Buying Advice Need advice on snow plow

ernemats · Dec 9, 2005

Today we got several inches of snow so I thought I would try out my new snow plow. I did not get the wheel kit and I put my own rubber lip on it with 3/4" mine belting. It works fine if you do not angle the plow but as soon as you angle the plow one side of the blade is higher than the other and one side digs into the driveway and the other side leaves over an inch of snow, and also should you plow in float position???

Trackks9 · Dec 9, 2005

I always plow snow in the float positon

Barryh · Dec 9, 2005

Ernemats,

I don't have the Power Track plow. I adapted my 42 inch Craftsman plow which had adjustable metal runners on the bottom you can raise up or down. My plow does the same thing when you angle the blade, it hangs lower at the outer edge and try's to plow into the driveway. I use it in float position and along with the runners it gets the job done.

There seems to be a fine line when going up and down hills as to how much clearance and angle you need before it try's to dig in. I would think you may need to get the wheel kit or attach some kind of make shift runner to your plow for best results. Just my thoughts.

johara1 · Dec 9, 2005

ernie, use the tilt to level the blade when it's angled /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

toolz_not_toyz · Dec 10, 2005

( My plow does the same thing when you angle the blade, it hangs lower at the outer edge and try's to plow into the driveway. I use it in float position and along with the runners it gets the job done. )

The snow blade on my JD lawn tractor always did the same thing too. Never bothered to figure out why and I don't have the tractor or the threat of that amount of snow anymore.

Barryh · Dec 10, 2005

Ya,

I would say that is probably typical of most plows. Noticed the same thing on the big road plows when they come by with plow angled and lifted. One of these days I'll get a blower, but for now I am having to much fun plowing mine and the neighbors driveway.

We got around 5-6 inches Thursday night. I'm still waiting on a real snow. One thing for sure nothing seems to stop the 4x4 on this PT. Nice to just get in and go out no chains to put on or mess with. Sorry your missing out on snow plow duty I rather enjoy it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Barryh · Dec 10, 2005

So how is the new machine doing. Has any of the excitement wore off yet? Or is it still Christmas time under the tree. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Highridge · Dec 10, 2005

Yes, that 4x4 sure is sweet! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I drove through 4 inches at full speed and the PT went through it like nothing. I'm sure it could do 9" too!

Barryh · Dec 10, 2005

>> I drove through 4 inches at full speed and the PT went through it like nothing. I'm sure it could do 9" too! <<

I'm sure it would too.. my neighbors drive is 100 foot straight down not sure of the degree, but it was steep ice and snow covered. The PT went up and down it without spinning a tire. I was initially a little worried about sliding down onto the road below. No worries the little bugger seems to be sure footed like a mountain goat. This is with turf tires /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · Dec 10, 2005

Ernemats,
Listen to johara1. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Angle the plow to the desired angle.
Use the joysitck left/right motion(curl/dump) to get the blade edge leveled.
Plow, plow, plow.

Mine came with the wheels. It wasn't an option. I don't use them on the pavement. I just scrape right down to the pavement in float. I do use the wheels in our gravel areas and in the lawn. However, I have found that I cannot angle as much when riding on the wheels because it changes the tilt/curl so much that one or the other corner will dig in.

ernemats · Dec 11, 2005

Do you think the wheel kit is necessary on gravel? My driveway is about 300 feet long and all gravel. I guess I will have to try playing with different angles and tilts to see what works best.

MossRoad · Dec 12, 2005

I don't know, as I have never taken my wheels off.

I do know that when I ride on the wheels and leave the blade up one inch, I don't scrape off the gravel. Except, of course, when we have that wet stuff that makes great snowmen. Then any lose gravel will stick to it no matter what. But it doesn't scrape off the hard packed stuff. I make it a point to pile my snow in the same place every year, so it is easier to rake out the gravel in the spring.

When we build our new home, I will have a gravel "parking pad" for the snow piles. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

catsco · Dec 12, 2005

Mr. Matson - -

For unpaved driveway plowing, I made an edge by cutting the sidewalls out of a tire, and stretching the tread across the blade.

The holes are in the middle of the tread; it therefore protrudes about 2-1/2" below the steel bottom of the blade.

Then, by plowing in 'float' (and using the tilt to keep the blade parallel to the ground as needed), the blade rides on the tread curled under the steel lip.

For me, this avoids tearing up the road surface (compacted road base here in Colorado). It still clears well, but doesn't damage the road.

Our driveway is about 800 feet long with several hairpin turns and pretty steep grade, so we always plow downhill.

I've plowed about 18" of our 'dry' snow with little difficulty.

25" means some pushing sideways off the road to make room for more snow, and occasionally plowing layers (8"-10" each) since the PT425 can only push so much before spinning the wheels.

Our worst snow in the last two years was a little over 5'. That required about 3 hours of work with the 4in1 to actually move the snow off the drive.

Fortunately, that only happens every 10 yrs. or so here.

18" is not uncommon, though.

I've attached a pic of the ugly, but useful blade.

When one edge gets chewed up, I just flip the tire tread over and get another few months out of the other edge.

Hope this helps. Apologies for the mess behind the tractor - sub zero temps & house under construction. Neatness disappears with those conditions. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Mark H.

toolz_not_toyz · Dec 12, 2005

( Our worst snow in the last two years was a little over 5'. That required about 3 hours of work with the 4in1 to actually move the snow off the drive. )

Now, I'd like to see a picture of that! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

FOURTEEN · Dec 12, 2005

( Our worst snow in the last two years was a little over 5'. )

 Darn!! You guys are having all the Winter fun!!

When I lived in Rochester, Oswego, Chicago, Cleveland, or Detroit I got plenty of snow which I attacked with just a plastic shovel. Now in NC I sit inside and watch my cool season grass grow while my PT-425 sits in the barn with its bar tires itching to go!!

We haven't had any snow so far this year, only 1" last Winter, and only about 5" total in the last 3 years!!

Maybe I'll go out and push some leaves around!!

MuncyBob · Dec 13, 2005

14...we'll be envious of you and all those in the warmer climates soon. I know for me plowing is just like grass cutting...kinda cool the first few times but it wil get old after awhile. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

catsco · Dec 14, 2005

( ( Our worst snow in the last two years was a little over 5'. )

 Darn!! You guys are having all the Winter fun!! [image]

I know what you mean - we moved here (Colorado) from Greensboro, not too far from you. Returning to Colorado reminded me of why we should have stayed in NC! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BUT, then I wouldn't have a PT425 because 7 acres of woods with deep snow made a better case for buying one than 1/3 of level grass!

Next big snow I'll post some pics - the 5' last year was before we moved to the property, so I didn't think to bring the camera. Even here, 5' is a lot of snow. Waited several hours until I could get to the driveway to walk down & dig the tractor out. Walking to the tractor through chest deep snow took about 1/2 hour; the plowing (and bucket work) was much more fun!

Mark H.

Rip · Dec 16, 2005

Mark, After that nasty ice storm back in the Carolinas do you still think you may have enjoyed staying back there? I am originally from the mid-atlantic region, and personally would Much rather deal with our Rocky Mountain snow than sleet and ice storms common to that area... even with the occasional 5' dumps!

I admit to using my PU for most plowing (nice heated cab!!) and the PT for clean up only after the sun comes out and no blowing snow in my face. With a mile of drive it is nice to have a back-up in any case.

Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, and Happy New Year to all!!

johara1 · Dec 17, 2005

Ernie, i made my own, you can buy the feet ,shoes or what ever you call them at tsc. in latrobe. you are more than welcome to see how i put them on. they work way better than the wheels i'm home most of the time now.