3310. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the Deere, but this machine is a bit larger with a lot more grunt to it.

[@D-Allen]

2:21- I have the B2650 with R4's and they are loaded and I mow my 2.25 acres with no issues at all. If you have slopes, which it looks like you may, I would definitely suggest loading your tires.

[@ASTANELAND]

I have the exact same LX3310 and 2963 Blower. I run mine in low range at 2500 rpm and don’t have any trouble blowing the snow here. I have chains on the front wheels which seem to work very well as I never have a problem with traction.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

This snow was freakishly heavy. Yeah, my LX defiantly worked hard, but I was very pleased with it. My other tractor, a Deere 1025R, would not have performed nearly as well.

[@jamescumbo1928]

You are running to fast. That is why you are pushing snow. If you keep doing that you are going to have far more damage than just shear pins. You have to give it a chance to clear the snow out of the first stage. I have an open station kubota and it gets cold so you stop and warm up. If it gets really deep Raise the blower up and take two passes. Good luck

[@chrisgramstorff996]

Nice tractor , I have a b2710 that I use for mowing my yard with loaded tires and it leaves no marks .

[@JeffGeorgalas]

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I'd have driven through the snow (with the blower raised and off) to the top of the hill and only blown the snow when going downhill just due to the moisture content of the snow in that specific situation. On lighter snows sure you could blow going uphill, but I wouldn't have done it on this video that you just published. I'd also check your hydro fluid in your rear end to see if you can smell any burnt fluid. You probably didn't, but it doesn't hurt to check. Also, with snow that deep and heavy, after making the first initial pass through the snow, I'd have only been taking half-width passes to make it easier on the machine. Again, just due to this specific snow having such a high moisture content.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Going down hill definitely makes a big difference. In the beginning of the video you can see my driveway, which is next to Gary’s. It’s also a good pitch, but because I get to come down, that first pass is much easier. There have been times when I’ve done as you suggested, driven up the snow and worked down. The R14s do well in the snow. I was a little reluctant to try that on this event because we had 11”.

[@JeffGeorgalas]

@@MikeSouzaProjects I understand your point, but the snow on the driveway actually HELPS with traction to a point. I'd bet that you'd have been fine. But as long as doing what you did worked for you, that's the important thing.

[@douglasbarrows8110]

Much too fast for those conditions

[@jean-robertbourbonnais6279]

And slow down …

[@rebel390]

Decreasing road speed would NOT completely solve the issue of the wet snow piling up. It is what it is... the compaction happens and the entire load starts slipping on the driveway surface. Each snowfall has it's own unique characteristics. That's why I stay out of telling people how to operate their equipment. I have people telling me in comments to keep the PTO RPM's up, when the tractor in the video has no PTO speed control lever. So that stuff is never helpful. This is a great video, showing the trials and tribulations of the snow blower operator!

[@reddfoxx2861]

Looking at the same setup. Mind me asking what it cost. Excellent video.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Thank You! Pricing a tractor is not a straight forward task, because there are so many options and add-ons. The LX3310 I have is no longer available, it's been replaced by the LX3520. If you option out an LX3520 with the Cab, the same snow blower and hydraulic chute deflector you see in my video, you're going to find the price around $35K (2/25/24). Add a front loader and the price goes up, etc... Kubota has a pretty good tool for configuring a tractor, they call it "Build My Kubota". Check it out, whip up a build and add the options you want. If you run into items you don't understand, I'd be happy to answer questions as I'm sure your local dealer would too. Where in this great country are you located? shop.kubotausa.com/buildmykubota/

[@michealwhynot]

Wow man your definitely! Going to fast for that little tractor slow down

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Determining the right ground speed when blowing snow definitely takes some feel. If you go too slowly, the blower won't load with snow and the snow won't blow very far. Keep that up and the chute will clog. You need to go fast enough to load the blower fan and keep the snow velocity in the chute high, but not so fast that you reduce the engine speed too much, which also reduces the throw distance and chute speed. That snow was the heaviest I've encountered in the 8 years I've been blowing snow with a tractor. I was probably pushing it just a little more than I should of, because this tractor is new to me, and I want to find its limits. But I wouldn't go too much slower than I was going.

