Snow Equipment Owning/Operating What's the best way to go?

[tomwo]

My driveway is 200 yards long. You go down one hill and up the next. There really is not a level spot on the driveway. The driveway is paved. I can get the driveway plowed for $20 each time. It usually has to be done 10 to 15 times a season. I have John Deere 1026. Would a $3500 snowblower be worth it? Remember to factor in the (Fun Factor). I know with the bower the lawn would not get torn up. Would I need a soft cab, and is one available for the 1026?

 

[RoyJackson]

$3500 divided by $20 is 175...almost 12 years of having the driveway plowed (assuming 15 snows per year). Not such a good return on investment. Do you think you'd keep the tractor that long?
As far as the fun factor...very subjective and incalculable. You might hate snow blowing...

As far as the soft cab, someone else will have to answer that...

 

[rrrkkk]

HuH $3500.00 divided by $225.00 per season is 15 Seasons

 

[RoyJackson]

HuH $3500.00 divided by $225.00 per season is 15 Seasons

I used 15 plows per season:
$3500/$20= 175 (number of plows for ROI). 175/15 (plows per season) comes to 11.666...rounded to 12 years ("almost 12 years" in my post).

Make sense? Or did I screw up my math?

Looks like you took the average (12.5 plows per season). 15 seasons (i.e. 15 years) is even worse.

 

[WilliamBos]

Being able to blow your driveway when YOU need it plowed, as oposed to waiting for somone to come plow it is worth owning a blower.

 

[Piston]

I am all for doing snow removal myself, for the fun factor and all, but I can't believe you can have your driveway plowed for $20 a storm, and it's 200yards long! That is incredibly cheap.
If it were me, I'd have it done, and I NEVER say that! But for that price, you can sit in your nice warm house with a glass of whatever you please, and when you wanna go play in the snow, go out and play with your front end loader.

I'm shocked you can get it done for $20.

 

[JJZ 109]

Being able to blow your driveway when YOU need it plowed, as oposed to waiting for somone to come plow it is worth owning a blower.

This is where I would be at also. It gets done when I determine it needs to be done, not when someone else who has 20 other driveways to do can get there.
But like Piston says, $20 is a heck of a bargain for a 200 yard long driveway. You'd be looking at a $50 bill every time if I was doing it. But I had my day in the snow plowing business back in the 80's. Wear & tear on the truck and chasing customers for money into May/June just wasn't worth it. Add to that the fact that some people wanted you there scraping it down if there was an inch and others that were too cheap wanted to let it pile up before you came. Couldn't make everyone happy.

 

[tomwo]

Thanks Piston. This is the kind of reply I was waiting for. I can do math. I know it would really never pay, but just thought between fun and doing a little nicer job as far as sparing the lawn some damage it might be an alternative. But, I think you're exactly right. It's kinda nice to leave for work and the driveway is already clean. And you're right I can always play around with the loader. Thanks again.

 

[tomwo]

Thanks Todd,
I think I was pretty sure, but it was something I was kicking around. And yes I really do get my driveway plowed for $20. My neighbor used to charge me $25, but his truck was getting worn and he decided to quit the snow business so I had to find someone else and yes, I found a guy who does a great job for $20. Thanks for your response.

 

[tomwo]

Thanks Will, but I must say my guy has it done for me before I leave in the morning. That convenience is really hard to beat. I guess it's more fun to think about blowing snow when it's 70 degrees than to really do it when it's 20 degrees. Thanks for the response.