Blizzard of '03

Sedgewood · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Charlie:

I figured it's worth a new thread. We didn't quite get 2 feet. By my eye, there's about 18", with drifts over 3'.

We have about 15-18 inches here and finally it looks like it may go above 10 degrees for the first time since long before the storm was a gleam in Mother's eye and so with some luck I can get Petey started on moving it about. Petey is not so good for winging back the verges so I really have very limited options. The drive has been getting narower and narrower through the winter and already is down to about 8 feet. This may be a long day! My bucket too is now unreachable - must be a PT related behaviour!

Sedgewood

MossRoad · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Hmmm. Well. I saw a V-plow for a skid steer last night. Might just be the ticket for opening an impassable road.... oops, sorry, didn't mean to get the wallet opened again. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

MossRoad · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Just a tease

Click here for a link to their website. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

hazmat · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Charlie, glad you were able to blast your way thru. We got ~20" (hard to tell). I plowed 3 times, 6", 8" and 8". No problems, my ONE tire chain really helped (UPS hasn't delivered box #2 yet, was supposed to come friday, then monday, hopefully today).

I think with the plow, the key is to get out early & often. We've had a couple heavy wet snows that I wish I set my alarm to get me up in the middle of the night to get a run in. Pushing the snow is quicker than shoveling it with the Bucket.

Almost 8 feet of snow to date, still regretting not getting a snowblower.

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Scott:

We also got sleet, Monday morning early, which made the whole mess a lot heavier. Sleet at 20 degrees.

Not many snow blowers around, but the one little one in our area ran for about six hours yesterday, with several operators. For this stuff, it is definitely the answer. Too bad the ones for the PTs are so pricey.

Charlie_Iliff · Feb 18, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

 I think with the plow, the key is to get out early & often. 

I agree. I plowed three times Sunday, or I doubt I could have gotten it done Monday. Along with the 18" or so of snow, we got a bunch of the sleet that Scott mentioned. It made the whole mess really heavy. All of this was compounded by the wet snow Saturday which froze to about an inch of ice under everything. Whenever I'd plow all the way to that, I'd sit & spin.
But, I did a good enough job that I got to my ofice this morning. It is not an improvement over testerday. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

bubenberg · Feb 19, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

well Charlie, we finally got some. and the question with those high piles on either side of the driveways, parking lots and all other piles, what are we going to do with them next weekend.

i would like to share some of my seat time with Mr. M. R. i have way too many this snow storm. I left Sunday around noon and did not get back until Tuesday 5 AM. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The Cheap Snow Plow (CSP) made it through the first 24 hours of pushing, then a pin broke on the hydraulics. Today we are going back to R/D to reinforce the construction and pin somewhat, for the next weekend snow.

by that time the CSP failed it would have become not too effective anyhow. the larger Kubota and the 64 inch snow blower attachment, which was at home, would have become very handy. the logistics, the road conditions to slide a 22 foot trailer over a fifty mile customer base circle was not possible.

as some of you indicated, the pushing of snow in a straight line becomes a problem, especially up hill. in many cases this is the only way for me to get onto a property.

so i always remember just before i get myself into trouble, what my old men told me to do:"think fish" (how the bones of a fish are attached to the vertebrae), when it get's to a foot or higher.

what does he mean by this, right from the onset, when you execute your second push. make it at a 15 to 25 degree angle from your intended direction, once to the left and to the right, and so on.

but never the full with of either the bucket or plow. that will allow you:to push further, and to open for many consecutive snow falls in the future.

in order to be better ready for the next snow season we are going to post the progress of a Canadian build snow blower conversion to be used on either the 1800 or 400 series pt. we are investigating the necessary hydraulic or auxiliary gas engine conversion. then watch out snow storm of ??????

MossRoad · Feb 19, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

Thanks for the update... we were begining to wonder if you were under a pile of snow somewhere. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I remember the fish pattern from when we use to get snow around here 25 years ago. I hated to do it, but what else could you do when it gets that deep?

So, other than the CSP, how did the green beastie perform? Would a Vplow have helped to open up any areas?

bubenberg · Feb 19, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

re; V-Plow: i have often thought of making one. never tried one out. but wish i would have one, when the snow is heavy. in those instances the CSP, in the extreme left and right position has a tendency to follow the point if you are not too watchful. i think that is why the V-Plows are so popular from ATV's to Locomotives. The pt 400 falling in both divisions /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

the beasty does fine, just have to take smaller bits, i was still as fast cleaning everything, including sidewalk, across the street they were two , a plow truck and a walk behind snow blower. as a stated before, the truck can only push one way, with ease at the time, we push each way, all the time, anywhere, anyhow.

The bucket saved the day, the V-plow would have gone further longer/higher in these snow amounts. Oh by the way, i finally got stuck after 700 hrs, not once but twice, and can proudly say, it was impatiens or politically correct only operators fault . Not mine, never ..../ there was nobody out there with me .... get the hint. So i ended up shoveling snow anyhow for punishment.

 if you are trailering anywhere, make sure you have your bucket or plow ready to push as you come of the ramp, otherwise you are going to shovel ... get the hint?!?!?!

Sedgewood · Feb 19, 2003

Re: Blizzard of \'03

 i finally got stuck 

me too! I got astraddle a hard packed ridge on a path I made by trampling the snow all winter - finally had enough trampling and decided to plow it. No simple run with 18 inches of powder atop 18 inches off compressed all-winter snowfall. Plowing up hill, especially in the 10-15% range is a really slow go. And PT just won't go anywhere with snow under its wheels - even downhill - so there was just no way I could blast my way to the top and start from there. Like Hans says - be ready to move snow coming down the ramps. Once you land in the deep stuff the thing just sits and digs wheel holes - one at a time - while you tune your shovel. Chains might help - anybody know? It looks at first glance like there might be enough clearance for chains on the 1845. Charlie, how was traction with your turfs in the deep stuff?

Now if I could remember to park at the top when snow is forcast - at the top of BOTH hills. Hmmm.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sedgewood