3 hrs of shoveling

[Josh]

Today is a day I wish my driveway was a bit shorter. Just finished shoveling 15 inches of snow off my driveway about an hr ago. Just a few hrs late to work :rolleyes:. We got hit pretty good out here. Anyone else burried. I know there will be some of you that laugh at 15 inches of snow. But hey its pretty decent for around here.

Josh

[TOD]

Whats snow we have not had any yet.

[Woussko]

Near Washington, DC

I got only 3 inches of snow, but there is about a 3/8 inch ice crust on top of it and this was the very wet hard digging kind of snow. Many cars are ice crusted. The big deal here is that soon they are saying the strong winds will pickup. With trees iced up and strong winds that = branches coming down and/or flying. It also means massive power failures. The main roads are pretty good, but the back streets haven't yet been touched. I think I'll give my little trusty TORO "Snow Hound" a good run and see if it can dig through this stuff. It's compact but it's also pretty tuff for its size. I hate that loud little 2 cycle stinky fumes engine, but it does get work done.

[wwsmith]

We have about 3 feet. Also pretty decent for my area. But my wife shoveled the walks and the driveway across 2 days. I worked in the shop installing a new heater and watched the boys. My wife has never seen snow before until we moved here this winter so she is liking it and enjoys shoveling/playing in it for now. :)

Plus I will be going to sunny Phoenix this weekend for a week for business. I doubt she is gonna be be so willing to shovel the snow after I come back from that... ;)

[hewood]

We got about the same.

Took about 3 hours to clear our 75' driveway today...1.5 hours from each of 2 of the boys! :D Unfortunately it's still snowing pretty hard as we speak! :rolleyes:

...I"m just glad I'm not in Oswego! They literally got over 7' last week! :eek:

[CWSmith]

This is the first winter that I can remember where we made it this far with no snow to speak of. I think total accumulation up until 4:00 PM yesterday, amounted to no more than a couple of inches.

Well starting late yesterday afternoon, all that has changed. It's been snowing continually since 4:00 PM, Feb 13th!! By 10:00 this morning we had had about 12 inches on the ground and right now it measures 15 inches. Temperature is only 10 degrees, so the stuff is pretty fine, but still fairly heavy. This is supposed to continue until 10:00 pm tonight with increasing winds. Tomorrow it's supposed to be higher winds and occasional snow squawls with below zero wind chill. In almost any direction from here the weather is worse! If you really want snow, you go north to Oswego.

While that is by no means the worst I've seen, I was under the dillusion that I might make it through this winter without picking up the shovel.

Oh well :(

CWS

[VASandy]

1 hour to make it through 3.5" of snow with a heavy crust of ice. And all I did was one swipe down the driveway, and the sidewalk. The little snow-blower really doesn't like the taste of ice at all. With the cold temps and heavy winds, it means the all-too-frequent face-full of snow-blower-powered wind-driven ice chunks.

My ears are frozen and my arms feel like noodles. The rest of it's gonna have to wait!!!

Congrats on getting yours done, fellas!

Oh yeah....happy Valentine's Day!!!! :p

[Josh]

My folks live out in the country about 10 minutes from my house. Here are a few pics from around their house. Lotsa drifting.

[Pipestone Kid]

Hey Josh, You can see by my avatar that snow doesn't bother me :D--except that we don't have enough to make a snowball. I wish you fellas that are getting it all would send some our way. We really need it!! Last summer was dry and so was the Fall. Our lakes are way down and our forests are like tinder boxes. Praying for snow, Jim :(

[Woussko]

Update:

Little TORO "Snow Hound" just made lots of engine noise, but won't dig into this mess here. I ended up grabbing a steel shovel and had to really grunt. I got some done and am in for a rest. More shoveling soon. I really can't use a big heavy duty snow thrower. Too tight along sidewalks and such.

Sandy

Try a face shield and a good hooded jacket. Maybe a motor cycle helmet with face shield would be better. What you got blasted with is sure no fun. Please no getting hurt. SAFETY FIRST With that in mind, don't work to hard and have heart attacks.

