| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
Anyone had experience with these? http://truckxl.com/p-591-access-snowsport-hd-snowp low.aspx I've lived in a house for the last 17 years with a driveway that, if I back my truck so the tailgate is against the garage door, there is about 3' in front of the front bumper...and then the roadway. I just bought a house with a 500' driveway. I already have a "beater" '92 Wrangler six cylinder / stickshift, and the plow mounts to a 2" receiver hitch (included with the kit, but I can add a receiver to just about any vehicle if I want to use the plow on...say...my diesel Ram, or my Cherokee). Not looking to do anything major - just clear the drive (which, according to the sellers, WILL drift over because of prevailing winds). Reviews look good online, but was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. They're CERTAINLY less expensive than a Westin or other hydraulic plow; install much easier; and compared to a snowblower, it's one less engine to maintain and store, and hope it starts when I need it. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Ouch. Lots of money. Wouldn't it be better to just get a huge snow blower? | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I don't think I would run one on a vehicle, but I would consider one for an ATV or small tractor. But then again, they probably cost as much as a normal tractor/ATV plow... (Message edited by Paint shaker on January 23, 2012) | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Why not park by the gate & buy a shovel? I don't have too much problem with the snow, as the local plough driver lives just up the road. | ||
| Preybird1 |
In the January 2012 aerostich catalog there is a picture of a guy on vfr plowing snow on the cover. It was pretty cool. | ||
| Preybird1 |
here is another forum link for the pic. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic /69803-lee-2002-made-the-cover/ | ||
| Jramsey |
Lawn Tractor with a front blade,use it to mow the grass in the summer. Those rubber edged blades work fairly well in dry snow but not worth a crap on packed snow,the one you linked shows to be a manual lift,not my idea of fun when out in the cold. The only plus with the rubber edge is they are friendly to the road surface. This is my pos that I cobbled together about 16 years ago,I use it to clear my 300' drive and about 5,000 sq.ft. of parking area.  | ||
| Etennuly |
With this winter nearly half over and knowing that you can get your 4x4's through without plowing, I would wait until March and make a search for a used plow unit that will fit on one of your trucks. Sometimes you can buy a rusty good running ole 4x4 set up already, that will plow your driveway for many years to come for a couple of g's. What do you have for mowing? A 4x4 mid size utility tractor will do a great job of plowing with a set of chains. | ||
| Union_man |
My advice is to buy a proper (used) plow on a 4x4 pickup. My second choice would be a 2 stage blower on a lawn tractor. Third would be an ATV with a plow. Another option is to set something up with a neighbor to plow it for you, the going rate around here is about $20 per time. I plow for 4 of my neighbors for free or sometimes beer. I use this and a skid loader for the small stuff.  The plow you are looking at is more toy than tool. A friend had one for one winter and got rid of it. It's a Joke! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Before we settled on this house, we looked at another that was way up the mountain & would have needed clearing regularly. I planned on buying a used Bobcat skiddder, useful for so many other things too. | ||
| Union_man |
If you plan to use a skid loader for plowing you will need chains for the rear tires. If you don't have them you will get stuck!!! | ||
| Two_seasons |
You did not mention your budget, but I've been a professional snow contractor for quite some time. Equipment isn't cheap and the cheap stuff doesn't last. With that, I'd do as Union_man suggests. No worries while you're away during a winter storm, no worry about another engine to maintain (actually two if your beater is a dedicated beater), no worry about storage...and the number one reason...no up front money to get started! A contractor bills you monthly. | ||
| Union_man |
I found this picture from last year when looking for the plow picture.   The other snow machine! March 5th 2011. | ||
| Kenm123t |
JCB 520 TELEHANDLER with the big bucket plow or dig 4x4x4 | ||
| Crackhead |
Rat, What are you using for mowing your lawn? If you have a tractor, get a blade or front end loader for it. My parents have a Ford (New Holland) 1220 with a front end loader and it worked great for clearing my parents drive way and the neighbors and dealing with the ice blocks the county plow leaves behind. | ||
| Ourdee |
Joe, If you're doing a long drive, you need to be able to angle the blade side to side. For the money I'd suggest a huge walk behind 2 stage snow blower. Put up some snow fence in the drift areas next year. Riding mowers with a blade become a real hassle in 10" or more of wet snow. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
I use one of these 2011 Can-Am Outlander Max XTp 650cc with a 60inch Moose Blade.   | ||
| Two_seasons |
Rat: Your neck of the woods is wet and heavy snow. Comes down to $$$$ you want to "plow" into this venture plus the annual maintenance required of same. Lots cheaper to hire out! | ||
| Ratbuell |
