The downward slide of winter

[Wildbill34]

Well finally starting to see the light of spring. Been up to my arse in snow and blowing snow from 5 different driveways all winter, from 50ft to over a 1,000ft. Pretty happy fella here since I got the curtis cab on. But don't you know, I started noticing how many people come out now when they hear my tractor coming down the road, with their shovels in hand, walking really slow and agonizing of the snow in their driveway. Of course, I feel for them, mostly afraid some of them will fall over with a heart attack. I think I a going to put a can out on the side of the cab, with tips written on it. Kinda like you do one, the rest expect you to do theirs. While I don't mind if I have time, but been through 90 gallons of fuel so far and I haven't seen the first offer to fill a can yet. I think I will start saying, sorry I am outta fuel and see if they get the hint. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Woody_NH]

Well finally starting to see the light of spring. Been up to my arse in snow and blowing snow from 5 different driveways all winter, from 50ft to over a 1,000ft. Pretty happy fella here since I got the curtis cab on. But don't you know, I started noticing how many people come out now when they hear my tractor coming down the road, with their shovels in hand, walking really slow and agonizing of the snow in their driveway. Of course, I feel for them, mostly afraid some of them will fall over with a heart attack. I think I a going to put a can out on the side of the cab, with tips written on it. Kinda like you do one, the rest expect you to do theirs. While I don't mind if I have time, but been through 90 gallons of fuel so far and I haven't seen the first offer to fill a can yet. I think I will start saying, sorry I am outta fuel and see if they get the hint. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Well I have almost had my fill of snow here in central NH with our 650 foot steep gravel drive to keep cleared. We have neighbors that at times hire a plow truck to dig them out but when that can't do the job, they ask for help when they see me out with the tractor with FEL. I do get a good thank you but no $ for fuel but then again I can afford the fuel and they have us over for a holiday treat now and then. And they don't have much cash to spare I would guess.
I remember back (way back) when I was young and my father's neighbor had a construction business with a loader. After one giant snowfall the neighbor got the long driveway clear for us but did not want any pay. We always remembered that and how grateful we were to Elmer. My mother always baked an extra apple pie for him.
Keep up the good work, maybe some day you will get an apple pie. Maybe a sign "will plow for pie" ??

 

[Killer_B]

Pitchers and catchers reported last Thursday. Spring can't be far off.

KB

 

[Ductape]

I guess i don't have it too bad then. I only have two neighbors out of five that don't offer anything. Two offer some cash, one has fixed my furnace (free of charge) when it crapped out....... he gets taken care of first every time. I guess you need to learn to drive by the ones that offer up nothin. If they have no spare cash...... i'd love an apple pie (or whatever else they DO have available). I've always been a big believer in horse trading..... but when the others have no horse, then i guess there is no trade. I hate to say it.....but there are some driveways you need to just drive on past.

 

[yomax4]

Still waiten for that Sign of Spring In Minnesota. Snows everyday and 50 below wind chills. The Fish are biting how ever!

 

[browns40]

They may figure you are playing where you don't have a "real" set-up on there (kidding), like a truck & sander with a business name across the side...

Seriously though, you kind of set a precedent if you did it, but where I am guessing this is a business (?) venture doing 5 regularly... tell them this year or next that the returh you are getting on your depreciation of your investment is not figuring, and you need to quit doing the pro bono stuff, but would just assume cut them a deal on removal where you pass by anyway...

People love a handout, and if they didn't offer yet, I doubt they ever would without encouragement... it is not your responsibility to clean up the neighborhood, however fun... tough ol' spot for a nice fella to be in!

 

[Jadd]

The last major snow fall left my neighbour with both his vehicles stuck in the laneway. When I got there he as ramming his minivan into his wives vehicle in a attempt to dislodge it from the ruts he left by spinning the wheels. Well being from the country I decided to help & ended updoing most if not all the work. I fired up the walk behind blower & cleared a path from car to the end of the lane. I then shovel free the undercarriage as it was hung up on the snow. We towed out both vehicles with his father in law 4x4. He managed to get one of the tow chains wrapped around a axle shaft & proceeded to unwrap it while laying out on the highway. I did get a thank you, but not one dime. This past winter I have spent more time & fuel doing his lane than mine.
Enough is enough he's on his own now.

 

[NewToy]

Well finally starting to see the light of spring. Been up to my arse in snow and blowing snow from 5 different driveways all winter, from 50ft to over a 1,000ft. Pretty happy fella here since I got the curtis cab on. But don't you know, I started noticing how many people come out now when they hear my tractor coming down the road, with their shovels in hand, walking really slow and agonizing of the snow in their driveway. Of course, I feel for them, mostly afraid some of them will fall over with a heart attack. I think I a going to put a can out on the side of the cab, with tips written on it. Kinda like you do one, the rest expect you to do theirs. While I don't mind if I have time, but been through 90 gallons of fuel so far and I haven't seen the first offer to fill a can yet. I think I will start saying, sorry I am outta fuel and see if they get the hint. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I made the mistake of clearing the drive at my rental property a few times and now he calls me when snow is forecast. I was down with a bad cold last week and he called about the drive and I informed him that I was a bit under the weather and didn't even get mine done. He then got kinda snippy asking me "what am I gonna do now?" I had a few suggestions for him but then thought better of it, afterall he is not a bad fella. I always get a hearty thank you and little else. With that diesel at almost 3.50 it shoots a $20 every time I take the 6 gallon can to fill. I guess I'll just grin and keep on keeping on.
John

 

[LBrown59]

It's been a long winter this year.
February had an extra day !

 

[deererunr]

I think we are all singing the same tune. Out of the six driveways plowed continuously this past winter, four have acknowledged and thanked me. Two... completely unappreciative. For those that at least gave a thank you, I'll gladly give my time to make their day better. For those that didn't have the kindness to thank me... Let the snow pile-up!

Come summer, the same group will want their noxious weeds taken care of. That's where I draw the line!