Snow痴 coming

[Hilbilly]

I'm jealous of the snow you got. I'm anxiously waiting for enough snow for the first blowing session. I haven't had enough time with the new inverted blower yet, to determine if it will be the best solution for my needs. And I want to go play.

 

[metalbender]

Was out with my ft mount this morning clearing an area for the heating fuel truck to have room to turn around. Nothing abnormal YET. As with any project, one always expects some form of glitch to present itself. More snow is falling and blowing around right now.

 

[Hilbilly]

Did you figure out a way to ensure you don't lift the FEL too high and disengage the blower driveshaft?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Just shorts yesterday. Winter coat and a toque today.

 

[metalbender]

Looking for an easy to disconnect way. Prob wind up using the limit chain to the frame, using screw links and covered chain. Saw it somewhere.

 

[Hilbilly]

Looking for an easy to disconnect way. Prob wind up using the limit chain to the frame, using screw links and covered chain. Saw it somewhere.

Simple solution that works. Musta bin doin some sittin and thinkin.

 

[Rustyiron]

Great project and execution :thumbsup:

 

[Hilbilly]

Snow finally came last night. Woke up to about 6" on the ground, with temps just below freezing, and snow still coming down. Weatherman called for it to warm and turn to rain so I figured I better get the snow off the driveway if I didn't want a bunch of slop to deal with. Used the inverted blower for the driveway and the snow plow/pusher for the rest. The blower worked great, even with the heavy snow. By the time I was done there was close to another 6" on the ground. The temps got slightly warmer but not enough for the precip to turn to rain. Very heavy snow now. I may have to do it again tomorrow.

 

[LouNY]

I've looked at some of those posts and it seems like anyone that has tried it really likes the improvement. I bet it would really help but I doubt it would be enough for my conditions. My driveway is pretty steep in some places and I am absolutely positive the chains are required. I've used chains for years but the ones I've tried didn't cut it. I had "H" pattern chains on the back tires and even with those I would have a tough time getting up the bottom part of our driveway, where the grade is about 15%. Those chains did not have v bars and would not work on hard pack or ice. Plus the cross links would slip in between the lugs and offer very little, to no help. Last year I decided to go big and spent the money to get Euro style ice chains. Those things are expensive but they are amazing. The grip is incredible and the ride is pretty smooth. Certainly better than the ladder chains I used to have on the front tires. I now have euro style ice chains on all 4 tires and the tractor is a tank. With the old "H" chains I would struggle just to get the tractor up the bottom of the driveway, without trying to do any work. Sometimes I would have to take several runs at it and have the rear dif lock engaged. With the current setup I can plow up that section with no trouble at all.

People that have not used or at least seen what the studded Euro style chains do tend to think
we are exaggerating at how well they work and how much greater then any of the "conventional" styles of traction chain.

 

[Hilbilly]

People that have not used or at least seen what the studded Euro style chains do tend to think
we are exaggerating at how well they work and how much greater then any of the "conventional" styles of traction chain.

At the beginning of this year we got 48" of snow in 24hrs and it was a surreal time in our area. I was lucky that I had just purchased and installed ice chains on all 4 tires and had the rear facing snow blower on at the time. Otherwise I would have been screwed, like a lot of my neighbors. My next door neighbors have a dozer, excavator, tractor and skidsteer and they couldn't deal with the snow. The dozer was in a back field and they couldn't get to it, the skidsteer didn't have chains and was useless, the tractor had "H" pattern chains and they were useless. I ended up clearing their driveway going uphill while blowing snow. They were amazed at where my tractor would go and immediately ordered a set of euro ice chains for the their tractor. You should have seen the smile on the neighbors face when she first pulled her tractor out of the barn with the new chains installed. Then she put it to work and could not believe the difference those chains made.

They are expensive but I am very glad I spent the money. Not saying everyone should have them or needs them but for my conditions it was one of the best purchases I have made for the tractor.