Plowing stone driveways?

[OX1]

Driveway is 200ish foot paved from house to street.
But stone from house to barn (about another 200 feet).

Don't typically plow that section, but recently have needed to get other vehicles
back to barn to work on and although they are AWD, not going to make it with
10-12 inch of snow, like we just got.

What are you using? Thinking some kind of removable metal wheel, only o be used
in the stone. Plow does have two "flanges", that I think are normally for "skids"??

 

[PCustoms]

Driveway is 200ish foot paved from house to street.
But stone from house to barn (about another 200 feet).

Don't typically plow that section, but recently have needed to get other vehicles
back to barn to work on and although they are AWD, not going to make it with
10-12 inch of snow, like we just got.

What are you using? Thinking some kind of removable metal wheel, only o be used
in the stone. Plow does have two "flanges", that I think are normally for "skids"??

What kind of plow?

Is the ground frozen?

Typically if frozen I'll just run the blade in the ground, if soft I have to be more delicate. I've considered making skis/skids, but I've also seen a pipe used along the edge and it seems effective

 

[22-W]

I put a pipe on mine. Works really good.

 

[R07AG]

Skids are the way to go. I tried the pipe with my snowblower since I have a gravel driveway but didn't have much success.

If you can get original skids, go for those. Otherwise these look like a nice option https://www.r2manufacturing.com/products/blade-tamer

 

[OX1]

What kind of plow?

Is the ground frozen?

Typically if frozen I'll just run the blade in the ground, if soft I have to be more delicate. I've considered making skis/skids, but I've also seen a pipe used along the edge and it seems effective

Not sure (got it and frame for free, a while back), but here it is.



Ground was not frozen enough last storm, as blade kept digging up stone, even with attempting to stop every several feet, and reposition blade height.

 

[glider]

Our driveway is 300 foot of black top and our neighbors is 300 foot of crushed limestone. I maintain both in winter with a Kubota tractor and a back blade. I turn the blade around for the gravel and he accepts what it looks like.

 

[PCustoms]

Not sure (got it and frame for free, a while back), but here it is.



Ground was not frozen enough last storm, as blade kept digging up stone, even with attempting to stop every several feet, and reposition blade height.

That have a spot for shoes in the back?

 

[OX1]

And these are mounts I'm working with......

 

[OX1]

That have a spot for shoes in the back?

Yes, see above........

 

[PCustoms]

And these are mounts I'm working with......

Man I'd be really tempted to grab a piece of pipe, weld a couple bolts to it to fit those holes and give that a go....

In fact, as I'm typing this I'm pretty sure I have a piece of rigid conduit in my scrap pile that's about the right length for mine.

 

[finn]

I typically drove over the snow early in the season to build a mat. Snow plowing season then didn’t really start until the ground froze at least partially, and all my plows always had the skids still installed. Pipes welded to the bottom are common, but that means no scraping when plowing pavement.

In the end, I found a tractor mounted front blower to be best, but waiting for the ground to freeze is still essential on gravel,

 

[PCustoms]

I typically drove over the snow early in the season to build a mat. Snow plowing season then didn’t really start until the ground froze at least partially

What screws that up is the 50F and rain in the middle of the winter.

Driveway ices up and becomes undrivable, or maybe thaws (like it did this year) and I get mud. A few days later it snows again but ground hasn't froze yet.

Or we get 2-3' of snow in April.

 

[OX1]

Man I'd be really tempted to grab a piece of pipe, weld a couple bolts to it to fit those holes and give that a go....

In fact, as I'm typing this I'm pretty sure I have a piece of rigid conduit in my scrap pile that's about the right length for mine.

I'm starting to like the pipe idea. I even have some 1/4 wall DOM left over from steering/susp links from my offroad rig.
Maybe even weld a "ramp" plate angled up a bit to bottom of pipe, to tackle the high spots....

Could make some quick disconnects for it, so only put it on when driveways (typically do 6-7 neighbors also) are done.

