Building My Range

[Sir Henry]

One issue with using a plow on a small lawn tractor or even with our ATV is that the snow piles up on the sides of our driveway all winter long because our ATV doesn't have enough power to throw the snow out to the side very far. Unless we follow up and remove the snow on the edges of the driveway with our snow blower, the path through the snow would keep getting narrower all winter long.

A plow being pushed by something with enough power to throw the snow farther to the side would be a big plus.

Of course, this is snow country up here where the snow very rarely melts over our long winters, so it just keeps building up.

I’m thinking I can do the minor plowing. It seems we only get an inch or two at a time. Usually two or three days apart. Once in the two weeks I’ve been here we received about eight inches. That would be tough for me and in those occasions I might hire it out.

Another thing that might be hard is the snow drifts. Part of my driveway might have close to a foot at the edge from blowing snow. Even up against my garage doors I can find a foot of blown snow. The previous owner got snowed in many times because at the age of 86 he physically could not keep it clear.

Ya you betcha.

[GeoBoy]

Gene, we’re talking about something like this, https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_u ... /145930415
https://www.deere.com/assets/images/reg ... 5dd226.jpg
Of course you need a full cab, and mower.

[Sir Henry]

Gene, we’re talking about something like this, https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_u ... /145930415
https://www.deere.com/assets/images/reg ... 5dd226.jpg
Of course you need a full cab, and mower.

That’s about what I was thinking too. I need to see how much bordering land I can buy before getting a tractor.

[dave77]

You probably missed my post about our recent 2 foot snowfall. I just have a small plow on my mid sized lawn tractor and have no problem with 6-8 inches of snow, do have to make extra room for future snowfall and if we were to get a lot of snow over the Winter I might run out of room. The big snowfall gave my tractor and me a workout. On the first pass I could only make it about 10 feet before having to get off and shovel some of the snow in front of the blade out of the way. Once I had 1 complete pass made I could push it all with the plow, just couldn't take a very wide bite with the blade so it did take me most of the day to finish but I physically would not have been able to move all that snow with a shovel. This was a record snowfall here and in my lifetime the only snowfall even close to it was back in '97.

The 3035D John Deere in the link in GeoBoy's post would probably handle any amount of snow you would get but new it's $22,600 and that does not include plow, mower, cab and any other accessories.





https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_u ... t_tractors

[Sir Henry]

You probably missed my post about our recent 2 foot snowfall. I just have a small plow on my mid sized lawn tractor and have no problem with 6-8 inches of snow, do have to make extra room for future snowfall and if we were to get a lot of snow over the Winter I might run out of room. The big snowfall gave my tractor and me a workout. On the first pass I could only make it about 10 feet before having to get off and shovel some of the snow in front of the blade out of the way. Once I had 1 complete pass made I could push it all with the plow, just couldn't take a very wide bite with the blade so it did take me most of the day to finish but I physically would not have been able to move all that snow with a shovel. This was a record snowfall here and in my lifetime the only snowfall even close to it was back in '97.

The 3035D John Deere in the link in GeoBoy's post would probably handle any amount of snow you would get but new it's $22,600 and that does not include plow, mower, cab and any other accessories.





https://configure.deere.com/cbyo/#/en_u ... t_tractors

For $22,600 I could hire it out 565 times. I’m currently snowed in and don’t mind as there is nowhere I need to be. Even if I plowed my driver the main streets are covered in ice. Having a small tractor for other uses is more desirable.

[Hatchdog]

If you end up with a tractor (more versatile than the other choices for snow removal) consider a rear blade rather than a front blade attached to the loader in place of the bucket. I find that by turning my rear blade around and backing my tractor as I plow it is much more effective. When pulling the snow while driving forward the blade wants to dig down too deep and messes up my gravel. I have better control of the blade height going backwards and snow is more cooperative when pushed rather than pulled. Plus this way as you approach a berm you can raise the blade and push that snow load up higher on the berm.

A blower mounted on the front of a riding mower would be very effective as well. Only issue is keeping traction.

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[Sir Henry]

If you end up with a tractor (more versatile than the other choices for snow removal) consider a rear blade rather than a front blade attached to the loader in place of the bucket. I find that by turning my rear blade around and backing my tractor as I plow it is much more effective. When pulling the snow while driving forward the blade wants to dig down too deep and messes up my gravel. I have better control of the blade height going backwards and snow is more cooperative when pushed rather than pulled. Plus this way as you approach a berm you can raise the blade and push that snow load up higher on the berm.

A blower mounted on the front of a riding mower would be very effective as well. Only issue is keeping traction.




B6486640-780A-4D65-B149-6D64964E594D.jpeg

I don’t think that would fit under my garage door.

[Ernie]

IMG_0696.jpeg (144.15 KiB) Viewed 1007 times

This is what I use for snow. I have not had any snow it could not handle but I don't let it go more than a foot or so before taking care of it. Have 300 feet of driveway and with the 48" blower it takes me about 20 minutes normally for the drive, in front of the shop, mail box and about 40 feet along the edge of the road preceding my drive so the plow doesn't fill the entryway. I also have a 24" walk behind as a back up. I only mow 1.5 acres with a 52 inch deck so this tractor is fine for me.

