size limitations

[Noodlearm]

Well, after the recent snow storm, I have finally experienced the first task that my tractor didnt just breeze through. I don't have a blower so all the snow work was done with the blade and loader but the drifts in many areas were as high as the front hood on the ck30. Front tires were buried at all times. Was quite the experience and the after working on it for about 30 minutes, I found that if I pushed about the top 1 foot with the loader, the blade could more easily get the rest. Had to "move" snow with the loader quite a bit as opposed to just blading it to its final resting place. None the less, at least for a new tractor owner like me, it just meant more seat time! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Brian, for the next time, don't wait until it stops, get out there with the blade turned backwards and push in reverse. Depending on the blade size and the angle you set it at, you can usually push 6 to 8 inches fairly quickly without it spilling over the top of the blade. As the snow gets deeper this technique doesn't work as well. I find it faster to use a rear blade in reverse than to use the FEL. That said, I usually use my snowblower /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, see if that works better for you.

 

[Noodlearm]

If only that were an option this time. Unfortunately I was not home until it had stopped and had to work on it the next day. I will definately try to go in reverse and switch the blade. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Varmintmist]

Also, you might angle the blade as far as you can and get a hole blown through. Then you can keep working the sides back with less angle.

 

[WVBartMan]

Brian: I think I have the solution if this happens again, see the attached picture.

 

[rozett]

Brian, the other thing to consider is that nothing beats experience. The more often you have to move the snow, the more you will find out what works well and what doesn't. It now takes me less than half the time to clear our drive and barn than it did the first time I did it two years ago. I don't have a blower or rear blade, I do it all with the FEL. But with experience I've learned where to put the snow and how the set the FEL. The only down side... less seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BigGary]

Noodle,
I suggest that you and the rest of the people that seem to enjoy the " seat time " would be a huge market for a TBN snow bucket. This bucket would be different from the other type of snow buckets for front end loaders as it would be HALF of the size of a regular size bucket and thus would provide more of the precious seat time.
I gotta tell ya that I have a spankin new JD 4320 that will never see snow removal duty as long as the F-250 with an 8 foot plow is here.
I guess that I have lived in snow country too long to feel that moving snow with an open tractor in less than 10 Deg. temps is in anyway enjoyable. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif But that being said you guys enjoy your fun. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

I second that opinion! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The driveway at the farm is over a half mile. I've been clearing snow since I was about 12 or so. We didn't have a cab tractor until I was 22. By then, I had a house several miles from the farm (With a long driveway...) I keep an open station tractor at the house during the winter. I've been pushing snow there for the last 26 years.

Point being....

If anyone is having so much fun clearing snow that they want MORE, drop by my house next time it snows. You can have my "seat time". I'll sit inside where it's nice and warm, and watch you through the family room window /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

What was once fun is now work /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Noodlearm]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I guess that I have lived in snow country too long to feel that moving snow with an open tractor in less than 10 Deg. temps is in anyway enjoyable. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif But that being said you guys enjoy your fun. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )</font>

Luckily, I don't mind the cold too much. Heck when I was done clearing the snow we played hockey for about 2 1/2 hours. As for plowing with a truck, someone did me a "favor" one year and plowed for me when we weren't home. Having all of the gravel on your 300' plus driveway plowed into a mound or falling of the drive into the grass is not "my idea" of how to spend my early spring time cleaning up that mess!
BTW Bartman, next time I get drifts over 3' you are more than welcome to drive that over to my place and clear as much snow as you like. As it stands now, that may just be a tad bit overkill for my 7 acres, but if my wife ok'ed it, I wouldn't say no /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[BigGary]

Brian,
Come on guy /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif You can't blame the plow truck because the operator didn't have the common sence to see that the ground was not frozen. He would have done you the same favor if he was on a tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
If you plow at ground level you get the same results with a plow or a bucket.
We do get snow before the ground freezes in Ma. and thats when a little skill and common sence are important.