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RE: (ET) Newbie tries plowing



Hi Chris:
I plow in Minnesota and a long driveway.
Deep snow can be a problem. Mine also drifts badly.
I have chains and about 150 lbs extra weight.
I have at times worked my driveway in diagonal cuts from the middle to an edge.
This way no matter how deep it won't stop the tractor.

As far as the hesitation goes, I am sure that is old relays with decreased voltage. Mine always took a few seconds to switch from forward to reverse and the pedal would stick some.

My Alltrax took care of that, forward/reverse is instantaneous and full variable speed. Highly recommended.
John Briese
I-5, alltrax

From: "Chris Tromley" <chris_t microtrac com>
Reply-To: chris_t microtrac com
To: <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
Subject: (ET) Newbie tries plowing
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 13:35:18 -0500

Hi All,

Last week we got a few inches of snow so I got an easy introduction to using
the plow.  Then we got a foot last weekend.  I figured this will be a snap,
oh I'm so glad I got a plow.

Not.

Maybe I should have known better, but I grew up in southern California,
where the weather is 76 degrees with a gentle breeze every day, all year
round.  On the east coast the only snow tools I've used are a shovel and my
(surprisingly effective) electric snowblower.

Is a foot of snow too much for an ET and a plow?  That first pass pushing
everything aside was a real bear.  I quickly learned that speed is my
friend, making ample use of D2.  Still, that's a lot of snow.  Even after
the first pass, angling the blade and pushing it all to one side wasn't
easy.  I had to take pretty light passes.  Finally it got to the point that
the snow was piled too high and packed too hard.  I had to break out the
little snowblower, which finished the job remarkably well considering its
size.

There were some other issues I know I have to deal with.  During mowing
season I frequently couldn't tell what speed I was in, or whether I actually
changed speeds when I moved the lever.  Last weekend there were frequent
hesitations before the tractor would take off after I moved the lever.
Toward the end it wouldn't get up to the higher speeds at all.  I had been
thinking of adding a little light panel to show what speed I'm in, but maybe
I'd be better off just getting in there and cleaning all my contacts?

Also I was low on power toward the end.  I didn't think plowing took that
much juice, but then it was 20 degrees and my batteries are 8 years old. No
problem mowing my yard, but maybe I need to warm them up with a charge the
night before if plowing is planned.

I could use some chains, too.  Just wondering, do they mark up your asphalt
at all?

I guess my main question is what is the practical limit of snow to clear
using the plow?  This was pretty light and fluffy stuff.  I can't imagine
how difficult it would be if it was wet and sloppy. I think I'll be keeping
my snowblower after all.

Chris Tromley
near Philadelphia  PA  USA

100% Gas-Free Yard Equipment:
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