Plowing 1/2 mile driveway with a UTV. Should it be done?

[MGH PA]

Out of curiosity, what size tractor would be adequate for maintaining a driveway of this size at a fair clip (don't want to spend hours cleaning it off)?

 

[Doofy]

Out of curiosity, what size tractor would be adequate for maintaining a driveway of this size at a fair clip (don't want to spend hours cleaning it off)?

Not a clue. Haven't had my tractor long enough to learn much about it. Other members here will chime in that know exactly what works best. Do you get big, wet snowfalls and how many inches per storm? Lots of questions to get the answers you need.

 

[MGH PA]

Not a clue. Haven't had my tractor long enough to learn much about it. Other members here will chime in that know exactly what works best. Do you get big, wet snowfalls and how many inches per storm? Lots of questions to get the answers you need.

Most snow falls are in the 2"-6" range. Maybe 6-7 a winter if it's a good year. This year we haven't had a snowfall more then 3" and that was only twice.

A 10"+ is very rare anymore. Even split of wet vs. dry powder.

 

[Doofy]

Most snow falls are in the 2"-6" range. Maybe 6-7 a winter if it's a good year. This year we haven't had a snowfall more then 3" and that was only twice.

A 10"+ is very rare anymore. Even split of wet vs. dry powder.

Wow, I thought it would be much more. In the last 20 years or so, our snow depth has increased as have our temperatures. Coldest day so far this year has been -25F. In years past -50 to -65. Probably have had about 30" so far and it has settled to around 24". It won't melt until mid April thru May. You will definitely need an angle blade.

 

[JimP]

I plow about 1/8 mile of road and driveway using a Kubota 5460 cab with an 8 1/2 foot western plow or a Chevy 3500 with a Fisher 8 1/2 foot v plow. My driveway is pretty steep and we get multiple snowfalls including 1+ foot snowfalls every year. The truck plows faster but the tractor has better visibility and is easier to hook the plow up to. I also have a Deere HPX diesel gator (top and 1/2 windshield but no cab). There is no way I would plow with the Gator over the truck or tractor. The Gator is built lighter and less comfortable. That said, the Gator has been invaluable for 101 chores around the property. If it was me I would put a plow on the Tundra and buy a UTV for other uses. If the plow won't hurt the UTV it won't hurt the Tundra. Jim

 

[Doofy]

I have a dedicated "beater truck" with a snow plow. It never leaves the property so is not licensed nor insured. It is chained up and plows well. It is just used for deep snows. I enjoy the 3' snow blower for anything less than 6 inches.

 

[RoyJackson]

Out of curiosity, what size tractor would be adequate for maintaining a driveway of this size at a fair clip (don't want to spend hours cleaning it off)?

30-35 HP...examples would be the Deere 33x0 series for current production and Deere 4x00/4x10 series (1998-2005) for older machines. I use Deere as examples because I'm most familiar with them (having owned 4 of them).
There's a TBN member, Beenthere, who uses a 4300 for plowing a drive there appears to be at least half mile long. If you search by his nickname, you'll find a series of videos.

Here's one (not beenthere's) I found on YouTube:

 

[check]

30-35 HP...examples would be the Deere 33x0 series for current production and Deere 4x00/4x10 series (1998-2005) for older machines. I use Deere as examples because I'm most familiar with them (having owned 4 of them). There's a TBN member, Beenthere, who uses a 4300 for plowing a drive there appears to be at least half mile long. If you search by his nickname, you'll find a series of videos. Here's one (not beenthere's) I found on YouTube: YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAJ1j_Lr5J0

For that much snow, I would use the blower - way fun! And a small SCUT would be more than aqequate. I blow 2' or more with the blower on my Kubota BX25, and it cost me less than $2,000. How much would a 35 HP tractor cost?

Actually, looking at that video again, and seeing that there are no windrows on the side, I would plow that snow with my ATV! (It looks like it only comes halfway up the dogs' legs.).

 

[MGH PA]

Actually, looking at that video again, and seeing that there are no windrows on the side, I would plow that snow with my ATV! (It looks like it only comes halfway up the dogs' legs.).

Even on a driveway that's 1/2 mile long?

For the record, the snow depicted in that video would might occur once a season here.

 

[Rock Crawler]

To those who say to stay away from belt drive transmissions, I have an 11 year old Yamaha Rhino that does only work duty since new and so far I have not changed a belt or U-Joint. It has a Warn 72" plow, it hauls my firewood, it pushes broken trucks around, it carries lawnmowers to remote locations, it pulls a 4x8 utility trailer, it is used to haul camp gear in and out of the woods on weekends. I change the engine oil/filter and the front/rear differential oil each spring with Amsoil, and so far it only has needed a CV boot, 2 batteries and fuel. I expect it to go at least another 10 years. Maybe 20 more.

It ranks up there with one of the very best investments in equipment that I have ever made in my life. And it is useful all year long and has become a tool that even my wife agrees that we could never do without.