What's your ideal snow removal tool?

[Piston]

There is a guy on plowsite (I think Mogman?) who was using a unimog and blower, but ended up buying a tractor and inverted blower. You might want to PM him and get his opinions. Please update us if you do.

If Any of these tractor companies came out with an HST for utility sized tractors, then that right there with an inverted blower would probably be the absolute most efficient driveway clearing setup there is.

Too bad I don't see that happening in the near future though. BUT, since your planning for 25yrs from now, you should be golden!

 

[JohninCT]

So, I'm a dreamer with alot of time to think. I'm only 30, but my retirement dream is to have a piece of equipment that I could do my subdivision's driveways with. There are probably 50 houses... so estimating that half would hire me... it would be to pass the time, not get ritch... so my fee would be attractive... it would just be nice to cover the cost of the machine and upkeep. Driveways probably average 100', and come in all configurations. At 1st I thought; no brainer... tracked skid steer with a snowblower!... but after giving it some thought, I'd like to take the wife along too... so perhaps a SXS with tracks and cab... but that's kinda light duty for heavyer or deeper snow.

So that leads me to my question; what would work best? Obviously nothing's going to be perfect... most things are a compromise.

Home made's not out of the question either. This thing's pretty awesome!
Homemade Tractor Plowing After Another Snow Storm - YouTube

Some things I have in mind it sould have;

-heavy
-tight turning radius
-good visibility

What I'm not sure of;

-tracks or tires?
-if tracks... 4 with two that steer, or two like a dozer?
-if tires... fat or skinny? My gut says skinny to dig down... but that home made rig I posted seems to do well with fatties.
-also if tires... single steering, dual steer, or articulating?

Two home made visions that come to mind; #1 would have dual 14 bolt axles that articulate with 53" XZL Michelins (both can be had for cheap), S10 cab in either a cab over configuration, or rear mounted engine (somehow LOL)

#2 would be a cab over truck (Hino, GMC...) with the driveshaft running a hydraulic pump... running two motors on full length tracks.


Let's hear it!

There is a guy on plowsite (I think Mogman?) who was using a unimog and blower, but ended up buying a tractor and inverted blower. You might want to PM him and get his opinions. Please update us if you do.

If Any of these tractor companies came out with an HST for utility sized tractors, then that right there with an inverted blower would probably be the absolute most efficient driveway clearing setup there is.

Too bad I don't see that happening in the near future though. BUT, since your planning for 25yrs from now, you should be golden!

So, I'm wondering... why deprive yourself of 25 years of fun? With all the climate change and stuff maybe in 25 years there won't be any snow. I say don't delay... Live for today!

 

[leonz]

So, I'm a dreamer with alot of time to think. I'm only 30, but my retirement dream is to have a piece of equipment that I could do my subdivision's driveways with. There are probably 50 houses... so estimating that half would hire me... it would be to pass the time, not get ritch... so my fee would be attractive... it would just be nice to cover the cost of the machine and upkeep. Driveways probably average 100', and come in all configurations. At 1st I thought; no brainer... tracked skid steer with a snowblower!... but after giving it some thought, I'd like to take the wife along too... so perhaps a SXS with tracks and cab... but that's kinda light duty for heavyer or deeper snow.

So that leads me to my question; what would work best? Obviously nothing's going to be perfect... most things are a compromise.

Home made's not out of the question either. This thing's pretty awesome!
Homemade Tractor Plowing After Another Snow Storm - YouTube

Some things I have in mind it sould have;

-heavy
-tight turning radius
-good visibility

What I'm not sure of;

-tracks or tires?
-if tracks... 4 with two that steer, or two like a dozer?
-if tires... fat or skinny? My gut says skinny to dig down... but that home made rig I posted seems to do well with fatties.
-also if tires... single steering, dual steer, or articulating?

Two home made visions that come to mind; #1 would have dual 14 bolt axles that articulate with 53" XZL Michelins (both can be had for cheap), S10 cab in either a cab over configuration, or rear mounted engine (somehow LOL)

#2 would be a cab over truck (Hino, GMC...) with the driveshaft running a hydraulic pump... running two motors on full length tracks.


Let's hear it!

ARE dreaming with our money or yours???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


Speculation is fine in gold futures and pork bellies BUT....................................................


