Ok. Confused. Plow snow or blow that stuff.

[ByronBob]

Last winter I did my 650' driveway with my BX2230 using the FEL. It's time consuming but works ok. I want a blower (rear) to speed up the process but the wind/open yard I have make it necessary to have both I feel to do it best. A snowfence is going up also. The drifting was the hardest thing to get past last year. Thought hard about a plow last year. A few times I rented a plow to do my drive but once he called me and said no way, too deep. Ended up getting the farmer to do it with a blower. Last winter in WNY was nasty but a plow would have done me no good a few times.

The 2230 will do the job. What I learned also is
1) Snow fence
2) Blower
3) Snow chains
4) Block heater

Your house / layout is I'm sure different but thought I'd give you my 2 cents. Better keep 1 for myself, money is tight /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MarkLeininger]

I had our drive plowed for several years and there was a lot of damage to the grass and to gates and fences that got snow pushed up against them when you run out of room to put the stuff. During the warmer days all that snow starts to melt and runs onto the driveway, which then freezes at night. That goes on much longer in the spring because of all the extra snow right next to the driveway.

I've had much better luck throwing, other than having to be careful you don't put rocks or ice balls through a window. I've had a large walk behind blower for years. I've never had a tractor mount blower, so I haven't thought about the pros and cons.

 

[_RaT_]

Wayne, not that this advice will be of any use to you, but others who get the amounts of snow like we get at Lake Tahoe will appreciate that almost all driveways are now done with blowers. The plow or loader is very slow and the damage to everything considerably greater. Today we are seeing Bobcat type equipment with blowers and I have to say, it is awesome to see what they can do. The speed is unmatched.

 

[WayneW]

Now I'm thinkin that I should just get the BX opposed to the B. Save the $$$ and get a plow for my truck. Then use the BX to clean up the banks and around the house with the snowblower. Or when then snow amounts are too much to plow safely. (with a good risk of getting stuck...def no fun)

Again, thanks to all for your input and for sharing your experiences.

 

[Junkman]

This to me is the correct decision. You will not regret the purchase of the plow or the BX. Being that you are in MA, consider the Curtis Plow. You can get a great deal from the Curtis Factory Store in Worcester MA from what I have been told. Only wish that they would sell the cabs at a discounted rate there.. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[snowman]

I switched last year from snowblowing to plowing (truck) as the primary means of moving snow. All I can say that it's great - warm and quick. I remember one time last year doing it in my t shirt with the snow and wind whipping around outside and thinking how nice this was.

I still have the tractor with a FEL and a rear blower to help me move back the banks if necessary. I can't tell from your posts if you are getting a FEL; if you are, then my advice is to go with the plow on your Dodge.

I have a 660' driveway (straight) with a 2000 sf turnaround. Takes me about 15 minutes to plow it with the truck. Used to take 45 minutes minimum with the blower, not including warming up the tracking, and bundling myself up.

The nice thing about plowing with the truck is that if you get alot of drifting (I do) over certain parts of the driveway, you just drop the plow and it's done.

The only downside is that you do need to take care of the plow truck, especially if it's your daily driver, which it is in my case. I had no problems though. Almost always plowed in 4lo, always came to a complete stop before shifting, etc.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hi,

Justy make sure your bucket is as wide as the tire track, and you will be fine. Put a snowblower on the rear, ( the back in kindis better ) , and witht he bucket on the front you will be good. Thats how we have been doing it for years! And it will outlast any snowplow you will ever buy for your truck!!

TTake care

Will

 

[WayneW]

Thanks for your input. I know what I'd like now. A B7510 with a front blower (50") for cleaning up and a new plow setup for the truck. Hmm....About 19K. I think I'll have to put some more thought into this.

-but thanks to all. You were a big help. I think this site is a wonderful source for obtaining info for others experiences. A real time saver.