Snow plow attachments - worth it?

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
The timing of this post shouldn't shock anyone ;-)

We typically get a bit of snow each year and occasionally a doozy. Right now we're sitting basically stranded in like 30". The problem is of course there aren't many plows here and a LOT of rural back roads. Estimating it could be days before our road is plowed. So it's got me thinking about it.

I live in a suburban area just a tad outside town (not in city limits), up a cul-de-sac where we're often one of the last to get plowed. Usually not a big deal b/c I always have a truck and don't care about just flooring it and slip 'n slide to get around. But I wouldn't mind helping out the neighbors, who are mostly older folks.

I just have my '93 Toy xtra cab and '89 4Runner, no "real" trucks. And would have no interest in havin ga mount permanently on either one.
What are options for a temporary plow and mount? Like something just to put on before a big storm and use a few times? And the better question is is it even worth it?
I already look like the "redneck good 'ol boy" in the neighborhood w/ a bunch of trucks and their misc tops and tires parked beside the house. Might as well help out the reputation by helping out folks...
 
I have a sort of long driveway with a hill on both ends that faces North. The snow takes a long time to melt. Im probably going to buy something like the 72" version of this and put it on my Samurai.

Cabela's ATV/UTV Snow Plow : Cabela's
 
Interesting. I'd have to see the mount - wonder if I could make an adapter to go on the bumper/frame mount holes on the front. Or even better, on the '93 I have a custom bumper w/ a front 2" hitch receiver on it.
 
I was thinking i could make some brackets and mount it to the front axle.
 
Snow plows are tough on frames, a temporary mount may be more temporary than you want causing damage you don't want.

there are quick attach plows that leave a minimal amount of attachment on the truck, but it's always there. I would not use it on the wheeling truck.

as for plowing for the neighbors, being nice is cool, but don't expect much if any gratitude, and the one time you miss after you've done it a few times, you'll catch an ear full.

you're investing your money and time into your equipment that when it breaks or wears out, you get the bill. do any damage and you're on the hook for that as well.

I learned this using my Kubota to clear my street, we're out in the county, and the only time we've seen a plow is when school has been closed for several days and the state trucks have time to cruise thru.

I've cleared the street, and cleared the several elderly folks driveways, 2 of them concrete, got bitched at because the bucket left a scrape mark ( really ? ) also got told off cuz I got off the driveway into the grass, left an impression in the MUD ( no grass, never has been ) beside the driveway. I'd back drag behind those who didn't have 4wd so they could get to the street. and clear the whole street. never a thanks, never an acknowledgment, had one neighbor next street over call and whine because I didn't do their street. ( mind you, i'm the one footing fuel and expenses )

so, now the tractor stays parked, I have a 4x4, I can get around, fawk 'em

NO good deed goes unpunished
 
Don't ever put a plow on anything that you give a shit about.

My parents own a plow or two that mount to the tractors. They own a blower. They pay the neighbor to plow their road.
 
I do not plan on plowing anything other than my driveway. One pass up and one pass back and i would be done.
 
drkelly said:
I do not plan on plowing anything other than my driveway. One pass up and one pass back and i would be done.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking either a small tractor so I can do this, and a bush hog for the summer. Or a 4wd ATV with a plow. If I had a truck capable of pushing a plow, I still wouldn't want a plow on it.
 
strange1 said:
I'm thinking either a small tractor so I can do this, and a bush hog for the summer. Or a 4wd ATV with a plow. If I had a truck capable of pushing a plow, I still wouldn't want a plow on it.
Click to expand...
I plowed the parents development they lived in when I was younger. Used a sportsman 500 then 700. Neither would be able to push more than 4" of snow more so if its a wet snow. And wouldn't push going up hills, even with chains. They just aren't heavy enough really. I'd have to go to the top of the mountain and push down then drive back to the top and do the other side of the road.
 
I have made good money fixing plow and plow related damage........Oh I didn't see that buried in the snow. And not bashing the intended truck, but you need weight and some momentum to plow. And that is on good clean non iced stuff. I had the same results as Mr. Voodoo when I ran the box blade over a next door drive. Before the ruts and holes was so bad the sedan they drove bottomed. After the complaint was all about the edge of the yard. I thought well hell at least the yard has an edge now....
 
