A Bummer

[9973720wb19]

In Maryland and excited for some serious saddle time in the snow with my fairly new JD 44HP Cab FEL. I had to go to TX for business Friday morning - storm one came Fri-Sat., Got in late Monday night; and excited to now catch the second storm for Tue-Wed. Tuesday afternoon, I walk my 600 foot trail in the back to get my tractor out of the shop. Much to my disappointment, I got about 15 feet (due to the snow from Fri-Sat) from my shop before I got stuck. It was all I could do to get it back in the shop and turn it off. What a bummer. The most snow in MD history and my new cab tractor sits...

 

[thavil]

This is a crazy snow season isn't it? I'm used to reading all the posts from the NE guys about all the snow they have to move and we in the mid-atlantic are getting slammed this year.

This may be a crazy question but can't you start moving snow with your FEL as soon as you get out of your shop? I had to do this from my garage location to get to my barn area and driveway.

 

[RoyJackson]

In Maryland and excited for some serious saddle time in the snow with my fairly new JD 44HP Cab FEL. I had to go to TX for business Friday morning - storm one came Fri-Sat., Got in late Monday night; and excited to now catch the second storm for Tue-Wed. Tuesday afternoon, I walk my 600 foot trail in the back to get my tractor out of the shop. Much to my disappointment, I got about 15 feet (due to the snow from Fri-Sat) from my shop before I got stuck. It was all I could do to get it back in the shop and turn it off. What a bummer. The most snow in MD history and my new cab tractor sits...

Most of us get stuck sometime or another, so don't fret too much.
Be realistic in what your expectations are. This snow is going to bog any CUT down. I suggest you get enough of a bucketful, dump it out of the way, then another bucket full, dump...until you make some progress.
If you don't have substantial weight (ballast) on your 3PH, you'll lose traction fast. Having chains would be an immense help (D**N! I wish I had chains right now!!). But if you do not have ballast, or chains, you've got to work with what you've got. And that means smaller "bites" until you get that area cleared.

 

[Wayne_H]

This is a crazy snow season isn't it? I'm used to reading all the posts from the NE guys about all the snow they have to move and we in the mid-atlantic are getting slammed this year.

This may be a crazy question but can't you start moving snow with your FEL as soon as you get out of your shop? I had to do this from my garage location to get to my barn area and driveway.

Where do you live in Maryland? If you're near me in Davidsonville I'll come get you out. In the mean time, if you have 15x19.5 inch rear tires, I'll dig you out, and put my chains on your machine so I can try it out!

Seriously, no chains= no traction right now. It is slick with the freezing rain that hit the road before the snow. I've got more traction than I need with these chains. You also need some weight on the back. I can plow with 2WD with this weight and chain set up.

Wayne

 

[mvoght]

Wayne H,

I love those chains! My 2WD Case IH came with chains (bought it used) and until the Dec. snowstorm, we'd never used them. They do not fasten as well as yours though, only once cross, and so they come off, which is a royal PITA.

Your picture has given me an idea for improving them by adding at least one more outside diagonal fastener (what do you call those on the sides that add stability?).

Mel

 

[thavil]

Where do you live in Maryland? If you're near me in Davidsonville I'll come get you out. In the mean time, if you have 15x19.5 inch rear tires, I'll dig you out, and put my chains on your machine so I can try it out!

Seriously, no chains= no traction right now. It is slick with the freezing rain that hit the road before the snow. I've got more traction than I need with these chains. You also need some weight on the back. I can plow with 2WD with this weight and chain set up.

Wayne

Thanks for the offer Wayne (I live in La Plata, used to live in Bowie) but I am fine with my small Kubota. The OP may need some assistance, I was able to dig myself out OK. I haven't gone out today with this new storm yet, hopefully I won't have too many issues with my loaded R-4's and no chains.

 

[killdozerd11]

Ah come on with all this >>> GLOBAL WARMING <<<<

All that snow is just in your mind ask any democrat in the Washington area where the snow plows can't work

How those solar panels working out

 

[Wayne_H]

Thavil: Say hello to Neal Gardner for me at the Waldorf JD dealer. If you were still in Bowie I could help out, I'm just across the Patuxent River in AA county.

About the tire chains, the things holding them on are about $45.00 from tirechains.com and they work like a champ. No problems at all, I've used them for several days straight now, including several miles on pavement. (I'd have preferred not to have done that, but I needed to get to another community to plow)

Wayne

 

[thavil]

Thavil: Say hello to Neal Gardner for me at the Waldorf JD dealer. If you were still in Bowie I could help out, I'm just across the Patuxent River in AA county.

Will do the next time I'm in there. Too be honest, I only go to the green store for fluid film. I do my business at the other Gardiner's orange store.