Snowblower and crushed rock driveway

[DEH1]

My first try at this post seems to have disappeared due to operator error...

I use PVC, slit lengthwise and fitted (a PITA) on the blower edge. I'd call it an 80% solution, but it's probably better than a steel pipe because you can use a larger diameter (more gravel scooping resistant) and it's removable. Easier to get on in shorter pieces and the ends break first. I'll replace the ends after this season because they're starting to crack. They fail if I don't go slowly enough when I hit a slightly raised edge of concrete.

The pics are after 5 years. The last one shows top scoring because I invert them every year. The end on the right has lost a piece, but inverted it will last another year.

I used the largest diameter (I think that's 4" in the pics) that cleared the augurs - and I don't know if I could get a smaller diameter on.

JD 850, Frontier 54 inch blower. Quarter mile driveway, southern Michigan winters subject to lake effect.

 

[ray66v]

My first try at this post seems to have disappeared due to operator error...

I use PVC, slit lengthwise and fitted (a PITA) on the blower edge. I'd call it an 80% solution, but it's probably better than a steel pipe because you can use a larger diameter (more gravel scooping resistant) and it's removable. Easier to get on in shorter pieces and the ends break first. I'll replace the ends after this season because they're starting to crack. They fail if I don't go slowly enough when I hit a slightly raised edge of concrete.

The pics are after 5 years. The last one shows top scoring because I invert them every year. The end on the right has lost a piece, but inverted it will last another year.

I used the largest diameter (I think that's 4" in the pics) that cleared the augurs - and I don't know if I could get a smaller diameter on.

JD 850, Frontier 54 inch blower. Quarter mile driveway, southern Michigan winters subject to lake effect.
View attachment 837772View attachment 837774View attachment 837775View attachment 837776

Attach tabs to a steel pipe, and bolt it on. (No need to slit it).

You can even bolt it on the back side, if you have clearance issues. As long as it hangs down, it will work.

Easy peazy, and permanent.

 

[LouNY]

Attach tabs to a steel pipe, and bolt it on. (No need to slit it).

You can even bolt it on the back side, if you have clearance issues. As long as it hangs down, it will work.

Easy peazy, and permanent.

I have thought about trying the pipe idea but when I consider how has a 5/8" thick cutting edge wears I have to wonder if schedule 40 pipe would make a season.

 

[jjeff]

After having amazing luck with plowing snow using steel pipes over cutting edge on unpaved usually soft ground. Im experimenting on 2"thin walled tubes cuz I have a bunch salvaged from other things, weld it directly to worn out cutting edges after cutting a slit in it. Im hard facing the thin tubes with free 8018 I acquired. I'll see how it lasts.

 

[C79]

I have blacktop millings for my driveway so they are packed tighter than stone but I added 7"x2" steel castors to my snowblower to keep my cutting edge height out of my millings where the grade changes. It's worked well the past few winters but we have not got much snow to speak of compared to years past.

 

[jjeff]

I have blacktop millings for my driveway so they are packed tighter than stone but I added 7"x2" steel castors to my snowblower to keep my cutting edge height out of my millings where the grade changes. It's worked well the past few winters but we have not got much snow to speak of compared to years past.

I've heard of folks using castors instead of cutting edge before with pretty good results.

 

[panamaguy]

Had the first dump of the season, so i got to try out the ne (to me) snowblower. I threw a lot of rocks. It was only 0c so the ground was soft and the shoes sunk. I tried to control the sinking with the 3pt hitch raise/lower but it was tough to get it right. The driveway is slightly higher in the center and so I think I was picking up rocks there. I was thinking of a couple solutions. 1. Weld a 4-6" plate to the shoes so the dont sink so much. 2. Weld a 4-6" plate to the center to prevent the center from getting too low when side shoes hit the soft ground or low ground. 3. Do both of the aforementioned options?

How have others solved this?

When I lived in snow country I found it was best to pack a base and then just clean the top or you will be raking all the grass in spring to get the rock back on the road. The as I got smarter I found out it is just easier to move to Panama and forget snow country. But I must admit I do miss cross country sking

 

[boogieman]

Had the first dump of the season, so i got to try out the ne (to me) snowblower. I threw a lot of rocks. It was only 0c so the ground was soft and the shoes sunk. I tried to control the sinking with the 3pt hitch raise/lower but it was tough to get it right. The driveway is slightly higher in the center and so I think I was picking up rocks there. I was thinking of a couple solutions. 1. Weld a 4-6" plate to the shoes so the dont sink so much. 2. Weld a 4-6" plate to the center to prevent the center from getting too low when side shoes hit the soft ground or low ground. 3. Do both of the aforementioned options?

How have others solved this?

 

[boogieman]

I've heard of folks using castors instead of cutting edge before with pretty good results.

Keep alot of auger shear pins on hand and raise the snow shute up a touch
Good luck

 

[boogieman]

As mentioned, adjust your cutting angle to build an ice base.

Get an ATV 4WD WITH A PLOW ON THE FRONT AND BACK DRAG THE SNOW TILL YOU GET A GOOD 3" HARD PACKED BASE.
WON'T HURT TO INSTALL TIRE CHAINS ALSO IF NEEDED.
PLUS YOU CAN MAKE EXTRA $$$$ PLOWING NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAYS.
GOOD LUCK THIS WINTER