 

[WildBill]

Not sure (got it and frame for free, a while back), but here it is.



Ground was not frozen enough last storm, as blade kept digging up stone, even with attempting to stop every several feet, and reposition blade height.

I rigged up a piece of pipe on mine. But mostly I wanted to say what a sweet setup! Love your Bronco!

 

[mm08822]

Not sure (got it and frame for free, a while back), but here it is.



Ground was not frozen enough last storm, as blade kept digging up stone, even with attempting to stop every several feet, and reposition blade height.

That's a '79?

 

[kyrbz]

I’m wanting to use a permeable paver system that is used with gravel to replace large areas of asphalt at a property I’m renovating. I keep thinking about what is going to be the best way to clear snow if I end up using a system like this?

 

[finn]

What screws that up is the 50F and rain in the middle of the winter.

Driveway, ices up and becomes undrivable, or maybe thaws (like it did this year) and I get mud. A few days later it snows again but ground hasn't froze yet.

Or we get 2-3' of snow in April.

We don’t get rain mid winter, although it will be in the twenties this week, and peak at 32 one day.

The solution is to just not plow if the temp gets too high.

Good time to scrape paved areas, though.

We winter in Az now, so my equipment is sitting in the shop.

 

[Dodgeboy2020]

From the pictures that looks like a Western plow blade with a Meyers lift pump. I bet you could find a set of skid shoes for that plow at almost any Western plow dealer or some of the aftermarket companies as well. Might be the easiest thing to try first. Ebay shows a few different options for around $60 for the pair of them

 

[OX1]

That's a '79?

I rigged up a piece of pipe on mine. But mostly I wanted to say what a sweet setup! Love your Bronco!

79 Yes, and Thanks!! She cleans up pretty good in the summer, still take her to a show here and there
(or out for ice cream )



Even still tows our boat (upgraded with 8 lug front, 3/4 ton D60 rear, 4 wheel disk, sway bars, hydro-boost, 4.10's, etc..)

 

[OX1]

From the pictures that looks like a Western plow blade with a Meyers lift pump. I bet you could find a set of skid shoes for that plow at almost any Western plow dealer or some of the aftermarket companies as well. Might be the easiest thing to try first. Ebay shows a few different options for around $60 for the pair of them

Yeah, she is a ******* setup. I had to cut and paste A-frames to get them to fit each other.
I'm a bit worried about skids digging into the high spots and capping them off.
But will check them out..........

 

[Dodgeboy2020]

Nothing wrong with doing what you need to do to push the snow out of the way. Like I always say, the snow doesn't know or care if its a $500.00 plow or a $10,000.00 plow its all the same moving it out of the way.

 

[mm08822]

79 Yes, and Thanks!! She cleans up pretty good in the summer, still take her to a show here and there
(or out for ice cream )



Even still tows our boat (upgraded with 8 lug front, 3/4 ton D60 rear, 4 wheel disk, sway bars, hydro-boost, 4.10's, etc..)

I had a '79 F-150 4x4...........MISS IT!

 

[JohnX14]

As PC mentioned, on a gravel or stone driveway, the snow that turns to ice can be an occasional problem. I had 100' stone drive beyond a 150' paved driveway. Most storms were not an issue, I'd snowblow the drive (or plow, based on varying conditions) and it was fine 90% of the time. Typically melted down in a day. Several times, the thin layer of leftover snow turned to ice. Not a big deal until/ unless someone gets hurt.

 

[WildBill]

I’m wanting to use a permeable paver system that is used with gravel to replace large areas of asphalt at a property I’m renovating. I keep thinking about what is going to be the best way to clear snow if I end up using a system like this?

I have an area that had a long slope so I used something like those, I haven't had a problem using a plow with a pipe along the bottom Works better there than in the rest of my rock area.

 

[jhelrey]

For the first few storms, pack the snow down, and then you can plow a few weeks later without pulling up a bunch of gravel. When you pile the snow, pile it in a turn around, etc. where you can spread the rock back out in the spring vs. putting it in your lawn.

