Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Big Snow: Wait Til It's Over? or Take It In Bites?

[RalphVa]

For this last snowfall, I made about 3 separate trips to push snow. Lots easier to push than to have to use the front end loader. I still had to use the front end loader quite a bit the last trip out.

Turf tires push pretty good. Main problem with a back blade is that it isn't tall enough to "toss" the snow. I'd go until I had quite a bit built up in front of it or until it started to spill over; then I'd turn to the side and lift it. I'd like to have a snow plow that mounted onto the 3ph or a snow blower this winter. You quickly run out of space to put the stuff. We're well over 50" for the season here in central Va. Go walking through the snow, and you sink up to your knees. Below is what our 4 legged foes are up again.

Ralph

 

[etcallhome]

I agree about doing it a couple of times versus just 1 time.
Fri evening went out and did off 6-8 " Well at 11pm we were close to or over that same amount.. Well Sat morning had 18" of the white stuff and still snowing. Went out at 7am had to work the blower so much harder and it seemed to take a lot longer. Took over 2hrs just to do 4 drives plus my own. Any other time I'm guessing 1 1/2 hrs or less.
Getting the amount we got and then trying to move it 200' or more by the time you get to the other end your in 5' deep snow or deeper..

Fun but also a pain in the b---.
Just my 2 cents

 

[beenthere]

RalphVA
That pic has been around a long time....right?

Not that the animals are fighting their way through your deep snow. But it won't be there for long.

I find it is better to plow at least once a day. Passed on our light 2" today, but expect about 6" tonight and another 4-6 tomorrow. I have my doubts it will happen, but hope it does. We haven't seen the ground since Dec. 1, and I like a winter like that. Hope it lasts to the middle-end of March.

 

[bp fick]

Katahdin's Shadow Outfitters - Deer in Deep Snow

 

[JJT]

When I plowed with a small tractor, every 6-8" required a plow out and the banks had to be pushed way back.

When I plowed with a truck, every 12" or so had to be plowed out. (and the banks had to be pushed way back).

I've been using a tractor mounted snow blower for the past 10 years and will never go back to a plow. It doesn't matter if there is 3" or 3', I make 1 pass when the storm is over and I have no snow banks.

 

[riptides]

I prefer until it is over. Even the heavy wet stuff. The less time I spend outside when it is blizzard like the better.

Maybe if I used the cab tractors I'd have a different opinion, but I doubt it.

I think it boils down to personal safety for me, I have hit many a thing I shouldn't have over the years during storms, and then there is the old find the driveway trick, which I still have not mastered. If the snow has stopped, along with the wind, it usually makes getting my bearings easier.

 

[mwb]

Nothing in the world prettier or more satisfying than going out after a big dump and blowing two feet of snow and leaving a perfectly clean driveway with square banks. If you get enough snow to need to push it three times during a storm then you definitely need a blower.
Equipment does matter, my old ford did not have a two stage clutch and I could get in trouble if it piled up but with the new HST the snow depth is never an issue.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Nothing in the world prettier or more satisfying than going out after a big dump and blowing two feet of snow

Something about this part of your post that really got me laughing..

 

[bp fick]

Have about 3 really good lines....., but... I think I'd better leave it alone.

 

[POC]

What do you do with the ice??? I went down my drive yesterday, on the backhoe, trying to scrape through the ice. I busted it up, and was able to get the car out of the drive, but gee whiz!
Our driveway is a long uphill drive from the house to the road, about 800 feet.