[Wild Weasel]

heh. Sorry man. :(

We haven't had 15" of snow here in Toronto ALL WINTER. :)

Of course, I'll be spending some time tonight shovelling my drive as well as we've just had our 1st major snowfall of the winter. There was one previously that dumped 7 or 8 cm on us but this one should be 15+ cm. Not even half your 15"... ;)

[Woussko]

I'm sure everyone already knows this, but for what it's worth there are 2.54 CM to 1.0 inch. Put the other way around 1 CM = 0.3937 inch

[hewood]

heh. Sorry man. :(

We haven't had 15" of snow here in Toronto ALL WINTER. :)

Of course, I'll be spending some time tonight shovelling my drive as well as we've just had our 1st major snowfall of the winter. There was one previously that dumped 7 or 8 cm on us but this one should be 15+ cm. Not even half your 15"... ;)

Funny isn't it?....we get hammered with lake effect snow from the same lake you're on. If it's snow you're after, you're on the wrong side of the lake man! ...ya gotta be downwind to really appreciate it! :D

[Wild Weasel]

Holy Hell, Josh!!

I think God must really like you or something 'cause he smote me good tonight!

While Toronto may have only got 15 cm or so, I think a full 2 feet managed to pile up on my entire driveway and walk up the front door!

I have GOT to get me a snowblower!!

[wbrooks]

Not sure what we got here but the rink totally disappeared and the drifts were well over 2'. The JD with 5' PTO blower makes short work of the drive and the little 9HP blower for the rink and walks, still took a couple of hours to clean up.

[FINER9998]

JOSH....That's why God created 2 stage snow blowers.

[PLUMBER RICK]

ha, malibu got hit with snow a few weeks ago. they played in it and went back to sun and surfing.

rick.

[HVAC HAWK]

hay josh maybe ridgid can come out with a snowblower and you can keep one at home to test. ;) ;) ;)

and make sure it has a spot to put the ridgid radio on it :D :D

[Woussko]

Here is what I call THE snow thrower of them all that's totally self contained. Sure the huge ones you power with a tractor would do far more work per hour, but then they are just too big for some uses. This one does what the ones on wheels just won't. Now if only my friend that has one of these could get here......

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=hs1132tas (The big one)

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=hs724ta (Same type but smaller)


Josh would love one of these for the family place out in the country.

[VASandy]

Kinda wish I had something like that right now. Our little single-stage works...but the ice is too much for it. Something like that looks like it'd just chew right through ice!

I have to get the walkway and driveway done today. Expecting a delivery from Woodcraft!!! Just a few small things and some plans. Still...it's TOOOOOOOOLS!!! :D

[smorris]

I was 4 minutes late yesterday. I used TurboPlow!!! :D


http://smorris.smugmug.com/photos/129706930-L.jpg

[Woussko]

Smorris

I have a Subaru Outback SW Limited and really like it. How to you like your Subaru "Turbo Plow" ?

I have fun (when I can) putting my neighbor's fancy dancy BMW to shame. It spins out and I crawl along.

[oldslowchevy]

i want a turbo plow but i live in florida so not much use for one of those

[wbrooks]

Here is what one of the boys up north here uses (http://www.v8snowblowers.com/id15.html)

http://www.v8snowblowers.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/blowernobackground.jpg.w560h420.jpg

[Wild Weasel]

i want a turbo plow but i live in florida so not much use for one of those

heh. My current plow is supercharged, but this morning I put a deposit on a new turbo plow. :D

[Woussko]

WW

Do you mean that sometime soon you'll be the owner of a new Subaru? If yes, congratulations. I do hope you checked several models and versions.

[Bob D.]

"hay josh maybe ridgid can come out with a snowblower"

18 or 24 volt?

:)

[Wild Weasel]

WW

Do you mean that sometime soon you'll be the owner of a new Subaru? If yes, congratulations. I do hope you checked several models and versions.


Nope. :)

I just put a deposit on a Mazdaspeed3. I'm stoked...

Of course... this is completely off topic but hey... the turbo came up and I'm all excitable right now... :)

[oldslowchevy]

Here is what one of the boys up north here uses (http://www.v8snowblowers.com/id15.html)

http://www.v8snowblowers.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/blowernobackground.jpg.w560h420.jpg



oh god i am drooling again:o

[Roadrunner]

I was 4 minutes late yesterday. I used TurboPlow!!! :D


http://smorris.smugmug.com/photos/129706930-L.jpg
Now that's intercooled!:D

[Woussko]

W W I hope you enjoy it.

Getting back to snow shoveling, around where I am it's now thick solid ice. It would require driving back and forth over it with heavy steel crawlers to bust it up and then some serious digging.

