As we're creeping into summer and 90* temps, I'm already thinking ahead to next winter...not really sure which way to go. Money is definitely a consideration. I recently moved into a house in the country, with a 300' gravel drive. I also have a good buddy 2 miles away with a lengthy gravel drive, and my parents are 15 mins away have a fairly large concrete drive.
Option 1 - I have a 2003 Yukon that's a spare vehicle. Runs great, was in a wreck and has a salvage title, so I just hang onto it 'cause why not. Is it feasible to find a decent cheap "consumer grade" plow and use that on this thing in the winter? The idea of clearing snow with the radio on, a coffee in the cupholder, and the asswarmers on is very attractive. It also gives me the option of helping out my parents and/or buddy if they need it. Concerns are how well the vehicle can handle light plow duty, and moreso, what the cost would be. I have no idea on what kind of setup would work best and if it'd be cost effective.
Option 2 - I was considering picking up an old Ford 8N with a backblade. I could probably get the pair for $2k or so. The tractor would come in handy from time-to-time as I have a few acres of land, but really, it'd sit 99.9% of the time and really just get used for snow duty. Said buddy also has an 8N that I can borrow should I need one for actual tractor duties. I'd also be limited to plowing only my driveway (no helping buddies/parents). I also question how effective snow removal with the back blade would be. I used one to do light grading of the dirt in my yard, so I have a little glimpse of how it'd perform.
Option 3 - I also have a decent lawn tractor....2010 Craftsman (Husqvarna) YTS4500. It's a beefier consumer grade tractor. 26hp Kohler twin, 54" deck. I could pick up a plow or snowblower attachment for that. Again, I'd be limited to only doing my driveway. Seems opinions on a plow are both positive and negative. Snowblower attachment seems to get really good reviews.
Any experience/thoughts? I'd love to have an old 8N, just because they are cool. On the other hand, I'd also love to be able to comfortably and warmly clear the snow quickly. I'd also like to be cheap, and it seems leveraging the lawn tractor may be the cheapest route of the 3 as a brand new snowthrower for it is like $1400 - may be able to find something used for cheaper.
Option 1 - I have a 2003 Yukon that's a spare vehicle. Runs great, was in a wreck and has a salvage title, so I just hang onto it 'cause why not. Is it feasible to find a decent cheap "consumer grade" plow and use that on this thing in the winter? The idea of clearing snow with the radio on, a coffee in the cupholder, and the asswarmers on is very attractive. It also gives me the option of helping out my parents and/or buddy if they need it. Concerns are how well the vehicle can handle light plow duty, and moreso, what the cost would be. I have no idea on what kind of setup would work best and if it'd be cost effective.
Option 2 - I was considering picking up an old Ford 8N with a backblade. I could probably get the pair for $2k or so. The tractor would come in handy from time-to-time as I have a few acres of land, but really, it'd sit 99.9% of the time and really just get used for snow duty. Said buddy also has an 8N that I can borrow should I need one for actual tractor duties. I'd also be limited to plowing only my driveway (no helping buddies/parents). I also question how effective snow removal with the back blade would be. I used one to do light grading of the dirt in my yard, so I have a little glimpse of how it'd perform.
Option 3 - I also have a decent lawn tractor....2010 Craftsman (Husqvarna) YTS4500. It's a beefier consumer grade tractor. 26hp Kohler twin, 54" deck. I could pick up a plow or snowblower attachment for that. Again, I'd be limited to only doing my driveway. Seems opinions on a plow are both positive and negative. Snowblower attachment seems to get really good reviews.
Any experience/thoughts? I'd love to have an old 8N, just because they are cool. On the other hand, I'd also love to be able to comfortably and warmly clear the snow quickly. I'd also like to be cheap, and it seems leveraging the lawn tractor may be the cheapest route of the 3 as a brand new snowthrower for it is like $1400 - may be able to find something used for cheaper.