Unless you can snag every home owner the effort is nothing more than a
waste because the economies are not there for you unles you have a long term contract.

A used Volvo L-70 front end loader may get you what you want with an 8 foot snow pusher BUT
you will have problems with visibility. Home made articulating tractors cannot be made for cheap Loonies.

 

[Scooby074]

Home made articulating tractors cannot be made for cheap Loonies.

This!! Then there is the whole licensing insurance thing for a homemade tractor.

All this talk of snowblowers and the like, ignores the fact that our winters have been getting milder year after year. I only used my blower twice, and if I had a decent plow, I likely wouldnt have needed it!! Looking forward, a plow is much more practical especially considering that we have to deal with a lot of wet snow and slush, which doesnt blow well at all. If this trend continues, 20 years from now, there may very well be no snow to speak of!

 

[NS Gearhead]

So, I'm wondering... why deprive yourself of 25 years of fun? With all the climate change and stuff maybe in 25 years there won't be any snow. I say don't delay... Live for today!

LOL, I've done enough "Living for Today" in my earlyer adulthood... and now I'm stuck with 5-7 years of dept repayment... in addition to a big mortgage.

I do plow some neighbors now... but I don't accept money, because I can't comit to doing it everytime. I'm a shift worker and considered esential services... so work can't wait to move snow. Plowing after retirement is more of just something to do that I enjoy... and if I can come out even then it's worth doing... then it's a toy payed for.

I think I really have it narrowed down now! Instead of starting completely from scratch... I'll start with a GMC W4500... or equivalent. Drivetrain, cab, frame, are all ready and working as they should. I'll add a divorced 205 transfercase... maybe even a 203/205 doubler... dual steering Rockwell axles with Detroits... big Jebus loaded tires... I would like the option of a plow or blower... Best part if this setup is that I could acutally use a camper hauler/ Jeep tow rig now...

 

[NS Gearhead]

ARE dreaming with our money or yours???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Mine... but if you guys wanna take up a collection, I'll make yas all proud!

 

[NS Gearhead]

Home made articulating tractors cannot be made for cheap Loonies.

It's been my experience that anything worth having doesn't come cheap or easy.

 

[NS Gearhead]

This!! Then there is the whole licensing insurance thing for a homemade tractor.

All this talk of snowblowers and the like, ignores the fact that our winters have been getting milder year after year. I only used my blower twice, and if I had a decent plow, I likely wouldnt have needed it!! Looking forward, a plow is much more practical especially considering that we have to deal with a lot of wet snow and slush, which doesnt blow well at all. If this trend continues, 20 years from now, there may very well be no snow to speak of!

My subdivision seems to be in the "snow belt". We're 400' above sealevel, and get as much as 2x the snow my in-laws get 10min away. What part of NS are you in Jason? I'm in Grand Lake (by the airport).

Oh yeah... never thought of the insurance thing... I know I could register a modified vehicle that I start with as a Off Highway "red plate". Then I'd be on the same payling field as an ATV... don't know how the insurance company would feel about granting me buisness insurance if I'm technicaly not supposed to be driving on the road from driveway to driveway. Never looked into registering something as a tractor... that wans't originaly.

 

[Karl2]

Oh yeah... never thought of the insurance thing... I know I could register a modified vehicle that I start with as a Off Highway "red plate". Then I'd be on the same payling field as an ATV... don't know how the insurance company would feel about granting me buisness insurance if I'm technicaly not supposed to be driving on the road from driveway to driveway. Never looked into registering something as a tractor... that wans't originaly.

If it's anything like here all that's required to register a DIY tractor is to have the contraption inspected by an accredited mechanic. Once a tag is issued you can insure it. Depending on what your machine looks like it might be wise to make sure the tags are for an actual tractor, not a dune buggy or a Mars Rover.

 

[NS Gearhead]

I'll start with a GMC W4500... or equivalent. Drivetrain, cab, frame, are all ready and working as they should. I'll add a divorced 205 transfercase... maybe even a 203/205 doubler... dual steering Rockwell axles with Detroits... big Jebus loaded tires... I would like the option of a plow or blower... Best part if this setup is that I could acutally use a camper hauler/ Jeep tow rig now...

Here it is;

What do you think?