Plowing with a 4wheeler?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
Hey guys/gals
I just got a new house, which has a pretty long driveway. I was wondering what would be the best thing to plow it with. My truck is going to be too high because it has a 6" lift and 35" tires. It's too big for a snowblower. Do you think if I got an older 4wheeler that it would plow the driveway pretty good? We get a good amount of snow up here in Massachusetts.
I just got a new house, which has a pretty long driveway. I was wondering what would be the best thing to plow it with. My truck is going to be too high because it has a 6" lift and 35" tires. It's too big for a snowblower. Do you think if I got an older 4wheeler that it would plow the driveway pretty good? We get a good amount of snow up here in Massachusetts.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
If the snow conditions are bad enough that a typical front wheel drive car can't get up your driveway, then plowing it with a 4-wheeler will probably be too great of a task for it. If you simply want to clear off a few inches of powder before it melts and gets heavy or possibly freezes again, then a larger 4-wheeler should be just fine.
A small 4-wheel drive farm tractor would be your best bet. The increased weight it has over a 4-wheeler will quickly become helpfull for steering and pushing when wet snow starts to build up in front of the blade.
A small 4-wheel drive farm tractor would be your best bet. The increased weight it has over a 4-wheeler will quickly become helpfull for steering and pushing when wet snow starts to build up in front of the blade.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Canada
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
I'd get a small loader tractor of some type if I were you.
If the drive is that long, it would be killer on a 4-wheeler.
If you go to a bigger tractor, snowblowers are ideal. Much better than having snow banks around.
If the drive is that long, it would be killer on a 4-wheeler.
If you go to a bigger tractor, snowblowers are ideal. Much better than having snow banks around.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
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From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
Just casue it's lifted doesn't mean you can't get a plow for it. Look around in the galleries, theres plenty of plows on lifted trucks. I've got a friend whos rich parents paid for his escalade..then paid to lift it...then paid for the plow for it. For a GM product its one sweet truck. An escalade with 8 inches of lift and boggers on it. The nice ride gets a bit diminished by the boggers. LOL....The funny thing is he actually wheels it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
I'll talk to you later about the plow since his is the GC forum. My uncle has a Ford tractor with a 3 cyl diesel. It's basically just a bucket on the front with an accessory on the back. He uses that to move snow around his house but now down his driveway. Do they make plow blades for those?
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: State College, Tunkhannoc
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
just use the bucket on the front end of the tractor. thats how we clear all our snow. our driveway is a few hundred yards long, as well as around all the barns, the neighbors driveways....etc. you can't beat using a bucket tractor because they will push the most and you can lift the snow and dump it whereever you need to. with a blade on the back of it you'll be unstoppable. don't waste your time with a quad, they don't have enough weight to push anything serious. you could always invest in a good snow shovel..... or rent a mexican for the winter......
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
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From: Topsfield, MA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
The only thing with a tractor like that is I bet it's going to be expensive, and we don't have a whole lot of use for a huge tractor for other things besides snow. I don't really want a plow on my truck but I might have to. Any other options that you guys can think of?
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Calgary Canada
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
Pay someone to do it.
WAY cheaper to have a professional come in with a Bobcat or something similar when necessary than it is to buy and maintain a four wheeler or a tractor for that purpose, not to mention what your time is worth. Chances are, it will be done better and faster too.
Just $.02 worth from a guy that did it for a living.
Besides, would you rather be plowing snow or riding that new sled you snow checked?
Waxy
WAY cheaper to have a professional come in with a Bobcat or something similar when necessary than it is to buy and maintain a four wheeler or a tractor for that purpose, not to mention what your time is worth. Chances are, it will be done better and faster too.
Just $.02 worth from a guy that did it for a living.
Besides, would you rather be plowing snow or riding that new sled you snow checked?
Waxy
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
A lot of people keep ratted out and rusty Bronco IIs just for snow plowing their driveways. Get a 84-85 BII 4x4 with a 5 speed, convert it to Duraspark and throw a light duty Myers plow on it.
The truck in MA will cost $1200 or less ($500 if its ratted out) and the plow will be about $1200 new. In MA "The WANTED" or whatever that 500 page weekly magazine usually has some steals if you are ready, including plows. I would get the polycarbonate plow and not a steel or aluminum.
Buy it first thing on Tuesday, have the cash ready, and be the first one at the door ready to deal with a "take it or leave it". When you have the cash and you want to buy now, you can usually get a very good deal. We use to buy lots of fullsize Broncos and Blazers like this to fix up and sell where I use to work.
The truck in MA will cost $1200 or less ($500 if its ratted out) and the plow will be about $1200 new. In MA "The WANTED" or whatever that 500 page weekly magazine usually has some steals if you are ready, including plows. I would get the polycarbonate plow and not a steel or aluminum.
Buy it first thing on Tuesday, have the cash ready, and be the first one at the door ready to deal with a "take it or leave it". When you have the cash and you want to buy now, you can usually get a very good deal. We use to buy lots of fullsize Broncos and Blazers like this to fix up and sell where I use to work.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 240
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From: stafford VA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
Im not exactly sure of where to put this so GC seems good. I want to Plow with my truck next year, but i dont want to life it too high or put too big of tires.
