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Offroad => Side By Side => Topic started by: randyo on December 19, 2021, 10:03:10 PM

Title: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on December 19, 2021, 10:03:10 PM
I just finished my driveway from our first storm this winter, between 5 and 6 inches, I got a new wider blade for my plow, up to 66" from 60"  it makes all the difference in the world, cuts my time in half

the other surprise I had, is I still have my street tires on, they grip good, but if things get icy, I'll probably have to put my set of tires with chains on
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 20, 2021, 01:30:35 AM
You have enough snow to plow????  Your a lucky man!! We havent had squat.....hard to believe 6"  wider makes that big a difference....
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: pa-outdoorsman on December 20, 2021, 02:40:27 PM
You have enough snow to plow????  Your a lucky man!! We havent had squat.....hard to believe 6"  wider makes that big a difference....

I would think having a plow a bit wider than your machine makes each pass much cleaner, eliminating the need to redo the same spots multiple times. They do recommend always having a blade at least 6 inches wider than your machine, and the 450 comes it at just under 59 inches wide. I have a 66-inch blade on mine, and it works great.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on December 20, 2021, 08:42:32 PM
I think the winter car tires made a difference too, my set of off road tires with chains, I can hardly steer. the winter car tires steer well, and have sipes and grip as good as chains 
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 20, 2021, 08:47:29 PM
My blade is called a 60" but actually measures 61 plus inches...my machine actually measures 56" wide so there is a little extra.  Even on an angle the blade cuts wider than my wheels but not by a whole lot.  Guess I didnt think that extra would be a big deal.  My Quad Boss pile Driver blade is very heavy, probably close to 200 lbs, actually much heavier duty than I need, but the easy on and off was well worth it !!!!  Hate to see what a 66" wide blade would weigh !!  Even if I need to make a few extra passes, that just means more fun in my eyes!!!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on December 20, 2021, 09:32:34 PM
my plow is a Moose, the 66" is also an inch taller, 17" vs the 60" blades 16" height

I got it in yellow, with the rubber flap for the top, and markers that I didn't have before,
when I did the swap, I tightened up on the trip tension as well, that made a difference as well
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 20, 2021, 11:14:58 PM
The top flap is something I have wanted to add and will whenever we get a good snowfall. In the 5 wiinters I have had my plow the snow has been fairly sparse. I added the corner markers 2 winters back, at my age the quick ubstall/ release keeps me from having to crawl under the machine. Hadva moosebplow on my quad for 16 years with no issues, but they didnt have the quick attach feature when I got my SxS, so I wentvwith the Pile Driver.
 All this snow plow talk is making me wish for snow!!!!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on December 21, 2021, 12:26:23 AM
we really barely got enough to plow, any less, and I woulda just packed it down by driving over it, added sand where I needed to, I still have a decent sized pile of salted sand, enuf to get me thru the winter, I have it delivered every other year, more or less 3 cu yds at a time, thinking of getting a spreader, I will try a cheaper tow behind model, before I spend $$$$ for a heavy ass spreader that mounts in the bed
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 21, 2021, 03:57:37 AM
I use as little salt as possible, sidewalks are to expensive !! I have a small snoblower for walkways and a big walk behind that throws snow 40 ft and higher than my barn if needed for any big snow drifts.  Other wise I enjoy plowing, push the heater button and within 2-3 minutes the chill is gone and I am pushing snow. Even do a couple of neighbors drives if not real deep, not going to abuse my equipment on other peoples driveways. 
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on December 21, 2021, 02:16:40 PM
I have a gravel drive, salt is necessary to keep the sand from freezing solid. but I do try to limit use, I've had some salt damage in my hedge, on my concrete apron of my barn, I only use calcium chloride, it doesn't eat concrete like sodium chloride or magnesium chloride, and it works in colder temps
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 21, 2021, 05:11:36 PM
My drive is also gravel, dont care if salt is on the stone, but I do have nice concrete walkways so need to watch salt use there. I have my blade set a good 3/4" high to leave a layer of packed snow as a base.  Not a fan of picking stones out of the grass. Last winter I found some stuff that is OK for dogs paws and easy on concrete but after only one years use, cant say how easy it is on the concrete.  It is a rounded pebble so it doesnt cut or irritate our dogs feet. Havent had much sucess with the fake salt stuff, actually been using various brands for years and still see little pock marks on my concrete. With my small snoblower I can keep most snow cleared easy but when we get an ice rain or such, that walk gets really slick !!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: Scottishsteve on December 30, 2021, 07:30:11 PM
New owner of a 2021 UXV 700i and a MXU 450i.
Looking for some help with a snowplow attachement that fits the new 2021 models (most parts on sites like KFI or Warn only go to 2019-20)

Also Warn has a small loader bucket for ATV but again not listed for Kymco models. Anyone know of a loader bucket that would fit either of these 2021 models.

