Winter Plowing In The Mountains

Snow Wookie · #1 08/23/12, 10:24 PM

Hello.

Trying to get ready for winter up here in the mountains where we recently relocated; the neighbors say last year was one of the mildest they ever saw and they got just under 7 foot of snowfall.

Unlike the neighbors, we have about 1/2 mile of steep switchbacks to plow. We will be buying a basic farm tractor next year and was wondering about buying one that's 4wd and putting chains on it and using it to plow with?

Any one have any thoughts on plowing with a tractor?

What are y'alls thoughts on what would be the best without spending a ton of money? We have a coupla trucks that run great and that we could put a plow on as well.

Thanks for your time

Molly Mckee · #2 08/24/12, 12:39 AM

I don't know where you are in the mountains--we live in the mountains north of Spokane,WA so most of our snow is very fluffy and dry.

We have a lot of equipment and we have found that a 4 wheel drive tractor and a snow blower is the best for us. It will blow the snow off the drive instead of piling it up like a plow will. We have a 300'+ drive that rises about 60 feet above the road.

rambler · #3 08/24/12, 12:57 AM

Here in the windswept plains of southern MN where the snow falls, blows, and keeps piling up all winter, a plow is useless for out in the country. You need a tractor with a snowblower. A plow just makes a ridge on the side of the road, the wind blows and fills the road up as high as the ridge; you plow it again, making a taller ridge - which when it blows fills up full with snow again..... By the 4th time, you have 6 foot high drifts and plow won't move through that.

A snow blower makes the snow go away, and doesn't create the ridge on the side of the road you are trying to keep clear.

If you have wet snows; if you have lots of trees and no wind; or if you have frequent melting periods so the snow goes away every couple of weeks on it's own and doesn't build up all winter - then a plow makes more sense than a blower.

Look to see what is popular where you live, likely the natives have the best tools figured out for your conditions.

--->Paul

Snow Wookie · #4 08/24/12, 01:35 AM

Molly...we are in the same neck of the woods as you are

Paul....the neighbors have no expierience with tractors unfortunately

thanks for both of y'alls advice, much appreciated!

houndlover · #5 08/24/12, 02:10 AM

My kubota is okay, just use the front end loader. The secret is not letting it get up to 7', even if it means plowing all night in a blizzard. Once it's a certain depth, you are shoveling by hand unless you have roadcrew equip.

flewism · #6 08/24/12, 02:34 AM

I agree, tractor and a snowblower, and you will want a cab on the tractor when blowing snow, trust me on this. Get a blade on one of them trucks for this winter and to act as a backup

painterswife · #7 08/24/12, 08:50 AM

I run the office for a company that snow plows.

Snowblower yes! Bobcat instead of a tractor will be better. Don't buy a cheap snowblower, the heavy wet snow will plug it up. You will need to spend at least 3000.00 on a new one but it will be more reliable and last you longer.

Bandit · #8 08/24/12, 12:21 PM

I also agree with using a tractor mounted snow blower .
You might also get some of your questions answered by reading th Home owner section of this Forum .
http://www.plowsite.com/forumdisplay.php?f=36
Bandit

ET1 SS · #9 08/24/12, 06:57 PM

I have a front-mounted PTO blower on my tractor. It is great!

Though we do not get as much snow here.