Looking for a implement to remove ice

[ttstraw]

Ok folks I want to run something past you before I make a purchase. The situation is this; leave that thin layer of snow on the driveway so the rear blade doesnt take the gravel off and sure enough we get a warm snap with some rain and then cold again. Now I have a bob sled run instead of a driveway, this happens at least 2 twice a year and sometimes more. I was thinking that a box blade with the rippers set at the lowest might work to rip that inch or two of ice up and allow it to be removed. Has anyone tried this before? Wouldnt mind having the box blade and if this is another viable use then it may be an easier purchase.

 

[Dutch445]

easier to get a load of small stone, and spread
it on top, it'll give you traction, and loosen some of
that ice. i'm afraid that if that base is still cold,
you will pull up large hunks of gravel with the ice
with the rippers.....

 

[Egon]

Is that what is called "Catch 22" ?

 

[JB4310]

Depending how thick and hard the ice is, it could be like dragging those rippers over concrete, not gonna do much but scratch it.

If the ice was only an inch, sitting on totally unbound crushed stone, in other words the stone is not all frozen together with the surface ice. You might be able to get under it, but it would be a mess.

Most likely you'll have to treat the surface, like Dutch mentioned, if you had a pile of the same stuff as what's on the drive now, you could still justify getting the box by using it to drag the gravel on the surface, then in the spring you have a little extra material on the surface, nothing to clean up.

JB.

 

[JOELENAHAN]

A TPH spreader with ice melt would be the answer, but this could be very expensive(cost of the ice melt). Buy the box blade and try it out for yourself. I have never tried using my BB to break up ice with the rippers, but I have my BB on most of the year just because it is the best ballast I have. Do you know anyone who burns coal? I am fortunate to have an endless supply of ashes. When icy conditions come about, I fill my loader with ashes and spread them with a shovel or slowly dump them in the icy spots. Once the sun heats them, they break up the ice enough to get some traction. The only problem I have with the ashes is if I put them too close to the front door, seems the wife is bitching that they somehow make it into th house. Go figure.

 

[ttstraw]

The drive is mostly dirt with stone in certain areas and usually there is bare or close to bare dirt on the crown so I think the rippers would be able to get under the ice. My neighbor has been buy cinder this year since we have had two pretty bad situations already this year. Biggest reason I want to get the BB is to try and dress up the dirt/stone drive just figured if it would work on the ice it would be another check on the "plus" side.

 

[bc realtor]

A standard 3 pt spreader and some sand may be the best route?

 

[hr3]

I'v used my BB for removing ice from my drive,,works ok. It takes a few passes and gets most of it up.. I don't use the rippers though..

 

[dirt ditch]

Depending on the thickness of the ice and how cold it is I don't know if the rippers of a BB could penetrate it, let alone break it up. If they did, there is a good chance of popping out chunks of the road beneath the ice.

Spreading sand mixed with a small amount of salt or other form of ice melt will give some traction and melt ice down to the low 20 degrees Fahrenheit. When the sun is out, the sand will absorb more radiation than the ice is reflecting and help speed up the melting process.

 

[Egon]

A standard 3 pt spreader and some sand may be the best route?

This may be one of the best alternatives.