I'm about ready to get a big chisel and heavy hammer. Then maybe not as I really don't wish to bash up my sidewalk. Mama Nature will soon bring heat from the sun to help us out.

Roads are OK and most of the walkway is done. I got to it before it froze up. It's just where I didn't get to it soon enough.

Weather in the Mid Atlantic is always coo coo just like most people that live here. :o :p

[smorris]

Smorris

I have a Subaru Outback SW Limited and really like it. How to you like your Subaru "Turbo Plow" ?

I have fun (when I can) putting my neighbor's fancy dancy BMW to shame. It spins out and I crawl along.

Woussko,

My Subie started life as a Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon. You can take a peek at the below linked Morris Garage and click on the WRX for what I've done to it. It isn't stock anymore. I pretty much voided the drivetrain warranty the first week I had it. It is low, mean, and subtle now. Still stock turbo so I can stay in the STX autocross class, but lots of other goodies. Similarly prepped cars put out about 260 HP whereas stock is 227. Quarter mile is high 13s. Actually, the current output is similar to Weasel's new MazdaSpeed, but with AWD. (My daughter just bought the Mazda 3 Sunday, and I was looking at a black MazdaSpeed hatch, but realized I'd be looking at another car just like mine!)

No, I'm not some ricer kid. Mine is so subtle, I can't get any attention form the fart-can kids. Maybe some of it has to do with the "53 year old bald guy driving a station wagon" part. Of course that keeps me below the police radar, too. :D

Ummm... on topic. Hey, no snow today! :)

[Woussko]

Smorris

Nice work there.

Mine just has the stock H4 non turbo engine. It does have to work hard and downshift on hills, but then I'm not out to win any speed records. Everyone needs to like what he drives. Good luck and good luck with your daughter. My bet is she will want to have you do custom work on her car soon.

[oldslowchevy]

you didn't really think that they shoved those tracks do you? this is a 9 foot rotery 900 hp diesel powered snow blower, now you all can stop dreaming



http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/rotary1.jpg

[smorris]

good luck with your daughter. My bet is she will want to have you do custom work on her car soon.

We already did that with the '91 Miata she bought when she was 15. She started autocrossing with me, and asked for race tires for Christmas. Santa didn't deliver. Santa didn't want her to beat his times at the next event! :eek:

[Woussko]

OSC

Nice picture for sure. I'm going to look for one of an old steam engine powered "Rotary Plow" that railroads used many years ago. To see and here one at work was quite an experience. You both cheered and also feared that beast. Only once did I get to see one working and that was a restored one. I'm getting old, but not that old. LOL

[Wild Weasel]

No, I'm not some ricer kid. Mine is so subtle, I can't get any attention form the fart-can kids. Maybe some of it has to do with the "53 year old bald guy driving a station wagon" part. Of course that keeps me below the police radar, too. :D


Very nice work on the Subie!

I'm totally the ricer kid... though I've mostly grown out of it now.

I've got a supercharged 220ish hp Sunfire. Runs high 14's on heavy 18" wheels with all season rubber. :)

Most of the bling on the outside of the car I actually got for free from shows and sponsorships. My money's gone to the stuff that makes it fun, like the interior, power and suspension.

You can see the history of it here: http://www.wildweasel.ca/car_pics.shtml

Now that'll be stored away though for future use while the Mazdaspeed becomes my new daily driver.

[Woussko]

OK everyone I just had to post this so you can see the real MONSTER SHOVELING machine. How would you like to have one of these in your front yard to show off? Needless to say it costs more than most of us pay for a lot and nice house. Please don't ask me how much, but I have little doubt but what it's over $1 million.

http://www.letourneau-inc.com/pdf/equipment/mining/L-2350.pdf

And for all of you that are Railroad fans, here's an interesting web site about plowing snow. Scroll down some and you'll really see the snow flying. http://membrane.com/~elmer/rail/snow/rotary/

Here is one you'll have fun seeing thanks to our friends over in Norway. http://membrane.com/~elmer/rail/snow/rotary/nor01.jpg

[smorris]

You can see the history of it here: http://www.wildweasel.ca/car_pics.shtml



Wow! :eek: Pretty subtle. Love the tags! :cool:

[VASandy]

Sweet car!!! Definately the 1337 tags!!! :D

Woussko, I saw one of those rotary plows in Alaska. They still use ones like OSC posted on a regular basis.

[smorris]

Woussko, I saw one of those rotary plows in Alaska. They still use ones like OSC posted on a regular basis.

