[AT] snow plowing

[charlie hill]

I can understand that Ralph but surely you can put a blower on that big 
tractor
with the heated cab!

Charlie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Ralph Goff
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:29 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] snow plowing

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.
>

_______________________________________________
AT mailing list
http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at