Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-20-2017, 09:21 AM
HighlandHeart HighlandHeart is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 954
Default Best way to clear snow from a rural driveway?

I've learned the hard way that a snow blower isn't the best for clearing a gravel driveway that's a few hundred feet long. I sometimes have snowbanks that are a few feet deep and the wind drifted stuff freezes in place. Should I get a quad with a plow blade on it or should I get a plow on my 3/4 ton truck?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-20-2017, 09:36 AM
yoteblaster yoteblaster is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,156
Default

Plow on your pickup. Quad is too light in my opinion. I have a skid steer with a blade that works awesome. Also used to have a pickup with a blade, really nice especially if you need to travel any distance to help out a buddy or whatever
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-20-2017, 09:58 AM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

14 old car tires all,lashed together 5 across, 4 across etc tie it off to the quad and do passes up and down lane way.
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:00 AM
Badgerbadger Badgerbadger is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,187
Default

Plow on your pickup.

Or raise your snow blower so it's an inch or so above your driveway. You can also blow the windrow from plowing, so you maintain driveway width.
__________________
"It'd be nice if...."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:00 AM
The Elkster The Elkster is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,358
Default

Truck plow. I use a quad for light snowfall but it won't handle big drifts and it doesn't push the snow that buildups up on the side well so you get closed in real fast as the snow builds. Or use this an excuse to buy a tractor...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:02 AM
58thecat's Avatar
58thecat 58thecat is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
Default

Or flag down the grader fella, invite him in for a sandwhich and a hot bowl of soup...worked when we lived in Saskatchewan.
__________________

Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:08 AM
omega50's Avatar
omega50 omega50 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 8,491
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 58thecat View Post
14 old car tires all,lashed together 5 across, 4 across etc tie it off to the quad and do passes up and down lane way.
We use a variation of this with a couple of old truck tires on my buddy's acreage West of the John Ware Cairn. About 800m of gravel that blows in. Works like a charm

Pulls them with my old Burbs 4x4 that lives and stays on property
__________________
You're only as good as your last haircut
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:25 AM
riden riden is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,541
Default

I live in the Peace country and used my quad and a blade. People always told me it wasn’t heavy enough and eventually I would reach a point my quad couldn’t do the job.

Did it for 10 years, never had one problem and do the majority of my plowing in 2 wheel drive. I make sure the lane is good and wide to start and that is enough.

Best part is a quad does the job so fast.

House is for sale and I already sold my quad. I really regret it.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-20-2017, 11:21 AM
HighlandHeart HighlandHeart is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 954
Default

Is the v plow worth the extra cost or is it overkill?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-20-2017, 11:21 AM
wwbirds's Avatar
wwbirds wwbirds is offline
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: near Calgary
Posts: 6,638
Default started with a blade

On a garden tractor and guess I didnt plow wide enough as many years ago I made banks on south side of drive the tractor would no longer climb to push snow over. think the biggest problem was the 2 wheel drive on small (20hp tractor). Following year I bought a two stage tractor mounted snowblower and dont think we had any substantial snow for 2-3 years but when I did use it it threw snow 20-30 feet so piling up on edge of driveway was never a problem. Odd time in yard the 2 wheel drive became an issue and it would be a lot of work to get it going with the weight of the snow blower on front. Counter balance weights and chains highly recommended.
Sure I threw a few pieces of gravel until I got the height adjustment right judging by how many times the hydro company replaced the glass globe on the meter on power pole. Still have small tractor and snowblower but rarely hook it up (takes some time) as it is so much easier to put two slide clips in blade on quad. Hard packed wind blown drifts in October 2 plus feet high took some time as I had to take 18 inch to 2 foot slice rather than push the whole blade width but I did get it done and that to date is the toughest snow we have had for several years. 4 wheel drive on quad makes all the difference.
Never had a blade for the truck but if I needed one I would also need to plow routes out to the tree rows and ditches where we plant pheasants all winter. Neighbor has a gigantic 4 wheel drive tractor with 20 foot blade that we have had to use a couple winters to make route roadways so I can get the truck and client trucks to the bird cover but not that often. Perhaps 2 winters in last 20 or so years.
__________________
a hunting we will go!!!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-20-2017, 11:28 AM
Red Bullets's Avatar
Red Bullets Red Bullets is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: central Alberta
Posts: 12,627
Default

