Snow Attachments Rotary Sweeper for snow removal

[Pks]

Does anyone have experience with rotary sweepers for compact tractors-especially for snow removal?

I have a very steep blacktop driveway that gets icy if the snow gets compacted by my loader bucket or box scraper blade. Usually I clear the drive before I leave for work in the morning. Doing this reduces the number of cars that pack the snow into ice near the steep part of the drive. But the blades do leave a little layer, it's almost like a film, of snow that gets compressed and over a couple of days turns to ice. I won't use salt or anything that will kill the grass so I use backyard sand instead. But over time the sand supply will run out so I'm thinking of alternatives.

After watching airports clear their runways of snow using sweepers, I figure that's the hot ticket for me. As long as no vehicles compress the snow before the sweeper can clear it, then the pavement comes out nearly dry. After 3 spinouts on my drive last year and 2 other "holy shi..." there must be a better way.

My compact is a B2400.

Thanx,

Peter

 

[RobS]

Peter, I don't have any experience behind the seat of one, but while at Purdue (go Boilers!) we fondly referred to such machines as the Ice Polishers. They seemed to do a fine job as long as no one had walked or driven on the snow before they took over. If the snow had been packed, even a little, the brush just shined it up a little. I suspect they used them to minimize damage to both the walkways and the removal equipment. I've not priced one, but I suspect you better bring your big checkbook. Hope this helps.

Rob

 

[gerard]

As mentioned price would be a downside. I've seen new ones listed at around $4500. Why so much I don't know but there you are. Also need a pretty good hydraulic flow since that's how they are powered (at lease the ones I've seen) I don't know if a B series would put out that much flow.

 

[bpence]

The folks that maintain the grounds where I work here in SE Michigan use the rotary sweepers on Ford 1920 compacts to clear walkways and some of the parking areas when the snow isn't too deep (read less than 4-5"). Up to that point, it's the snow removal machine of choice for anything other than the big parking lots. 6" or more and they start pushing snow. I believe the 1920 is a 32 or 33 hp tractor, so it has a bit more engine than the B2400. Your best bet is to get ahold of your favorite dealer and find out what the B2400 can handle. And like the other guys before me have said, you should probably stop and make a deposit at the bank on the way to the dealership.

Bob Pence

 

[Pks]

So far, I've been able to learn about hydraulic operated sweepers and mechanical PTO driven ones. The prices are steep.

Still, IMHO, the drive would come out cleanest with the sweeper. If any packed snow builds up on that steep blacktop driveway, then it becomes a safety issue. Maybe I'll buy a 6 ft rear blade as a test. That might be the best choice since it can be angled. The box scraper cannot be angled and snow falls to the side which gets compressed by the front wheels on the next pass...maybe that's where my problem lies.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, I think I'll go find a used rear blade.

Peter

 

[Anonymous Poster]

A PTO driven sander would be less than $500.

 

[hayden]

I've had great success with snow blowers. They get the drive clean enough that the sun takes care of the remainder - as you describe.

The one I've been using is on my JD lawn tractor, but I just got a 3PH blower for my 2910 for my place in VT (1/2 mile road/drive to clear). We'll see how it works in the next few weeks I think. There was an inch or so of snow over the past few days.

 

[Caretaker]

PKS, I have a JD 51" rotary broom that fits on a quick-tach hitch on the front of my JD 4100Hydro. I also have a 47" snowblower and 57" blade that fits on the quick-tach hitch, which I use in conjunction with the Broom & Blade to keep approx. 800 feet of paved 10' driveway cleared. The snowblower will, if adjusted properly, clean the driveway off well enough so that the sun will quickly melt any remaining snow. But, if I need to, (cloudy, etc.) I'll take the broom over the driveway after snowblowing and clear the pavement completely off. The basic problem is this - when snow is compacted, ie. run over by tires, etc. it turns to ice. My wife fell this last Feb, and broke her wrist - which is probably why she got me the tractor! (just kidding)
The broom will do a good job in snow up to 3-4 inches deep - more than that, and the broom starts to carry the snow over the top of the roller and deposit it back on the driveway behind it. I guess my point is this - it's a superior tool for completely cleaning off the pavement after snowblowing or plowing, but it won't do everything. Attached is a pic of the broom mounted on the tractor - I've finished the snowblowing, and as you can see, it's left snow in low spots (birdbaths) in the pavement. The broom is more flexible, though, and will clean the pavement completely of any snow left. I hope this helps - if I can give you any other info, just let me know. Dave Wells.

 

[Efis]

I have a 50" broom attachment for walk behind gravelys. I had it for a couple of years before I tried it in the winter time and was pleasantly surprised by how useful it is. It works great for cleaning up after a blade or blower and exposing black top so the sun can melt the rest. It also works well when the sun softens packed down snow. If the snow has been packed down it will grind it away either to pavement or will leave a nice texture that is not as slippery. Also great for raking/thatching lawns. I would think a 3pt would be cheaper and easier to find used than hydraulic unit and more powerful.

 

[clayhardock]

Check out front deck mowers like a John Deere 1445, the mower deck is removed and sweeper attached in its place. Toro makes a similar unit. You'll need a 4wd unit to do snow work. These would cost less than Skidsteer and broom which would be another alternative. There are also rubber blades for plow edges that might contour better to your driveway and give a cleaning.

Bad part about sweepers is that once the snow compresses they don't work well without chemical or a warm day to help out.