Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Snow has arrived

[hagman]

Well it's a winter wonderland in Central IL today. 10 -12 inches on the ground already and more still coming down. Winds are 25-40 mph and gusting so it's just paradise! I've had the Kubota out clearing mine and my neighbors drives but they just fill back up in a matter of minutes. Good thing I have the box scraper on he back as I'm slipping around enough as is . I'm thinking I might need to invest in a set of tire chains although this kind of snow is rare for Central IL these days.This is the first winter with me having a tractor so I guess I need to ask if there is anything I need to do with it after clearing snow? It's stored in an unheated shelter so there is no thawing out until the weather breaks. Guess I'm just going to have to break open a barley pop or two until the snow stops.

Hagman
B7610 Kunbota w/FEL, MMM & Box Scraper

 

[ccsial]

I'm Northwest of Rockford about 25 miles and we got about 4 inches. The wind is wicked here too. I just got inside from doing the drive with my L3400 and blower. As much as I love using my tractors I could do without this stuff. I don't mind the cold but the snow is a real pain for the cars. The roads around here look like the Bonneville salt flats, except with hills. They start with salting when the NWS predicts flurries.

My tractors are stored in unheated garages too. I brush off most of the snow before I put them away.

 

[Thomas]

Plow in low range and make the job last.
Post some pics as your having fun...opps...working.

Storm systems almost upon us here in the northeast...gonner be nasty

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I live in between you guys and got around 8". I'm not real shure because one place has 2' and the next has 4".It started out as fun. I plowed my drive and two neighbors. By the time I got back home had to do mine again. The neighbors will have to wait till morning before I do them agin because the wind is blowing so hard (30-40 mph) the snow hitting me in the face hurts. It is the first time I wished I had a cab.

 

[archerynut]

I live near Pittsburgh and we are starting to get what you guys in IL just had. We have about 6 inches on the ground and another couple of inches on the way. Only problem is that I haven't been able to decide exactly which tractor I want yet, so I had to to use the snowblower today. It made me realize how badly I need that tractor. Was just outside and it has changed to freezing rain, that's no good for anyone .

 

[LoneCowboy]

Speed is the key to moving snow
once it stops it's over.
You should be in the same gear/speed that you use for pushing dirt (quick, not too fast so you lose traction, but fast enough to move it)
float is a wonderful thing on a FEL in snow.
weight helps a lot

 

[kwolfe]

Here in Harrisburg PA we have around 5 inches. Got to try out my bx1500 with 5ft rear blade for the first time. Worked great. archerynut, you need to hustle. This is my first winter using a tractor and it sure beats my Yardmachine blower.

 

[homeinwestIL]

I have 10" to the west of you. I have a 2000 foot lane to clear but didn't attempt it today with the snow still coming and blowing. I walked about 800 feet down the lane to check the depth late this afternoon and my footsteps were already half filled when I was walking back. Tomorrow is supposed to be cold with a high of 14 and windy. Maybe I'll put it off until March when it warms up.

 

[JOELENAHAN]

Was just outside "playing", We finally seem to be having a substantial snow storm. My wife thinks I am crazy for my prematute plowing expedition. I know that I will have to plow tomorrow, but I am sort of excited to be out there knowing I will be having fun tomorrow.

 

[deere755]

We had about 6 inches here in Sullivan and wind. I used to get excited about plowing snow but it doesn't seem as fun the older I get. I plowed my drive and inlaws drive I know I will have it all to do again in the morning but it won't be as deep. If I had a new cab tractor it might be fun again. All I have to do is convince the wife.

 

[BernieSr]

I'm is Cleveland, OH and I just finished plowing with my TC30 with a cab. It's a joy to plow again, out of the wind, snow and cold. Oh by the way I installed a electric heater and it's just right. Getting back to the snow we have about 10 inches already and they said it will keep snowing until noon Wednesday. I did 4 other driveways and this was the heaviest snow I've pushed in awhile. I done use chains just 4 wheel drive.

 

[rcrodgersjr]

Can anyone suggest the best way to use the front loader on my JD2305 to do the driveway (about 1800 feet long) without damaging the asphalt?

 

[dtd24]

We just recieved your snow, and will continue to until tonight. It started last night at about 2 or 3am, it's now 8:30am and we have 8". Supposed to get 3'. It was my first time plowing with my JD1070 and 7' back blade. It worked out great. A bit colder than my plow truck!!!!! Makes me feel like a kid again.

 

[Oleozz]

rcrodgersjr---Put the FEL on float, keep your bucket level and let er rip. No, not the asphalt, the snow. You won't dig up your asphalt on float with the bucket level.

 

[dsb5610]

I'm southwest of Rockford. Hard to tell how much we got with all the wind. Neighbor asked if I would bring the blower up and tackle a big drift. He wasn't kidding, was chin high and probably 20' long. Another neighbor's drive was 2-3' deep by the road. He called today to ask if I could pay another visit .... drifted shut again. Fortunately winds have died down now.

Mine is stored in an unheated shed. I brush the blower or bucket off before parking it.

dsb

 

[daTeacha]

I'm about 75 miles south of Cleveland. We have about 15 inches where it's level, but most of it has been rearranged a bit by the wind that everyone else got, too. I plowed yesterday afternoon, and am just doing computer work on my 5th snow day of the year and waiting for the wind to quit moving the snow so I can go out and do the same. We saw 8F at 8:45 this morning, but it's about 12 now. Should go down to 3F tonight. There is a level 3 snow emergency starting at the county line about 2 miles south of me. That means you can get a ticket just for being out on the road in your car down in Holmes County. I wonder if that applies to the Amish, too? We are at a level 2 here and all schools are closed along with some businesses.

I love my locust firewood! The furnace doesn't run in this, I'm just heating by woodburning stove.

 

[Billy_S]

I live just outside of Springfield. I moved snow with my FEL for about 2 hours yesterday and another 6 hours today. I don't care if I never see another flake of snow. Normally I enjoy sitting on the tractor, but not at -8 wind chill. I am too old for this.

 

[JoeL4330]

Check out new Government Snowplow

 

[Thomas]

Cute one Joe..lol..gotta send that to friend who plows for the state.

 

[mrutkaus]

About 5" with 12" drifts here in Winchester VA, very heavy snow after 12 hours of freezing rain.

First time snow using 2 yr old Kioti CK30HST, rear chains, and back blade, worked well. I was mildly disappointed plowing UP the state road hill nearby as I was slipping so I went up and plowed down.

Only after plowing half of mine and the state road and my neighbor's drive did I realize I had been in 2 wheel drive. No problems after switching to 4WD.

Those 25 years of plowing with a Cub Cadet and a front blade helped a lot! You get a certain speed and rhythm going.

Mike