Snow Snow plowing recommendations for gravel road

[jyoutz]

Thanks for the recommendations all. Looks like I'm going to be able to test them out - they're calling for 12-18" at my place today/tomorrow!

We have about 4” now and snowing. Supposed to get 12” today and another 4-6” tonight/tomorrow.

 

[sree251]

Thanks for the recommendations all. Looks like I'm going to be able to test them out - they're calling for 12-18" at my place today/tomorrow!

Let us know your test results.

 

[oosik]

I have a mile long, gravel driveway. I've always used a rear blade. Reverse the blade if the driveway is still soft and the snow must be removed. When I had a smaller tractor I also had a 3-point blower. Used to clear any berms that would form.

Now I have a much bigger tractor and heavier rear blade. Clearing any berms with this tractor/rear blade is no longer a problem.

The Rhino 950 rear blade on my M6040 can be offset about 18" outside the rear tire. This allows the snow to be cleared without the tractor riding on the very edge of the driveway.

 

[Rockbadchild]

1 mile driveway is pretty long, but 2 to 3 time a year is not very much... depend on your budget but with a long driveway a plow works well ... if you don't have issue starting your tractor during the winter a snow blower that's probably the way to go especially since you want to be in a cab as you mentioned ... getting a plow for your quad would be the most cost effective and you always have your skid steer or tractor as back up ...

 

[ovrszd]

I have a mile long, gravel driveway. I've always used a rear blade. Reverse the blade if the driveway is still soft and the snow must be removed. When I had a smaller tractor I also had a 3-point blower. Used to clear any berms that would form.

Now I have a much bigger tractor and heavier rear blade. Clearing any berms with this tractor/rear blade is no longer a problem.

The Rhino 950 rear blade on my M6040 can be offset about 18" outside the rear tire. This allows the snow to be cleared without the tractor riding on the very edge of the driveway.

View attachment 732061

Biggest mistake when blading a soft roadway is running the machine tire out to the edge. Really regret that when water starts running.

In these modern times I have little use for a rear blade that won't offset.

 

[sree251]

1 mile driveway is pretty long, but 2 to 3 time a year is not very much... depend on your budget but with a long driveway a plow works well ... if you don't have issue starting your tractor during the winter a snow blower that's probably the way to go especially since you want to be in a cab as you mentioned ... getting a plow for your quad would be the most cost effective and you always have your skid steer or tractor as back up ...

1 mile driveway is mind boggling to me. What are the reasons for not siting the main house and barn closer to the boundary of the land fronting the county road?

 

[Rockbadchild]

1 mile driveway is mind boggling to me. What are the reasons for not siting the main house and barn closer to the boundary of the land fronting the county road?

ya a mile long is pretty insane to me as well, but its nice no hearing the traffic, the feeling of being alone without neighbor and stuff ... without the winters my driveway were I will built would've been 1/4 mile to get right on the side of the lake but because of the winter, cost of gravel and bridging the hydro it won't happen

 

[ovrszd]

ya a mile long is pretty insane to me as well, but its nice no hearing the traffic, the feeling of being alone without neighbor and stuff ... without the winters my driveway were I will built would've been 1/4 mile to get right on the side of the lake but because of the winter, cost of gravel and bridging the hydro it won't happen

I wanted to build 1/4 mile off the gravel road, back in the timber. Wife was onboard so we went and picked a spot. In the middle of some very large oak trees. Clear the underbrush and it would be perfect. So her and I were standing there imagining what it would be like. I said "Honey, you understand the Raccoons are gonna poop on your porch and the squirrels are gonna carry off everything not fastened down." Big mistake on my part. She said "I'm not having any of that." So we live 100 yards off the gravel. Have a 10 mile view to the South. But have to deal with the 6-8 vehicles a day that go by. What was I thinking mentioning the Raccoons?????

 

[sree251]

I wanted to build 1/4 mile off the gravel road, back in the timber. Wife was onboard so we went and picked a spot. In the middle of some very large oak trees. Clear the underbrush and it would be perfect. So her and I were standing there imagining what it would be like. I said "Honey, you understand the Raccoons are gonna poop on your porch and the squirrels are gonna carry off everything not fastened down." Big mistake on my part. She said "I'm not having any of that." So we live 100 yards off the gravel. Have a 10 mile view to the South. But have to deal with the 6-8 vehicles a day that go by. What was I thinking mentioning the Raccoons?????

You would rather deal with raccoons? Makes sense. You can shoo the critters away, shoot them even. 1/4 mile away from vehicles sounds right.

 

[ovrszd]

You would rather deal with raccoons? Makes sense. You can shoo the critters away, shoot them even. 1/4 mile away from vehicles sounds right.

I'm a timber, wildlife guy. Coons don't bother me at all. We wouldn't have had any view was the only down side I could see. The property I lived on for 40 years had a 28 mile view to the SE. Weather permitting I eat lunch on the front porch now with my 10 mile view. I see Deer and/or Turkeys in my fields every day. I have no complaints.