White Pass Railroad? I saw that this past August when we went to Alaska. I'd love to see one of those run! I used to be a bit steam engine nut. Went to see all the engines as they came through here. The steam rotary is a marvel!

[Wild Weasel]

And for all of you that are Railroad fans, here's an interesting web site about plowing snow.

I was at the Henry Ford Museum last summer near Detroit and they had a massive train snow remover right in the museum! I don't think it was one of those rotary ones though...


Wow! :eek: Pretty subtle. Love the tags! :cool:

heh. Thanks. :D That car gave up "subtle" years ago. It's been a fun process all the way through. It'll be sad not to be able to drive it anymore for a while. :( Of course, her daily driving replacement should be just as entertaining.

[Bob D.]

Rotary plows (http://www.lsrm.org/Education/service.asp)

[Tom W]

In the vein of "No good deed goes unpunished" here is a short story. During the snowstorm wednesday my snowblower blew up. ( Never, ever think you are doing good by stretching the governor spring. The motor will run faster for a short time and more snow will be thrown but the life of the machine will be lessened significantly.) So over to HD I go to buy another snowblower. Fortunately I was there in time to buy the last one. There was a couple ahead of me who had bought the second to last one. No store employees were available to help load the blower in the guy's car so I offered to help. He had a new Jeep and of course it didn't fit into the back. I told him I had brought my Hummer and suspected mine wouldn't fit so I planned on renting HD's truck to bring mine home and offered to bring his to his house. He accepted. We unloaded mine first and then drove to his house where I was to helped him unload his. He made the turn into his driveway. As I followed and made the turn into his uncleared driveway I knew I had made the wrong decision. Of course I got stuck. We unload the guy's snowblower and what does he do? He tells his wife to get some gas, asks me how to start his snowblower and starts to clear his sidewalk with his new snowblower. He did return a couple times and offer encouragment that I was almost out and he did let me use a snow shovel to dig the truck out. I suppose I should be thankful he didn't charge me a deposit for the use of his shovel. Some people just don't get it.

Tom

Tom

[Woussko]

TomW

You're very correct that some people (I have to include myself now and then) are real *&^%$#@ in mind and heart.:( As for the getting stuck, I hope readers realize it was the rented HD pickup and not your Hummer. Sadly this stuff happens when we attempt to help people. It ends up that they *&^% in our face. Any real person would have helped you dig out and given you a nice home cooked meal. I hope the snow thrower you got works out to be a good one for you.

Now a bit about overspeeding engines. Please everyone, do NOT do it. Even 10% above the rated max speed is getting dangerous. You need to use this way of thinking. If you increase the speed to double, the stress is 4 times greater. If you increase engine speed to 3 times what's normal the stress is 9 times greater. Anymore too many small engines are maxed out at the factory. I'm glad it didn't end up with your getting pieces of metal blasted into you. Good luck with your new one.

Tom

Did that butt headed guy add oil to the engine before starting it? If not, he will soon have scrap metal for an engine and you can laugh at him. Maybe he will pay after all for not offering to help dig out the HD pickup.

[Tom W]

I showed him how to check the oil and it was OK. One other solution I came up with is to buy a Hummer SUT. I have been looking for an excuse to buy one anyway. Now to convince my wife of my need.

Tom

[Wild Weasel]

Damn! I can't believe the guy would have the nerve to not help you out!!

Should have just put it in gear, put your foot into it, and dug some nice deep ruts into whatever it happened to be on top of at the time!

[JimDon]

Reminds me of the time our neighbor was sick back in about '78. He had pancreatic cancer and needed to get to hospital ASAP. I lived at the bottom of the alley that his driveway was attached to at the top. Had just had about a 12-inch snowfall and alley hadn't been plowed and they couldn't get out of garage and down alley to hospital. They called me and asked if I could help. I asked how much time they had before they needed to go. Somewhere around 20 minutes. Had an Ariens 7 hp that was already chained up. Locked differential in and cranked up the engine. Alley was about 1,000 feet before they could get to the street. Cut a couple of swaths up and down the alley so they could just drive in the paths I had cut and get enough traction to drive. Within about 15 minutes their old Chev Impala was bounding down the alley and out to the street - no prob. Unfortunately the neighbor died not too long after, but I felt really good about being able to plow a fast path for them to exit.
Jim Don

[Tom W]

Ya gotta do whats right