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Future Cabingirl
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 19:32
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We are hoping to move up to our property next year and have discovered that we are under prepared in terms of clearing the .5 mile gravel road to our property. The property is northern lower penninsula of Michigan, so a good amount of snow. We have been going round and round; atv, utv, tractor, snow blower.
UTV is out based on cost. Probably AVT too. A tractor is somewhat attractive based on utility, but the property is still pretty rough terrain and I worry how the tractor will get around. A snow blower sounds like a very good, albeit slow option. We also have a suburban if that sparks an idea.
Budget is a HUGE issue here, trying to get a lot of things squared away. I was researching to build a wood plow for the suburban; thats the kind of budget we're talking about.
Thoughts?
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 20:09 - Edited by: MtnDon
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snowplow
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Fusil62
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 20:10
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We are in the same boat. Currently, we live in IL and hope to move to Hovland, MN in about 3-4 yrs. with our current projects, we were in need of a bush hog of sorts to keep aspen in check so our planted trees could survive. We also wanted a snowblower to use in IL now and Hovland later. We settled on the DR bush hog type. There are three parts in our cast. The two wheeled tractor, a brush attachment, and a snowblower attachment. The blower is great but we will have to see how it will handle our hill in the future.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 20:21
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Snow plow blades on a pickup / suv work but if used for pushing heavy snow it can take a toll on the vehicle. Tire chains may be necessary even with 4wd.
ATV's with plows work for light snow accumulations and still require a lot of time to plow a long drive or road. You need to push the snow way over to the side to have room for the subsequent plow runs. They often need tire chains.
I like blowers as they get the snow far out of the way and can change direction for dispersal.
A tractor is very useful especially if you can get a snow blower attachment. Good likelihood of needing chains too.
The alternative many use is to hire a person with good equipment.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 21:03
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I would look for a small gasoline powered tractor [gas tractors start in winter without block heaters] older Ford 8N or Massy 35 WOULD BE MY CHOICE ...Should get one for 3000$ or rent one from a local dealer for the winter or pay a local to do it .. this year I paid a local [because of illness ] 300$ for the season , I may give him a little extra
because of the snowy winter here in Ontario .
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old243
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2014 21:55
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I would suggest a tractor , if your budget can work . I have a ford 3000 , mine is diesel and does have to be plugged in for about an hour in the winter, before you want to use it. You can get a gas one as well. If possible one with a dirt bucket,you will use it year round for multiple work. I have a rear mounted auger snowblower . If you have half mile of road to clear, this is your best bet. Or hire it done until you can afford the equipment. This works for me, have blew a lot of snow this winter.
You can usually pick these up used at dealers or farm sales . Look at the tires for wear, new ones are expensive. old243
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Future Cabingirl
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 10:38
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I like the tractor, but for the money I want to spend (~$1000), I feel like I could get a beat up tractor or a top of the line snowblower. I understand that the tractor has a lot utility, but I don't have a lot of uses for an entry level tractor yet. Now if we were talking a newer New Holland with FEL, back hoe and brush hog, different story. But those cost more than the house I want to build.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 10:59 - Edited by: bldginsp
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I'm in the same boat, Future Cabin Girl, I will eventually need a tractor to clear 1/2 mile of gravel road. Here's what I can add to what's been said above from my research. First of all if your budget only includes building a wood plow to put on a Suburban, I don't think you are going to be able to get an effective tool. But consider that even if you did that, you would need to have a hydraulic lift on the blade or you would reliably clear gravel off your road. Any custom made hydraulics will cost more than buying a ready-made snow clearing device.
A general rule of thumb I've heard is that if you measure your snow in inches, use a blade, if you measure it in feet, use a blower. A blade is far faster, when it can be used.
One problem with a blade is that you can push snow to the side of the road, but then when it snows again, the piles are in the way so you have nowhere to push the fresh snow. Blower doesn't have that problem.