Loganwayne said:
I plowed the parents development they lived in when I was younger. Used a sportsman 500 then 700. Neither would be able to push more than 4" of snow more so if its a wet snow. And wouldn't push going up hills, even with chains. They just aren't heavy enough really. I'd have to go to the top of the mountain and push down then drive back to the top and do the other side of the road.
Click to expand...

I am concerned that I may have a bit of the same problem with my Samurai. It is not very heavy, and has fairly large and wide tires for its weight.
 
I just rigged a lawn mower blade on my 4wheeler the other day to push snow. I had it all made, just didn't mount the bracket to the bottom to hook it to yet. It pushes fairly well except for ice. It's not heavy enough to break it. It's a 04 honda rubicon 500. I paid $400 bucks for it this past fall, and it came with the blade. Find you a deal like that, there out there. The honda is extremely rough and been a mud dog, but hey, it does the job.

A lot of people overlook old garden tractors. Find you an old sears suburban, power king, MW, MF, speedex, wheel horse etc. and you would be surprised the work you can do with some good ag tires and or chains with a snow blade.
 
yoder519 said:
A lot of people overlook old garden tractors. Find you an old sears suburban, power king, MW, MF, speedex, wheel horse etc. and you would be surprised the work you can do with some good ag tires and or chains with a snow blade.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what i'm getting ready to do with my old Gravely. I procrastinated too long this year though.:shaking:
 
Under seat engine gravely?? Oohhh baby. I'm an antique garden tractor freak. Hopefully goin to pick up a speedex s24 this week.
 
yoder519 said:
I just rigged a lawn mower blade on my 4wheeler the other day to push snow. I had it all made, just didn't mount the bracket to the bottom to hook it to yet. It pushes fairly well except for ice. It's not heavy enough to break it. It's a 04 honda rubicon 500. I paid $400 bucks for it this past fall, and it came with the blade. Find you a deal like that, there out there. The honda is extremely rough and been a mud dog, but hey, it does the job.

A lot of people overlook old garden tractors. Find you an old sears suburban, power king, MW, MF, speedex, wheel horse etc. and you would be surprised the work you can do with some good ag tires and or chains with a snow blade.
Click to expand...
Wont break the ice! RIGHT! I was with a company 1 year & we had to plow parking lots. We had Skid steers, & Backhoes.Unless you can find a place to get Under the ice, it ALL, just skids on top! Got to wait til it starts melting.
 
I grew up in northern Michigan and let me tell you about snow! I worked for several winters with a company that contracted to plow and the insurance and liabilities that are involved are ridiculous. The customers that call to ask and to have lots cleared our only excepted after a full contract and the understanding of all the parameters that go with said contract. They use and abuse of your equipment is unparalleled to anything I have seen in the four-wheel-drive community. Axles, transmissions, and anything you can think of driveline or even electrical (most plows use an electric hydraulic system) will be used up, shot, and wasted. That money lost/ invested is nowhere near what it should be paid back to a good citizen trying to help out their neighbors even if they are nice or generous. I don't want to lay a damper on things but trust me it is not worth the ass pain. Plow out your own driveway and be happy to be able to get out into the community and if your neighbors are that worried about it they will figure something out for themselves. This is all just assuming it is regular snow not anything heavy/ wet or covered with ice because that adds a whole other level of ridiculousness to tear up your equipment and also the fact that North Carolina for the most part does not receive a good solid ground freeze so you have to consider that most plows will dig into gravel driveways and yards and will therefore add to the point that your neighbors will complain about the mess once the snow melts.
 
Last edited:
yoder519 said:
Under seat engine gravely?? Oohhh baby. I'm an antique garden tractor freak. Hopefully goin to pick up a speedex s24 this week.
Click to expand...
Yea, its a 79 or 80 8163-T with the 16 horse Onan. Hell, my uncle gave it to me since he didn't use it anymore. He bought it new. I originally got it for the grass catcher and vacuum for leaves.
 
I have a 71 commercial D gravely but finding parts around here for this tractor are impossible Id love to have a plow on that thing tho I woulda made bank during this snow storm we had bc God knows VA drivers tend to drive in ditches when the white stuff comes down!
 
Back
Top