Get Ready!

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by tis

Do you have to drive backward to snowplow?

For light snow using the angled rear blade, I drive forward. Using the rear mount snowblower, I have to drive backward.

The tradeoff: With a front mount snowblower I would have to remove the front bucket. However I use the 6' wide bucket for some snow removal tasks as well as when sanding the steep section. I do have a large rear-view mirror on each side. My setup is more functional at the expense of driving the snowblower in reverse.

Alan

[Descant]

Great chronology as the equipment improves. Next chapter:

In 2024 we added a cab with heat and A/C. Next step is stereo and front/rear/side cameras so we can sit on the beach and watch our (new) plow guy on our iPhones.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

For light snow using the angled rear blade, I drive forward. Using the rear mount snowblower, I have to drive backward.

The tradeoff: With a front mount snowblower I would have to remove the front bucket. However I use the 6' wide bucket for some snow removal tasks as well as when sanding the steep section. I do have a large rear-view mirror on each side. My setup is more functional at the expense of driving the snowblower in reverse.

Alan

Have you looked into the rear inverted snow-blowers? Its a rear mount/pto driven, but it faces forward. It would be a lot faster (and more comfortable) than snow-blowing backwards.

We have a front mount snow blower and power broom on our Kubota LX3310CAB. If under 6" I use the broom for everything. Over that I must use the snow blower, but still put the broom on afterwards and sweep it down to bare pavement. I have thought about going with a rear inverted blower on the rear and keeping the broom on the front. That would be an incredible setup, but my tractor is almost too small for an inverted.

[camp guy]

What about heated driveways? Is it too expensive to heat a driveway to keep it clear of snow and ice? I don't know much about the logistics of creating a heated driveway, and I am sure the associated fuel cost would be rather high, but it sure would be nice to wake up after a night of snowing to see a clear driveway. Just dreaming!

[Descant]

Originally Posted by camp guy

What about heated driveways? Is it too expensive to heat a driveway to keep it clear of snow and ice? I don't know much about the logistics of creating a heated driveway, and I am sure the associated fuel cost would be rather high, but it sure would be nice to wake up after a night of snowing to see a clear driveway. Just dreaming!

Downtown Concord has snow melt sidewalks, heated by tubing that runs under the pavers. Very expensive (?), but I believe there was a federal grant of some sort, so, as some say, "it was free". I have Heat Trak electric mats on my front walk, at least on the part that gets no sun. A 4' on the landing, two on steps and a 10' (commercial grade) extending to where the sun hits. Cost about $1000. (July sale). They only heat to about 33-34F, and low amperage, so I don't notice anything different in my electric bill. I just flip a dedicated switch in the house when it starts snowing and they can keep up. Waiting until a storm is over and then activating, is like waiting for April and Mother Nature to do the job.
I would guess, in Concord, it is cheaper to heat the sidewalks than it is to pay staff to shovel.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by camp guy

What about heated driveways? Is it too expensive to heat a driveway to keep it clear of snow and ice? I don't know much about the logistics of creating a heated driveway, and I am sure the associated fuel cost would be rather high, but it sure would be nice to wake up after a night of snowing to see a clear driveway. Just dreaming!

I couldn't tell you what the cost is...
We have homeowners with asphalt roofs and gutters that use the cable system, some with a switch and temperature monitor. And I know of two homes that have them built in... one into a raised cement patio so that their dog could go out without dealing with the snow; and the other beneath a cobblestone driveway that would be very hard to plow to the point of scraping.

The heated raised patio is on Waukewan built by Northstar, and the heated cobblestone driveway is on Long Island built by Hayward.

[C-Bass]

Get ready again! 12-18" on the way!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by C-Bass

Get ready again! 12-18" on the way!

I pulled my boat out of the water this time!

Now go away please!!

Dan

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I pulled my boat out of the water this time!

Now go away please!!

Dan

So the last storm was your fault?
This one should miss us now.

[codeman671]

Mine are staying in, not worth pulling them and they won't fit in my garage. It is what it is...2 out of the 3 in are hard tops anyhow.

The last storm snapped 3 of my aluminum prop rods for the pontoon cover. That must have been some weight! I'll be swinging through a few times over the next few days to clean it off.

The tractor is ready to go. Staying home tomorrow so I don't get caught at the bottom of the hill.

[Descant]

Good plan, Codeman. If there is damage to your canvas, it will be a long time before somebody local can fit you in for repairs.

[jeffk]

Well, so far not as much depth as last time but it is nasty. Wet and heavy, it is sticking to the trees. With the winds, it is going to be breaking branches. Our power had gone out briefly and now is continually flickering. NHEC has 34,000 outages. I got a notice from Breezeline that there are outages near me but so far I still have internet. There is supposed to be a heavy burst (2.5") between 11 and 2 and then it winds down. Winds remain high until around suppertime and then start dying down.

[ishoot308]

Power went out here in Gilford about an hour ago. Running on generator power now. I expect power to be out for a while as the storm is really just starting and winds are crazy! Can’t expect power crews to attempt fixing anything in this!

Dan

[Slickcraft]

Lost power in West Alton about 5:30 am. Alton is 100% out, input lost from transmission provider.

Alan

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Have you looked into the rear inverted snow-blowers? Its a rear mount/pto driven, but it faces forward. It would be a lot faster (and more comfortable) than snow-blowing backwards.

I am aware of that design. Over the years we have had several storms over 20" with one of 28". Maintaining traction driving forward through deep snow pulling the snow blower behind on a steep hill could be a problem. I can't say for sure that it would be a problem but I went with more of a sure thing. As for speed, I am limited only by the blower's snow processing speed.

Alan

[tis]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

For light snow using the angled rear blade, I drive forward. Using the rear mount snowblower, I have to drive backward.

The tradeoff: With a front mount snowblower I would have to remove the front bucket. However I use the 6' wide bucket for some snow removal tasks as well as when sanding the steep section. I do have a large rear-view mirror on each side. My setup is more functional at the expense of driving the snowblower in reverse.

Alan

Backing up can't be fun but changing equipment isn't fun either.