It is expensive, but I know of a few people who'd like such a rig. The reason a tractor or similar is not desirable is for transport. Typically folks here have to trailer a full-size backhoe or a wheel loader around to clear camp driveways. Driving a tractor from place to place takes too long, and loading and unloading takes time. This is a great rig--drive up, blow it out, drive away.
Around here, one guy gets $120 minimum to open a camp driveway, even if he drives off the trailer, one pass in, backs out and puts it back on the trailer. He told me he figures that the cost of running his dump truck, trailer, and 4wd Case backhoe to the site and back costs him that much.
I've thought about doing a bit of this as a side business (just pushing back banks around here costs $75-100/hr). I'd need a more serious snowblower than the old 3pt ford I have, but I could probably pay for it in one season. So far insurance has kept me out of it; I may look into it this year. From what I've heard, though, snowplowing insurance is expensive (almost as much as a new blower according to some!).
I don't think anyone would pay $96k for one, though /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I have heard that the ones that Northern Hydraulics sells for a few thousand aren't worth much in serious snow.
-Chris
