900 ft driveway, incline, Novice, Need help/recomendations

[Tom Ontario]

Hello. I never owned a snowblower and know less than nothing about them. However, my new house has a 900 ft driveway, about 10 ft wide, with a fair incline, some parts heavily lined with trees on both sides leaving much leaves on the road and little room to accommodate blown snow.. I need a snow blower and a tractor with a cab. My wife is paraplegic and I cannot afford to get stuck in the SUV with her as a passenger. Can you recommend a combo tractor with cab and snowblower attachment. Besides knowing nothing about snow blowers, I have 10 thumbs and no mechanical ability. However, I am only 75 years old and can still learn.
We are in Central Ontario, Canada and are prone to some heavy snowfalls.

Many thanks in advance. Tom

 

[Rustyiron]

It goes against my nature to talk a guy out of a tractor, but you might investigate hiring a guy. (talk to any neighbors about who to call)

Depending on the grade, sunshine for melting and a few other variables you may need sanding no matter what you remove the snow with.

This very much complicates using a tractor. A good relationship (pay him promptly) with a local guy that has these abilities should be considered essential in your situation.

Back to your point a front mounted PTO driven blower & cab tractor with chains should be your starting point. You can hire out sanding as needed during the season. Just don't call the guy and expect him to be there in a minutes notice.

 

[Starrynights]

Hey Tom,
I just posted a similar message on the buy forum. I'm going to be in the same situation, we are moving to NW Ontario and will have a long drive, I'm also a novice with tractors. So I'm going to watch this message thread for answers! I expect with the right tractor/snowblower combo, it shouldn't be a problem (at any age )

 

[Rustyiron]

How much snow is "normal" for you guys? It's normal for me to just assume that because your north of me that you get tons of snow and need the biggest and baddest of equipment. I've learned here that this isn't always the case.

 

[Rustyiron]

The reason I ask is that plowing is so much faster and no difference in "scraping" abilities in fact it's my experience that blowing leaves an inch or so where plowing (no skid shoes) will scrape closer to the ground.

It's not too difficult to "carry" snow 100' or less past areas with high banks or trees don't have the space to wind row snow.

 

[newbury]

Hire it out, plan on holing up or go south for the winter at least for the first few seasons.
Your in a delicate situation.
I grew up in northern Vermont and had my share of 3 foot plus snowfalls. My father had a small tractor and heavy duty snow blower. We had a 40 foot driveway. There were many storms that the road up to our driveway didn't get plowed. There were a few occasions it took a week to get out.
Even though your "only 75 years old" you may find that every extra year reduces your physical abilities.
I find that a well stocked larder including plenty of meds, and planning ahead let's my wife and I watch the world go by.
/edit - you don't state your expected record individual snowfall, but it could be 4 feet or more. I've elected to retire in Mississippi where a record snowfall is about 4 INCHES and usually melts within a few days MAX.

 

[stevem5215]

Move south to Southern Ontario where the weather is balmy and snow is sparse. That would be the best advice.

Else, go to a dealer nearby who will support your tractor habit and spend as much as necessary to get what he recommends. Maybe go to another dealer and do the same. And then a third one for confirmation on what would be average from all three. My guess is it will cost you around 30,000 bucks Canadian for even a small machine. That pays for a lot of driveway clearings by a contractor. Your money, your call.

As for me ? I have a 400ft or so driveway in Southwestern Pa (directly south of you by 300mi I'd guess) and we get an average of 44in a year here. Mostly 3 - 4 inch snowfalls at a time. I use a Steiner 420 with a rotating brush on an open station machine. I wear my snowmobile gear including helmet when it's below zero. It gets cold on that hunk of steel. At 75 you need to think of that too. The brush takes the snow off the paved asphalt driveway and leaves it almost bare as long as I do it before driving on it. Then the sun evaporates the rest of it off and the drive is bare and clear all day usually. Even on a cloudy day it's enough radiational sun to evaporate the driveway. Mine is south facing so that helps the slight slope of mine. Again, your money your call.