Some counties will come and open up your driveway when the grader goes by. You just have to let them know you need it. The county of Leduc by Edmonton gives 3 free snowplow openings per year per landowner.
__________________
___________________________________________
This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
___________________________________________
It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-20-2017, 11:32 AM
backcountry cowboy backcountry cowboy is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: In the Backcountry
Posts: 69
Default

I got a small John Deere yard tractor, works awesome. Does everything you need it to do and is easy to work on and store. Only have had too much snow once, and then I just go borrow buddy's tractor that is 4x the size
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-20-2017, 01:53 PM
Redfrog's Avatar
Redfrog Redfrog is offline
Gone Hunting
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Between Bodo and a hard place
Posts: 20,168
Default

Call the neighbour. He comes down with his tractor .
__________________
I'm not lying!!! You are just experiencing it differently.


It isn't a question of who will allow me, but who will stop me.. Ayn Rand
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-20-2017, 02:02 PM
Ken07AOVette's Avatar
Ken07AOVette Ken07AOVette is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Alberta
Posts: 24,072
Default

I used a quad exclusively for years. I plowed countless tons with my grizzly. Now I use a half ton f150 with a 7.5' blade by snowbear. I still use the quad but very rarely. I also have a John deer 2032r with a front end loader for drifts and snowbank removal, and scraping right to the pavement.
Hard to beat a truck and it is not hard on them if you aren't an idiot behind the wheel.
__________________
Only dead fish go with the flow. The rest use their brains in life.


Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck
I wasn't thinking far enough ahead for an outcome, I was ranting. By definition, a rant doesn't imply much forethought.....
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-20-2017, 02:23 PM
wildwoods wildwoods is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Location
Posts: 4,961
Default

I had a skid steer for a while but could not justify it sitting around most the year and just pushing snow. Sold it and went quad plow. Works perfect, works fast and can really push through deep snow. It works better than i would have though. Super cheap and easy
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-20-2017, 02:44 PM
bsmitty27 bsmitty27 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: East of the big smoke
Posts: 1,496
Default

If your in a area that's not protected and drifts nothing works like a snow blower. I use a tractor and don't have a blower but some times it drifts back in in hours. And if that's the case your not moving it with a quad!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11-20-2017, 02:52 PM
HighlandHeart HighlandHeart is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 954
Default

Sounds like a plow is the way to go. Thanks for your help.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11-20-2017, 04:18 PM
obsessed1 obsessed1 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,920
Default

I have both a 7' truck plow and a 50" quad plow. My experience is I should have gone with a tractor with blade/bucket of some type. Here's why...im located in North peace area. My driveway is long trees on both sides and northern facing. I get large drifts the quad (a,500) does a fabulous job but is sped up by using chains....no slip ever and never get stuck. With tighter turning radius it keeps up time wise with the larger truck plow. I also run chains on the truck when plowing and never get tire slip or stuck that way( without chains I have gotten stuck more than a few times). As the season progresses though the driveway gets narrower and narrower as with a plow you can't really push the banks back once they get 3' high. A bucket would allow lifting and piling snow a bit better. By chaining up though I've almost cut plowing time by half
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 11-20-2017, 04:35 PM
Okotokian's Avatar
Okotokian Okotokian is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Uh, guess? :)
Posts: 26,739
Default

A good neighbor will stop and help. Ken sent his wife out to deal with the issue.

__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by DevilsAdvocate View Post
In this case Oki has cut to to the exact heart of the matter!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-20-2017, 04:40 PM
densa44 densa44 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: North of Cochrane
Posts: 6,649
Smile Good advice

First try the county, if they offer this service it is free.
Second if the county won't see if you can make a deal with your neighbour who has industrial sized equipment.

Last on the list is buying small expensive equipment and doing it yourself.

