Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I have a long (1000'), steep, winding driveway that I need to plow. We get about 4-6' of snow a year. Doesn't sound like a lot but when it is deep and slushy, it is very scary going down the drive even with 4wd. We hire a guy with truck and snowplow but he often does a horrible job when the snow is deep and slushy and he charges $50. each time. We have considered a plow for our own 3/4 ton truck, 800cc ATV or snowblower for ATV or stand alone snowblower and think the last would be best but am a novice to this snow removal job. Any suggestions?

I have a driveway very similar to that which you describe, though living in Southern CT I don't usually have to worry about 4 to 6 feet of snow annually. For 3 years I used a Honda 928 with tracks that worked pretty well. However, the snow we are now getting is wetter and heavier and the 928 was constantly clogging. I decided to get a more powerful machine and considered the Honda 1132 because I believed that a tracked machine was a necessity for my steep driveway. After a lot of research I decided that an even more powerful machine would be better and purchased a 13 horsepower Simplicity with a 38 inch cut (the Simplicity 1338 Pro Model).

The Simplicity has wheels but handles the slope easily, up and down. Because of the 13 hp engine the heavy wet snow is no longer a problem.  The Simplicity cuts right through it.  All in all, a really good machine, especially for long driveways.

Thank you for the advice. I had been looking at the Ariens 13HP snowblower with wheels. I did wonder about getting a unit with the tracks instead of wheels but I think ,after reading your post,  a wheeled snowblower with sufficient HP will do the job. I will take a look at the Honda units but I think they are in a class above Ariens so more money.

Wow - 1000 ft steep driveway!!. Unless you have lots of time to do it, I'd be inclined to stay away from the walkbehind. If money were not an object the ATV sounds great in that it would have best traction and you could put a big blower in it . If you have a lawn tractor you might think of adding a blower to that, but traction might be an issue. Limited slip would help there. Might want to just find someone else that will do a better job plowing, because I've never personally used any snowblower that works good if you end up with lots of slushey snow. Plows work best on slush. Likely this isn't hugely helpful, but I'm just writing to suggest something other than the walkbehind with 1000' to clear.

Ron

1,000 feet is nearly one-fifth of a mile.  Now that's a long driveway, and with curves!  $50.00 for plowing is quite a bargain but not worth the money if the job is botched up.  Personally, I'd try to find someone willing to plow efficiently at a flat rate of $75 or $100 and that's cheap (and gas is expensive).

If you are serious about buying a snowblower, sounds like 11.5  - 13hp in a $1,500-plus price range would be appropriate.  Be sure to check out the dealer's service policy and warranty which should include house calls for at least three years  A large snowblower of this size weighs at least 300 or more pounds and you don't want to be ramping - hauling your new purchase back and forth to a dealer to whom you just paid over 1,500 bucks.

$1,500 divided by $75 per truck plowing = 20 plowings   (something to think about)

1000' of driveway is very long and my husband is not very excited about the walk behind but I read the Polaris ATV unit was disconntinued. We do not have a riding lawnmower yet (new house and have not put the lawn in yet) and was hoping to buy one thing at a time but they may not be our best option.

If it were I in your situation, I'd be putting a plow on the truck.   I'd get something light weight to minimize wear on the front suspension components.   

Thats what you need 2cyl engine and chain on the tire 48inches auger hehehe one way down one way up and the job is done.

my neibour has a blower att. for his four wheeler and it works awsome..  Whith the 4 wheeler you will get lots of traction and the blowwers are real wide so lest passes + less time

chipguy98 wrote:

The drawback with these units are twofold.  They're expensive and awkward in tight spaces due to the size of the ATV and the attachment. 

The Snow Hogg, ATV snowblower attachment

Video here