Love the machines. Bought for light work around small 5acre farm.

Appreciate any help.

Cheers
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 30, 2021, 09:17:35 PM
I would re consider the bucket idea....a number of articles written about cracked frames from people overloading them. Most cant really hold much weight and the bucket is not very big.  Your call, but I would use caution. Allvthe hardware needed to mount this accessory adds a lot of weight to your machine.  Consider carefully......
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: Scottishsteve on December 30, 2021, 10:40:44 PM
@airshot - thanks for the advice. I will certainly check into it. My other choice is a small reactor but frankly trying to save the $$$ given current tractor prices even for small ones but if it is stressful on the frame I could end up robbing Peter to pay Paul.!!!

Would still like to attach a plow to my UTV however, just need to find a setup that will fit the 2021 models.

Cheers
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on December 31, 2021, 05:16:26 PM
Hard to believe the 21 model is that much different from a 20 model....Could it be that there listing just stops at 20 and hasnt been updated to 21 models. I know when I bought my 2015 SxS there were no bolt on plow kits availiable.  I wanted a mid mount for less stress on the front chasis.  I ended up making my own mid chasis mount. Much stronger and uses the support from 3 crossmembers so I know it is solid. Lots more aftermarket stuff today than back in 2015. You might have to contact the mount mfgrs themselves to see if it fits your 21 model year
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 01, 2022, 10:04:41 PM
one of the issues the 450i has, is the winch is not in an ideal location. it does not lift the plow up, it has poor geometry.

if I had better fabrication skills & tools, I'd have a pulley mounted in a way that the winch would not be fighting geometry
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 02, 2022, 01:38:32 AM
How true, that winch angle could be much better!! I moved the hookup point further forward toward the blade and that does help.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 09, 2022, 04:14:32 PM
(http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/attachments/f13/56432d1641669570-tractors-educate-img_2858-jpg)
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 11, 2022, 01:25:08 AM
Good lookin plow there!!! Cant tell from your pic, but on mine I have the line comming off the winch drum over the top and the hookup point right behind the blade.  Yep it is more of a pull than a lift, but hasnt caused me any issues...yet...
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 11, 2022, 01:42:16 AM
Good lookin plow there!!! Cant tell from your pic, but on mine I have the line comming off the winch drum over the top and the hookup point right behind the blade.  Yep it is more of a pull than a lift, but hasnt caused me any issues...yet...
ya, can't see too good, very dark, rollers are off, I just dug for buried rope after it broke, never buried it like this before, took pic before I reassembled that is why rope looks loose, cause it is

I am really satisfied with the tires, we had a freezing rain ice layer under the snow, I expected that I would have to switch to my set with chains, but never had too
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 15, 2022, 11:20:54 PM
I went out and did some cleanup plowing I've been putting off, but with who knows how much coming on Monday, I had to get it done, even if our high temp today was -5f, tires stick even better to cold ice,

I had to crank it over a bit before it started, but it did, and reved right up on it's own, and idled down after a couple minutes.

This is coldest I've ever been out on it, shifting was really clunky, fighting with the shifter several times
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 16, 2022, 03:14:40 AM
Had that cold start issue in years past.  Bought a battery tender maintainer and keep that hooked up all winter when not using my machine.  Makes a BIG difference when starting!!!  Also better for long battery health...
You might try shortening your rope for plowing, many winch mfgrs recomend using an 8' long winch rope or some even recomend using a flat strap to stop the rope from burying itself. A short flat strap cant bury and might help your issues.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 16, 2022, 06:31:15 PM
hadn't thought of a short flat strap to prevent burying,
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 17, 2022, 02:26:41 AM
The flat straps actually work quite well. If I started having issues with mine, I was going to the flat strap, but so far so good....
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 25, 2022, 08:24:55 PM
The flat straps actually work quite well. If I started having issues with mine, I was going to the flat strap, but so far so good....

