In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Options for for Moving Snow When Snowed In?

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by wildwest, Aug 29, 2014.

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  1. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    These posts gave me clarity. We need a tractor. So much snow last winter and only the very last storm in May was not blown into drifts. Now I know what to research. Thank you all of you.
     
    wildwest, Aug 29, 2014
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  2. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    BINGO! now going to google Regular full sized farm tractors are a better buy with a wide front end not the tricycle type, thank you. Hopefully one that dear husband can work on. Our newer pickups require us to take them to a mechanic.
     
    wildwest, Aug 29, 2014
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  3. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    One thing perhaps most are not looking at is that although that area does get some snow and occasionally a big one, it is not like what we get in the north; that is, it doesn't last that long which is fortunate for them.

    Here is what we use. This picture was taken early in the season and not much snow but it still worked good for clearing lanes. We also use it to clear our driveway and a few of the neighbor's driveways too. I've even been known to clear the road and had to do that once last year as the county was not too concerned if we could get out or not.

    On a 10' drift for sure anything will struggle and a tractor with FEL works about the best. I don't think I've plowed anything over 3' with ours. Even then, I take small bites rather than trying to take the whole thing at once. Sometimes I'll even lift the blade about a foot off the ground and plow then go back after all is plowed to finish the job. It takes longer but gets the job done.
    12-17-2010.JPG
     
    Backwoods Savage, Aug 29, 2014
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  4. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    FEL, front end loader?
     
    wildwest, Aug 29, 2014
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  5. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Yes.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Aug 29, 2014
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  6. badbob

    badbob

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    Being that flat I see constant drifting.Keep a lookout for a older backhoe.2wd is fine long as it has a locking diff.I run an older 580d case 2wd,trygg chains,way faster than neighbors hough loader and other neighbors cat dozer.With all that property a hoe would come in handy.Just remember a backhoe will do about anything but good at nothing.Look for one with a cab.
     
    badbob, Aug 29, 2014
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  7. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Hope you keep posting here on FHC Wild. I'd really like seeing your snow adventures with the deep stuff blowing sideways. These days, yeah enclosed cab, would be my choice too. I'm gettin wimpy... :emb:

    Side note... if you end up with a tractor, it's pretty easy (sorta) to whip up a V plow out of wood to scoop n go with, when needed. Might help with the occasional "punches" to get thru.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2014
    Stinny, Aug 30, 2014
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  8. chris

    chris

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    Yes
     
    chris, Aug 30, 2014
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  9. chris

    chris

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    Stay with the common names so parts are available, Massey Ferguson, Allis Chalmers, John Deere, New Holland, Ford. Not saying that imports are bad but in those you have be careful as to who made what and where. Some were good units but company went belly up and parts are difficult at best. A lot of the newer old standby names are all made overseas now. Research is the key and weather there is a dealer in a reasonable distance that is worth a hoot. ( ya just like car dealerships some ain't worth the effort to bother with) Older industrial units as mention above can sometimes be the ticket. Not all of these have a 3 point & pto out the back. With any of these make sure tires are good. Tires are very expensive.
     
    chris, Aug 30, 2014
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  10. Guido Salvage

    Guido Salvage

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    For far less than snow removal equipment would cost, you could hire someone to move you to where it is warm.
     
    Guido Salvage, Aug 30, 2014
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  11. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

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    Well, compared to us northern folks, it is relatively warm down there. They don't have long winters like we do which is fortunate for them especially when you see the wide open spaces.

    We used to go through there on our way to Yuma and that would usually be in December and once in January. One time they were forecasting a storm so a bit west of Armadillo (it sometimes drives people nuts when I call it that. Have had lots of fun with it over the years.), we headed south. Missed any snow but surely ran into lots of high wind. Even had to wait at one point as a tractor-trailer had blown over in the roadway. Hard to get around stuff like that.
     
