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Snow Pushing

Richard1234

By Richard1234
in Yamaha ATV Forum

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Richard1234 Apprentice

Richard1234

Posted
Posted

Any advice regarding clearing snow with a Big Bear 350? 

I've a long straight driveway to clear at a new hobby acreage and we got lots of fresh snow!  Is it any better to angle the plow and run the length, or push the snow side to side into the ditches? 

I've never plowed snow before and have a steep learning curve as to what will prove more efficient! 

Any advice from the experienced would be appreciated!

Freedomflyer Collaborator

Freedomflyer

Posted
Posted

Angle blade and run the length if you can, if you get large amounts of snow frequently and are able, pushed it WELL off each side of the driveway because it will build up making it more difficult to plow as winter drags on. Of you don't get it far enough off your driving lan will become narrower and narrower as winter progresses.

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Richard1234 Apprentice

Richard1234

Posted
  • Author
Posted
8 hours ago, Freedomflyer said:

Angle blade and run the length if you can, if you get large amounts of snow frequently and are able, pushed it WELL off each side of the driveway because it will build up making it more difficult to plow as winter drags on. Of you don't get it far enough off your driving lan will become narrower and narrower as winter progresses.

Ah, I should have signed in before I went!  It wasn't near as deep as here in the city, so I should be able to expand the narrow lane I cut.  I did end up angling the blade and made 4 passes up/down the lane.  

I was surprised how easy it pushed.  The Big Bear had no issues with tires spinning nor motor loading up even as the blade overflowed heavy wet snow.  With the long straight driveway, and room on each side, clearing the snow doesn't seem as daunting as it did before!

My only issue is that the winch isn't sensitive enough to adjust the blade an inch or two at a time.  I will need to modify how I'm grabbing it so that I can position the blade more accurately.

But over-all, seems an excellent (and kinda fun) way to clear snow!

Richard1234 Apprentice

Richard1234

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ya, I think that should work.  I'll take a look for one or even just use nylon line and a couple hooks to make one up. 

I think 3 passes would be enough.  Much more and I won't have enough distance from winch blade to lift it up and out of the way.

Thanks!  

  • 3 weeks later...
OldDawg Apprentice

OldDawg

Posted
Posted

FWIW, on my Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4, the guy I bought it from made a plow winch from a Mercedes car power window motor and mounted it on the front rack.  Used the original power window buttons.  Works fine for about 45 mins-then the battery begins to struggle due to voltage drop.

  • Like 1
Fhai Catz-eteh Newbie

Fhai Catz-eteh

Posted
Posted
On 11/22/2021 at 11:49 AM, Fhai Catz-eteh said:

I installed a light duty sheave on a swivel (snatch block configuration) instead of hooking right on to the blade mount and in slows the in/out down so you have better button resolution on the blade up/down.

1806411252_20211219_114519209.thumb.jpg.6466ae9c2cc0904489e4738a3262cd64.jpg

  • Like 2
83BMichigan Apprentice

83BMichigan

Posted
Posted
On 12/15/2021 at 9:40 PM, Freedomflyer said:

Finally got some snow, enough to mount the plow.

20211215_173556.jpg

Looking forward to this kind of level up. I was looking for a used ATV but they all were snagged up or priced high. Enjoy the time!

Richard1234 Apprentice

Richard1234

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It's a bit nasty pushing snow when the temperature drops for sure.  The high today was -9F (-23C) (low at -22F) and with a fair bit of time mucking around trying to get the old girl started (I ended up removing the plug and heating it up) it got a bit miserable on the hands and feet. 

We've enough snow now that the original advice of pushing a wider path than you need has really come into effect! 

  • Like 1
jamo Rookie

jamo

Posted
Posted

I also have a Yamaha big bear 350 with a plow. I found that the two parallel bars supporting the blade were hitting the ground before the plow blade was all the way down, leaving about 3 inches of snow that wasn't plowed. I had to bore new holes in the brackets that the blade is attached to so that the blade was several inches lower allowing it to go all the way down to the ground. Much better snow removal here in Kalispell, Montana.  My battery also went dead from constantly raising and lowering the blade while plowing. Is this normal? Shouldn't the stator be charging the battery enough that this wouldn't happen?

  • Like 1
Richard1234 Apprentice

Richard1234

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 12/31/2021 at 7:30 PM, jamo said:

I also have a Yamaha big bear 350 with a plow. I found that the two parallel bars supporting the blade were hitting the ground before the plow blade was all the way down, leaving about 3 inches of snow that wasn't plowed. I had to bore new holes in the brackets that the blade is attached to so that the blade was several inches lower allowing it to go all the way down to the ground. Much better snow removal here in Kalispell, Montana.  My battery also went dead from constantly raising and lowering the blade while plowing. Is this normal? Shouldn't the stator be charging the battery enough that this wouldn't happen?

I haven't had any battery issues plowing with my 350 Big Bear. 

I try to keep the blade an inch off the ground as I have a rough gravel driveway.  My blade seems to tilt a bit when I rotate it to push on an angle.  I'm not sure if the quad "rocks" or if the mount moves, but the trailing side seems lower regardless if I push left or right.  Any ideas?       

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