Relative Something

Well, that was a fine ‘how-do-you-do?’. My first lesson in plowing the driveway with the tractor was a real trial by fire. It just kept snowing and snowing all day long without a break, and I got my butt whipped. The storm chased me back into the garage where I parked the tractor and threw in the towel. We received over a foot of snow. I don’t know the storm total yet, because I am writing this on Sunday evening and it still hasn’t stopped snowing.

Now, I am able to report that there were some successes to claim, buried in the frustration I was experiencing. I was quickly successful getting the blade attached to the 3-point hitch on the back of the tractor. The tractor started easily on the first try. I had already topped off the fuel supply the last time I used the tractor. I pushed some snow with the loader up front. I quickly discovered that I would need chains. I then succeeded in figuring out the exercise of getting them installed. Not bad on that part, for having no clue about the logistics of the process. I made it all the way to the end of the driveway and back again. I avoided getting permanently stuck.

That’s about where the successes end. Remaining for me to learn are: What the ideal balance of power and speed is. Related to that is, figuring out what RPM the engine should be running at. I need to look into  something to keep snow from sticking to the loader and blade. I need to figure out how best to scoop up a pile of snow with the loader. I need to discover the trick to dumping snow out of the bucket, without it landing back on the area I am trying to plow. I need to figure out when to pick up the blade just enough to keep going and skim the top so I don’t get stuck with too much snow on the blade. I need to learn the trick to getting up the steeper parts of the driveway. That is where I got temporarily stuck multiple times, and why I ultimately gave up and went in.

I am most proud that I was able to prevent the situation from getting totally out of hand. I avoided getting the tractor permanently stuck. Unfortunately, I have yet to figure out what to do differently to avoid that bad spot in the driveway. The driveway is pretty narrow, and the edge of the pavement was not visible. When things would start to go wrong, the tractor would slide sideways and put me over to the edge of the paved area.

Monday will be round two of the battle. I am hoping the snow will have stopped falling, and the colder temperatures will give me a firmer base. If I still can’t figure out how to get the job done, the next plan is to seek the services of a professional, …at least for now.

I’ll be looking forward to getting a chance to practice again on a snowfall amount that’s not quite so harsh. Say, maybe 3 or 4 inches MAX! And it wouldn’t hurt if it would be the driest, fluffiest snow possible.  A guy can hope.