Upstate NY Snow-Handling

[Got2BTru]

What I used to do, is make up a set of skid shoes to use at the first/last of the season. Depending on how your blower is made. I used two pieces of 4" angle on the end of my JRW to hold it up some off the surface. Most blowers/blades have skid shoes that are maybe effective on a paved surface, but not big enough/well built to work on loose stone or wet mud. Finally, I just do not blow snow until the base is there. You will still blow dirt in unfrozen areas by your mailbox, etc. until that freezes up. I have never had any luck trying to just lift the blower up a little above the ground, nothing I have is that flat. But there are ways to put skids on just about anything if you keep your mind open. They will still dig in some on soft ground, but you live with what you have that you can not find a fix for. In the end, creating and maintaining your base is the wisest choice... some years it's a breeze, like last winter. Some is a pain... Their are no laws keeping you from reworking the stock skid shoes on blowers or blades... you will find a solution. Have at it.

PS: If you send me your new tractor and blower, I will mod your skid shoes and test your setup for a few years. No charge to you, other than the shipping, of course......

So, in other words, my wife is paying you to tell me that we really need to pave the 1300' driveway?

This winter has been a learning experience and the weather flip-flopping like it did made things worse. When we were able to have a solid base, there were really no issues. When the weather turned, it became a nightmare. I told my wife that once we get the barn and pool, we can talk about the possibility of paving...but $30k is crazy to pave the driveway!

 

[JerryK]

So, in other words, my wife is paying you to tell me that we really need to pave the 1300' driveway?

This winter has been a learning experience and the weather flip-flopping like it did made things worse. When we were able to have a solid base, there were really no issues. When the weather turned, it became a nightmare. I told my wife that once we get the barn and pool, we can talk about the possibility of paving...but $30k is crazy to pave the driveway!

I would blacktop mine if I did not spend all my money on tractors, zero turns, Jeeps, and ZR2 Colorado's.... Would not have much to drive on it, though... You could go with blacktop with a wood fired water heat grid under it.... she would like that... [ she would get it with the house if things turn sour ]

 

[Got2BTru]

LOL...she's already asked about heating it also...

That I QUICKLY responded and said NO WAY....

 

[LouNY]

When I looked at paving my quarter mile 14-16 Degree slope ( app. 25 to 29% slope) driveway with an S curve in it at 16 foot of width and able to handle fuel trucks in the curves it was just shy of $90,000.
I can and have bought lots of gravel stone and stone dust.

 

[nybirdman]

Snow-blower;snow plow or a snow pusher will have problems if the ground is not froze.Spring and fall I use a rear blade turned around pulled forward(not digging in).

 

[LouNY]

Snow-blower;snow plow or a snow pusher will have problems if the ground is not froze.Spring and fall I use a rear blade turned around pulled forward(not digging in).

That's what I try an do also, unfortunately this spring we got three heavy wet snows of 8 to 16 inches the backblade backwards wouldn't do the job.

 

[PILOON]

After you price out blowers a standard rear blower and back up camera will look like a good deal.

I invested a bit more than $50.00 for a larger viewer and find it very practical for snow blowing.
While they did not spec for cold weather mine is OK so far as cold as -30.
Purchased mine directly from China.

To be able to use a pull for ward blower you would need to be VERY heavy as otherwise you will simply cause compacted tracks and your blower won't like that.

 

[cabover4us]

I would blacktop mine if I did not spend all my money on tractors, zero turns, Jeeps, and ZR2 Colorado's.... Would not have much to drive on it, though... You could go with blacktop with a wood fired water heat grid under it.... she would like that... [ she would get it with the house if things turn sour ]

I read that post and blew orange juice all over, caught me off guard with that reply.....that was too funny..Jerry

 

[cabover4us]

This is our first winter on our 32 acres, so we knew this would be a "learning experience". Our driveway is 1350' long with 2 turns.

With regard to the 7' snow push...when the ground was frozen, it was fine...but CNY winters (Verona NY, in between Syracuse & Utica) are up and down with temps. I don't think a plow blade would have been any better to be honest.

As for my 2555 not having enough for a front mount snow blower, I'm told the Mahindra front blower is done with a mid-mount PTO addition, but the cost is roughly $8k, which is NUTS to me.

Since it's done with the addition of the mid-mount PTO, the hydraulics are only used for chute, etc.

Hope that clarifies.

I *have* thought about installing a camera (for watching the dogs when I brush hog)...but then the Mrs. yells at me for pimping the tractor... ;o)

Interesting thing I saw on YouTube, look up Wranglerstar Snowblower, he has a Yanmar 359 I think it is, and from Yanmar they specifically manufactured a huge pto powered hydraulic unit mounted on it's own metal skid, on the back 3 point hitch. Pumps high volume fluid for a 7' skid steer snowblower. Tractor can't pump enough, reason for the power unit. Doesn't seem as money is a problem watching through the whole video. But interesting..