[@robertkaro6424]

Velocity of the fan blade isn't determined by ground speed........it spins at the same speed until it slows down by excess snow delivered to it by collection augers and the resulting lower engine RPMs....going slower (ground speed) would have been your better option to allow the blower to handle the snow.... coating the blower with some anti stick substance also is an option but doesn't usually last very long..... also making sure the blower is not warm because that also adds to poor performance as the snow sticks easier to warm surfaces........most of your problem was due to the operator@@MikeSouzaProjects

[@roadglide1142]

I just got last fall a B-2601 for my 4 acre property in NH but I just put a Fisher plow on my new Ram 2500 for the heavy stuff!

[@doubleg8030]

i own 2 of these setups and no problem what so ever. Where's the fire? Too fast! all that spill. Blower needs time to process the snow. I enjoy snowblowing with the tractor and make the day out of it. Slow and steady. Not stressing every component. It's a little tractor not a cat 950.

[@Leafgreen1976]

Exactly.

[@petebell9808]

like the LX 3310 great machine but the LX 2963 didn't impress me the way the snow builds up inside the barrel part above the auger , that's reason the blower was pushing more then blowing auger to small for barrel , think ill stay with John Deere , awesome video over all

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Kubota also makes an LX2980, their Commerical Blower. It has a bigger box, a bigger fan, wider 3-piece chute and a one-piece auger. It is probably the better match for the LX3310. I know it would have handled this snow better. Kubota's front snow blowers are made by a company named Rad-Tech. They make snow blowers for a number of OE companies, including John Deere... ;-)

[@TODD.GO.49ers.PACKER]

Are you new to heavy wet snow? In Wisconsin, it is very common. We use Silicone spray on the entire snow thrower auger, blades and entire inner frame.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Sadly, in Connecticut our snow is often wet and heavy. But this snow was not typical. It was really sticky and it packed really easily, which made it tough to get it into the blower as it would sheet up and plow in front of it. I really had no choice but to push the tractor a little harder than ideal to get the snow to build up enough for the auger to feed it to the fan. I use some Griot's Garage spray wax, just because I have it (use it on my cars, bikes) and it works pretty good. But I had not yet sprayed this blower. It's brand new, just came home last month.

[@PEI_Guy]

I call that super sticky snow. Great for the kids to make forts but very hard to move.

[@alanskinner7031]

I did a super job fixing my kubota, the first week of November I bought plane tickets to Tucson! Problem solved.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

That's one way of dealing with the snow... :-)

[@osbyeudeanscott8342]

You need to slow down. You’re on a driveway, not in your car driving down the expressway. Ever think about using half a blower width instead of trying to use the full width of the blower. Better save up your money for tractor repair!

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

"Better save up your money for tractor repair!" Too funny... I love it...! Don't try this at home. But.... I do work for a Kubota dealer. How better can I learn what these machines are capable of than by pushing them to their limits. I'll tell you what, the LX impressed the heck out of me in that heavy snow. I pushed the heck out of it. I cleared 5 driveways that day, totalling about a mile in length. During those hours of hard operation, I burned a few of gallons of diesel and broke 2 auger shear bolts. No biggie. I roll with a dozen spares and a couple 1/2" wrenches.

[@cowshottv5867]

Agreed. Stupid at its finest. I could only watch like 2 minutes

[@rickoliver5684]

when you hear the engine ]lugging] start to whine slow your speed done and keep it constant. if you have speed control, set your rpm for 2500 and engage you blower, then set the speed to allow the blower to work smoothly. it works better if you don't lug it. there is no need to do that. you forcing it to work harder by lugging it, you won't get the constant build up.

