Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Drifts are KILLING me!

[alltherage]

We bought a cub yanmar ex2900 a couple years ago. It's been great, and the last 2 winters have been no problem overall. We live on the top of a hill in western NY though and get pounded with wind here and there. When conditions are right, the drifts can get pretty bad...4 foot high or so.

Here's our current setup...grooved tires on front and back, tires not loaded, no chains, and a 5 foot plow from an old truck that was converted to 3 point.

Here's what I see...the plow isn't very heavy so I don't cut the best with it. I've experimented with suitcase weights but I notice a loss of traction up front. I've tried putting some in the bucket too, but invariably I end up dumping them out by accident. Traction, overall, is good. It's more an issue of the plow not getting down to the ground all the way sometimes, and I end up spinning on the snow. Of course, that leads to a base buildup that, during a warmup, creates slush and ice. We have a gravel driveway, so the plow works well for 95% of the plowing situations. It's just that when it drifts, the snow gets packed in and harder to move.

Should we go with a 5' snowblower, and keep that mounted when we have a good base over the gravel? I wouldn't mind switching out the plow and blower a couple times a year. My father-in-law told me to cut the drifts with the loader. That makes sense too, but I don't wanna be out there for hours on end. I like to play on the tractors and all, but sometimes I have other things I would like to be doing! lol

 

[whistlepig]

It's pretty flat here and it drifts badly. I use a loader for snow. Sometimes it's not practical to push snow even with a loader through heavy drifts. You just have to pick up the snow and move it.

 

[Rustyiron]

The old timer's used to put up snow fence upwind and 50' away to create a dump spot just after the wind (and snow) rose over the fence. You could plow a "make do" snow fence in a similar fashion if you have the space. Those stakes need to be driven before the ground tightens up.

 

[whistlepig]

If the driveway straight as an arrow a snow fence of snow could be made. But if the driveway long and and curvy with the wind blowing almost straight up the drive way that's not practical. I quit using a blade because of the hump the blade would make on each side of the driveway. This made the driveway a trench that blown snow would heap into. The wind will teach you.

 

[Marveltone]

The first winter I had my tractor was a real learning experience. I started out using the loader and rear blade to keep things plowed. By January, the berms on the edges of the driveway were so heavy and hard, they pushed the tractor around and I could not widen anything anymore. That's when I bit the bullet and bought the rear-mounted snow-blower. No regrets whatsoever. The snow gets thrown far away and never forms a hard ridge at the edge of the drive, lessening the drifting.

It was a big investment (for me), but well worth it.

Joe

 

[2458n]

Make your drive alittle bit taller then the lawn. The snow around here is moving pretty good with 20 mph wind right now. Do scrape your ridge of snow so it is on the downwind side of your drive. The snow fence is a great product if you have prevailing winds coming from the same direction most of the time. Keeps alot of snow where it belongs and is useful to change your drifts location.

 

[alltherage]

our drive is gravel...#1's and #2's...how do you deal with that? just keep it above ground level a bit until there's a solid base?

 

[radioman]

you need a packed snow base. you say you have the truck plow on 3 pt so drag it it packs snow into the driveway. Once it sets, you can snow blow to your heart content.

 

[Pine Strip]

Cutting through this mornings hard packed drift....The right equipment makes Winter snow blowing a pleasure.

 

[NHbotanut]

I have a long driveway that also gets drifts, although nowhere near what you get. I run a 60" rear snowblower with a 6 1/2' power angle snow plow on the FEL.

I love this setup as I can plow pretty quick with the blade ( up to 4" ) anything over 4" I use the rear blower and move the snow only once. No snowbanks or big piles or mounds.

Get the blower and you won't regret it!

 

[grsthegreat]

my biggest problem with using the plow is it allows for drifts..where the snowblower eliminates the snow necessary for the drifts to occur. There are several areas on the association that i plow where the wind causes 3-4 foot snow drifts if i dont use the blower. when i use the bolwer...and blow the snow in the direction that the wind is blowing..i eliminate those drifts. works every time

 

[dave1949]

View attachment 357352 View attachment 357356


Cutting through this mornings hard packed drift....The right equipment makes Winter snow blowing a pleasure.

It sounds like you are getting good results with the B-3000. Is that the 53" blower?

 

[D7E]

Get a snowblower . First year i lived here i used a blade and bucket Ended up clearing a 1/4 mile drive twice a day .

 

[tom1528]

The only way we have moved snow is with a 63" front-mount snowblower (MF 1410). We believed here in blowing-and-drifting country it was the best way to go, and nothing has changed that opinion. This winter, our second "out in the country," has been almost snowless in our part of North Dakota (although plenty of winter left), but last winter I spent many hours going over our 1/3 mile gravel road with it merrily drifting back in behind me, so multiple passes happened at times. The snowblower is great; not cheap but worth every cent.

As for snowblowing on gravel, I just let a packed snow/icy base build up, which calls for a bit of jockeying on the joystick but works well.

 

[alltherage]

The only way we have moved snow is with a 63" front-mount snowblower (MF 1410). We believed here in blowing-and-drifting country it was the best way to go, and nothing has changed that opinion. This winter, our second "out in the country," has been almost snowless in our part of North Dakota (although plenty of winter left), but last winter I spent many hours going over our 1/3 mile gravel road with it merrily drifting back in behind me, so multiple passes happened at times. The snowblower is great; not cheap but worth every cent.

As for snowblowing on gravel, I just let a packed snow/icy base build up, which calls for a bit of jockeying on the joystick but works well.

found a barely used Lucknow for sale for 800. going to look at it tomorrow. The guy thinks it's 52" wide and our tractor is basically 60" wide (57" when measured based on the rear tire treads) will this be an issue? I know you want to be as wide as the tractor,. but will this little bit make a difference? thanks

 

[alltherage]

D7...i don't feel so bad now lol

 

[Marveltone]

You really want the snow blower to be wider than the tractor. Tire clearance is the issue we're dealing with here. Minor snowfalls won't be much of an issue, but the big storms, drifts and a winter's worth of accumulation can make life very difficult if it's packed against your tires. I would look for something in the 60"-72" range, preferably 72".

Joe

 

[doxford jim]

found a barely used Lucknow for sale for 800. going to look at it tomorrow. The guy thinks it's 52" wide and our tractor is basically 60" wide (57" when measured based on the rear tire treads) will this be an issue? I know you want to be as wide as the tractor,. but will this little bit make a difference? thanks

Yes it will make quite a difference when driving backwards and using the blower.
I had some wings made to widen my snowblower effective clearing. They work well and I have made the blower essentially 6" wider by doing so. I can now clear the drive and leave clean sides to the snow whereas before the wheels would chew away at the snow bank where it was not cut. Ideally, I would think a blpwer 12" wider than the rear wheels would work the best and allow for moving the front wheel without any mess to snow banks. If you only have a short straight drive to clear, then blowing would be easy. My 1/4 mile long windy and slightly hilly drive needs a wide snow blower.
Here is a picture of what I did - hope it helps.