    Backwoods Savage, Aug 30, 2014
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  12. nate

    nate Banned

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    snowblower would work great for drifts. Would be better than a FEL.




     
    nate, Aug 30, 2014
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  13. chris

    chris

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    Snowblowers- rear mounted on tractor work pretty good- need tractor though first with enough hp at pto for size of blower- new blower 2g on up. Some are self powered double the price. There are a few that use quick attach on fel- also self powered start at about 5g. It is a peal pain in the neck to be twisted around backing up for an extended time. Used ones are around apx $500 on up. still need tractor first so its the old horse and cart discussion. Now I may have misinterpreted the op's first post as to drift , I took it to mean 10 ft deep, 10 ft wide is another matter depending on the depth. Still any kind of drifting can be a nightmare to deal with, equivalent to pushing wet cement. The deeper it is the worse it gets. Blowers are nice in that they prevent the shoulder build up and consequential narrowing of the lane with each succeeding storm unless pushed back significantly each storm. Once it sets up its like trying to move a brick wall , just a plow will not always be able to push it back. People think that plowing snow is a breeze- wrong assumption it is extremely stressful- need eyes 360 deg., surface conditions change on a weekly/ daily basis ( try hitting a pressure ridge from freeze thaw cycles at about 10 mph or less, some of these can stop you dead in your tracks) equipment maintenance/ repair. numerous other details that all add up. And of course everyone wants to be plowed before they need to leave for work or before employees begin arriving for work. Mother Nature is not that considerate. Hours suck. Insurance makes health care look cheap. As with our wood heat we spend all summer getting ready for winter.
     
    chris, Aug 31, 2014
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  14. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    What I know is that one thanksgiving in California, and several business trips to chicago in the dead of winter always felt much colder to me than the same temperature in Colorado. I think it was the humidity...

    Can you elaborate on wide open? Whats in the view in MI, mountains, lakes, different elevations?
     
    wildwest, Aug 31, 2014
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  15. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Wow these are exactly what I need. I am getting on as soon as I win the lottery! It's fun to dream though. Thanks.
     
    wildwest, Aug 31, 2014
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  16. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I feel your pain with insurance, both at my husbands work and our personal health insurance. It's insane, our bank account drops by $1K overnight once per month when the payment goes out for him and daughter only.

    We have many 1-2' drifts that we can eventually work tire tracks through to travel navigate, higher than that, we have trouble. We had one on side of the house with a drift over 10' high, 50' long, and 8'+' wide (deep). I did not see the drift that trapped our neighborhood in this spring, I never left warmth of the woodstoves :campfire:lol

    Good idea Jack, I will research snow fences. Interesting though, here is where one of the worst drifts was. It seemed like the house and fence tunneled the wind through here for 6 months straight. We are considering removing the fence.... Neighbor has many old vehicles there, but I would rather have a view of the mountains than of the fence infront of his things. I honestly don't mind. No Idea, but I am wondering "if" this giant one was alleviated if there would be less drifts in the driveway? We need to research and study them again this winter. Great suggestion, I know a snow fence would help but we need identify the correct placement for them.
    pre purchase 053.JPG

    PS dog lovers, the shed in the background is the on that got totally drifted over, even the roof and enabled beloved dog to walk over the fence last Jan. She was home safe 5 days later and found 30 miles away in subzero night temps...
     
    wildwest, Sep 1, 2014
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  17. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Enjoyed reading this Wild. You have and are giving your snow realities a lot of thought which should help a lot. I'm as much of a snow kook as I am a firewood weirdo. Can't wait to see this year's snow pics in Wyoming, and how you guys manage it.
     
    Stinny, Sep 1, 2014
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  18. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :picard:He just called me, leased a polaris w plow. Too bad we cant lease a new woodstove insert!
     
    wildwest, Oct 21, 2014
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  19. Stinny

    Stinny

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    Got a pic of what he leased? Sounds like fun. Maybe it comes with an insert... ;)
     
    Stinny, Oct 21, 2014
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  20. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    :rofl: :lol:

    I have no idea, I'll see if I can google the model when he gets home tonight:popcorn:
     
    wildwest, Oct 21, 2014
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