Snow How goes your snow?

[StrangeRanger]

In the past 2 wks or so here in northern VT we've had a nice number of dumps. We had one dump of about 20", then another 9", lots of wind and about another 7" yesterday. I've gotten lots of chilly seat time.

It's been great having a blower again. Aside from eating through shear bolts (2,200' gravel driveway) I've been loving the snow. My only real issue is that my dealer gave me the manual for a 75" Meteor blower when I bought a 60" which caused me to buy the wrong size of shear bolts. I had gone out and picked up a bunch of 5/16" bolts and they don't fit. Pisser. I of course did not realize it until it was too late.

I've also learned I've got 3 shear bolts, not 2. Learned about the last one last night

I should take some pics. VT is looking amazing w/ heavily snow laden trees and all. How much fun are the rest of you having?
j

 

[smfcpacfp]

We had a lot of snow here up until two weeks ago. I had to snow blow everyday for 5 straight days and then it pretty much ended. We still have snow at a depth of one foot on the ground. today is the first day above freezing this month, It got up to 34 F

 

[ccsial]

Snow is fun. I like that. Cold is OK too. But we have had two ice storms so I gotta tell ya, I ain't having much fun with that.

 

[Iceman65]

We've been getting 4-5" at a time. I clear the driveway and it has warmed up enough temp wise to melt all the rest. Then it snows a little bit and I start all over. But I'm havin fun with the snow blower.

 

[dangerdoc]

Snow is fun. I like that. Cold is OK too. But we have had two ice storms so I gotta tell ya, I ain't having much fun with that.

Unfortunately, we've had the ice too. Power is back on though. I discovered that a rock rake is great for the Ice. Turned my skating rink drive into a nice mix of rock and ice gravel with pretty good traction.

 

[WayneB]

We have had four storms in the past week and it started snowing here early this morning and is still snowing tonight. I am not sure just how much is on the ground, but we are close to 2 1/2 feet. Actually, got the snowmobile stuck a couple of times this afternoon, don't want to blame it on too much snow so it has to be the driver!

As far shearbolts go I have broken two this year. one the other day on a piece of fire wood, darn that will stop things quickly and today on a tow chain and that stops things also. I am down to my last bolt in the bag so it is off to the store in the morning.

We will be heading up your way next week, have to go over to Malone, NY to see my mother during the holidays so we will enjoy the north country snow for sure.

 

[FullBucket]

Couldn't live without my bota and blower. Had a good go at the driveway today (500') and cleared a 50'x50' area at garage. So I'm totally dependant. We have already had in excess of 130cm/50" of snow so far. This more than we had all last year and there wasn't any snow until January.

My dealer was kind enough to provide a few spare shear bolts. One of them electrical taped to one of the hitch arms. Handy when needed. Just thought I'd pass that idea along.

 

[crazyal]

Last year when we got that dumping on Valentines day I knew I needed to get a tractor and blower. Having just built this house on top of a hill with about 1/2 mile of twisty gravel driveway it seams like there's always something to buy. I have an old Army Corps International 4wd dumptruck that I've used for the last couple of years.

I'm getting to hate snow. I know once I get a tractor that will change. This year we've had enough snow to where I'm starting to worry about places to put it. My Case backhoe is just too heavy to be driving up and down the snow covered road even with chains. Anyway I'm jelious, lol/

 

[canoetrpr]

We've had more snow here than in quite a while. 1.5 foot last weekend. I've used the blower about 6 times so far already. Last year I probably used it 6 times total!

 

[rpraymond]

"I'm getting to hate snow. I know once I get a tractor that will change. This year we've had enough snow to where I'm starting to worry about places to put it."


I used to plow my driveway, about 500', but if we had a snowy winter it would get to the point where I too had nowhere to put it. The blower solved all of that plus there is no debris to clean up in the spring and no gouges in the lawn. For my driveway it's the only way to go. Now I like snow!

 

[ByronBob]

I've lived in my place for going on my 4th winter. At the time we were building I ordered a BX2230 with the FEL knowing the driveway would be long (650 ft) and wide open. I used the FEL and it did the job.

Finally this fall I got a RMSB to help me. At times I was overmatched with the driveway getting drifted in and would call the neighbor for help.

The 1st storm last week was 15". I am figuring out how to not chew the gravel up but the time I spent was about 1/2 what I would have been out there for without the RMSB.