A blade on a truck requires 4wd with low range gears and snow tires. Chains are essential no matter what you use. Using a Suburban would probably kill the transmission.
I don't know why one poster suggested a gasoline tractor instead of diesel, diesel engines have better low end torque which is better for pushing dirt or snow. Gas tractors are a bit cheaper but not much.
A tractor with a loader can be used to move the piles on the side of the road if necessary to make way for pushing more snow.
Some tractors with loaders have what is called a skid steer quick attach on the front of the loader. The bucket on the loader easily comes off the loader arms, and you can attach another attachment to the loader arms, such as a blade. Hydraulically operated blades are made to fit this skidsteer attachment. They are handy for tilting to the correct angle.
Many operators of rear mount snow throwers on tractors complain that it's a pain in the neck to drive backward for hours on end. Front mount snow throwers cost more and require special connecting brackets to the front of the tractor, and require a mid-mount PTO to direct power to the front of the tractor.
Tractor horsepower is a big issue. Clearing 1/2 mile of road, 3 feet deep is a lot of work. A 25 horsepower tractor would be pecking at a sand pile with a teaspoon. My backhoe operator says I need a 50 horsepower tractor. My neighbor who lives up the road from me, and must clear 1 mile reliably for his wife and kids, uses a 50 horse trencher with blade up front, and in deep snow it has taken him 8 hours to clear to the highway.
In my area snow is generally measured in inches, sometimes in feet, so I plan to get a 30-40 horse diesel 4wd tractor with loader, quick connect and a blade. And, if I can afford it, a full sized 4wd diesel pickup truck with hydraulic blade up front. And, if I can afford it, a rear mount snowthrower for the tractor, which would be only for the rare times the blades are not enough.
There is a difference between a snowthrower and a blower. I think the difference is that a thrower has a propeller behind the auger, a blower does not. You need to match the type of machine to the type of snow, that's all I know.
Beware of trying to use a hydraulically operated snowthrower on a tractor that does not have enough hydraulic flow to power the thrower. My neighbor learned that the hard way. Skidsteers have very high hydraulic flow, most tractors do not. His 50 horse trencher had the horsepower to power the skidsteer blower he got, but his hydraulic system was not set up to provide the proper flow rate, making the blower useless.
How much snow you get in Mich?
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 11:14
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Quoting: bldginsp one poster suggested a gasoline
try running a 1000 watt block heater when it's -30 with a solar bank.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 11:21
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Quoting: Just try running a 1000 watt block heater when it's -30 with a solar bank.
A small gas generator will operate two or more block heaters for how long it takes to start the tractor.
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Future Cabingirl
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 12:38
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Well, this year we are already closing on 5ft of snow. It sounds like, for now, that gigantic walk behind snow blower might be the ticket. It will probably take a good long while, but I'd rather spend time than money.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 15:12
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1/2 mile of gravel road clearing deep snow with a walk behind thrower will make your cardiovascular system resemble an Olympic contender.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 15:24
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took this guy 1.5 hours today 300 feet of driveway at my home
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MI drew
Member
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 15:29
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Where you at in the lower? I'm located in the snowbelt and as of 1/31 we have had 144" of snow with a yearly average of 156". That translates to 3'+ sitting in the woods right now. Unless your on top of it all the time pushing it will be next to impossible. Especially if you throw in some rain or meltdown in between pushes. Is 60" what you have on the ground or total for the year? You also have to consider blade reliefs along the way... is your 1/2 mile drive tight? I looked into a large blower but the last thing i want to do at 11pm on a Friday night getting to the cabin is spending hours blowing my 550' drive plus turn around, etc. Let alone a 1/2 mile... yikes. We pay a couple $40 a time to come out. She only comes with a min of 6" and does it with a large tractor and 6 ft blower attached to the front of it. They are never out more than once a week.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 15:47 - Edited by: bldginsp
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The cost of hiring the work, though high, probably ends up costing less overall after many years when you consider both the high cost of equipment large enough to reasonably do the job, and the costs of maintenance. My neighbor spends hundreds of dollars a year in standard maintenance on his 50 horse trencher, and that's before breakdown repairs. Obviously in Mich you have some serious snow. Only problem with relying on a service is scheduling. If you have a heart attack today but the snow clearing person isn't scheduled to come til Thursday, your next alternative is a snowmobile. I think Snowcat makes a hearse model, not sure. Snow clearing is about more than convenience. You gotta pay to play.
