Re: (ET) E20EA troubles - and here comes the snow!

[Chad Bush <bushman165s aol com>]

Quote: "Plow is not right for this much snow. The blower would have 
been the RIGHT tool. The plow was only ok.

The challenges in snow this deep (>2') include:
- blade rides up with increased pressure... not bad, you can build 
banks that way (about a 25 or 30 degree ramp, final pushes at bttom 
give about 45 degrees), see pic... 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26110615@N03/8465411569/ and note the 
everything-but-the-kitchen-sink added weight)
- spill over the top, spill in from the sides... even if you could keep 
the blade down, snow would fall back in from beside you and over the 
blade as you pushed an ever-larger pile ahead of you. And of course you 
have to keep the amount of snow very small around the wheels for 
traction.
- angled blade is worthless... you can't push laterally for beans 
against that much mass."


Guys, I have used a blade to plow my driveway every year (except for 
last year, because we had a ridiculously mild winter after being 
extremely prepared.) The previous year I used my B-145 with OLD 
V-treads, a full weight box of lead window counter-weights,  and L gear 
to push 1.5 foot of the plowtruck's ice and snow in order to open up my 
driveway (both entrances). These tractors are certainly capable of 
plowing that much snow/weight, just have to get the right combination 
of things together to do it. Now, with that said, I had some trouble 
plowing the 12" of extremely WET snow this year, but mostly because my 
drive motor needed some maintenance and the snow sticking to the blade. 
Once I fixed the drive motor issue, I plowed the next 4" of snowfall 
the entire length of my driveway and then some for a total of 
approximately 125 feet. We don't generally get 2' of snow in one storm 
in Ohio, but I welcome it, because I'd be out there having fun for 
hours. I feel like Arnold Schwarzenegger in a bodybuilding contest when 
I plow snow, because these tractors are STRONG. Trust me, I even 
imitate him while the tractor does the work.

Plow away.

Chad