4L Ranch Snow Related Page

At 7000-feet along the Palmer Divide region of the Colorado Front Range, snow sometimes falls fairly heavily. One such storm dumped over 24-inches "on the flat." In front of our garage, we had 45-inch drifts. The deepest drift Woody personally measured was 66-inches down near the barn (there may have been deeper ones but we couldn't get to them). All pasture animals had been brought into the barn during the height of the blizzard.

Above: Lorelei always keeps the birds fed and watered during the winter months. The bird waterer is heated.

Above, Jon and Rachel bundled up against the elements. After snowing for three days, it took us another two days to dig out so that we could reach the main road. Even with the four-wheel-drive, studded snow tires, and tire chains on all four wheels, our road was impassible. These "high-tech" driving aids don't help at all if the tires can't touch the ground through all the snow.

CLICK ON A PICTURE BELOW FOR A LARGER, CLOSER VIEW

This is our Sears (Craftsman) 25 HP (Kohler engine) 2wd garden tractor. Cutting a 50" swath of grass in the summer, it finds plenty of use year round.

During the winter, the tractor is equipped with a Sears 46" two-stage snow blower assembly which does really well in the average Colorado winter snowfall. 

In the spring, when snows are wet and clog the snow blower chute (or in the winter when there is a one or two inch dusting), the rear-blade allows for pulling the snow off to the side. The blade swings around as well so you can plow the snow off to the side.

The rear tires are equipped with tire weights and chains to help when plowing.

The original tractor configuration lends itself to the city. In the country, where there are no street lights, the stock lights are ineffective. I added additional lights to the hood of the tractor for use in the summer time. When plowing, however, the lights (behind the snow plume) are ineffective, as well. Additional lights are mounted on the snow blower assembly itself. Being ahead and below of the snow plume, it allows for much better visibility when plowing during the long winter evenings and nights. A rear light was mounted behind the seat for better rear viewing of summer aerating, seeding, or trailer work as well as winter plowing.

Winter tractor enhancement ideas: (Sears are you listening?)
a. A modification kit allowing the exhaust to be redirected to the feet (keeping them warm)
b. Bolt-on plates allowing for easier jacking up to change front tires while snow blower attached 
(presently it is a very dangerous scenario)
c. A heated, waterproof engine cover to protect against severe winter temperatures
(tractor sits outside during the winter, strategically parked next to the area needing to be cleared)
d. A bolt-on waterproof cup holder (heated)?
e. Dash lights for plowing in the dark

CLICK HERE FOR THE MAIN 4L RANCH WEB PAGE

Free counters provided by Andale.

Contact WOODY for questions or comments about this page via  email. 
All personal comments, pictures copyright 1996-2002 - R. Linwood (4L RANCH)
LAST MODIFIED: 04/04/2002 01:15:29