Getting my Ranger ready for winter road maintenance

[KeithT]

I just moved into a house we built in August. This is our first winter here. The drive is 900 feet long and paved. Also have a large concrete pad in front of the attached 3 car garage, a 24x40 foot concrete pad beside the garage, and I built a 3 car shop several hundred feet from the house.

The drive has a 200 foot steep section. The builder and workers were always telling me wait until winter, you get a lot of snow up there, the hill will be bad, yada yada yada....

I have been working for a couple months getting my Ranger ready. I already had a polaris glacier plow. Works well but I will be upgrading to a full hydraulic Boss plow before next winter. I got a Buyers spreader for the bach that i spread limestone 4-way chips. It has an in cab variable controller and it works very well. I had to add a weight distribution set up since the spreader loaded weighs around 350#s. also just put new tires and wheels on. decided to go with the Maxxis Ceros, and I have been very happy with their snow performance so far. I have a set of tire chains, and have the tractor too if needed. I added a dual battery kit with yellow-top optima battery to handle the additional electrical accessories, a heavy duty clutch and belt (from dirty dog performance) and various lights for night time plowing. I have 15 tons of limestone 4 way chips at the top of my drive and a ton of salt in my shop.

So far so good. Had a 14" snow and several smaller snows. I am real happy with how it all works other than the manual angle on plow and the winch activation (why I am getting the Boss).

a few pics below.

 

[timswi]

Now that there is NICE!!!!

 

[SARG]

*If I had that kind of money I'd hire it done*

 

[Slatecreek]

Nice set-up! Are 4-way limestone chips you are referring to the equivalent to 1/4 inch limestone? How well does the spreader work with the limestone? Does it clog? Any information would be helpful. Thanks for posting the cool pictures.

 

[KeithT]

Nice set-up! Are 4-way limestone chips you are referring to the equivalent to 1/4 inch limestone? How well does the spreader work with the limestone? Does it clog? Any information would be helpful. Thanks for posting the cool pictures.

The 4-way chip are a little smaller than 1/4" I believe. The spreader works great with 4-ways. I am using some 1/4" limestone too and I do not have any problems with clogging. Every once in a while though a larger piece of limestone will stop the throwing disk. I just turn the spreader off and go back and manually turn the throwing disk in the direction it turns about 1/2 a turn. There is an auger in the spreader that brings the material down to the throwing disk. Flow rate is controlled by an in cab variable speed control.

I am happy with the set up. If you think it would help, I will take a picture of the limestone I am spreading. -Keith

 

[Low Bucket]

I am real happy with how it all works other than the manual angle on plow and the winch activation (why I am getting the Boss).

Nice Ranger.

I bought a 72" hydraulic Moose blade for my Ranger Crew.-But it still requires a winch to lift the blade.
Moose Utility Division - Product Catalog

I also bought the Moose hydraulic kit for the blade on my ATV.- I bought the blade and kit at the Honda dealership.- It was cheaper than buying from Moose.- I also have a Meyer blade on my tractor.- I use my ATV to clear snow off sidewalks.

 

[Slatecreek]

Thanks for the quick response, that is a great idea using the limestone in a spreader. I have used the 1/4 limestone to manually throw on the driveway before, but I am currently using cinders. Looking for a better and quicker way, thanks for the information.

 

[KeithT]

Nice Ranger.

I bought a 72" hydraulic Moose blade for my Ranger Crew.-But it still requires a winch to lift the blade.
Moose Utility Division - Product Catalog

I also bought the Moose hydraulic kit for the blade on my ATV.- I bought the blade and kit at the Honda dealership.- It was cheaper than buying from Moose.- I also have a Meyer blade on my tractor.- I use my ATV to clear snow off sidewalks.

I will check it out. My brother had a moose plow on an atv and it was very well made.

 

[KeithT]

Thanks for the quick response, that is a great idea using the limestone in a spreader. I have used the 1/4 limestone to manually throw on the driveway before, but I am currently using cinders. Looking for a better and quicker way, thanks for the information.

In the spring I will use a blower to move left-over gravel to the berms. Limestone is a little cleaner than cinders too. I got 10 tons delivered for $223, and it was listed on the bill as #8 limestone. Around here I believe cinders are around $10/ton.

Cinders would work real well in the particular spreader I have too which would keep your options open. -Keith

 

[Diamondback]

KeithT,

I notice the arrangement on your rear hitch receiver has some sort of extension/elevated section that appears to be anchored with two tie rods. Is that specifically for the spreader or could it be used as an elivated hitch receiver for say trailer pulling as well.

Thanks, Diamondback

 

[KeithT]

Really I think it is best just for the spreader. I posted a couple of pics below so you see for yourself, the first is with the spreader fully loaded. The stock hitch on my ranger is only rated for 150#. I have a height adjustable hitch with a triball attachment so I could get the height needed for the spreader. The hitch and spreader empty together weigh around 125#. Loaded prob around 350#s. I have used it a lot this winter with no problems.

As far as trailer towing, I would worry more about lateral movement than the tounge weight. -Keith

 

[Diamondback]

Interesting setup, thanks for the pictures.

 

[Diamondback]

KeithT,

Looks like we've got another big one closing in on our area and that spreader is looking a whole lot better than a shovel. Mind if I ask where you got your set up?

Thanks, Diamondback

 

[KeithT]

Bought it on ebay. was around $700 delivered. It has proven invaluable this winter.
-Keith

 

[wallace]

Keith Before you buy the Boss next year look at the Blizzard plows.
I put one on my Husquvarna and I love it.
Also I spy a Kioti in one of your pictures...A older one at that..let me know if I can ever help you out with parts on it.

 

[KeithT]

You have a sharp eye.... I actually need a couple of things for the Kioti. I will try to call you tomorrow.