[AT] snow plowing

[Ralph Goff]

On 1/30/2013 5:42 PM, charlie hill wrote:
> Ralph I enjoyed that and didn't feel cold at all.  I think if I was
> you I'd use that one to plow snow all the time and keep the Cockshutt
> for Summer time play.
>
> Charlie
>
>
Using the big tractor and blade working in comfort has it's advantages 
alright but there is one big disadvantage. Not coming from snow country 
you wouldn't know this. Plowing with a blade , even at high speed, will 
leave a ridge of snow at the side of the road or in the ditch and that 
forms a perfect snow trap for the next time the wind blows. And that 
could be tomorrow. Sure I can plow it out with the blade again but this 
time it is a little deeper and even the big tractor can't throw the snow 
far so the ridge gets higher. And that means it catches even deeper 
snowdrifts next time it blows. It is a vicious circle and eventually 
even a big tractor runs out of power and traction to clear a narrow 
driveway. If it is just a prairie trail with no ditches you can get 
sideways and push the ridges way back but that is very slow and time 
consuming. Not an option on my driveway as it is narrow and has ditches 
and a fence on one side.
Years ago with only a Cockshutt 50 and V snowplow to keep the roads open 
my dad would be lucky to keep the driveway open up to the end of 
December before having to pick out a trail across the fields keeping to 
the high spots. I think about that when I'm sitting in comfort with 
twice as much weight, traction and horsepower to deal with the snow. It 
could happen again.

Ralph in Sask.
>