We were away for over a week and returned on Tuesday, Feb 28. Well we almost made it home. Roads were dry but our driveway entrance had a 2 foot plow ridge of ice and snow. We bounced across that and encountered the driveway having about 8" of winter refuse. We took a chance, attempting what I figured was an impossible climb.
The first item on the agenda for Wednesday was blowing the upper drive and directly in front of the van. After easing the trailer back to the road, enough speed was gained to reach the cleared portion of drive. After returning the trailer to Uhaul a full 2 hours were spent clearing the ice and snow build up around the house and garage entrance.
To complicate maters more, the gravel protion of the drive thawed enough that rocks and ice would jam the impellor on the blower. The impellor blades probably need to be shortened and a rubber scraper added to each blade.
We stalled out 75 feet from the front door. Backing the trailer down the hill for a second attempt was put off until the next morning.Coming Home to snow and ice
- Spike188
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Coming Home to snow and ice
Spike Colt - 9 & 10, Case - 108, 118, 444, 446, 448, 646, 646bh, Ingersoll 4016, 4118AH
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
I feel for you having to deal with that wet sugary stuff on your return!
Too bad I'm not your neighbour, I'd have gladly broken my chain on your driveway!
Too bad I'm not your neighbour, I'd have gladly broken my chain on your driveway!
- RoamingGnome
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
Good to see you made it home ok... That wet, crusty half frozen slush was not fun to move at all...
Nice video - and interesting thought on shortening impeller blades and adding a plastic or rubber strip that would be more tolerant of sucking gravel in...
I'm glad our neighbour has cleared our sidewalk/driveway ramp for us the last couple of storms - ( my 446 is out of action and even if it was - probably wouldn't make it up the hill between backyard and driveway / street level)
Gerry
Nice video - and interesting thought on shortening impeller blades and adding a plastic or rubber strip that would be more tolerant of sucking gravel in...
I'm glad our neighbour has cleared our sidewalk/driveway ramp for us the last couple of storms - ( my 446 is out of action and even if it was - probably wouldn't make it up the hill between backyard and driveway / street level)
Gerry
'68 Case 195, '84 Case 446, '88 Ingersoll 222 - and 1965 Case 530ck (fullsize backhoe)
- Spike188
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
We had a big dump of snow here last night. The first order of the day, hand shovel about 10 feet so that car could be moved. It was blocking 448's exit from the garage. This snow was wet and heavy which caused concerns about whether the blower would be able to throw snow. It took over an hour to blow from the house to the road. The gravel driveway was mud. Between rocks and chute plugs it was slow going. Removing the plow ridge took another hour. I had a fear of running out of fuel before the driveway was passable. After lunch, an hour nap was in the works. At 2:00 the sun was making full melt conditions and any blowing was out of the question. The final lane opening was completed by using the blower as a back blade.
Spike Colt - 9 & 10, Case - 108, 118, 444, 446, 448, 646, 646bh, Ingersoll 4016, 4118AH
- Timj
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
Gee Spike aren't you glad be home. what sucks this time of year is you spend all that time cleaning it up and in a few days the sun will melt it. If you leave it, it will be there for three weeks .
deck's on, blades sharp, let's go it's time to mow
- propane1
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
March weather. Isn’t it nice. More snow or mess here Monday. Was half thinking about taking the thrower off the Case 446 and putting into hurricane Fiona tree moving mode. Lots to do.
Noel
Noel
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
@Spike188 oh that was not fun
The snow here this morning was heavy but not yet slushy so it was fine for the 444 but I went slowly. It would probably have taken me 4 hours were I in your place. I'm not sure anything at all would work well in those conditions.
The snow here this morning was heavy but not yet slushy so it was fine for the 444 but I went slowly. It would probably have taken me 4 hours were I in your place. I'm not sure anything at all would work well in those conditions.
- Harry
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
I had about 4” of heavy wet snow Friday night. I was going to leave it melt but the wife wanted it cleaned off because the kids were coming over for dinner. The 446 with snow caster worked like a champ. I moved slow and it scraped it down to the pavement. The stone driveway back to my shop had a ice base from a previous storm. I moved faster on that one and it cleaned it off nicely. Harry
1973 444, 1974 644, 1976 446, 1977 646, 1986 226
- Harry
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Re: Coming Home to snow and ice
Last week I was in Florida at Disney with grands who were off school. At home it was beautiful no rain and sunny. I came home to most plants in bloom. Now this week the rain is back. Harry
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1973 444, 1974 644, 1976 446, 1977 646, 1986 226