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600' of gravel driveway

9K views 66 replies 7 participants last post by  WalterFGBS 
#1 ·
I have 600 feet of gravel driveway at a 10-12% grade. There is quite a height rise over the length of the driveway, with a switchback corner, so one long stretch of the driveway has a steep drop-off on the side.

I live on the west coast of BC (think Pacific Northwest) so the snow is often heavy and wet. For the last two winters we've had a lot of snow and prolonged cold, and it's generally been dry snow. This is atypical, usually we get wet snow, and generally it melts after a few days. So there is no way to predict any more what type of snow we might get, how much, or how long it might last.

I would appreciate any insight/suggestions regarding the best way to remove snow from a very long gravel driveway. Snowblower?

Because of the steep side/drop along a significant stretch of the driveway, adding a plow to a one-ton truck seems kind of risky if the vehicle slides and goes over the edge (the drop would be a fatal wreck). So we've considered getting a side-by-side and adding a plow. We just don't know.

And would spraying a brine be better than ice melter salt?

Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.
 
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#2 ·
Snowblowers will work but be time consuming. Obviously, the snowblower cannot be attached easily to a full sized vehicle. They do make some but they aren’t so great. Unless you get a Mercedes Unimog or Oshkosh style blower truck. And I don’t think they make them for UTV’s without a front PTO. So, if you like the snowblower option you might want a tractor. But again on most utility tractors you max out at 7’ 6” or so in width. The snowblowers will be similar in size. Which means multiple passes and very slow times. But Bercomac makes one for an UTV that is 72 inches wide. So, it is doable.



I am not sure why a side-by-side is in your opinion better than a 1-ton Truck other then it’s size. But you have to remember your options with the Side-by-side be it a plow or snowblower will correspondingly smaller than a 1-ton truck. So, if sliding is an issue remember you will have to do multiple passes to clear the road remember if you have a 6’ plow you get only about 5’ of clearing at full angle on you UTV. So, that might cause you to get closer to the edge as well. A bigger truck with a bigger plow can clear more at a time. Which means keeping your vehicle in the center of the driveway.

http://bercomac.com/en/product/vantage-72-snowblower/

Of course you 1-ton truck could be fitted with a 9’ 6” plow. That would probably clean the road in one pass. But if you aren’t comfortable with the size of the vehicle that will be a problem.

As for sliding I would get a set of Pewag chains for the front and rear. You will greatly improve your traction.

I think brine is a bit overkill and a decent sander spreading a mix of salt and sand is your best bet.

Do you have a picture of the driveway?
 
#3 ·
Hey,

First off It,s never a good idea to use salt or brine on a gravel drive as it makes mud and a soft spot for your plow to dig in, sand or cinders are a better idea, or use the ash from the wood stove.

A UTV might work if your willing to go out and clear the drive every 4-5" of snow 24/7 and you will need to drive right on the edge to get rid of the snow. If your away and it snows the utv will be worthless in a heavy snow event. Plus the utv can just as easily slip over the edge with the same results, you would be safer in a truck.

The 1ton is a better option, get a set of tire chains for all 4 tires and a 9-10ft V plow. add 800lb of counterweight/ballast . for traction.

Use some markers to mark the edge of the drive as its easy for a false edge to form as you push snow over the edge.
 
#9 ·
Great idea, go buy a unimog unseen from Germany, shipping and titling will cost as much as the rig.....

If they act now it might be there by spring.....


Where are they going to push the snow?
There going to push it all to the high side of the road.:scramble
I bet, there smart enough to let it go over the low side.
Its not rocket-sicence.


OP, How are your neighbors dealing with the snow?
can you hire them to clear your road when you need it?
 
#10 ·
Actually, importing doesn’t take that long. Wasn’t exactly my point buy a truck from Germany but an example of a better snowblower operation.

Since none of us have seen the drive how do you know any of their plans at all.? For all we know it could look like the la Paz death road...

Hiring the neighbors might not be an option...
 
#15 ·
yes, they are in the NORTH WEST.

from the OP " west coast of BC (think Pacific Northwest)"as i stated.

so, go find them a rig that is in Canada then.....
Your comments are rather silly, since , you posted all the requirements for importing a vehicle into the US. However, Unimogs are pretty accessible in Canada. And you don’t have to do too much to get one into a country if you import it as a farm tool usually.

But, let’s not get focused on the location of the vehicle. The point is if you want a blower truck get something like a Unimog or a pretty big tractor since you will want it to handle all sorts of snow condition. End of story.

As for the driveway they make it sound dangerous. So, I am curious as to the design of the driveway.
 
#16 ·
Silly me, as Canada is a land that is void of laws, regulations or taxes.

"end of story ":haha:haha

Yea, ya can, just as if by majic your property can become a " farm"
What color is the sky in your world, full of rainbows and unicorns.

" farm tool"...?.. I'll refrain from swing at that tater....
Do you mean AG equipment, anyone can buy AG tractors, and they will cost you as much as they wood if ya owned a farm.


"But, let’s not get focused on the location of the vehicle. The point is if you want a blower truck get something like a Unimog or a pretty big tractor since you will want it to handle all sorts of snow condition. End of story.

Ho let's ,,, prove it.^
Why the need for it when she states, the snow melts in a few days anyway...

Honestly, I think it's a nonissue, get the side by side or use the truck.
Just driving up and down it cuppled with the mild weather it will take care of itsself as long as it gets some sun.


And you think they have unlimited funds? Where did this idea come from?

I'm sure it could be narrow drive with a steep drop off, but you sound like a stalker wanting pics.

Pics are great, but it must not be mush of a issue as she hasn't come back.
 
#18 ·
Silly me, as Canada is a land that is void of laws, regulations or taxes.

"end of story ":haha:haha

Yea, ya can, just as if by majic your property can become a " farm"
What color is the sky in your world, full of rainbows and unicorns.

" farm tool"...?.. I'll refrain from swing at that tater....
Do you mean AG equipment, anyone can buy AG tractors, and they will cost you as much as they wood if ya owned a farm.


"But, let’s not get focused on the location of the vehicle. The point is if you want a blower truck get something like a Unimog or a pretty big tractor since you will want it to handle all sorts of snow condition. End of story.

Ho let's ,,, prove it.^


And you think they have unlimited funds? Where did this idea come from?

I'm sure it could be narrow drive with a steep drop off, but you sound like a stalker wanting pics.

Pics are great, but it must not be mush of a issue as she hasn't come back.
It is silly to think US Law applies to Canada.

Let’s see a new UTV is what about $34k set up how they need it. So, perhaps the used Unimog at $15,000 is a steal.

I guess you have physic powers and can remote view this driveway. I myself find pictures are helpful.
 
#17 ·
Question, have you ever operated any large equipment mounted snow blowers on steep rockey drives?

Snowblowers love sucking up rocks or logs.

Also a larger vehicel doesn't leave you much room to slip around.
Not everyone needs a big truck that will just sit for 300 days of the year or 365 days a year like yours do.

Does the op have the skills to maintain or trouble shoot it?

Untill we find out we have to operate in the realm of the options given.
 
#21 ·
More like...they sit for 364 days a year because he's changing out fuel filters because he buys crap fuel. Or forgot to put his blankie on the fuel tanks.
 
#61 ·
There goes that moron again ...
what did he say, something about people always taking things off topic and then running the new member off.?
It looks like that’s just what Connor did hear. He changes the subject and then He blubbers about some truck and it’s lack of traction
 
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