Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

but my driveways are gravel

Mine is too, gravel and grass.....I chuck a fair amount of both.
Even found some twigs in the housing yesterday from where I cleared back to the parts shed.

 

[Sally PB]

Yeah, that's part of Hubby's "learning curve" with the Falcon. Hills, curves, gravel. We got all that.

 

[1muttsfan]

Nothing like an L3830 Kubota with a 6 foot blower for clearing snow. But my drive is 200 feet long, and usually we get more snow than you southerners.

When using a blower on a gravel drive, don't plow the first few snowfalls - instead drive on the snow and pack it down into a dense layer. That seals the gravel and keeps it from getting into the machinery.

 

[aart]

Nothing like an L3830 Kubota with a 6 foot blower for clearing snow. But my drive is 200 feet long, and usually we get more snow than you southerners.

When using a blower on a gravel drive, don't plow the first few snowfalls - instead drive on the snow and pack it down into a dense layer. That seals the gravel and keeps it from getting into the machinery.

Sweet!

You can get larger skids for thrower housing to help not dig into gravel.
Or maybe a brush attachment for brushing gravel off grass and back on to driveway in the spring.

 

[1muttsfan]

My first winter with the big tractor I threw gravel all over the yard. Since packing the snow down first, it doesn't happen at all. When it gets melty in the spring, I just take the bucket and scrape off the slush layer.

 

[aart]

My first winter with the big tractor I threw gravel all over the yard. Since packing the snow down first, it doesn't happen at all. When it gets melty in the spring, I just take the bucket and scrape off the slush layer.

Definitely takes some practice....and frozen ground is a huge plus.
I can't leave a pack, it turns to ice then I can't get up the hill to the road.
Is the lift on the thrower hydraulic?
Mine is electric and being able to tweak the height on the run helps a bunch.

 

[Frankiegirl]

Got heat out there for the chicks?

Could have them integrated by 6 weeks.
Here's a few idea of how to do that:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Yes...I do. Thx! I did my first batch in the dining room...never again.

Nothing like an L3830 Kubota with a 6 foot blower for clearing snow. But my drive is 200 feet long, and usually we get more snow than you southerners.

When using a blower on a gravel drive, don't plow the first few snowfalls - instead drive on the snow and pack it down into a dense layer. That seals the gravel and keeps it from getting into the machinery.

I too have gravel/crushed concrete driveway. I moved into this house in December and realize what a difference it is to have this type of driveway vs the traditional driveway I was used to. I’m several hundred feet from the road and elevated 30’ from the road as well. It can be a devil!! I looked at the subcompact Kubota for the driveway and eventual lawn care and projects. Just too much to handle myself with a 2stage snow blower and push mower.

Looks like a calm day today and a bit of sun. I’m taking the tarp down on one wall for the girls to see the snow!

 

[1muttsfan]

My blower is 2 stage on the 3 point hitch. It would be even better if the tractor had a front PTO, there is a little bit of a learning curve to driving backwards with the blower.

My drive slopes, but gradually, so the ice is not as big a problem as for you, Aart

 

[aart]

It would be even better if the tractor had a front PTO, there is a little bit of a learning curve to driving backwards with the blower.

Oh, I thought it was front mount, from my quick googling...learning curve for sure.

 

[Sally PB]

I'm going to float the idea that they come up here, and we pay for their plane fare. His stepmom needs a break and a chance to "be" company.

Hubby nixed that idea right out of the gate. Stepmom thinks our house is too "rustic," I believe. She was surprised other people lived out here year round, that it wasn't just a summer cottage. Hubby's family was big into backpacking, she thinks Holiday Inn without room service is roughing it.

I didn't even bring up the idea of him going without me. Now I just have to figure out when we're getting chicks. Sigh.

Back to plowing... Hubby was talking about getting skids (skis?) for the plow. Is that what they're called? I was going to look them up to see what we're talking about, cost wise. Also, what are the little antenna thingies that you put on the blade so you can see where the edge is when you're plowing called? I figure you guys would know.