[AT] More on snow blowers

[Greg Hass]

A couple of months ago I was hot to get a 3 pt. snow blower; even 
looking at them and talking to salesmen as well as to this list. Well, I 
never did anything about it as life got in the way. When I was looking 
at snow blowers my knee was in terrible pain 24/7 .  I had x-rays taken 
and was sent to a knee doctor. However, with Christmas and New Years  it 
was a 6 week wait to see the doctor (he said it was a torn  Meniscus); 
and another 3 weeks before surgery. It has been 5 weeks since the 
surgery and I go to therapy 3 times a week. I can get along a little 
better now but I have not done a single thing in the shop since 
November. They said in therapy that this takes longer to heal than a new 
knee. Back to the story: My long time dream has been to make a self 
propelled snow blower out of an old combine. I have an old IH 203 that 
has been stored for about 10 years, but at my age and with how slow I 
work it isn't going to happen. In the past month we have had two snow 
storms of twelve inches each. Because of my knee and due to the fact my 
skid steer has been broke down since late Nov. my brother cleaned the 
drive with his 70hp. IH with 4 wheel drive. The snow blew so deep in a 
couple of places that even with that tractor he could not push through 
without bucketing some out of the way first. I keep driving through 
dealer lots looking at snowblowers and thinking about it. Well, last 
week I decided to act. So, today me and the wife drove to a town a 
hundred miles from here and I bought a Ford 340A loader tractor. I 
decided it would move snow and do other things (when I put duals on the 
tractor I can lift them up but cannot get out of the skid steer to bolt 
them on so I have to try and plan ahead and get help. Now I should be 
able to do it myself. I always worry about used stuff but I can't afford 
new for my 110 acres so must do the best I can. The tractor seems ok but 
the pto seal leaks some and the fuel pump looks like it leaks, although 
none was dripping when running. I will probably get it next week. To see 
it go to www.hodgesfarmequipment.com and click on used tractors and 
scroll down to the 340A tractor and that's what I bought. P.S. the hour 
meter doesn't work and various things tell me actual hours are about 
double what they list.
           Greg Hass