Nice looking McCormick, Just. How does it do in the snow without chains?
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wirivercabin
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 17:11
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I give my neighbor some money he lives on the same road and has to plow past me to get to his.
1/2 mile with even a big snow blower would be a huge pain. Think you would regret that one.
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old243
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2014 21:38
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sounds like it might be best to hire one of the local farmers. Until your budget , allows a purchase . A couple of month,s the weather will be better. spring and summer is a better time to look for a snowblower, you will see equipment sitting out for sale. I looked in the autotrader , magazine , online, there are all kinds of tractors listed, also blowers, brush hogs etc.Will give you an idea on prices.Don't buy a piece of junk, snowblowing is hard on a tractor. old243
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 02:39
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We had the same topic last year. Some people with long drives don't plow them. They spend the money on a snow machine and park their cars at the end of the plowed road.
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ShabinNo5
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 08:03
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If you decide on a walk behind snow thrower, here is my recommendation 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvR-eaKUVqU
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 10:40
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It all depends on the snow. I have just over a 1/4 mile to plow. I just snowblowed it for the first time. I had about 20'' of settled snow to blow and it took five hours. I wish I had my JD compact tractor and loader. Not that it would have been faster, but easier on my back. I will leave a blower there since it is much smaller to store. The tractor as well as expensive is too large to store. If we got a lot of snow, I'd park out and sled in. We have snowmobiles.
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creeky
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 13:12
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The advantage of snowblowing is no snow banks. the more snow, the higher the banks. which, when the wind blows, also means the higher the drifts.
i'd ask around and see about getting your driveway blown by a local farmer. at least until you know what you're dealing with.
buying a tractor is a purchase you'll never regret. so many uses. here's my tractor using, for the first time, the old meteor snowblower I found for 600 bucks. now we only had about 12-18" of snow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8790LtwJfEY
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 15:17
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Our cabin neighbor who lives there year around uses a heavy-duty walk-behind type of snow blower to clear perhaps 1/2 mile. It takes time, but he's retired and not in a hurry, likes winter and seems don't mind doing it.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 17:46
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I'm getting one of these. It runs off-grid!
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expoman55
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 18:30
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CabinGirl is there anyone around your area you could hire on an as needed basis until you can afford your own gear?
I use a new Holland TZ22da with a 60 blower and it takes a good bit to blow a 1/2 mile wide enough for the truck. BUT you are right they are expensive. I purchased mine in 07 and they are still 10k..
Sorry to say I don't think there are many inexpensive answers. I honestly believe if there is someone around there with the equipment you might make a good friend and seek their help for a fee..
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Just
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2014 19:18
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a short driveway is a blessing in the winter not sure if you have built yet.
it's much cheaper if you are close to services and have no road to keep up.. it doesn't mean you can't enjoy all your property
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sevie
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2014 00:36
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I live 5 miles off grid in the UP. We sled to " civilization " and use a sleigh to tow in provisions.
I would rather sled half mile than spend time blowing snow.
Spring Breakup might be an issue for you. In my case I use a tracked quad. Ain't nuttin cheap unless you just walk it.
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skootamattaschmidty
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# Posted: 10 Feb 2014 19:51
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We park up on the road and snow shoe in down our lane way which is about a half kilometre long. We use an ice fishing sled that we load with our stuff and just pull it behind. It takes a few trips but it's good exercise and quicker than trying to clear the lane way!
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