thanks for that flat strap suggestion,  only way to use the winch for a plow.  up, down, your only going up and down a few inches, not waiting for the rope to bury itself tight before it picks up, and unbury itself before it goes down,  the plow comes up with a bounce
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 26, 2022, 03:31:29 AM
Good to hear, I know of a few that use flat straps for plowing with great sucess...  Havent had an issue with mine ...yet. .but I know what to do if it becomes a problem. .
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on October 21, 2022, 11:07:32 PM
somehow I tweaked my plow frame last winter, couple busted welds as well, blade is fine, so I ordered a new frame last Wednesday, to my surprise, only took 2 days, and My AK550 was ready with a new battery as well, worked perfect, when my GF dropped me off, we threw the frame in the back of the truck, and I took advantage of a 60°+ day, and took the long way home.

All I got to do is assemble, and I'm ready for winter with the UTV, still got to do some electrical troubleshooting on my Tacoma to get power to it's plow, I'd rather just have a belt driven hydraulic pump, and a couple hose connections like my old Fisher 4-way 
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on October 24, 2022, 01:39:49 AM
Do you have a front mount for your plow or a mid mount ?  Just curious as I have heard complaints about frame damage from front mounts.  When I made my mid mount, I tied three crossmembers together as support for the mount.  Knock in wood...so far so good!!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on October 24, 2022, 11:43:28 PM
mine is mid mount, I damaged the frame the first year I plowed, had to have it welded and gusseted, my front end was pulling away when i backed up, not noticeable going forward, now stronger than new, could have/probably was already broken/weak before I even put the plow on.  I have beat the crap out of it skidding logs
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on October 25, 2022, 10:57:16 PM
Glad to see you have it up and running, but snow already??  Wow, we are lucky to see a small snow after thanksgiving to early Dec.. never get plowable snow until mabey late Jan or around here, Feb is snow plowing month.  While I enjoy plowing, not yet ready for the cold temps.  I would like to find a place to live where we could have snow with temps in the 60's......lol...
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on October 27, 2022, 07:04:03 PM
no snow yet, barely had our first frost a couple days ago (very late this year) but you never know, I don't want to be caught with my pants down. Couple years ago, we had a nor'easter on Halloween, normally we have plowable snow for the opening of deer (rifle) season (Nov10) we get on average 75" a year, but I have seen as little as 25" and as many as 200" yes 16 feet of snow, biggest storm I recall was 45"
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on October 28, 2022, 04:45:44 PM
When I was working, snow wasnt as much fun as getting thru it to get to work took the fun out of it.  But now that I am retired and have my buggy with a heater and winter enclosure....bring on the snow !!!    No getting to work worries now just play time, ironically we have had some of our lowest snow falls on record since I retired and have my snow plowing toys.....just my luck !   Send some snow my way if you ever get to much.......
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 13, 2023, 10:23:08 PM
?? for anyone who may have added some weights to their plow, so that it can dig better into heavy rained on snow, rather than ride up over it.

I'm peeved at my auto mechanic, who has had my Tacoma since October, to replace the power steering pump, and repair exhaust leak in the left bank, maybe just a gasket, maybe warped exhaust manifold, with that I'd be using that to plow with a bigger heavier (Curtis) plow
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 14, 2023, 11:02:27 PM
?? for anyone who may have added some weights to their plow, so that it can dig better into heavy rained on snow, rather than ride up over it.

