Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow Removal

[gboudreau]

Living in lower NH I probably get a little more snow then in Ct., but my driveway is 300 feet long and gravel. When I use my tractor during some of the smaller early season storms or when it is one of those snow/freezing rain/rain kind of stormsand the top of the ground gets a little soft I will backdrag the drive with my bucket. Otherwise I use the float with the bucket curled up just a little so I am not digging in.

 

[gerard]

Upstate N,Y where the record for the most snow that has fallen in a 24 hr period for the United States.

That puts you in montague, up in the tug hill and land of lake effect snow............

 

[Timber]

I run a front mount snowblower on my lawn tractor & it does fine with a 24" snow fall and pavement. My windrow is very deep and packed and I have been using my loader & box blade. My plan is to make a snow pusher out of a 6' plow blade. My neighbors have dirt lots & drives that I take care of. 1 drive is the access road into 1 of my fields. A snow pusher has shoes on the bottom of the box that slide over the ground and keep the blade from digging in. I want my loader on my tractor all the time & a snow pusher you just drive up to it & throw a chain over the hooks and off you go.

 

[pitt_md]

Upstate N,Y where the record for the most snow that has fallen in a 24 hr period for the United States.

I have lived in a number of states and by far the most snow/the most often was when I lived in upstate NY, Endicott area. 2-3' dumps are expected. I did what I could with my garden tractor but my neighbor with a big JD and rear blower saved my bacon many times.

Here in SE MN I am on the edge of needing a blower. Most years I can get by with the FEL on the MX5000 but its slow going and and real pain. I think I will get a blower and be done with it.

 

[bp fick]

Snow removal is dependent on so many factors.
Does the ground freeze up solid underneath, how quickly, and for how long?
Snow-powder, wet, soon to melt, destined to stay around for months.
Lot-room to move, no room to move, a place to shove snow, long drives, ditches or banks.
Types of typical snows-rare but heavy, frequent, perpetual

Figuring out the typical or average needs YOU have and matching up with the varied options is key. There are no universal applications.
FELs,
FELs with blades,
back blades,
front blades,
front blowers,
3pt blowers

All have their place in the arsenal. If you get it moved, when it needs to be moved without tearing up stuff, you're doing OK. If the wife gets stuck or can't get out, you not doing so well.