Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Plowing With the FEL

MikePA · Jan 6, 2002

Well, I just got done plowing our driveways (house and barn). We got a very heavy 6" of snow today and a little more is forecast for overnight. I only used the FEL and did not even attach the rear blade. I used the FEL to push it into piles off the driveway at the house. At the barn, I pushed it into piles then either lifted and dumped it over a fence or pushed it out into the field. Fortunately the ground was frozen. I'll see in the spring just how much of the stone driveway at the barn I picked up! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Although, based upon what I saw when I dumped, I don't think I got too much. On the paved driveway, I could use float but at the barn (stone) I couldn't as it'd start pushing too much stone. So I'd get close to the ground and feather the FEL to stay as close to the ground as possible. It took me about half the time it used to take with the walk behind snow blower. I also learned that if you're plowing while it's snowing and you get off the tractor for any length of time, don't forget to flip the seat forward! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

I am also very glad I installed the additional lights, both the dual floods towards the rear and the front facing driving lights on the ROPS. Came in very handy tonight. I even remembered to lower the ROPS before backing into the garage! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Snow didn't stick to the bucket cuz I sprayed it with cooking spray before I ventured forth!

gmason · Jan 7, 2002

Mike, yea <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sas.com/>SAS software </A> HQ in Cary NC.
Right now I'm just contracting to a large local Drug Co.

One other thing you might try with your FEL and gravel drives in to still Float, but to lift the front edge up a 1"-2".
I hate scraping gravel, not frozen here, best I can do it to just get the top snow off and hopefully the sun will do the rest.

gary

MikePA · Jan 7, 2002

<font color=blue>Mike, yea SAS software HQ in Cary NC.</font color=blue>
I did quite a bit of SAS programming in my mainframe days. Loved the language. You'll have to find a way to get the developers to write PROC TRACTOR; /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

<font color=blue>One other thing you might try with your FEL and gravel drives in to still Float, but to lift the front edge up a 1"-2".</font color=blue>
After I came in last night, I read a post in which someone else mentioned this as well. I'll have to try it the next time. Interestingly enough, at work today several people with walk behind 2 stage snow blowers were saying that the snow was so heavy that the snow blowers were having trouble, if they worked at all. Glad I went right to the FEL.

Another thing that happend last night while plowing...I was on the road in front of our place moving what I plowed out of the driveway up the road and off to the side. Being safety conscious, I hit the switch to turn on the flashers. I was busy emptying the bucket and paid no attention whether the lights were flashing. I went to back up and the hydro pedal wouldn't move! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I thought to myself what a great time for the pedal to freeze up. How am I going to get out of this. Well, the hydro pedal was 'frozen' because the switch I hit was the Cruise Control /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif. I immmediately apologized to Ford/New Holland, my dealer and the tractor for the nasty things I was just thinking, turned the Cruise Control off and magically my hydro pedal unfroze....I also hit the correct button to turn on the flashers. I plowed the entire time with the headlights, ROP-mounted lights and the rear work lights on. Never had a problem. I was also glad I wired the ROP lights directly to the battery. I had to move my daughters car and the key is on the same keyring with the tractor key. So, I had to shut the tractor off to move the car. Got back in the seat and discovered it's not easy finding the ignition switch in the dark. No problem. Turn on the ROPS lights, turn one down to illuminate the dash.

frank_f15 · Jan 7, 2002

mike: i usually use the fel at a slight angle(depends on snow) but i like to get it down to pavement , takes some practice as u can hook an edge on the concrete, ususlly use it in slight up angle, to clear then tilted doewn to clean ,and easy on the hydro pedal.around here if u leave snow on the drive then drive over it u get ice ,then more snow and u have a real mess. best to go slow and do a good job.

MikePA · Jan 7, 2002

10-4 on the technique and the ice. Tomorrow is forecast to be sunny and temps above freezing - enough to remove the remaining snow/ice from the driveway. I'll try the 2 step approach with the next snow.

Buck · Jan 7, 2002

Mike,

I'd fire the insurance agent. What is the world coming too?

Buck

MikePA · Jan 8, 2002

Unfortunately, the agent was just telling me what most of the insurance companies are underwriting. I agree it's a shame, but the agent said she's seen cases of neighbors suing each other over 'damage' done to a driveway from a plow. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

gmason · Jan 8, 2002

Oh, yes.... definatly watch out for those concrete expansion joints. They can jar your teeth right out.
I have learned to go slow or at an angle to the joints to keep from saying hello the the hood.
Now, the best snow clearing surface I've found in some nice dark ashpalt, perferably sealed recently. The sun will loosen the snow/ice very nicely and the slick surface is like moping the kitchen floor. And it's fun on the tractor too, the tires slide just enough to make turning and starting/stoping loads of fun.
g

frank_f15 · Jan 8, 2002

just switched ins. co. today for both auto and home. was very explecit, on how the bota is covered. ANYTHING THAT WOULD happen to it on my property, or on the road, the tractor is covered. if i plow a neibors yand and there is a problem, the tractor and ME are covered, AS LONG AS U ARE NOT PLOWING FOR PAY. at least that is what they tell me.