My problem is...I'm the self-sufficient type. If I can do it myself (reasonably)...I do. That way I don't have to count on anyone but yours truly. And that is why I can afford a stable of five buells, a garage full of fun old cars, and a nice house. If I can't fix it, I don't look at it...and if I can't afford to pay for it, I don't buy it. I know. Un-American. How dare I not go into debt? I do have an old Cub Cadet lawn tractor that I was going to rebuild the deck on this winter (shot bearings and blades)...I guess I could use that $ for a snowblower attachment instead, and just keep using my Ariens lawn tractor for mowing. (and mowing is the other likely expense this year - I'm going from 2 acres to 4+ so I might have to get a larger tractor/deck, but won't know for sure till I run through the new yard a couple times to find the best route and map the times). I *used* to have a New Holland diesel 4x4 with a loader and a 3 point (had a backhoe and a 5' field deck for it)...but that all went in the divorce. Just as well...less stuff to maintain! Two_seasons - the wet/heavy part is why I'd rather get a plow for the Jeep, compared to one for a lawn tractor. And I don't want to get a standalone snowblower, because of the "yet another engine to maintain" factor. Tagged and running, I have four Buells. 2 Jeeps. A Dodge diesel. And a Dodge Daytona. I also have three project cars and a project bike. The last thing I need is another internal combustion ANYthing LOL. But the maintenance bit is part of the reason I was looking at a manual plow instead of one with pumps, hoses, and cylinders. Even a manual plow is less "manual" than a shovel! And I can't afford a heated driveway...although the thought definitely crossed my mind! | ||
| Crackhead |
My dad has a 60" fantail mower for the 1220 and it makes fast work of the mowing. But if he were to buy it again, he would spend the extra $ to get a belly mower. With the fan tail it is to hard to get close and stay close. So he has uses the small craftsman for the detail cutting. He also re did the landscaping so he doesn't have to use a weed eater or push mower. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
If a lawn tractor with a blade sucks for anything over 10" of wet snow, you might have to plow sooner, while it is still snowing! LOL I miss snow (but not cold or freezing rain)... | ||
| Thumper74 |
Wait till spring, buy a used one... The parts are cheap enough to maintain with even basic skills. If you have a riding motor, a small manual blade work's fairly well too | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I'd try to hold out for a proper plow set up for your jeep, even of it isn't working. There's not a lot to them, and just about any part you need is available. Once ya get it up and running it'll last a long time if the only thing it's used for is your drive. I obviously don't know what the lay out is like, but a snow blower could be handy too for areas you can't get the plow. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Maintenance on snow blower? Change the oil once a year. Add gas. Maybe a spark plug every 2. Done deal. | ||
| Hootowl |
"I'm the self-sufficient type. If I can do it myself (reasonably)...I do. That way I don't have to count on anyone but yours truly." Me too. I think it started as a child. My favorite book came with a little flexible 45 record that had the songs from the book on it. One stuck with me: Any time there's work to be done, and you think there's too much to do for one, do yourself a favor...do it yourself. | ||
| Daves |
I use my Can Am quad with a 50" blade to push my snow. Works pretty good but I'd love to just have a plow on one of my trucks. That way you stay warm while you plow. Probably have one by next year. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I agree a snowblower isn't much of a maintenance issue, but no way I'd wanna snow blow a 500' driveway. Not exactly a good use of time. | ||
| Etennuly |
I would have bet that duce would have moved snow pretty well. Well except for the not too quick steering. Oh well. Jeep plow would be great, beef up springs, mount unit, stay warm and get 'er done. I think I would hold out for a fire sale on C-L, equipment auctions, or local advertisement in the spring. | ||
| Ourdee |
Joe, Here is a thought. Put a winch on the front of the jeep. Put a plow on it that is lifted and lowered with the winch. Only use it for your drive. Make the pivot function manualy operated by pulling a pin and shoving the blade into place and then puting a pin in a hole in the new position. Uncomplicated, no hydralics, you can warm up when you get back inside the jeep. 500 foot long drive. You could do the whole drive without having to re-angle it. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
How about paying someone to do it for this season, so you can see more or less how much snow you'll get & what equipment will best suit you. Then you can equip yourself cheap in the off season to cope with next winter. Yeah I'm the same, it grips me to pay somebody to do what I can do myself, but at times it's cost-effective to do so. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Vern - the deuce SUCKED in the snow. I had better luck on the Uly! RD - the plow I linked to at the top of the thread is basically what you describe...but no winch operation, just gravity drops it down going forward, angles it back in reverse. Three-position pin-in angle - 45L, center, 45R. |
