Snow Of Snow and FELs and Such (Part 2)

narcnh · Dec 7, 2003

Well, I finished plowing the driveway today. What a job, but what a blast! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Practice must make perfect, because it seemed a lot easier today. It went pretty smoothly, even without chains, but I still need them, because I did get bogged down a couple of times (not stuck, though) and couldn’t widen the plowed area as much as I would have liked (and as others have recommended to get ready for the next storm). But, will get chains this week and tackle the widening project next weekend. The FEL works fine for plowing, it just takes several passes to get all the snow off that spills out to the driveway side with each pass. It’s more of a challenge at the bottom, where the driveway comes out onto a county road. Not much traffic today, but could be fun later this winter. I’ve got to get used to adjusting the bucket from the pitch of the driveway to the flat surface of the paved road (I’m pushing snow across the road to the other bank), ‘cause it will dig right in, if I’m not careful, but I guess I’ll get better at that with time. If anybody has any suggestions for dealing with that transition (sloping hardpack to flat asphalt), I’d appreciate it.

Here’s where you guys really saved my back. I was sitting on the tractor looking at the carriage house/garage and thinking 1) this is gonna bite to have to shovel all that out from up against the building, and 2) there’s got to be a better way, when I remembered reading something about pulling BACK with the FEL, instead of pushing with it. Oh man, did that work like a charm, especially because there’s an overhang in front of the doors. I got the whole apron in front of the garage looking like it had been snow blown. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Left a little ‘Bota Orange on one of the posts, when I got too close, but they’re getting painted in the spring, anyway. Don’t know who posted that method or when (or, maybe it’s just common knowledge?), but THANKS!

And thank to everyone for all the great advice. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bill

RoyJackson · Dec 7, 2003

Yep, back dragging snow lets one get mighty close to houses and vehicles.

You may have already picked up on this, but if you curl your bucket up a few degrees when you're plowing forward, it's much less likely to dig into the driveway or pavement (or gravel, if that's what you've got).

Still, a back blade (your 7800 should handle a 72" blade with no problem) makes this job even easier. It is a bit of a drag plowing in reverse, but it is faster then using the loader bucket.

If you do get stuck (it'll happen sooner or later), you can use the loader to push your tractor out. Just drop the bucket with the bottom (of the bucket) as close to vertical as you can get then curl. That will lift your front end slightly and push you back a bit. Might take a few times, but this works.
I read in your profile you live alone with a dog. It'd sure be safer if someone was there with you when you're working your machine. Accidents do happen... Well, at least keep a cell phone and your neighbor's phone number programmed in the cell phone.

Wheeldog · Dec 8, 2003

I agree with what Roy said about the back blade. I think you'll find that you can be a lot more efficient with the blade than with the loader. I like to make a few passes with the blade, then chip back the banks with the blade and the loader. The loader works great at pushing piles back and backdragging like you've discovered, but I've never had much luck trying to plow with it. (Plus there's just something about grinding away at the front lip of the bucket /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif).

If there's not much snow you can drive forward and drag the blade too. That's even better for the neck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

sandyc · Dec 8, 2003

Narcnh:
I'll bet that everyone who has a 'Bota has left a bit of orange on a car bumper or garage doorway. So for I have been lucky and left only paint. I have moved a table saw and other assorted tools in my barn because of the weight box on my tractor and backing up and forgetting that the box adds a couple of feet to the back end. Guess that is life!

narcnh · Dec 8, 2003

Good advice about the cell phone, Roy. My dog wouldn't be much help, if I rolled my tractor into the woods.

And to yours and Wheeldog's point about the rearblade, I actually do have a Woods RB72. But, thought I'd try the FEL first. I wish the RB had a better offset method than unbolting the blade, unlike the Brushhog, which has a pin. Would be nice to stay on the cleared driveway and push the snow over. But, once I get my chains, I might give the RB a try. Won't be until next weekend, though.

Sandy, I came THIS close to punching through the carriage house door with the 3PH, when I first backed up to the door and before I figured out how to back drag. Now THAT would have bit the big one.

LateBloomer · Dec 15, 2003

Not only left a little orange but also some black from the foot plates on my BH stabilizers. THose things stick out farther than you think. Hard to fuss at the wife for scratches on the car after I dinged our travel trailer pretty good this way.