I'm just trying to get ready for next year
.
my parents offered to buy the blade and hydraulics, and my truck already has a plow frame so. I'd just like some infomation on plow tips and tricks and the highest my truck can be while plowing.
Thx for the info.
Tim
I'm just trying to get ready for next year
. my parents offered to buy the blade and hydraulics, and my truck already has a plow frame so. I'd just like some infomation on plow tips and tricks and the highest my truck can be while plowing.
Thx for the info.
Tim
WYO Chapter Leader
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,978
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From: Wyoming,USA
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
I used to use chains, then cables, I now use co-op lug tires, these are some serious mud/snow tires!
good tip - after you have a good blade full of snow, DONT STOP!!
until it's right where you want to leave it. That stuff will stick to a driveway like cat **** to a carpet.
good tip - after you have a good blade full of snow, DONT STOP!!
until it's right where you want to leave it. That stuff will stick to a driveway like cat **** to a carpet.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 56
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From: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
I plowed my driveway all year with my Arctic Cat 300cc 4x4 ATV. I bought a 4' adjustable angle plow and had no problems. Most snow plowed at 1 time was 35-40 cm (13-16"). A little bit of angle and and it cut right through.
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8
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From: Central Texas
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
We push snow all the time with 2 Suzuki 250 quads. I think they both have a 4' plow and I have cut through a good 1/2 to 1 ft of snow with them no prob. They both have Low, Superlow and Diff lock so theres was never a time that I got stuck. Many times I though there was no way I would get through some banks but droped it into diff lock and it plowed right through.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,375
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From: inver grove heights MN
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
ok, to plow snow like i plow snow.... it will cost ya up to $7,500 bucks... but then you can pull the plow off and go wheeling afterwards.
to you few who said a four wheeler might not have enough weight to plow snow, id like to differ. my 4wheeler weighs 670 pounds WITHOUT my 180 pounds, plus the weight of the plow and bigger tires+ winch.
i have a 2003 Yamaha Grizzley 660 c.c. with 27 inch mud tires, 4wheel drive with low gear and a locking differential.
my plow is only 36 inches wide due to the size of our shed, but ive pushed mounds of snow about 36" wide by 2 feet high by 2 1/2 feet deep for runs of 20-25 feet. doesnt seem to bother the drivetrain- "cause its got *****"
we live at the end of the court so we get the brunt of the city snowplows when they come around the corner. i think i can out plow my neighboors skid-steer, and have more fun doing so.
but, like i said, its $6800 for the wheeler, 200 for the plow, 350 for the tires, 70 for the winch, so it will cost ya a penny or two.
P.S. the motor is wicked... i can pull wheelies in low gear and out run my friends souped-up quad
to you few who said a four wheeler might not have enough weight to plow snow, id like to differ. my 4wheeler weighs 670 pounds WITHOUT my 180 pounds, plus the weight of the plow and bigger tires+ winch.
i have a 2003 Yamaha Grizzley 660 c.c. with 27 inch mud tires, 4wheel drive with low gear and a locking differential.
my plow is only 36 inches wide due to the size of our shed, but ive pushed mounds of snow about 36" wide by 2 feet high by 2 1/2 feet deep for runs of 20-25 feet. doesnt seem to bother the drivetrain- "cause its got *****"
we live at the end of the court so we get the brunt of the city snowplows when they come around the corner. i think i can out plow my neighboors skid-steer, and have more fun doing so.
but, like i said, its $6800 for the wheeler, 200 for the plow, 350 for the tires, 70 for the winch, so it will cost ya a penny or two.
P.S. the motor is wicked... i can pull wheelies in low gear and out run my friends souped-up quad
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 632
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From: State College, Tunkhannoc
Plowing with a 4wheeler?
mustang, you guys getting/already have a decent sized garden tractor for mowing? if you get a solidly built 16-22 hp gravely or kubota diesel or something with some ***** (IE not a craftsman) you can push all you want, or get a blower for it. with chains on a 2wd 16hp tractor will push alot of snow. a 22 hp diesel with 4x4 and chains will push all you ever need. and you could get a snowblower for it if you want. i don't know what your situation is for a mowing tractor or if you needed one..... just a thought. and built tough.... i know a quad can push snow, and you can put 100 pound feedsacks on the front and back and it will do a pretty good job. its just not the optimal set up IMO, especially since its quite a bit of money to invest unless he's gonna ride it all the time.... and quads are built for playing not working, regardless of what the marketing and advertising guys try to push off on you
my yamaha kodiak is capable of quite a bit, especially towing... ill give it that much credit!
how about a walk behind snowblower, about 8hp? that will clear alot of snow fast.....
my yamaha kodiak is capable of quite a bit, especially towing... ill give it that much credit! how about a walk behind snowblower, about 8hp? that will clear alot of snow fast.....