Snowblower Reason to buy a snowblower

[DANOCHEESE]

I have plowed the lane 7 times in three days. 4:30 this AM the drifts were only 6 foot high. Using the plow truck creates nice wind rows that act as snow fence, and then I have snow traps.

I beleve a snow blower would blow the snow away from the lane and then I would not have 6 foot tall banks.

We did receive 17 inchs of snow and 30 mile an hour winds in wide open country.

 

[radman1]

Deep snow is the best reason for a snow blower. I use snow plow or blade most of the time because it is faster. I push the snow toward the side opposite from the direction of the blowing snow so the redrifting doesn't occur on the road. I live in the open spaces and have lots of wind. It works most of the time unless the wind changes directions or if I get too much snow and it can't be pushed back with the blade. In Nebr., the snow usually melts in 1-2 weeks after a snow. I previously lived in Minn. and realize the snow stays much longer on the ground and the piles get higher. I do remember 6' tall snow banks in MN. The last year I lived in Rochester, MN we had 98" of snow that winter. The northern parts get more.

Where I live now, I designed the 400' drive to be more snow proof. I had base material hauled in for the road and raised it above the surrounding ground 1' or more. No ditches on either side. This allows most snow to blow across the road and me to easily drive off the road where ever I want. A local company was trying to get rid of fill from an old building site which contained small peices of brick/tile. They hauled it 25 miles one way in dump trucks for $10/10 yard loads. (I probably could of got it for free since they were already paid to haul it out and needed a place to get rid of it.) They hauled it to my place almost one truck after the other. I smoothed it out with the Kubota 3710 and box blade as they hauled it. I struggled to keep up and my smoothing job was just enough to let them drive over. Where I smoothed it out, the next truck drove over and packed it. All done in 4 hours and both I and the tractor were tired. I lost count of the number of trucks. Over the past 5 years the road has never settled.

 

[George2615]

I have plowed the lane 7 times in three days. 4:30 this AM the drifts were only 6 foot high. Using the plow truck creates nice wind rows that act as snow fence, and then I have snow traps.

I beleve a snow blower would blow the snow away from the lane and then I would not have 6 foot tall banks.

We did receive 17 inchs of snow and 30 mile an hour winds in wide open country.

I believe you answered your own question.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

I stopped and took a look at a few this afternoon. Then I came home and the neighbor had his big tractor out with the blower. That is the way to go.

The county pulled all the plows off the road at 4pm today. could'nt keep up with the drifts. Start again in the morning. Most roads have one lane open for awhile. THe local State bull had to go rescue a snowmobiler as the ambulance could'nt make it to him.

I only had to plow four times today to keep the lane open.

 

[art]

If there are no banks to blow over then the snow doesn't get any deeper!
I like a loader for most all things but for snow removal in snowy areas with wind a snow blower is a must!
I've seen the snow bunchers I call them but they are just straight blades with sides on them to bunch the snow together and then a blower to remove the piles. Other wise to keep the neck muscules in good shape you might want to think about a front mount. The most important part if you want to enjoy it at all is to have power control of not only the rotation but the spout to!

 

[TimP]

I have a FEL and a 5' Rear Blade.

The Rear Blade works fine up to about a 4" depth. Then it get too much for the blade to easily move off to the side. I run up against two problems... first the snow is too heavy to move and my tractor (B2150) loses traction.

The other problem is the build-up of the banks along the side. Once that bank freezes up, your have a problem if it snows any more. There is no place to put the snow.

We had a 31" snowfall several years go, and I had no other option but to move it with the FEL, bucket by bucket, off to the side. I live 1/4 mile off the main road, so it took forever.

After that, I bought a snowthrower before the end of that season !

There is no substitute for a snowthrower when the snow gets deeper, OR, if you get a lot of snowfalls throughout the season.

Tim

 

[WayneB]

I use my FEL in some areas that are too close to the house to use the snow blower on. I have a rear Woods SS-60 and it certainly will move snow around and place it out of the way. We live deep in the woods and the driveway is almost 1000 feet down a hill. Prior to getting the snowblower I would use my rear blade and the FEL to move the snow. Problem was always with moving the banks back when we had multiple storms.

With the snowblower there are no banks to worry about. I thought about a front-end snowblower, but with that I would lose the FEL and I thought I really needed that plus the cost of the front-end unit was really high.

I find when blowing snow with my setup that it really isn't a problem looking backwards. Actually I find myself setting sideways in the seat most of the time. So it isn't too bad on the neck. Problem is the blowing snow so I wear a heated snowmobile helmet with visor.
It is slower than with the rear grader blade, but all of the snow that is in the width of the snowblower is gone once you back through it. With the blade I always had some snow that would come out either side of the blade.

With the right equipment and clothing rear snowblowing isn’t that bad of a deal. With the snows you are talking about and the drifts I believe the snowblower is the best way to go.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

I actually thoguht of the heated shiled and a snowmoble helmet. Just need to add power cord to the tractor. Blow a little snow then ride the sled with the same visor. I'm amased at how well the heated shields work when riding the sled. I guess the safety police will love me for wearing a helmet when tractoring.

 

[WayneB]

I actually thoguht of the heated shiled and a snowmoble helmet. Just need to add power cord to the tractor. Blow a little snow then ride the sled with the same visor. I'm amased at how well the heated shields work when riding the sled. I guess the safety police will love me for wearing a helmet when tractoring.

Yep and it certainly works on the snowblower and yes I have gotten off from the tractor and right on the snowmobile just to take a rest and short ride. It also keeps your ears warm!

 

[kwahl]

I live in Western NY on top of a tall hill with a 1800' driveway, half of which is wooded. Since I made it through 2.75 winters without a hitch, my 4320 and Ram with a plow did the job without too much of a headache, until.............. 6 weeks ago.

Here I am thinking that winter is almost over and now we have had nothing but terribly cold weather and snow constantly. After hiring out to move snow, too much for my FEL, I broke down and bought a Puma 84 w/Hyd rotationa and deflection. One of the smarter things I've done in my life.

I'll admitt that I have alot to learn, looking backwards is not the most fun and I definately need to reacess my clothing. That being said, what a time saver the blower is and the Puma is a tank