I have been using this trick for 3 winters now, with the same PVC pipe, even with over 800 feet of driveway. I use it mostly in early winter, until a layer of ice forms and the gravel freezes in place. Before using this trick, the Kubota's snowblower was scattering kilos of gravel in the forest, in addition to wearing out the paint and all the parts.
Unless the blade is angled you are NOT plowing , you are pushing ! Angle the blade to one side so that your road / path is wider , so that when you get more snow you have someplace for it to go . That pipe on the cutting edge is a great idea.
I just tried ABS tubing, stronger than pvc, it cracked and split down the center. I tried sch 40 pvc last week, that cracked and split down the center. Works fine on a paved drive, not so well on a gravel drive. Though works very nice on the lawn.
Same here. PVC and ABS both shattered first time out on the gravel. I ended up fabbing a replacement cutting edge on the plow with a full length skid bar and slightly angled up scrape edge to ride over the gravel. 3 snowfalls later, still like new. Works excellent on lawn as well as I plow a trail around the perimeter of property to get to the burning barrel, and to drag my grandaughter around on a sled.
When the snow is sticky, I add weight plates on the back of the blade, to keep it closer to the ground. To do this, I added two 6 inch (1/2 dia) bolts to each end of the blade, about 6 inches from the edge, and I put the weights there, held in place by nuts. So I can add up to 40 pounds on each side, 8 x 10 pound dumbbells.
Cool! (no pun intended lol) The PVC on the blade was a good idea. Easily replaced and not terribly expensive. You are lucky, you do not have much snow. I am about 45 minutes north of you in MA and have 18 inches on the ground. Yuk! All my research makes me believe the Ranger 1000 is the best bang for the buck. I put one on order and hope to have it in about a month or so. Was surprised, and quite pleased, to find out if you are a vet, Polaris will take a $1000 off the price plus, extend the warranty to two years at no charge. I thought that was really decent. Can't wait to get it in. Looks like you are having fun with yours. Thanks for the videos.
So how did you get your ranger 1000.Was it a crew or standard?I recently just purchased the premium crew 1000 sohc,and a plow for it.Was wondering how yours performed in the snow?
@@justinmcintosh3031 My Ranger is a Standard 3 person unit. I have had it now for about 9 months. Haven't had any snow to play in yet but that will change very soon. I am very pleased with my Ranger. A real solid investment.
Try Schedule 80 PVC pipe ...thicker wall. Or a metal fence post...2-3/8 inch x 2-3/8 inch 16-gauge galvanized metal fence corner post...or similar pipe. Or RMC = rigid metallic conduit for wiring or HDPE utility conduit, such as SRD11.
Well to be honest I hit a stump it was very cold and it cracked the pipe. After that I did the same thing only instead of PVC I use galvanized fence post pipe
Downeast somewhere
Kudos to the man with an imagination that saved tons of lawn/gravel/dirt with a cost effective, easy on, easy off hack!!
I have been using this trick for 3 winters now, with the same PVC pipe, even with over 800 feet of driveway.
I use it mostly in early winter, until a layer of ice forms and the gravel freezes in place.
Before using this trick, the Kubota's snowblower was scattering kilos of gravel in the forest, in addition to wearing out the paint and all the parts.
Unless the blade is angled you are NOT plowing , you are pushing ! Angle the blade to one side so that your road / path is wider , so that when you get more snow you have someplace for it to go .
That pipe on the cutting edge is a great idea.
Sold me on the flag I’m putting one on my bike
I thought the stump rattled the plow pretty good but that building stopped it dead in its tracks.
😂 yes it did lol
I just tried ABS tubing, stronger than pvc, it cracked and split down the center. I tried sch 40 pvc last week, that cracked and split down the center. Works fine on a paved drive, not so well on a gravel drive. Though works very nice on the lawn.
Same here. PVC and ABS both shattered first time out on the gravel.
I ended up fabbing a replacement cutting edge on the plow with a full length skid bar and slightly angled up scrape edge to ride over the gravel.
3 snowfalls later, still like new.
Works excellent on lawn as well as I plow a trail around the perimeter of property to get to the burning barrel, and to drag my grandaughter around on a sled.
Has anyone found a better trick. My ABS cracked on me this last storm . Works great till it breaks.. lol
That pipe works with small amounts but will not work with a bunch of snow. The wetter it is the less it works too.
I usually dont let it pile up high and will plow a few times if needed so hopefully will be ok. Ill have to wait and see.
When the snow is sticky, I add weight plates on the back of the blade, to keep it closer to the ground.
To do this, I added two 6 inch (1/2 dia) bolts to each end of the blade, about 6 inches from the edge, and I put the weights there, held in place by nuts.
So I can add up to 40 pounds on each side, 8 x 10 pound dumbbells.
Cool! (no pun intended lol) The PVC on the blade was a good idea. Easily replaced and not terribly expensive. You are lucky, you do not have much snow. I am about 45 minutes north of you in MA and have 18 inches on the ground. Yuk! All my research makes me believe the Ranger 1000 is the best bang for the buck. I put one on order and hope to have it in about a month or so. Was surprised, and quite pleased, to find out if you are a vet, Polaris will take a $1000 off the price plus, extend the warranty to two years at no charge. I thought that was really decent. Can't wait to get it in. Looks like you are having fun with yours. Thanks for the videos.
Yes you will love yours too!
So how did you get your ranger 1000.Was it a crew or standard?I recently just purchased the premium crew 1000 sohc,and a plow for it.Was wondering how yours performed in the snow?
@@justinmcintosh3031 My Ranger is a Standard 3 person unit. I have had it now for about 9 months. Haven't had any snow to play in yet but that will change very soon. I am very pleased with my Ranger. A real solid investment.
Try Schedule 80 PVC pipe ...thicker wall. Or a metal fence post...2-3/8 inch x 2-3/8 inch 16-gauge galvanized metal fence corner post...or similar pipe. Or RMC = rigid metallic conduit for wiring or HDPE utility conduit, such as SRD11.
Galvanized fence post would surely hold up better. Thanks for the tip
How do I cut the galvanized fence post? That idea sounds great and I have the post in my garage, available
Use a cutting wheel on a hand held grinder
Use a cutting wheel on a hand held grinder
I thank you you for the hand held grinder advise. I can do that!
And how did you cut an opening for the blade?
Ran it against the fence on my table saw with a metal cutting wheel
How’s the 66” blade when plowing with it angled? Is the blade still wider than the tires?
been a while since i plowed but i think you may lose a little width but it wasnt an issue. Thing works awesome and im warm and dry inside.
How long did the PVC last?
Well to be honest I hit a stump it was very cold and it cracked the pipe. After that I did the same thing only instead of PVC I use galvanized fence post pipe