[@richscott2952]

Take your time you’re pushing , like you’re going slow but you’re really going fast. If someone plowed this with a truck, the destruction they would cause would be 10 times the length of time that you are spending and they would need shovelers by the garage door you’re supposed to come in from the side on the garage doors and travel along the face of them to make for less shoveling

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

You didn't get to see it, because I didn't want my video to run for 37 minutes, but that is what I end up doing. By coming straight into those garage doors, the blower will leave a long berm parallel to the doors. Once I have a wide enough spot where I can come in from the side without driving on (and packing) untouched snow, that's just what I do to deal with the berm.

[@rodgermunson3178]

must be nice to be wealthy and have nice toys

[@TheRussellStover]

Before I purchased a tractor. I read that everyone who wanted a cab and didn't get a cab regretted it. So... I got my tractor with a cab and I don't regret it.

[@bandit6048]

I would have been more impressed with how much snow it could blow than how much it could push.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

I too was disappointed with the "plowing" effect. This tractor is new to me, but this wasn't my first time in the snow with it. That didn't happen during the first two snow removals. This snow was so darn sticky and it packed together so easily that I virtually couldn't get snow to the fan without plowing to some extent. It's February 29th, so the chances of us getting a nice light fluffy snow fall here in Connecticut before spring is dwindling fast. I may not get a chance to try it out in powder until next year.... :-(

[@mikehunt-ew3pm]

love the sails man who tries to sale something that's not going good

[@troyelliott9465]

I own 3 of these, similar setup. Slow down, if your pushing snow, your travel speed needs to be lower, match your speed with the blower capacity to process the snow. IMO. Enjoy

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

I'm still getting a feel for this machine. It's a bit different than the Deere 1025R that I learned on. This snow was super sticky, which caused a lot of packing and plowing. I felt that my speed was about right, but I'm getting a lot of feedback here to the contrary. So I will take those pointers into the cab next time it snows. Thank you!

[@johnmacdonald2493]

Good video but always snow blow in low gear that’s what I do with no problem kubota.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Yeah, I went about 10 feet in medium range before I knew it was time for low range.

[@hahnsolo9471]

What altitude is your location? Keep in mind you loose 3% of your horsepower for every 1000 feet of altitude gain. You may not be getting the full 30 HP expected.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

That is true of normally aspirated engines that rely on atmospheric pressure to charge the combustion cylinder, but the LX3310 is a Turbo diesel. Turbo engines don't suffer the same loss with altitude, so I should be getting the full 31 hp. I am about 500' above sea level.

[@chadbinette3201]

Slow down and bring your rpms up and that should chomp right through that snow. Live in Maine so I know that heavy wet sticky snow. The first pass is always the toughest, after that you can always take smaller swipes. Never heard anyone complain "I have too much power" nothing better than a snowblower though, nice clean driveway no snow banks to worry, no lawn digging up, not going back and forth with a plow like a bumper car, ext. Plus I don't know how the break in period for that 3310 but after that might go smoother.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

My engine speed was full throttle, 2,500 rpm, which is recommended in the snow blower operators manual. I kept the HST in low range. I have to agree. Blowing snow takes technique and skill, but it's so much smoother and more enjoyable than plowing.

[@tsar01]

You were going way too fast for 11" of wet snow with a 30 HP machine. Go slower it will be less stress on your Kubota and you will throw the snow better, I drive a 150HP JD6110M with a front 92" blower for an outfit here near Montreal. If I drive too fast my shear pins snap all the time in the wet. Your little Kubota took it like a champ though. :-)

[@chadbinette3201]

Rather then filling the tires you can get wheel weights and take them off in the summer. In my opinion there is no compassion to filled tires and/or wheel weights, just puts the weight and traction right where you need it. A ballast box does help a lot when doing loader work but for traction can't beat wheel weights and filled tires.

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

I've found that if I use the weight box with the snow blower, I lose front wheel traction and steering effectiveness. The weight box does put weight on the back wheels, but it lifts weight off the front wheels. I am so tempted to have my back tires loaded. Maybe I'll take your suggestion and try some wheel weights, because I can remove them in the summer.