[Sir Henry]

IMG_0696.jpeg
This is what I use for snow. I have not had any snow it could not handle but I don't let it go more than a foot or so before taking care of it. Have 300 feet of driveway and with the 48" blower it takes me about 20 minutes normally for the drive, in front of the shop, mail box and about 40 feet along the edge of the road preceding my drive so the plow doesn't fill the entryway. I also have a 24" walk behind as a back up. I only mow 1.5 acres with a 52 inch deck so this tractor is fine for me.

That’s about what I was thinking. Maybe a tad bigger. It all depends on how much land I end up with.

[cooperhawk]

I have a tractor with a snow bucket on the front and a blade on the back, but the best tool is a 1983 Ford Bronco that I have a Western plow on. I don't even have it licensed or insured, but it has a heater and a radio. I also have a back blade installed on the rear side of the plow.
I plow our half mile drive along with two neighbors and the service road in comfort.

The tractor is used when the snow gets too high in the yard to make more room by dumping it over the hill.

[Sir Henry]

I have a tractor with a snow bucket on the front and a blade on the back, but the best tool is a 1983 Ford Bronco that I have a Western plow on. I don't even have it licensed or insured, but it has a heater and a radio. I also have a back blade installed on the rear side of the plow.
I plow our half mile drive along with two neighbors and the service road in comfort.

The tractor is used when the snow gets too high in the yard to make more room by dumping it over the hill.

I wouldn’t mind having an older Bronco just because I think they are cool. I’ve owned three Bronco II’s.

[Ernie]

A bigger tractor would be nice sometimes except for the cost.
With the snowblower I am not making piles, it all goes away into the lawn. Another nice thing about a blower is No Matter Which Way The Wind Blows You Get Snowed ON. I have used a John Deer tractor with a cab ( mostly plastic with windshield ) and in very little time the only visible area was the windshield cleared by the manual wiper. Particularly after dark there was no vision out the sides or the back so now I just dress appropriately and knock the snow off myself before going inside.

[dave77]

Do all you guys with snowblowers have paved driveways. I have a gravel driveway and the plow does move it around a bit but I'm afraid I'd be breaking windows and denting my house with a snowblower. I did have a heavy duty snow blower at work but all my snowblowing there was on paved surfaces or grass. I did have to shut down whenever there kids nearby.

[daytime dave]

Dave, I have a gravel driveway. I have the shoes set so they will raise the blower up almost as far as possible. Having said that, it doesn't do much to set the shoes. There is a LOT of down pressure and I can lift the front end off the ground if I don't watch things. Learning how to control the hydraulics I don't throw stones as much or often. The main part is to keep the chute pointed in a safe direction. Around the vehicles and house, I don't point it anywhere near them. The only issue is that you can't scrape down to the bare. You will have to deal with a bit of compacted snow and or ice. Having a curve and grade, you also must have good tires and know what to do in a slide.
I keep the driveway clear when I can. The soft top cab keeps the snow off of me, but allows air to blow through by design. If I get too much snow build up on the plastic windows, I stop and use a snow brush to wipe off. I am thinking about a small electric heater to keep the front window clear, but I'm not sure. I want to talk to the dealer first.

[Sir Henry]

I received this today. I’ll be hanging them out tomorrow. It’s going to be a blast!

9D99DA4B-D922-4598-88CF-B5D625829469.jpeg (322.14 KiB) Viewed 1000 times

[daytime dave]

Gene, I have a similar product. Caps you put on various bottles and pump with air. They explode. There is a tether for the cap so it can be retrieved. I use it for air guns, but could use it for rimfire also.
Your hanging bottles look fun. I hope to hear about them and see a photo or two. I hope they hold up as claimed.

[North Country Gal]

We have a driveway that is gravel for most of its 500 ft length. The only paved portion is right in front of the garage which sits on top of a small rise.

Yes, gravel is a pain in the neck when using a snow blower, but we get by. Just need to keep a good supply of shear pins on hand and learn how to dig out stones that get caught in the blades. Other high failure items are springs and cables that actuate the controls, so it's also a good idea to keep some extras of those too.

[fortyshooter]

Those plastic self sealing bottles are fun to shoot Gene. I have had several of those.

[Sir Henry]

We have a driveway that is gravel for most of its 500 ft length. The only paved portion is right in front of the garage which sits on top of a small rise.

Yes, gravel is a pain in the neck when using a snow blower, but we get by. Just need to keep a good supply of shear pins on hand and learn how to dig out stones that get caught in the blades. Other high failure items are springs and cables that actuate the controls, so it's also a good idea to keep some extras of those too.

I’m beginning to think becoming a hermit might be a lot easier. Just kidding. Right now it’s glare ice in most of my driveway. I finally ventured into town and made it back up the hill in my driveway. The glare ice part is at top of the hill on level ground.

[Sir Henry]

Those plastic self sealing bottles are fun to shoot Gene. I have had several of those.

I didn’t hang them out. I can barely walk around because it’s so icey. How do you like them? Will they stand up to a lot of rimfire?