Snow Removal on 22K SQ FT asphalt driveway

[tyler84]

Hi Everyone,

My asphalt driveway totals about 22,000 SQ FT. I'm located in MN so we can get a fair amount of snow depending on the year. The last two winters that we've lived in the house I've used my ATV to plow or I used my homemade ATV snow blower. The snow blower worked okay, when it wasn't broken, the lack of reliability has made me search out a better option. I do have a Craftsman YT4500 with a 26hp Kohler, my wife is pressuring me to put a blower on that because it's one of the cheaper options. I see Bercomac makes a 48" blower that seems to have received good reviews, my concern is that it's going to take too long to clear the driveway with that setup. Do you think this would be an reasonable option or would I be better off getting a skid steer? I could also very easily put a plow on my truck, the concern with that is being a 3/4 ton the turning radius isn't the best and there are some tight areas that need to be plowed. I can post an aerial view of the driveway if that helps.

Thank you for any guidance that you may have!

 

[nybirdman]

Getting a skid-steer on a tractor forum!!!!!Egads.I personally hate snow-blowers.Of course the answer is a small tractor with a rear blade or front plow/snow-blower.Plow on your truck would be $4000-$6000.I used an ATV for a few years and they do a decent job if you keep after it.Problem is the high snow banks.

 

[mangus580]

Putting a plow on your truck depends more on what the truck is, and if you are willing to go with something used.

Turning radius of the truck depends more on reg cab, vs ext cab, vs crew cab....

I would suggest a plow for the truck, or a smaller tractor with loader or a plow over any of the other options.

 

[rmorey]

:welcome: to TBN!

I would leave the Craftsman to cut the lawn. If you put a blower on it, you'll need a lawnmower in a couple of years.

Unless you need a larger tractor for working your land, I would go with a scut and a blower.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would not put a blower on the Craftsman. Have you thought about getting rid of the craftsman and getting a subcompact tractor like a Kubota BX with a blower and mower?

 

[Rfisher7381]

I used a 18HP Cub Cadet lawn tractor for both mowing and snow blowing for quite a few years. I now have a Kubota BX2360 for mowing and snow blowing. The first winter really surprised me when I could take big bites of snow at a steady clip and the Diesel engine just handled it. I never knew how much better it could be and it drastically reduced my snow blowing time. I also recommend a small sub compact tractor for your application.

 

[murphy1244]

I had a Simplicity Conquest that I would change from grass cutting to snow blowing. This got old after the 3rd year so I sold it and bought a Ventrac with cutter and blower. Much easier to change attachments on the front hitch.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Get her done.!

 

[oldnslo]

Tyler84,
Do you have enough area to push the snow back away from the driveway Vs using a snow blower? Problem with plows is they leaves banks or piles that can create larger drifts when it blows. I personally prefer a blower if conditions permit. Ie. snow isn't wet, no buildings in the way, etc.

 

[Looking4new]

For about 5 years I used a walk behind snow blower and it took 3 hours to blow my laneway and one neighbour. I switched to a front mount snow blower on the Kioti and now it takes me 1.5 hours to do the same plus the other neighbour that I didn't do with the walkbehind.
Wet snow isn't a problem, I just go slower.