I have lived in the country for 50 years and have never had to shovel snow.
__________________
"The well meaning have done more damage than all the criminals in the world" Great grand father "Never impute planning where incompetence will predict the phenomenon equally well" Father
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-20-2017, 04:56 PM
colroggal colroggal is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,747
Default

Promise the kids a pizza and a trip to the video store. Worked for my old man

Colin
__________________
Check out my new book on Kindle - After The Flesh.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 11-20-2017, 05:30 PM
muzzy muzzy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Albert, AB
Posts: 1,178
Default

I have acreage with long driveway and Ive used a quad and blade for past ten years. Havent yet had an issue with the snow being too deep that I couldnt plow it just take smaller swaths if its really deep. Key to a quad/blade combo is you have to start year pushing the snow back as far as possible to allow for room to push more snow as the winter progresses. Once the piled up snow freezes the quad wont be able to handle the frozen banks so allow lots of space to push each snowfall into
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 11-20-2017, 05:33 PM
gmcmax05 gmcmax05 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,034
Default

Tracked John Deere skid steer, able to angle blade from cab, has heat, & it's quick.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 11-20-2017, 06:18 PM
ChrisGrohms ChrisGrohms is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Okanagan
Posts: 157
Default

I have used a quad for all my years in the country. I now have a 6' snowblower for the tractor but only use it when the snow is to deep for the gator. On my gator 620 I have a 5' blade that works very well. Chains on the rear tires make a huge difference. It's my first year using chains and I hardly ever put it in 4wd. I'm sure same would apply to a quad.
Best bang for your buck would be a honda 350 with a 4' blade and chains on the rear. Maybe a couple sandbags on the rear rack. Whole setup would cost around 3-4 g on Kijiji.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 11-20-2017, 06:21 PM
ChrisGrohms ChrisGrohms is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Okanagan
Posts: 157
Default

Forgot to mention. My driveway is about 2000' out the one way and about 3000' the other way.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 11-20-2017, 07:45 PM
liar liar is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ft assiniboine area
Posts: 1,392
Default

i bought a " SuperPlow " rear mount plow about 15 years ago . i run up the center of the driveway then down each side and done . slides in the hitch receiver in about 2 minutes and comes off just as fast . only mod to the truck was a heavy wire to the back and an electronic control for the hydraulics .
as mentioned earlier , pushing snow with a warm pick up beats a garden tractor or quad which i have also done .
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 11-20-2017, 08:48 PM
canuck canuck is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW of Calgary
Posts: 437
Default

My driveway is 500m long and I've tried it all.
A quad can't even get out of the yard!
Currently using a retired JD 4020,chained up, with a 10' blade.
Seems to be the answer for now but in a big snow year I could see needing a loader to move drifts
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 11-20-2017, 09:43 PM
NCC NCC is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leslieville
Posts: 2,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 58thecat View Post
14 old car tires all,lashed together 5 across, 4 across etc tie it off to the quad and do passes up and down lane way.
I have a 4wd tractor with a 6 way 14' blade and I still prefer to use a drag to pack and level the snow. I find it way easier than plowing all the snow off and I don't get the drift catching ridges. It can get a little messy in the spring but the slush is easy to push off the road before the frost comes out. If you blade your road down to the gravel all winter, it is the first thing to thaw in the spring and the windrows seep into your thawed drive way and make it soft and prone to rutting.
__________________
We talk so much about leaving a better planet to our kids, that we forget to leave better kids to our planet.

Gerry Burnie
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 11-20-2017, 09:48 PM
fordtruckin's Avatar
fordtruckin fordtruckin is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: In the woods
Posts: 8,923
Default

I had the same issue this year. I ended up with a Meyer lot pro on my f150. Whole not the heaviest duty it works like a charm on my driveway which is a quarter mile long. I live where we get about 120 inches of snow a winter here in Montana.
__________________
I feel I was denied, critical, need to know Information!
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 11-20-2017, 10:23 PM
coolpete1 coolpete1 is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: in the woods , finally !
Posts: 1,406
Default

i got a snow blower and a box blade for my tractor, i prefer the box blade 99% of the time but if there is lots of snow the blower running off the pto is really fast. tractor is a jd4105 so its pretty big for the blower it runs.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:44 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.