Snow Plowing a Gravel Drive - Problem Solved!!!

Tomtint · Oct 3, 2014

Wouldn't it be easy enough to put a set of caster wheels behind the plow. Maybe 1/2" below the blade edge. Just like a set of wheels for a rear rake. That way when the blade is all the way down, it is still above the gravel.

jambx · Oct 3, 2014

thatguy said:
So you dont think you dont need the cutting edge to support/secure the mat? I assumed (and you know what that makes of you) - that the cutting edge was needed to keep the mat in place. Otherwise I figured the mat would just pull through the bolts unless you used some really big washers..

Brian

Yep you are right - after I stated that I got to thinking - it would not work - I will leave as is - it really works well and I can not complain the same mat lasted three years. I will keep it as is.

jambx · Oct 3, 2014

Tomtint said:
Wouldn't it be easy enough to put a set of caster wheels behind the plow. Maybe 1/2" below the blade edge. Just like a set of wheels for a rear rake. That way when the blade is all the way down, it is still above the gravel.

Yes I assume casters would work but I am not a fan especially in the winter - I would think the casters would be digging in and leaving a trail of marks etc. I prefer a nice clean look.

parisbruce · Nov 1, 2014

you post your fix for plowing on gravel in 2011....any follow-on, how has it worked out over the years..any lessons learned before I try it.

thanks

parisbruce · Nov 1, 2014

you posted your fix for plowing on gravel in 2011....any follow-on, how has it worked out over the years..any lessons learned before I try it.

thanks

outoftractorluck · Nov 2, 2014

parisbruce said:
you posted your fix for plowing on gravel in 2011....any follow-on, how has it worked out over the years..any lessons learned before I try it.

thanks

It worked as advertised for me, past two years. Absolutely recommended. You do scrape a little gravel depending on conditions but not so as you'd worry. I cut the mat with a utility knife. Made an initial cut then folded the mat along the cut and cut it all the way through. It works on gravel but also avoids scraping paved driveways. The amount of rubber that you leave below the plow blade seems to determine how aggressive the result will be and how much gravel you scrape. I left about 2" of rubber below the blade. The rubber folds a bit and squedgies the snow. I live in Virginia so the snow doesn't freeze that hard. In a colder climate you might need to be more aggressive (less rubber?) to clean the harder snow. Good luck!

parisbruce · Nov 3, 2014

Thanks for the feedback...I live in Northern Va on the blue ridge so I get the same snow conditions.

jambx · Nov 9, 2014

parisbruce said:
you posted your fix for plowing on gravel in 2011....any follow-on, how has it worked out over the years..any lessons learned before I try it.

thanks

Absolutely! it has really worked better than I ever imagined - I still have almost all the gravel still on my drive where as a neighbor has had to replenish his at least 2 times (he hires his plowing out to a guy and front blade - in the spring his drive is a mess). Finally after three seasons I had to flip over the rubber since it wore through where the rubber bends against the plow edge but I am really on it so with a 6x4 foot stall mat I should be good for a very long time. Just this past month however I picked up Curtis Front Blade and will be adapting this rubber stall mat method - there is not reason why I can not get the squeegee effect with the front plow.

sandyc · Nov 10, 2014

Once the ground freezes there are no problems. On my first pass of the new snow I leave about an inch of snow to freeze and give me a base that usually lasts all winter. From then on I float my plow or blower and have no problems. Of course if it melts and the ground thaws then I have to start all over again.....oh well, more tractor time.