Snow Snow Spanking

[whistlepig]

Our fourth winter here last week and it was a dandy. 29" of snow and winds of 30 MPH. I've gotten by for years with an ATV with a blade. Not here. Flat as Kansas it is here. The loader and tractor has now become a necessity. Even with 4 wheel assist and loaded tires I had trouble getting around in this type of snow. Right now I am planning on buying two link chains and a ballast box. Any other suggestions would be more than welcome.

 

[radioman]

I think anything over a foot of heavy kind of snow requires time to push snow around with a lightweight tractor. I do find that using an angled blade really helps to push snow off to the side quicker. Even with my BX, I can handle deep snow with the blade up in the air about 6 inches is enough to push the top layer of snow off to side to the point where its managable to scrape and clean up the driveways. It becomes less of a chore and more fun this way I think.

 

[bp fick]

Whistlepig

My only thought is this. This year was odd. The bulk of the heavier storms tracked much further south than a "typical" year, if there is such a things as typical. Thus, folks unaccustomed to dealing with snow, or at least regularly, were hip deep in snow after snow.

Last fall here on TBN, there were a number of threads of "getting ready". Mostly there was a lot of laughter and even more denial. The greatest singular piece of advice that "snow belt regulars" offer to those who struggle with snow is this:

Get out there early and often.

Folks gotta take that seriously. It has to be heeded. DOT trucks go! Highway Dept trucks do! If they didn't they'd never keep up and the political screaming would cost some directors their jobs.

 

[fish6942]

... The greatest singular piece of advice that "snow belt regulars" offer to those who struggle with snow is this:

Get out there early and often.

Folks gotta take that seriously. ...

That is unless you're using a blower. The only reasons I go out to blow snow are: 1) It's done snowing. 2) The depth is greater than the 24" height of my blower. 3) We need to get out sooner.

 

[bp fick]

That is unless you're using a blower. The only reasons I go out to blow snow are: 1) It's done snowing. 2) The depth is greater than the 24" height of my blower. 3) We need to get out sooner.

Each to his own. Me? I'd still rather clear 12" and then nap. Have a hot meal, and then go out and hit the second 12" of snow fall. But that's just me.

 

[keyman1808]

I'm with BP on this if its a day I dont need to get into the office. Then more seat time the better. If its means getting up at midnight clearing 12 inchesthen again at 6 AM when I need to get into the office then I will just wait until morning. So I hope it snows on weekends and holidays....More fun for me

 

[bp fick]

Keyman

Yup, but there's more involved than merely the joy of seat time. It's also easier on the equipment and you don't get behind the eight-ball. I dunno, but listening here on TBN, I just got a suspicion that this year, being weirder than the recent past, a whole bunch of guys kinda got caught. Too much snow, too heavy, too fast, inadequate equipment, no chains, you name it. Chinks in the armor showed up, so to speak. If you are on the margins, plow (blow) sooner and do it more often. Better safe than sorry. Once you are buried, it's a handful and wearisome.

 

[keyman1808]

Thats true BP. I have a front mounted blower for my BX now so unless there is more than 24 inches expected I dont care and anything more that that and I am not going in anyway so I would due a mid storm clearing. I learned from when I had a jeep and plow setup. You wait and your stuck.

 

[beenthere]

I think we all tend to move to whatever we like to do at the moment.

I'd rather plow than bucket,
rather plow quick with 7' angled plow than blow snow slow,
and now use the wing plow to move the berm back further to make room for the next storm.

But that may be just me.

 

[Matt_Jr]

I too was caught with my pants down. The bx just slid all over the place. Got stuck several times. Forced me to park it and grab a shovel. My wife was great though, and helped me shovel the whole driveway. The next day, we went to town and drove around all day looking for chains for the rear tires. After failing to find chains I cut up a pair that fit my truck to make them work. I should of done that in the first place. The chains made all the difference. Not having chains on the tractor, and living on a mountain, made my tractor useless this past snowstorm. After putting chains on the rear, it was unstoppable. Really. And we had over 40" of snow in some places. When I pulled up to people's driveways and started digging them out, you would have thought I pulled them off a raft in the middle of the ocean. They felt saved. One neighbor said he could kiss me. I quickly let him know he wasn't my type, being a man and all. I have a rear blade on the bx, and it came with a loader. If it comes to it, I'll use the backhoe to dig into the hard stuff the back blade or loader can't handle before I pick up a shovel again if there's any large amount. My back just handle that much shoveling again.. Ever.