[@geolovett1808]

plow might work better in most snow situations

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

A plow isn't a great option for my driveway or Gary's because our driveways are too long. With a plow, you can only push snow so far before the weight builds up, exceeding the tractor's ability to push it, usually because of traction. A plow also has the drawback of building up large piles that can get in the way and take forever to melt away. Plows are also kind of tough on the pavement. With a blower, you can remove snow from an unlimited length of driveway because you are literally throwing the snow out of your way, relocating it off of the driveway. Blowers are not great for light snow falls (

[@mikehunt-ew3pm]

I bet you will have a jacket on when your shoveling all the snow you pushed in front of the garage door

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

@@mikehunt-ew3pm actually, once I’ve got a long drift in front of the doors, a bring the tractor from the side and blow the whole drift into the yard leaving access to the doors clear. No shovel needed.

[@robertbanas3332]

You are going to fast for the snow load on the Augers

[@robertbanas3332]

Absolutely! Slow down

[@christopherlevanowitz7509]

Moving way to fast every tool from a table saw to an implement has a correct feed rate,you just overtaxing your machine

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

I try to keep the load to where the engine speed does not lower by more than 10%. In this case, that would mean 2,250 - 2,500 RPM. This stuff was packing and plowing in front of the blower, so I was pushing it a little harder than that just to get the snow to the auger. Once I got that first path cut, I was able to take partial bites, but even those built up in front of the blower.

[@christopherlevanowitz7509]

@@MikeSouzaProjects like I said moving to fast been operating since 72 shouldn't move faster than the blower can swallow it, if it's piling slow down, good luck rookie

[@paternest2085]

You are going way to fast. Slow down and take your time.

[@harrytaylor6854]

Your going to fast

[@nathanniemi3372]

Yep, too fast....

[@doubleitp]

Seriously slow down. You're way too hard on it. That's wet snow, not fluffy. You're doing damage.

[@steveedinger9869]

Good video you should’ve got a gear drive and has a lot more power You lose 2/3 of your power by hydrostat.

[@JeffGeorgalas]

You absolutely DO NOT lose 2/3 or your power on a hydro. YES, there is SOME loss with a hydro, but nowhere near what you think. I own both, large and small tractors, and both gear and hydrostatic transmissions.

[@steveedinger9869]

@@JeffGeorgalas I got my information from a Kabota sales personnel I bought a L 3902 I tested a L 3302. Hydro It wouldn’t pull two bottom plow the L 3902 Gear Dr. will easily pull a three bottom plow.

[@JeffGeorgalas]

@@steveedinger9869 I don't care where you got your information, it's wrong. NO hydrostatic Trans tractor loses 2/3 of it's power due to the transmission. It's about a 15% loss at most, depending on the HP of the tractor. Oh, let's see a video of your 37.5 HO machine pulling a 3 bottom plow buried all the way down. You've got a KZbin channel, why don't you have videos all over the place of your machine putting in work?

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

There definitely is some loss through an HST. The LX model is not available in gear drive. Even if it were, I'd still go HST because my wife uses our tractor quite a lot and I don't think she would if it were gear drive. She likes the simplicity.

[@robertbanas3332]

Please! Its hard to watch you operate like this,the machine is laboring to throw tst dnow

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Yes it was... This was the heaviest snow I've seen in many years. This stuff is a nightmare for any snowblower. Many would have just clogged the chute and stalled out. But the Kubota grunted, ate it up and threw it 30 feet away.

[@Pierre-b8w]

Way too fast

[@MikeSouzaProjects]

Lot of folks have commented similarly. But I have to say, I just watched my video again and I'm not sure I agree. That first pass was brutal, cutting a path uphill. But once I got through that, I was taking very small bites and my ground speed was keeping the blower nicely loaded so that it maintained good snow velocity in the chute without slowing the engine too much. The snow was deep and wet, which used up every one of those 31hp. But I was really impressed with how the machine did.

[@jackpedrick4670]

Slow down ! To fast