Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Using FEL on gravel drive

[Mac25]

Have been reading for a few months on how to clear snow on a gravel drive without removing too much gravel in the process. I have seen a lot of ideas from using pipe to pvc. Received our first snow today in Indiana (unexpectedly) and as usual I procrastinated a bit on getting the B2320 ready for winter. I was a bit reluctant on using the pvc because I didn't think it would stay on very well while dumping the snow from the bucket and was not sure how long it would last before it wore down. With some extra pipe laying around and snow coming down now, I decided to try it. I put it in a vise, chalk lined it and cut it with a jigsaw. Very suprisingly, it fit very snug and didn't come out too bad. I have not actually used it on the drive yet, but at least it is ready to go.

 

[mpham]

I need to get mine set up also. I've been using it for brush and tree work though so am trying to wait as long as possible. We have been having a warm spell around here with no snow in the foreseeable future.

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't know how well the PVC will hold up, but good luck!

When plowing my drive, I curl the bucket slightly up (the heel of the bucket would be lower, by an inch or a bit more, then the cutting edge. That works for the majority of the snow, but won't clear down to bare gravel.

 

[grsthegreat]

I usually always get some gravel until the ground really freezes. Heck, i even get some gravel with the hardened shoes on.

 

[JIGBUILDER]

My tractor/loader/box blade weighs about 7500 lbs. My limestone gravel driveway is 1/4 mile long out across the pasture. I sure wish the PVC pipe had worked for me. I pushed several 30' -50' long spots and removed too much gravel as the front of the tractor/bucket drops as snow packs up in front. I tried several bucket angles and depths and finally gave up. My driveway isn't flat so I put runners on the end of my BB. Works great but sure puts a crick in my neck looking back so much.

 

[lilranch2001]

I fretted for 6 months after I got my tractor last year, and then decided heck with it, lets see what happens.

So last spring, I worked for a couple hours cleaning up stone, what I couldn't get up easily, you couldn't see by the Fourth of July
:tractor::tractor::tractor::tractor:

 

[moored4]

..... I have seen a lot of ideas from using pipe to pvc. ...............I was a bit reluctant on using the pvc because I didn't think it would stay on very well while dumping the snow from the bucket and was not sure how long it would last before it wore down. ......... I put it in a vise, chalk lined it and cut it with a jigsaw. Very suprisingly, it fit very snug and didn't come out too bad. .....................
View attachment 239600

So What size pipe did you use! We don't get enough snow at our place to justify the cost of a blower. the pipe ideal is one I think I'll try! :thumbsup:

 

[Mac25]

It was 1 1/2 inch schedule 40 pvc.

 

[jlrsn]

I've used Roy Jackson's method for years by curling the front of the bucket slightly up and letting the the heel of the bucket ride on the ground. Only when I try and remove ice formations by leveling the bucket will I move a little gravel.
Jim

 

[whistlepig]

Have been reading for a few months on how to clear snow on a gravel drive without removing too much gravel in the process. I have seen a lot of ideas from using pipe to pvc. Received our first snow today in Indiana (unexpectedly) and as usual I procrastinated a bit on getting the B2320 ready for winter. I was a bit reluctant on using the pvc because I didn't think it would stay on very well while dumping the snow from the bucket and was not sure how long it would last before it wore down. With some extra pipe laying around and snow coming down now, I decided to try it. I put it in a vise, chalk lined it and cut it with a jigsaw. Very suprisingly, it fit very snug and didn't come out too bad. I have not actually used it on the drive yet, but at least it is ready to go.

View attachment 239600

After you use a FEL on snow for a while you'll get good with it. I started out with an ATV with a blade and still do have this set up. After I learned pushing snow with the FEL I prefer using the FEL.