Snow Snow plowing

[Billrog]

Well looks like I'm getting the opportunity to see how well the traction is with turf tires on my new Kioti . Yesterday with 6" of fresh wet heavy snow all went well only slid down 1 hill backwards once when I got on straight ice. Having only put 1 hr. on it so far today I get a chance to practice a little more getting use to the controls. Living on a mt. with a long steep driveway I only have ever used chains under extreme icy conditions in the past. So far this tractor has preformed very well with the turf tires . I use a 7' back blade and the bucket to push the piles back or scrape through compact snow. I don't find the hydro-static ft. lever as convenient as the one I'm use to as it's so far forward my foot hit the break pedal often which is very close. I'll see how it goes after a few more hrs. before getting carried away with modifications. The pic. is where we come up to the house and go down on the other side there's only 3 switch backs to deal with the rest is a straight run maybe 1/2 to 3/4 mile altogether. 1st yr. without a cab and you can be dam sure I'll have one built before next winter. Took pick this morning.

This was last yr. s. side of the house when everything was ice with chains on the old tractor.

Much better plowing when it's cold than just around freezing.

 

[nybirdman]

Whoa!Pretty steep eh.I can see where that would be a problem if icy.

 

[pat32rf]

Love those chains on the front!
I have always ran them on the back of my Deere and finally made up a set for the front a few years ago but never installed them until last week. Today I was down at the pond, a spot that I would never go during the winter. Today I was dragging two maple logs each trip back up that hill ...
Tomorrow I think I will go over and see if my neighbour needs to bring out any wood......

 

[Looking4new]

If you were to restrict yourself to plowing down the hill only it would take more time, but it would be a lot safer than trying to plow up the hill.

 

[Thomas]

I agree about plowing down hill more so if your side ways start to slide.
Yep,little wet snow freeze up little better traction long as nobody vehicle packs it down.

 

[Billrog]

I do all the sharp corners where it's steep mainly down hill the straight stretches get plowed going both directions . I've only gone over the bank 3 times in 23 yrs. then I get the backhoe and lift the tractor back on the rd.

 

[Thomas]

" I've only gone over the bank 3 times in 23 yrs. then I get the backhoe and lift the tractor back on the rd. "
Dang,even after one of those pucker factor rides rear chains must...wondering why you don't use 580 for wet snow removal.

 

[Billrog]

Thomas this morning for the 3rd day in a row we had 6" of snow so this morning being the hoe has a nice warm cab and the trees were loaded with snow to land on my head. Put chains on the hoe ( sore back now) and headed down the driveway spinning in circles for about 300' before I could step on the throttle and get it straightened out. Parked it and went and got the tractor plowed for 3 hrs. with no chains I do my neighbors as well only an hr. or so left to go after I thaw out .

 

[Thomas]

"headed down the driveway spinning in circles for about 300' before I could step on the throttle and get it straightened out"
DANG,that would be 11 ticket ride.
Sounds like old man winter came for visit.

 

[Billrog]

Beautiful sunny day now 22 degrees every things plowed sanded the drive got the backhoe back up the hill all is good. Trees are still loaded with heavy snow so it's wise to watch where you walk out side to avoide getting smacked.
Take a few yrs. ago but today looks the same.
Todays pic.

 

[skyhook]

Just curious, Billrog...is your hoe 4x4 and are the rear tires loaded,
you certainly have the weight there, I'm wondering why it can't handle that hill.

 

[Thomas]

Little wind shaking snow from the tress will look like snowball fight,yep know about getting smack on the head when plowing,sure does gets one attention real quick.

 

[Looking4new]

I do all the sharp corners where it's steep mainly down hill the straight stretches get plowed going both directions . I've only gone over the bank 3 times in 23 yrs. then I get the backhoe and lift the tractor back on the rd.

It only takes one time to go over the bank wrong and you end up DEAD. Then someone else gets the backhoe to lift the tractor off you.

 

[Billrog]

Skyhook the hoe is 4x4 the tires are not loaded the machine weighs over 20,000 lbs. the way it's configured and with any traction what so ever goes very well. But when you get that much weight sliding on an icy surface just below freezing not much stops it. Today it's real cold so would probably be okay. Normally I would plow with the tractor then sprinkle a little sand before moving the backhoe so no chains are necessary.
Lookin4new all my rds. have a slight slope to the inside so going over the bank has only happened with the tractor when plowing to close to the edge clearing the snow over to get ready for the next snow fall. By then it's deep enough I don't go over very far just get hung up.