Snow Too much snow! Help!

varmint · Feb 9, 2010

Those of you challenged, like me, by all this snow will enjoy these Ebay listings: of course, non of this stuff is no longer in its prime, but it gives you an idea of what's out there... Don't get frustrated, get the right tool for the job!

1988 Holder C-500 Tractor With Snowblower : eBay Motors (item 290399924764 end time Feb-13-10 14:57:45 PST)

Ford : All Wheel Drive : eBay Motors (item 120528676133 end time Feb-15-10 18:51:21 PST)

Snow Blower truck Diesel upper and lower - eBay (item 130364619448 end time Feb-11-10 12:46:14 PST)

I, on the other hand, have to deal with the next 10-20" of snow, coming as I write this, and no place to push it! Next year, I am going to have some sort of blower.

NuBota · Feb 9, 2010

varmint said:
...
I, on the other hand, have to deal with the next 10-20" of snow, coming as I write this, and no place to push it! Next year, I am going to have some sort of blower.

I have the same sentiment - but then it will sit - because winter will go back to normal.

Can you use a snow blower to spread manure?

montelatici · Feb 9, 2010

"I have the same sentiment - but then it will sit - because winter will go back to normal."

If you mean a tractor mounted snow blower ok. But my self propelled 11.5 HP Ariens two stage was useless in this heavy and deep snow. Maybe it would have worked with chains, but I doubt it.

BotaBigot · Feb 9, 2010

NuBota said:
...but then it will sit - because winter will go back to normal...

Yep...tried to justify a snowblower in the metro DC area for 40+ years...just couldn't do it. Manual blade on garden tractor did the job most of that time. Bought a walk-behind two years ago...Sams' Club, end-of-season. half-price...and still beat myself up for buying it. Rationalized buy as "stroke insurance" (I'm 68). This season, it paid me back...

riptides · Feb 9, 2010

dodge man said:
Geez, what did you do, shoot the horse after you let it out!

I thought it just freaked and dropped.

But the ones we have drop and roll no matter the conditions. Then they tear around the pastures at full speed. I have some other nices shots of them running.

BotaBigot · Feb 9, 2010

montelatici said:
...But my self propelled 11.5 HP Ariens two stage was useless in this heavy and deep snow. Maybe it would have worked with chains, but I doubt it.

That's about what I have. Every piece of snow removal equipment has limitations, the trick is to move snow before reaching that limit. Even at slowest ground speed, mine chokes at 12", so I blew every 10" or less, no chains. Smartest thing I did was buy one of those vinyl "cabs" for it...

montelatici · Feb 9, 2010

BotaBigot said:
That's about what I have. Every piece of snow removal equipment has limitations, the trick is to move snow before reaching that limit. Even at slowest ground speed, mine chokes at 12", so I blew every 10" or less, no chains. Smartest thing I did was buy one of those vinyl "cabs" for it...

Well, it's coming down again here and the flakes are real big for now, about 1" and more. So unless it changes it should be light and I'll give the Ariens another chance before I go with the BX. They say that the wind will pick up tonight to 30 knots so I'm not so sure I want to be out there doing interim removals as everyone rightly suggest, but we'll see.

thavil · Feb 9, 2010

riptides said:
Here are a few.

One of the horses right after we let it out of the barn.

The other two, using the FEL to move the snow. I actually have a blade on the backend that was attached just for this snow. Getting smarter all the time.

Thanks for the pictures Mike. The boy I showed a picture of rolls in anything also. He loves to roll where the other two will only do it in good conditions or when horse flies are tearing them up.

Have fun clearing this new round of snow that is falling right now.

dcyrilc · Feb 9, 2010

riptides said:
I thought it just freaked and dropped. But the ones we have drop and roll no matter the conditions. Then they tear around the pastures at full speed. I have some other nices shots of them running.

Should be beautiful watching them play in the snow.

riptides · Feb 10, 2010

thavil said:
Have fun clearing this new round of snow that is falling right now.

Think I'll wait, just heard your entire state is under a blizzard warning, and Montgomery County is actually pulling the plows off the roads.

I got smart last night and pulled one of the bota's into the barn. That will save me a few hundred feet of plowing.

thavil · Feb 10, 2010

riptides said:
Think I'll wait, just heard your entire state is under a blizzard warning, and Montgomery County is actually pulling the plows off the roads.

I got smart last night and pulled one of the bota's into the barn. That will save me a few hundred feet of plowing.

I'm going to wait this one out also, the wind is blowing up to 45 mph right now and blinding at times. I've never seen a real blizzard before.

montelatici · Feb 10, 2010

This is really something, got a call from the Marina saying my sailboat is below the water line because of the weight of the snow! Luckily I have a friend out there who is going to check it out!

Two roofs have collapsed in Upper Marlboro, which is nearby. I'm listening for creaking noises.

Well, getting ready to go out to do some interim clearing blizzard notwhithstanding. Glad I covered the BX with a tarp and left it in the driveway or else it would have taken hours to get it from the barn to the driveway again.

pdowling1 · Feb 10, 2010

I was just out clearing my driveway, The wind picked up & I couldn't see 10 feet! Time to go inside & wait it out. We have a good 16 inches of new snow already. The picture was taken early this AM, before the wind picked up. The cars were clear of snow yesterday. Note how high up the fence the snow is.

montelatici · Feb 10, 2010

Maybe I am a wimp, but I went out there and as I was taking the tarp off the BX, I realized that I the snow was blinding me even with goggles on. I covered the BX up and returned inside.

I think this business of interim plowing may be ok in less harsh conditions. I think that atlantic powered blizzards may be something a little bit more serious than lake powered blizzards.

I am going to wait this out.

Stargazer · Feb 10, 2010

Montelatic

Maybe put your snowblower in bucket and go SLOW. Just let it fill/pack bucket around it.

Least it would get snow a little farther than FEL. You all must be running out of push room/space .

tommu56 · Feb 10, 2010

jambx said:
I will do it!!!!!

With only 10 inches of the white stuff so far this year I am thinking of putting in snow making machines or.........maybe move to a mid atlantic state!!!

don't here move to Calgary they anint got no snow for the Olympics.

tom

montelatici · Feb 10, 2010

"
Maybe put your snowblower in bucket and go SLOW. Just let it fill/pack bucket around it."

That is an interesting idea. If the back of the blower clears the top of the FEL bucket and I can lock the blower screw handle to constant on, it might work or I might destroy a perfectly good snow blower!!!!

Stargazer · Feb 10, 2010

figured since you said 11.5 HP it must be a 28-32" wide blower. Make sure you chain/tie it in solid to bucket

Egon · Feb 10, 2010

don't here move to Calgary they anint got no snow for the Olympics.

Calgary is a long way from the Olympics!

mjfox6 · Feb 10, 2010

Thanks for all of the pictures, I miss the snow. I lived in MD for 5 years and we got a couple of good snows while I was there. To make all of you feel better that hate snow, I kicked a baby copperhead up out of the leaves last Saturday. I'd rather have the snow!