 

[BlueKnife]

Hello. I never owned a snowblower and know less than nothing about them. However, my new house has a 900 ft driveway, about 10 ft wide, with a fair incline, some parts heavily lined with trees on both sides leaving much leaves on the road and little room to accommodate blown snow.. I need a snow blower and a tractor with a cab. My wife is paraplegic and I cannot afford to get stuck in the SUV with her as a passenger. Can you recommend a combo tractor with cab and snowblower attachment. Besides knowing nothing about snow blowers, I have 10 thumbs and no mechanical ability. However, I am only 75 years old and can still learn.
We are in Central Ontario, Canada and are prone to some heavy snowfalls.

Many thanks in advance. Tom

Is the driveway paved? If not, a snowblower is probably a bad idea. I agree with the hire it done vote, at least to start with.

 

[Egon]

Hiring it out would be most cost effective.
A couple of feet of wet drifted snow can pack in like cement. To handle it the tractor might be needing 75 ?? Or so horsepower. A plow may not be ideal due to the narrow road. Snowblower would be best.

Age is also a factor that needs consideration. Five years passes quite quickly.

Southern Ontario can and does get significant snowfall during some storms.

 

[Tomtint]

I have a very long driveway..1300 or so feet. Fortunately I have places to put snow on the sides of it when needed. A blower would work in my situation or yours, But as others have said, Blowers are slow. And expensive. The key to moving snow is planing. Plan where the dump spots are going to be and make sure they are big enough for the seasons snowfall. The first, second, 10th time you move snow, Push it way way back so there is room for the next time. Lots of newbies push it aside just far enough to get through and forget about it,..Then it snows again and there s no place for the new snowfall to go.

 

[LouNY]

Also at 75 it's about time to consider emergency squad access at the worst possible time.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Like the OP, I'm officially an old geezer. Our driveway is roughly the same size with 2 LARGE turn-around/parking areas. Trees and some embankments lie on both sides of the driveway for 600+ feet. There are 2 hills, somewhat steep, but short in length. Crushed stone.

Contracting the work out is indeed easiest and cheapest. Getting quality work in a timely manner can be challenging. Once found, hang on to that contractor! Waiting for a plow contractor to show up so an ambulance can access your home is not a viable option. Have a back up plan.

To me, I use the snow and leaf removal as a good excuse to buy "toys". For snow removal I use a cabbed tractor with (with heat!) and a 6' wide FRONT mount blower. My back and neck would never tolerate a rear mount. I did the open station gig for 15+ years. Cabs rule! Until the driveway freezes up and has a bit of a snow base, I leave some snow to pack down.

I just changed our leaf removal approach. For 20ish years will used a contractor. He did good work, and was priced fairly, When he showed up! A replacement contractor asked for crazy money so...more toys! We have a loader mounted, 40 HP (yes, 40!) blower. It will blow 90% plus of our leaves well into the woods. The remaining we used a lawn mower with bags.

If having a tractor and the associated equipment will be a fun hobby for you, go for it! I love it. If it is a necessary evil/work for you, contract it out.

 

[nyone]

Hello. I never owned a snowblower and know less than nothing about them. However, my new house has a 900 ft driveway, about 10 ft wide, with a fair incline, some parts heavily lined with trees on both sides leaving much leaves on the road and little room to accommodate blown snow.. I need a snow blower and a tractor with a cab. My wife is paraplegic and I cannot afford to get stuck in the SUV with her as a passenger. Can you recommend a combo tractor with cab and snowblower attachment. Besides knowing nothing about snow blowers, I have 10 thumbs and no mechanical ability. However, I am only 75 years old and can still learn.
We are in Central Ontario, Canada and are prone to some heavy snowfalls.

Many thanks in advance. Tom

Pay someone and someone good...that's what your going to do when its snowing and the tractor has issues anyway. No point in buying a $40k machine just to do snow.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

Pay someone and someone good...that's what your going to do when its snowing and the tractor has issues anyway. No point in buying a $40k machine just to do snow.

