Hello from E. WA State

[gaheadrick]

Looking forward to a whole new experience in the mountain country and deciding on what type of machine (UTV or compact tractor) to purchase for our needs here. I need to plan for the worst weather/snow and have the right equipment to operate safely. We have steep narrow drives and variable snow conditions. Listening and learning. Thanks everyone.

 

[Artisan]

Did you buy something up there recently?
Perhaps moved up there from somewhere else?

 

[gaheadrick]

Hi Artisan,

No, no purchase yet, just trying to decide what to purchase; tractor or UTV. We have just spent our first month full time here in Chelan, WA. Used to live in Seattle area and spend weekends over here, then 11 years in Memphis, and now back "home" in the PNW. Getting ready for a full winter!

Symbion

 

[The kid]

:welcome: to TBN. You've come to the right place for your questions.

 

[Bob77064]

Welcome

 

[creekbend]

Welcome aboard. Best wishes.

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[mguitas]

:welcome:

 

[kensnelling]

Welcome from Oklahoma.

Ken

 

[Ron JD670]

Looking forward to a whole new experience in the mountain country and deciding on what type of machine (UTV or compact tractor) to purchase for our needs here. I need to plan for the worst weather/snow and have the right equipment to operate safely. We have steep narrow drives and variable snow conditions. Listening and learning. Thanks everyone.

Welcome from SW Oregon.
Fortunately we seldom get enough snow to worry about.
Good luck and best wishes.

 

[cqaigy2]

Welcome from Western Washington. I grew up on the Eastside but live on the Westside for a number of years. We don't usually get much snow on the westside, but are somewhat remote. This year we had snow, icestorm that dropped 18 inches of snow then coated it with 2-3 inches of ice. We were without power and couldn't get out to main roads for 10 days.

We have wood stove we can use for heat, electric generator that can run our well etc, chainsaw and a Power-Trac tractor for plowing etc. The Power-Trac works well for our property because our terrain is hilly with trees so it's pretty stable and maneuverable. One more thing you might look into is a snow machine. I remember most people in snow areas had them for fun and transportation when heavy snows hit.

 

[gaheadrick]

Hello cqaigy2,

I will look into the Power-Track tractor too; having steep terrain and ice could be dangerous withou the right equipment, chains and use of some good common sense. There are so many options as to manufacturers, sizes, HP, front and rear implements to study. I'm researching everything I can and hope to decide on something by November. Appreciate your welcome and suggestions.

Symbion

 

[stingray1]

Welcome.

 

[ugo4it]

Welcome to TBN.

 

[gaheadrick]

Hello UGO4it,

Appreciate your welcome. I've been in Nova Scotia many times for business and absolutely love it there. Winter can be quite tough as I'm sure you are well aware! Looks like you have just the equipment to tackle it all. Thanks. Symbion

 

[gaheadrick]

Thanks Stingray1, Any chance you are a Corvette enthusiast/owner? Symbion

 

[Millwood]

I just joined TBN after buying my Kubota B3300SU. Lots of great information I've used already. I'm over here in the Spokane Valley, of Eastern Washington. I don't know what you will decide to purchase for your property, but we cross country ski in the Chelan area almost every winter and I can tell you one thing about your area in winter, it's 5 year cyclic. What that means is you will have almost average snowfall for 2 winters, then get hammered the 3rd, then below average the 4th and 5th, before the cycle begins again. Whatever you decide, get 4whl, get chains, get a wood stove, get a gen set and get ready to be socked in for 2-3 weeks minimum that 3rd winter in Chelan country!

 

[gaheadrick]

Hello Millwood,
You make some great points and they apply to this area perfectly. The cycle is something you are more familar with than I but I have seen a maor difference in snow quantities and temperatures over the years when we used the property only seasonally; primarily a few weekends. A friend suggested purchasing 24-32 hp unit, with 4WD, chains and with an FEL upfront and a rear blower on the back. This seems to make good sense too. We'll see which winter this turns out to be, as another friend suggested investing for the worst conditions to be prepared. He must have been referring to that 3rd winter you discuss. Thanks for the input. Symbion

 

[Millwood]

Wife read my post back to you gaheadrick and said I needed to say something positive.

You and family will never see a picture that will compare to the early morning winter sight you will experience around Chelan! When you wake up that morning of the first snow and find yourself standing outside in a foot of snow, barefoot, in your skivvies, drinking a steaming hot cup of coffee and not feeling the cold, you'll know what I mean!

Sorry, that's all the corn I can spare, with the drought and prices being what they are!

Both your friends make good suggestions. My B3300SU is 33hp, selective 4x4, diff. lock and a LA504 loader. It only has 10 hrs on it since I bought it last month, so I can't give critical suggestion, but it has plowed, tilled and run smooth to my expectations. Sorry to say, but I'm hoping for an extreme snowfall this winter to complete my evaluation of it.

As far as your other friend suggesting investing for preparedness. I'm US Army retired, with multiple deployments into hostile environments for prolonged periods, so that suggestion by your friend is a "No Brainer" for me and should be for everyone. Winter can mean survival!

Anyway Welcome to TBN, and Oh, wife says to tell you to get snowshoes! Machines can break or not run in winter, but snowshoes will get you there!

 

[cqaigy2]

Wife read my post back to you gaheadrick and said I needed to say something positive.

You and family will never see a picture that will compare to the early morning winter sight you will experience around Chelan! When you wake up that morning of the first snow and find yourself standing outside in a foot of snow, barefoot, in your skivvies, drinking a steaming hot cup of coffee and not feeling the cold, you'll know what I mean!

Sorry, that's all the corn I can spare, with the drought and prices being what they are!

Both your friends make good suggestions. My B3300SU is 33hp, selective 4x4, diff. lock and a LA504 loader. It only has 10 hrs on it since I bought it last month, so I can't give critical suggestion, but it has plowed, tilled and run smooth to my expectations. Sorry to say, but I'm hoping for an extreme snowfall this winter to complete my evaluation of it.

As far as your other friend suggesting investing for preparedness. I'm US Army retired, with multiple deployments into hostile environments for prolonged periods, so that suggestion by your friend is a "No Brainer" for me and should be for everyone. Winter can mean survival!

Anyway Welcome to TBN, and Oh, wife says to tell you to get snowshoes! Machines can break or not run in winter, but snowshoes will get you there!

Yes, winter around there is beautiful! A buddy of mine and i were doing some snow camping while backpacking. We were a few days in on the other side of the ridge on the back side of lake chelan. We walked to the ridge and looked down on the lake around 1000' below and what a panorama! The fog had frozen out on to everything creating these large flake like crystals, and as the sun came up, it lit them up like millions of incandescent rainbows. When walking the shoes would slide along making musical sounds as the crystals broke off and slid across the snow.

Fall, maybe my favorite time, with the cooler weather and wonderful color of the foliage. I guess i could go on and on, maybe when i retire i'll be able to get back to that side of the state.