snow plowing pics

[pigdoc]

Got it done this morning. Racked up 1.5 hrs total for one pass last night and another today. We got 13" total, the last inch was sleet. That's THIRTY inches for January - a LOT for this area:

That seven-foot blade is plenty for the L2500, but I'm VERY pleased with the traction from the new, fluid-filled rear tires. Very little slippage. I can clear 8" of snow off the drive in one pass (down and back up). With the blade at an angle, I have to countersteer (to the L in this pic) to counteract the torque from the blade. You can just see the house through the trees to the R of the tractor, which gives some perspective of the slope I'm dealing with.

It was in the single digits all day yesterday. Was 20F when I started the tractor this morning. Cranked over about 4 revs before it fired. Battery is 7 years old. I find that, if I turn the key back off after it starts, it will charge up enough while it's running to crank OK a week later.

-Paul

 

[85Hokie]

Making the last driveway pass with my new to me toy

 

[McMXi]

Making the last driveway pass with my new to me toy

View attachment 168880

That looks quite steep. No issues with your footing?

 

[85Hokie]

That looks quite steep. No issues with your footing?

I too was a bit nervous ..... but that picture makes it look worse than it really is.
I was in the lowest gear of travel on that blower.... so it was holding ME back

 

[McMXi]

I too was a bit nervous ..... but that picture makes it look worse than it really is.
I was in the lowest gear of travel on that blower.... so it was holding ME back

I hate slipping on ice and crashing to the ground! I haven't hit the ground this year but last year I slipped and smashed my hand into a rock buried in snow and ice.

 

[85Hokie]

I hate slipping on ice and crashing to the ground! I haven't hit the ground this year but last year I slipped and smashed my hand into a rock buried in snow and ice.

Around 2001 or there about I was working commercial construction..... ending the day, truck on packed snow, I kicked my right foot up into the cab, in a millisecond my body moved from vertical to horizonal. A really nice back of head smack on the hard cold ground....... hard hat hit first..... didn't knock me out but what IT DID DO was plant a seed in my little brain........ always make sure the left foot has a firm grip and right hand is holding something else. Every time I get in car/truck now with wet/snow .... I remember that time!!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

@85Hokie : OSHA training: THREE points of contact at all times....

I used to make my mom get in the truck butt first while holding the grab bar and door handle, plus standing by in case she slipped. I don't know how many times I said, "BUTT FIRST! BUTT FIRST!"

 

[Shawn T. W]

I'm getting old enough that falling isn't nearly as much fun as it use to be!

I bought some of these https://www.ergodyne.com/trex-6310-adjustable-ice-traction-device.html ... I haven't used them yet, but I carry them with me in the truck, and will take them home with my "just in case"!

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I keep a set of Katoohlas in the truck…we get our share of ice and if any question I put em on.

as far as pics from the snow plowing…I don’t have much to show for but cleared drive, my private security team, and my girls…

 

[John T]

 

[L35]

2 for 1 special!

 

[pigdoc]

I'm feeling bad because I didn't get around to insulating our girls' hive before it got super cold. I'm afraid to go bump-and-listen to see if they're still alive. A dozen dead workers on the stoop. When it gets to be flying weather, I'll make sure the entrance isn't plugged with carcasses. Oh well, that queen was used up anyway. 2025 was her 3rd season. And, they never made a queen cell or swarmed since we got her... Time to get a new nuc.

I usually wrap the hive body with a layer of foil-backed bubble wrap, stapled on. Easy on, easy off.

We used to have six hives. That's WAY too much work.

-Paul

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I'm feeling bad because I didn't get around to insulating our girls' hive before it got super cold. I'm afraid to go bump-and-listen to see if they're still alive. A dozen dead workers on the stoop. When it gets to be flying weather, I'll make sure the entrance isn't plugged with carcasses. Oh well, that queen was used up anyway. 2025 was her 3rd season. And, they never made a queen cell or swarmed since we got her... Time to get a new nuc.

I usually wrap the hive body with a layer of foil-backed bubble wrap, stapled on. Easy on, easy off.

We used to have six hives. That's WAY too much work.

-Paul

We lost the two unwrapped hives end of the year (well we lost one and combined a weak one in the one on the end)…so we only wrapped the one. My bet is they don’t care much for our weather. It’s been cold here and no sign in foreseeable forecast to get above freezing much less 50 for cleansing flights.

 

[chim]

No nice photos from Sunday's plowing, but here's one taken through the door showing how the side lights help with 360° visibility at night. The original purpose was to make life easier while mowing. It's nice to be able to see stuff while backing up before having to go back far enough for the front lights to expose it.

 

[Speed25]

Well, not snow, and not really plowing, but the loader did great work with 3" of sleet and a coating of ice on top. Thankfully it reached a balmy 32F yesterday with a pleasant 30mph breeze, so the driveway dried off before dropping to 3F this morning. Decidedly cold for NC. We've been in a drought though, so this "slow-release rain" should help.

 

[pigdoc]

We lost the two unwrapped hives end of the year (well we lost one and combined a weak one in the one on the end)…so we only wrapped the one. My bet is they don’t care much for our weather. It’s been cold here and no sign in foreseeable forecast to get above freezing much less 50 for cleansing flights.

Ya, we had a catastrophe a few years ago. Lost FIVE hives to dysentery. All because they couldn't get out to fly because the entrance was clogged with carcasses after a long cold spell. It was a horrible sight. I just trashed most of the furniture because it was covered in chocolate goo. Disgusting. I felt like the butcher of bels...n.

-Paul

 

[Botamon]