Paying someone when equipment/owner is out of commission? Been there, done that!

For backup snow removal, I keep a contractor on "standby" (for the lack of a better word). I very promptly pay what he asks, use the blower to make areas a plow can push snow into, and otherwise kiss the guy's, err, feet! All I ask him to do is plow enough that an emergency vehicle can get to my walkway to the house.

 

[civilian]

Paying someone when equipment/owner is out of commission? Been there, done that!

For backup snow removal, I keep a contractor on "standby" (for the lack of a better word). I very promptly pay what he asks, use the blower to make areas a plow can push snow into, and otherwise kiss the guy's, err, feet! All I ask him to do is plow enough that an emergency vehicle can get to my walkway to the house.

And think about clearing that walkway with your truck, tractor, so Emergency vehicle can get right up to the door. Moving a loaded gurney on person wide snowy path is tough.

Dad started to learn about tractors and rear snowblowers in his early 70's. Did it last year at 93. This year will test his neck looking backwards. Jon

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

And think about clearing that walkway with your truck, tractor, so Emergency vehicle can get right up to the door.

Agreed. Or in our case we have heated mats for the sidewalk/steps to the house. They seem to do a good job.

 

[mikester]

60HP cabbed tractor, 4WD, studded euro style chains on all four wheels, front snowblower, rear sand spreader.

If I was 75 in your situation I would sell and move to a retirement community that takes care of those details for you.

I know there will be a point I won't be able to manage these things anymore. We all dream about passing away quietly in our sleep but the reality is the majority of people decline and have a sh*tty last 5 years of life. Those days are coming sooner rather than later.

 

[LouNY]

60HP cabbed tractor, 4WD, studded euro style chains on all four wheels, front snowblower, rear sand spreader.

If I was 75 in your situation I would sell and move to a retirement community that takes care of those details for you.

I know there will be a point I won't be able to manage these things anymore. We all dream about passing away quietly in our sleep but the reality is the majority of people decline and have a sh*tty last 5 years of life. Those days are coming sooner rather than later.

I sincerely hope that my last trip down my driveway is at the end of a long life.
I have absolutely no desire to live in town and especially a "retirement" home.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I sincerely hope that my last trip down my driveway is at the end of a long life.
I have absolutely no desire to live in town and especially a "retirement" home.

I agree.

I tell Mrs Slim all the time that "they'll never take me alive".

To the OP,

I'm using a cabbed 37 hp tractor with a rear mount 6' snow blower myself. It's not "fast", (I've never understood the fascination with "fast") but it's "permanent" (much more important to me) . Meaning I only ever have to move the snow one time. No "pushing banks or piles back" later in the season after we've had a bunch of snow accumulated. Once our winters take hold, the snow never melts, not 'till spring. So it's very easy to run out of places to "push" snow with a plow or blade. A blower removes that issue entirely.

But my driveway is much shorter than yours. I think in your case, I would advise a front mounted snow blower and a rear blade on a 50-60 hp cabbed tractor. But now we're talking "real money", as these are not cheap by any means. Rear mounted blowers mean turning and looking backwards over your shoulder a lot of the time. That can be hard on your neck and back (I'm close to 60 myself, and it's already an issue). I would also recommend chains (I still don't have a set, but they're on my Christmas list). But in your case, I think you'll have a rough time getting the chains on?

In your position, you are really going to be reliant on a good dealer. Not sure you have one, but time to start shopping for that dealer. Find one with excellent customer service, regardless of who's brand it is, you want to buy the dealer, not the brand. You're likely going to need help with things like mounting/dismounting the blower in fall/spring, same with snow chains.

And cabbed tractors rule. When you HAVE to get the driveway cleared, and it's -40 F/C degrees (no "windchill" B.S., but actual ambient temperature) along with a 40-50 mph wind, sitting in that heated cab while blowing snow is heavenly. You can just watch the snow fly by through the glass.