I'm peeved at my auto mechanic, who has had my Tacoma since October, to replace the power steering pump, and repair exhaust leak in the left bank, maybe just a gasket, maybe warped exhaust manifold, with that I'd be using that to plow with a bigger heavier (Curtis) plow
Not sure what type of plow you have, but I have a Pile Driver and that thing is heavy!!! Very heavy....it tajes to men to pickup the plow blade- push tube assembly !!!  Never had an issue with it riding up and over unless solid ice.  My old cycle country plow on my ATV was light weight so I added a piece of steel pipe to thevtop of the blade for added weight.  It helped but didnt solve the issue.   Would have been easier to bolt a heavy piece of angle iron to the top but pipe was all I had at the time...You need weight on the blade itself or right behind the blade on the push tubes to gain down pressure
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 16, 2023, 06:58:09 PM
my plow is a Moose, I tightened up on the trip springs, helps some, and the plow has some weight, I have a hard time moving it myself, I need to use a floor jack when hooking it up
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 17, 2023, 01:42:13 AM
Some thing else to look at is the angle of the blade when looking from the side.  On my blade the top edge and bottom edge are the same vertically.  Some blades have the bottom edge forward of the top which makes the blade slide up and over with less digging in.  When the top edge is forward of the bottom edge, it can cause the blade to dig in deeper into the snow. Most blades I have saw have this tilt adjustment on them.  Mine is set to dig a little deeper but I have large feet that are adjusted to keep the blade about 1/2 - 3/4" off the ground, so I dont dig up my gravel driveway.  Nothing worse than having to rake stones out of your grass in the spring !!!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 17, 2023, 04:02:14 AM
Some thing else to look at is the angle of the blade when looking from the side.  On my blade the top edge and bottom edge are the same vertically.  Some blades have the bottom edge forward of the top which makes the blade slide up and over with less digging in.  When the top edge is forward of the bottom edge, it can cause the blade to dig in deeper into the snow. Most blades I have saw have this tilt adjustment on them.  Mine is set to dig a little deeper but I have large feet that are adjusted to keep the blade about 1/2 - 3/4" off the ground, so I dont dig up my gravel driveway.  Nothing worse than having to rake stones out of your grass in the spring !!!

yes, when I mounted my blade to my new frame (don't ask) I noticed it wasn't in the vertical position on the old frame, so I alsobolted it into the next slot, it's as close to vertical as it can get
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 18, 2023, 02:42:14 AM
Just being verticle might not be enough.  I have saw some lite weight blades have the top edge forward of the bottom so in theroy causing the blade to dig in more.  Might be worth a shot, otherwise add some extra weight to your blade.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 21, 2023, 05:05:11 PM
Just being verticle might not be enough.  I have saw some lite weight blades have the top edge forward of the bottom so in theroy causing the blade to dig in more.  Might be worth a shot, otherwise add some extra weight to your blade.

vertical helps a lot. now I have to move some of the washers on the skids to lower the plow a bit

on another note, when I went out to plow yesterday, my 450i has been sitting a couple weeks, some heavy rain one day, and frigid weather the rest of the time. Started right up as usual, but wouldn't move, something froze up in the drive line, a screeching belt.  I used the winch to jar the 450i, it worked, started working normal

again, a blister on my thumb, shifting from forward to reverse to forward, and repeat
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 22, 2023, 02:21:20 AM
vertical helps a lot. now I have to move some of the washers on the skids to lower the plow a bit

on another note, when I went out to plow yesterday, my 450i has been sitting a couple weeks, some heavy rain one day, and frigid weather the rest of the time. Started right up as usual, but wouldn't move, something froze up in the drive line, a screeching belt.  I used the winch to jar the 450i, it worked, started working normal

again, a blister on my thumb, shifting from forward to reverse to forward, and repeat

A few years back had a similiar situation after plowing snow.  The snow was rather slushy and as usual it was up into the drive boots and around the axles where it froze !!  All that slyshy snow froze !!  Next outing the nachine didn't move, tried rocking but it was stuck !!  Brought out my salamander heater and a tarp, covered it and let the heater do its job.  An hour later all was good,  I make it a point to blow out all the snow from the boots with a long airgun, never had that issue again.   However, reading another similiar post on another forum, that owner tried forcing his machine after a similiar freezeup, and he ended up tearing all his rubber boots which of course had to be replaced !!!   Ouch...lots of work ...so be carefull next time and be sure you dont have any buildup around the boots!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 24, 2023, 07:07:02 PM
aaaak! Sunday night prediction of 6" stalled over the Gulf of Maine, turned into 15-16" of heavy snow, snowed for 29 hours.

needless to say, more than I can push, so I got someone coming with a skid steer, 8-10 more inches predicted  for Wednesday.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: Neil955i on January 24, 2023, 07:09:41 PM
Wow  Good luck with that Randy.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 24, 2023, 11:06:03 PM
aaaak! Sunday night prediction of 6" stalled over the Gulf of Maine, turned into 15-16" Fof heavy snow, snowed for 29 hours.

needless to say, more than I can push, so I got someone coming with a skid steer, 8-10 more inches predicted  for Wednesday.