 

[swmpbgy1]

Any pix of the great white stuff? Every one of the systems that has been dumping snow has only brought rain to north central WV. I need some pix to get my fix!

Thanks Guys..........
Swmpbgy1

 

[StrangeRanger]

Last year when we got that dumping on Valentines day I knew I needed to get a tractor and blower. Having just built this house on top of a hill with about 1/2 mile of twisty gravel driveway it seams like there's always something to buy. I have an old Army Corps International 4wd dumptruck that I've used for the last couple of years.

I'm getting to hate snow. I know once I get a tractor that will change. This year we've had enough snow to where I'm starting to worry about places to put it. My Case backhoe is just too heavy to be driving up and down the snow covered road even with chains. Anyway I'm jelious, lol/

Crazyal, nice to see another norhtern VT'er on here. Are you NW or NE VT?
j

 

[StrangeRanger]

Any pix of the great white stuff? Every one of the systems that has been dumping snow has only brought rain to north central WV. I need some pix to get my fix!

Thanks Guys..........
Swmpbgy1

I'll try to snap some pics for you. But all I've got is a little point-n-shoot POS camera, but we'll see what happens.
j

 

[ChuckinNH]

[I am figuring out how to not chew the gravel up but the time I spent was about 1/2 what I would have been out there for without the RMSB.[/QUOTE]

Though I don't have any experience with rear mounted snowblowers, one member suggested shortening the top link just enough to rais the cutting edge of the snowblower a bit. I'm not sure if that would make it ride up on the snow, or not, but it might be worth a try, and might keep you from eating so much gravel with the blower.
Chuck

 

[ChuckinNH]

Any pix of the great white stuff? Every one of the systems that has been dumping snow has only brought rain to north central WV. I need some pix to get my fix!

Thanks Guys..........
Swmpbgy1

Here you go! This is my place in NH this morning..
Chuck

 

[WayneB]

Just finished removing snow off from roof, expecting rain / freezing rain on Sunday! We have had four storms in the past seven days, so maybe we will have a rest for a few days after Sunday. Like snow, but can live without winter rains.

 

[rpraymond]

[I am figuring out how to not chew the gravel up but the time I spent was about 1/2 what I would have been out there for without the RMSB.

Though I don't have any experience with rear mounted snowblowers, one member suggested shortening the top link just enough to rais the cutting edge of the snowblower a bit. I'm not sure if that would make it ride up on the snow, or not, but it might be worth a try, and might keep you from eating so much gravel with the blower.
Chuck[/QUOTE]

Chuck,
You definitely want to shorten the top link until the cutting edge of the blower is about 1 1/2 inches or so off the ground. Do this until you get a nice frozen surface and then if you want to lower it you won't pick up much gravel. And, of course, always keep a few shear bolts handy.
Have fun.

 

[Ductape]

Just finished removing snow off from roof, expecting rain / freezing rain on Sunday! We have had four storms in the past seven days, so maybe we will have a rest for a few days after Sunday. Like snow, but can live without winter rains.

Wayne, when you say "just finished removing snow off roof", you meant your two full time maintenance workers, right?

 

[crazyal]

I used to plow my driveway, about 500', but if we had a snowy winter it would get to the point where I too had nowhere to put it. The blower solved all of that plus there is no debris to clean up in the spring and no gouges in the lawn. For my driveway it's the only way to go. Now I like snow!

I've always been a "like the snow but not the cold" type of person. I like playing with the snow (and dirt and rocks). It's just a matter of time before I'll pick up a 3240 with a front blower. I like plowing it in the middle of winter so I can get nice and close to the gravel. Letting a layer of snow build up doesn't work too well on the steeper sections of the driveway. If I do I have to sand more often only to have fresh snowfall cover it back up again. It's the spring and fall on the unfrozen ground and the really big dumps that's killing me.

swmpbgy1 you're more than welcome to come up and get your fill. We have a little over 2 feet here at the moment. StrangeRanger I'm in Jeffersonville, not too far from you. I'll try to get out tomorrow and take a few pictures. If I can find it I'll also post a pic from last year of the GF's 04 trailblazer with the snow even with the top of her side veiw mirrors, 46" here in one storm. After that day I feel sorry for all those over in Western NY with the lake effect snow.