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Way Off Topic - Snow Removal

Gonz

Gonz

Ultra Runner
Joined
Mar 18, 2005
Messages
4,842
Location
St. Paul
Yep, this has nothing to do with cigars. So we moved into our new house this weekend, and I need some help from anyone here who has to deal with this, or really knows alot about lawn/garden tractors, snow removal and Four-wheelers.

I have about an acre worth of grass to mow, and while we're not talking about 45 degree slopes, it's not exactly flat either. We also have a really long driveway that climbs about 30-40 feet in elevation between the house and road. And it's probably about 12 feet wide by about 250 feet in total length.

I'm looking for reccomendations on how I should approach the task of snow removal. My initial thought was to get an LX or G series JD lawn tractor, then during the winter months throw chains on the tires and get a snow blower on the front. My father-in-law (who knows (or thinks he knows) everything there is to know about John Deere tractors) says there's no way my idea will work, and I'll need a light duty farm tractor with a front scoop or blade. The other idea that occured to me was to get a heavy duty four-wheeler and hook a blower or blade to that.

Currently the driveway is well-packed gravel, but it will be blacktopped next year.

Help! :0
 
I have a 20hp lawn tractor with a 48" blade for snow. A total waste if it gets deeper then 8-10" because there isn't enough traction even with chains to push the stuff where I need to push it. Get a nice unit to cut the grass and a snow blower for the white stuff. Using my neighbors blower is almost twice as fast as plowing for me. BTW, my driveways (yes, 2 of them) total about 225'.
 
If you have a pick-up or suv, you may even consider just putting a plow on it for the driveway. That way you can have your lawnmower for the grass and the plow for the snow. Otherwise consider the snowblower attachment or just get a snow blower and you will get longer life for the lawn mower/tractor. Just my thought.
 
If its deep(more than 8 inches) or heavy, wet snow, then a snowblower or attatchment is the ONLY way to go!
 
Problem with the 4 wheeler idea is the attachments are NOT cheap. If you go a regular blade for snow, it's not bad. but if you want a snow BLOWER attacment, they are expensive - one I saw was $2000... but the only option IMO. Simply because the blade pushes the snow into a berm... whereas the blower throws it out and away. Maybe not a big deal depending on the area you need to clear... but for me, the blower is the better choice, or eventually I'll have to remove the berm. Of course, we have snow 6 months a year! :cool:

The grass mower behind a 4 wheeler is a great way, but again not the cheapest- about $1200. However, the way I look at it is they are a one time purchase and with attention they will last a looooong time.

I am looking at these same options as when I retire and move the hell outta this town to my 5 acres of bliss, I'll be doing the exact same thing with my 4 wheeler! but I already have the 4 wheeler, and I have alot of ground to both blow snow on and mow grass- and not just yard grass bt wild stuff too...
 
Gonz said:
Currently the driveway is well-packed gravel, but it will be blacktopped next year.

Help! :0
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Ermmm, I would think that with a plow it will no longer be well-packed gravel by spring. And with a snow-blower......are there any windows to the left or right? :)
 
My Dad just got a new John Deere last year. He got tired of messing with chains and a plow in previous years. The new one is a tractor, not just a riding mower. It has 4wd and a snowblower for the winter. He always had problems getting stuck, chains falling off, too much snow for a plow, etc. Last year was the first year he never complained about cleaning off the driveway. I would look for something with 4wd and some weight behind it.
 
Don't know what the cost is but you may consider putting a wire or cable under the pavement to melt the ice or snow.
 
Emmo said:
Don't know what the cost is but you may consider putting a wire or cable under the pavement to melt the ice or snow.
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that's a great idea, only problem is that electric cables in the ground always go bad, and electric is expensive for this type of job!
 
I'm not sure if electric/radiant heat would work in blacktop. The driveway is too steep at a couple places to pour cement, so blacktop or gravel is the only way to go.

I may check into a used 4wd light duty tractor. I've got a huge extra garage facing the lake that can fit the tractor plus alot more.
 
Electric heat would be too expensive; you'd be much better off with a glycol system (even that's a waste of money unless you have it to burn).

FYI, you don't pour cement; cement is a component of concrete. And there's no such thing as too steep for concrete. It just gets a more expensive!
 
wam79 said:
Do what I did...
Move to some place warm :D


Bill
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You know...as I read this thread, I couldn't help but just think to myself that I am so thankful I live in Miami. You hit the nail on the head Bill. :D
 
Do yourself a favor and hire a professional plow guy. For the money you would spend on something to do it yourself you can have someone else do it cheaper.

It only costs me 100 bucks to have my plaza plowed everytime it snows and I'm talking more then an acre of hard top.
 
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