Snow Snow plowing recommendations for gravel road

[rcraigpt]

I’m in the process of building a new home off the beaten path in NE Missouri. I’ll live back on a hilly and currently uneven gravel road about 1 mile off the paved road. I’m looking for the best snow plowing set up for my situation.

I am fortunate to own a SVL90-2 tracked skid loader w/cab, an M7060 w/ cab and a Can Am 850 ATV.

We only get maybe 2-3 “plowable” snows a year, the last of which was about 6”. I recently plowed with a buddys atv with a plow and it did well but took awhile and I’d sure like to take advantage of one of my cabbed vehicles if possible.

Any recommendations on which vehicle and what type of implement (plow, snow pusher, etc)?

Thanks in advance

 

[3 Horse Ranch]

I’m in the process of building a new home off the beaten path in NE Missouri. I’ll live back on a hilly and currently uneven gravel road about 1 mile off the paved road. I’m looking for the best snow plowing set up for my situation.

I am fortunate to own a SVL90-2 tracked skid loader w/cab, an M7060 w/ cab and a Can Am 850 ATV.

We only get maybe 2-3 “plowable” snows a year, the last of which was about 6”. I recently plowed with a buddys atv with a plow and it did well but took awhile and I’d sure like to take advantage of one of my cabbed vehicles if possible.

Any recommendations on which vehicle and what type of implement (plow, snow pusher, etc)?

Thanks in advance

I mostly just use my tractor bucket with edge tamers. First year here in snow country and according to locals, this has been the worst winter in a decade or more. I have a half mile of driveway and have had to clear the snow several times. Other than getting a cab to get out of the wind, I'm fine with what I have, but unless you are clearing a parking lot or have short push runs, I think I would prefer a plow over a pusher.

 

[seville009]

I'd say just put a snowblower on the skidsteer. Could put one on the tractor, but you'd have to drive backwards (unless you get an inverted blower)

 

[Tropical Jack]

I use my 3 pt blade. I plow about a mile of gravel roads several times a year. One of the problems with plowing on gravel in our area is that the ground here does not freeze hard all winter. If you use the grading blade by itself, you are often throwing gravel to the side of the road with snow. I have been bolting a 2 x 10 PT board to my blade. My board is 2’ longer than my blade so that I have some leeway beyond my tire width. This allows me to plow to the edge of the road without running my tractor real close to the edge of the road. The board also is a blunt edge rather than a cutting edge, so does not throw gravel with the snow. The result for me is that I am able to plow almost down to the gravel without moving the gravel. I just drilled 2 holes in my blade, and attach the board with 2 bolts. When I want to use the blade for grading in the spring, I just take off the board. I believe I heard about this from someone on this forum, but I can’t remember who.

There are others who have fashioned PVC to on their cutting edge or steel pipe to bolt on. The wood board works well for me. I have a much smaller tractor than you, but don’t see why it wouldn’t work for yours.

Jack

 

[mikester]

Tell the wife you HAVE to buy a six way dozer attachment for the SVL to clear snow

 

[5030]

I’m in the process of building a new home off the beaten path in NE Missouri. I’ll live back on a hilly and currently uneven gravel road about 1 mile off the paved road. I’m looking for the best snow plowing set up for my situation.

I am fortunate to own a SVL90-2 tracked skid loader w/cab, an M7060 w/ cab and a Can Am 850 ATV.

We only get maybe 2-3 “plowable” snows a year, the last of which was about 6”. I recently plowed with a buddys atv with a plow and it did well but took awhile and I’d sure like to take advantage of one of my cabbed vehicles if possible.

Any recommendations on which vehicle and what type of implement (plow, snow pusher, etc)?

Thanks in advance

What I use. I too am about a mile from the pavement. 10 foot wide power angle repurposed county plow on a Quick attach plate on my M9000 with chains on the front tires only. Put the blower on the back, just in case. If it gets too much to push, I flip around and blow it off. We have a skid steer as well but I find it don't have the 'balls' to move snow on the road. Fine for the drives but that's it. I would never own a snow pusher. You can only 'push' is so far and then you are screwed.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I've been plowing my 1.25 mile rough gravel private road for 30 years with a tractor FEL plow. I use plow shoes to keep the blade about an inch off the surface. It leaves some snow in spots but not enough to cause problems. Sure, I plow a bit of gravel off to the side but it's easy to rake it back with a rear blade in the spring.

 

[diesel85]

I use the combination of the FEL and my rear mount blower.

I was going to get a front mount blower, but I have 4 foyer entrances on my buildings that require back dragging or digging out with the loader. I also need the loader for firewood and other tasks on a regular basis.

Heck, I just bought a washing machine, and it goes in my basement, and I used my pallet forks to bring it down there. It's nice having my setup.

I know, I know, twisting and turning while blowing can be awkward, but there is a trick to doing it not turning your head... I turn and sit on the seat at 90 degrees. It's actually comfortable if you do it right.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I know, I know, twisting and turning while blowing can be awkward, but there is a trick to doing it not turning your head... I turn and sit on the seat at 90 degrees. It's actually comfortable if you do it right.