 

[jimindm]

That appears to be a western plow board. You should be able to buy the actual skids for it.

They are real tall and come with washers to adjust them.

On gravel lots I would adjust them so the blade had more clearance. Heavy wet snow you will still pick up gravel.

You should be able to buy them from anyone selling plow parts.

 

[firebirdparts]

My dad put some "skis" on a western Meyer plow many years ago. He now just puts the bucket down on the tractor and backs up, and backs it off the road. I don't know that's a good method, but that's what he does now.

 

[djbmw]

Make a version of a square snow ski... it glides over gravel better than the round ones.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

At the lake I have gravel that is not yet packed into a base. I have a small Bobcat and a gas snow blower that have a tendency to pickup the small rocks. Not too big a deal on the Bobcat but I don’t need a stone from the snow blower taking out a window or damaging a building or vehicle.
Going to cut some pvc pipe as some others have used steel pipe. If it wears through I maybe rethink the pvc or simply replace as needed. If roadbed packs eventually I might not have to visit this again.

 

[carlaisle]

I modified some of these



and they worked great on gravel. Those are reproductions for a Woods mower deck. The OEM ones I used were solid 1/4" or thicker, but I bet the reproductions would be fine for snow.

 

[Sumboodie]

I put a pipe on mine. Works really good.

My Dad setup a plow with one probably 25 years ago. That and a "self flipping" backblade.

 

[22-W]

I have another one on a 7 1/2’ quick switch plow on a Bobcat. It plows gravel and concrete every storm. It doesn’t dig up anything, but scrapes well also. I used 1 1/4” pipe on both.

 

[PCustoms]

I have another one on a 7 1/2’ quick switch plow on a Bobcat. It plows gravel and concrete every storm. It doesn’t dig up anything, but scrapes well also. I used 1 1/4” pipe on both.

You think 2-in pipe would work better, worse or no different?

I don't want to waste my good pipe LOL

 

[JeepYJ]

If you can, push the snow into piles on a graveled area. When the snow melts any stone will be left on the driveway.

 

[rockbaron1]

Hey Jim, Its Pat. I plow the yard for the company I work at, we also have a gravel storage lot I have to clear. I usually just position the plow straight and lift it up an inch or 2, if I hear scraping I lift more. Then just drive over whats left a few times. The idea is not to actually plow down to the gravel but leave enough on top to form hard pack. I can usually drive our 2wd vans right out after this. Ive considered making ski's for the plow but the reality is I have to do it so rarely im not sure its worth it.

 

[22-W]

You think 2-in pipe would work better, worse or no different?

I don't want to waste my good pipe LOL

I don’t think it matters much. I was afraid the 1 1/4” wouldn’t be big enough, but it seems to be fine. I would use whatever you have.

 

[jblnut]

If you can, push the snow into piles on a graveled area. When the snow melts any stone will be left on the driveway.

Was going to post the exact same thing. First snowfall I always push things so they end up on a gravel area so all I have to do is rearrange the gravel in the spring.

Another option is to do as a few have described and plow it high the first time. The change is make when backing up you can drop the plow and back drag what’s left. It shouldn’t drag too much gravel and will pack it a bit as well.

Or. Add a few trip springs and pretend you’re blading the gravel smooth like you’d do in the summer

 

[22-W]

Around here, we push it back to the woods line. If not, by the time spring comes, there is no more driveway left.

 

[racecougar]

I use one of these three. I plow just over 1-1/4 miles of gravel road and about 1/4 acre of parking/turn-around areas. Preference is the SxS. Add shoes to your plow to adjust your edge height and let it eat.

 

[johninct]

I modified a some of these



and they worked great on gravel. Those are reproductions for aose Woods mower deck. The OEM ones I used were solid 1/4" or thicker, but I bet the reproductions would be fine for snow.

Those are the skids on my Ih mower on my 154 Cub Lo-Boy.