Ouch....thats a lot of snow....I have a big snow blower for the drifts and deep stuff, but it can be slow going.  I have used it in drifts of two feet and more but it isnt quick !!  Some years back I had a similiar heavy snow storm and had to call in a BobCat to move the big deep stuff....sometimes we just gotta do what is needed !!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 25, 2023, 01:43:29 AM
Ouch....thats a lot of snow....I have a big snow blower for the drifts and deep stuff, but it can be slow going.  I have used it in drifts of two feet and more but it isnt quick !!  Some years back I had a similiar heavy snow storm and had to call in a BobCat to move the big deep stuff....sometimes we just gotta do what is needed !!

I have a $3k Honda snowblower that is junk, engine and hydraulic track drive are perfect, augers are toast, needs $1800 in parts to restore, worked great when new, actually better in deep snow, but keeping my eye out for a used skid steer, I have plenty of uses
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 25, 2023, 09:02:02 PM
Lots of luck there....they are out there but the cost !!!  Ouch, my beighbor has been looking for two years now, any type of skid steer around here is mucho bucks !!
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 25, 2023, 10:08:15 PM
Lots of luck there....they are out there but the cost !!!  Ouch, my beighbor has been looking for two years now, any type of skid steer around here is mucho bucks !!

I know,  I'm looking for under $25k without a zillion hours, preferably with a snowblower as well as a bucket & forks
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 26, 2023, 07:36:35 PM
The problem is...if they are in good working order and dont need repairs, people dont want to sell them !!  My neighbor has gone as far as to make offers to people when he sees one even if not for sale!!  Hoping someday to make a sale.
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 26, 2023, 07:55:51 PM
The problem is...if they are in good working order and dont need repairs, people dont want to sell them !!  My neighbor has gone as far as to make offers to people when he sees one even if not for sale!!  Hoping someday to make a sale.

trade in's for bigger models, bankruptcy's, I keep my eye open, unfortunately, equipment has gone the way of trucks, new ones are so expensive, it's increased the value of used  costs $45k now for what was $25k 3 years ago

a mini excavator is on my wish list too, 8000 lb, big enuf to get some work done, and small enuf to be towed on a trailer with a 3/4 ton pickup

you can find old rentals everyday, but who wants something with 10,000 hours that has been operated by only god knows who
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on January 26, 2023, 08:28:47 PM
I know,  I'm looking for under $25k without a zillion hours, preferably with a snowblower as well as a bucket & forks

I had to look up what a 'skid-steer' was. BobCat type thing.
Stig
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on January 26, 2023, 10:05:50 PM
I had to look up what a 'skid-steer' was. BobCat type thing.
Stig
Bobcat is the manufacturer that made em popular, and probably most common, 

something I just remembered, Bobcat makes UTVs as well, a conventional utv like out 450i also, an articulating steering model, one of my old clients has one, when he bought it at least a dozen years ago, it was $35k, diesel engine running a hydraulic pump, everything from the drive to the 4 wheels and articulating steering, top speed 35mph, but what a tank, no bigger than the average utv
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on January 27, 2023, 02:21:48 AM
Lots of different mfgrs make them now, including the oddball foreign mfgrs. However that doesn't make them any less expensive
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on March 02, 2023, 12:10:08 AM
ugh!

I don't like playing in the snow like I used to. Had to stop before i got a blister on my right thumb due to pushing the shift lockout button. Gotta be some way of adjusting the trigger
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: randyo on March 15, 2023, 10:22:50 PM
another foot, maybe two, depending where you measure it.
I'm running out of room to put it
(https://i.imgur.com/ShrafQDl.jpg)
Title: Re: Snowplowing
Post by: airshot on March 16, 2023, 05:14:41 PM
ugh!

I don't like playing in the snow like I used to. Had to stop before i got a blister on my right thumb due to pushing the shift lockout button. Gotta be some way of adjusting the trigger

That button can be removed, the only thing it does is keeps you from going from forward into reverse, at least that was the original intention !! 
Don't complain, at least you have some snow to play in, around here we barely have gotten enough to leave a foot print....had all the snow toys fueled and ready to go,  never run after initial preperation, will waste a whole tank of fuel just sitting !!  Boring !!