When using my rear blower, I have these Jeep Wrangler mirrors bolted to the FEL support tower:

With a little practice, I don't have to turn around at all.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I use a tractor mounted 9' Meyers commercial blade and I have found that if I just drag the blades backwards it is heavy enough to stay down and clear the snow without moving the gravel. Not really practical for a long road like yours.

Skids are probably the easiest solution as long as your mount will allow the blade to float to match the roads contours. That's the downside to a rear mount blade since the three point hitch will not float.

 

[Tropical Jack]

I have the advantage of having a tilt cylinder with float. My rear mounted blade follows the road contour pretty well.

Jack

 

[sree251]

The board also is a blunt edge rather than a cutting edge, so does not throw gravel with the snow. The result for me is that I am able to plow almost down to the gravel without moving the gravel. I just drilled 2 holes in my blade, and attach the board with 2 bolts. When I want to use the blade for grading in the spring, I just take off the board. I believe I heard about this from someone on this forum, but I can’t remember who.

Wow, this is a great idea. I have been wondering how to shove snow off gravel road without messing up the gravel. I am also planning to set up home in a rural area and trying to figure out what equipment I would need.

 

[5030]

This summer, I'll most likely replace the adjustable skid shoes with heavy duty swivel wheels like the plow originlally had.

Most all road plows use wheels to set the height and they don't dig into the roadbed like skids do.

 

[TractorTYMe]

The cheapest will probably be a plow for your ATV. 2nd cheapest a rear blade for your tractor. Just keep in mind how little you get to use it, so a rear blade for tractor would be multi use.

 

[Jeepnford]

I modified a Myers plow a few years ago to mount on the loader arms. It had a power angle but on my Case DX35 it wanted to push the front end opposite the angle of the blade. I sold it and the buyer had it modified to go on his 100 horse John Deere and it worked much better. I just use the bucket but it would take years to clear a mile. I’m not to far from Monroe City up in Knox County.

 

[Jeepnford]

When using my rear blower, I have these Jeep Wrangler mirrors bolted to the FEL support tower:

View attachment 731697 View attachment 731698

With a little practice, I don't have to turn around at all.

I like that. I have some old CJ mirrors I was planning to mount on my loader

 

[jyoutz]

I’m in the process of building a new home off the beaten path in NE Missouri. I’ll live back on a hilly and currently uneven gravel road about 1 mile off the paved road. I’m looking for the best snow plowing set up for my situation.

I am fortunate to own a SVL90-2 tracked skid loader w/cab, an M7060 w/ cab and a Can Am 850 ATV.

We only get maybe 2-3 “plowable” snows a year, the last of which was about 6”. I recently plowed with a buddys atv with a plow and it did well but took awhile and I’d sure like to take advantage of one of my cabbed vehicles if possible.

Any recommendations on which vehicle and what type of implement (plow, snow pusher, etc)?

Thanks in advance

I have lots of years of gravel road plowing experience. Anything front mounted will remove your gravel along with the snow unless you leave a few inches of snow on the road. For heavy snow I hold my loader bucket about 3 inches off the road surface and have a rear blade attached with the moldboard rotated 180 degrees, so I can skim the road in float. The front bucket pushes the heavy snow and the rear blade removes the few inches left on the road. With the blade facing backwards it will ride on the gravel but not move it. You will probably get a lot of people who suggest a snow blower, but that’s an expensive piece of equipment to buy and maintain for just 2-3 times per year of use. For heavy weekly snow, yes a blower is worth it. My 2 cents.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I like that. I have some old CJ mirrors I was planning to mount on my loader

For the Kubota, I made up these brackets from some 3" angle iron. They work on many Kubota FELs. I'm not sure they will fit a Case though.

 

[WVBill]

I had a 4' pusher blade for my Craftsman lawn tractor that I adapted and chained to the bucket of my Kubota B6100. Used it to clear my 300' gravel driveway and 1/4 mile gravel community access road. When we got 30" snow, I ditched the blade and just attacked it with the FEL.

 

[LD48750]

In my mind you don't get enough snow to warrant a blower.

I do around a mile of private road & drive, all gravel.

The most heard complaint about plowing gravel is getting it into the grass.
I tried plow shoes, they just dug into the dirt as the ground isn't usually frozen the first couple and maybe the last couple times I have to plow.
PVC pipe was suggested, tried, it broke in cold weather.
Steel pipe is really hard to cut lengthwise and harder to attach.

Ended up using angle iron bolted to the cutting edge.
(In pic., bolted in place of cutting edge because holes were already there.)
Easy to attach & take off.
I can even plow paths in the yard with NO damage come spring.
2" x 1/8th" seems to be enough.
Works as well on front or back blades.
I even strap one on my york rake & use that to plow surprisingly well.