question: snow removal options

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:23 am

Hi all,

Okay, I have a rather large driveway, I need to clear the snow to get to my garage. That being said, the snow-blowers from Bauhaus etc. are a total joke, including the one that costs about 1500 EUR!!! The snow kept getting stuck in the funnel.

For a country as Finland, I thought decent snow removal options might be standard, except that the options I have seen are sub-standard, hell, I could get a better snow blower near the equator!

What are my options please? Apart from dreaming about a caterpillar that I cannot, ahem, afford.

Thanks.

Kind regards.

**Sponsor:**

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:31 am

Move to apartment or https://www.toknet.fi/masi-lumikola-iso ... nGroup=329

edit

DMC · Post by **DMC** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:38 am

We had a word with the guy who clears the road past our house. For a small fee he clears our driveway every time he clears the road. Money well spent.

ilikepeanutbutter · Post by **ilikepeanutbutter** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:41 pm

I second the guy doing it. Usually a local farmer can get a contract to plow your road/driveway out for so manys euros a season. I think too they can keep the payment even if you have a black winter.

priki · Post by **priki** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:34 am

Snow blowers are not really a Finnish thing. I don't know anyone who would have one. Everyone either uses a lumikola (very good exercise!), or pays for a tractor guy to do the job.

kp900t · Post by **kp900t** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:02 pm

Do it the Canadian way and pick up a shovel.

foca · Post by **foca** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:08 pm

I have a large area to clean , so I use an ATV with a snow blade and a removable tip bucket. but it is expensive..... if you buy a snow blower make sure it is two stage and has at least 8 hp. I have one as well, but only use it when I have no space to remove snow to. in your case the local guy might be the best options..

AnalystTherapist · Post by **AnalystTherapist** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 5:12 am

network_engineer wrote:Hi all,

Okay, I have a rather large driveway, I need to clear the snow to get to my garage. That being said, the snow-blowers from Bauhaus etc. are a total joke, including the one that costs about 1500 EUR!!! The snow kept getting stuck in the funnel.

For a country as Finland, I thought decent snow removal options might be standard, except that the options I have seen are sub-standard, hell, I could get a better snow blower near the equator!

What are my options please? Apart from dreaming about a caterpillar that I cannot, ahem, afford.

Thanks.

Kind regards.

I was going to recommend this but then I realized that you may have a LOT of snow if you're thinking about getting a CAT. LOL.

Snow Joe SJ623E 15-Ampere Ultra Electric Snow Thrower with Light
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FV ... os_product

network_engineer · Post by **network_engineer** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:45 am

AnalystTherapist wrote: Snow Joe SJ623E 15-Ampere Ultra Electric Snow Thrower with Light

Oh, the one from Bauhaus, was seeming much bigger/better!

@foca: the ATV sounds like a good thing! Do I need to sell a kidney?

And what are its weak points. Problem has also been that there is limited amount of space to move the snow, i.e. our garden has a edge made of bricks around it, about two bricks tall. Makes it hard to pick and throw the snow in there.

But still, good idea, fill me in!

foca · Post by **foca** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:36 pm

a new ATV would cost you around 6000-7000 (up to 12000 for EFI models) . if you do not intend to use it on public roads you can go without registering it (usually unregistered ones are 800-1000 cheaper, since there is no need to install mirrors and turn signals). there are tipping bucket systems for ATV s , but the height of loading is not more than 70-90 sm - it depends on ATV itself. A good used ATV can be found for 3000-4000 EUR. but do not buy carburetor models - too many problems.

meplusthree · Post by **meplusthree** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 9:15 am

I bought 'cheap' Keeway 6.5hp in spring 2012 - last one left in the shop so good price

. It worked fine last winter no problems with deep or wet snow.
The blower chute will get blocked if you try to go too fast in deep/wet snow but at a very slow speed I could make a path through snow the same hight as the collector bucket.
The only issuse I had was that after use the plate with second stage blades would get frozen to the bucket and had to be melted with fan heater next time I wanted to use it.
Other observation is that it takes a couple of minutes for the machine to warm up and the auger/thrower to work at full power.
Personally I think the snow blower is more pratical than an atv mainly because you dont end up with the problem of snow banks at the edge of the road.

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