New England B.S. Thread

The biggest issue that I have is that because of the way my house/driveway/garage are set I can't wing the snow off to one side when I plow; I have to shove it all to the back end of the driveway. Since I've got a straight bladed plow that means making a hundred trips forward and back while I shove the snow from one side of the driveway to the other, working it down towards the end as I go. With a V plow I could put it in 'scoop' in do it in less than half the trips, which is my biggest motivating factor for the upgrade. As I'm getting older, the knee on my clutch leg isn't enthusiastic about that many trips back and forth; I bent it the wrong way when I was skiing in high school and it's started to complain some if I overdo it these last couple of years.

That and I'm feeling the appeal of downsizing our 'fleet' a bit. Between me and the GF we have 5 registered vehicles, plus the boat and the tractor, and we spend a lot of time playing 'musical cars' as a result. And there's also the temptation that if I had a heavier rig with a more efficient plow I could do a few driveways to pick up some extra $$ during the winter. The list goes on...

 

Snow thrower for tractor ?

 

I've considered it, but discarded it for a couple of reasons. Gravel driveway, I'd either have to remove the bucket (front mount) or spend the whole time clearing the driveway twisted around (3 point mount), exposure to the weather, and lack of portability to other locations (I frequently clear driveways for a couple of friends after the big storms to save them burning up their snowblower belts or throwing their backs out).

 

I really gave the gassers a hard look, but with the miles I drive, the fuel economy is daunting. I can't deal with 10 MPG, which is likely what I'd get in stop and go. I don't expect the diesel to be stellar, but it will be better for sure.

I can't tell, but it should have the camera. That's one of the things I asked about actually, I really want that for hooking up the trailer as I often do it solo. I've gotten pretty good at it, usually get within a few inches on the first try by the end of the season. First time of the season is a little embarrassing...

I could absolutely get away with a F150 with the payload and towing package. I want a truck that will last a long time and is easy to work on. The HD trucks are much easier to service, solid axles, serviceable transmissions, etc. Everything is overbuilt and I'll never actually run the truck at capacity. Damn thing should last a really long time as long as I keep up with maintenance!

I want the oil burner for towing, but also for the longevity. I have to keep this one for a while. The 'break even' point for current gas/diesel prices is about 150k miles. I have a pretty impressive spreadsheet calculating it all out. I drive too many miles for a gasser to make sense. Plus... 925 ft-lbs of torque, fuck yeah! Sort of excited about having an engine brake also. It's the little things in life.

 

@Noelie84 I have a gmc 3500 with a dump bed and v-plow. Gets good momentum to push bigger piles and heavy snow, and the v-blade is soooooo much nicer than a straight blade, it will change your plow for sure.

 

I don't know what you're talking about......

 

"Whoops, look at that...I'm 6 inches left of center and still a foot short."

I hear you there. The backup cameras make it SOOOO easy to hook up it isn't even funny. My F150 even has a dotted line down the center that moves as you turn the wheel to show you where your hitch ball will go. Honestly if you can't hook in one go with that, you shouldn't be towing anything.

Don't need to tell me; last spring when I'd busted the spring perches & u-joint straps on my plow truck I called in a favor to a buddy of mine (with a Fisher XV2) to clean up a storm for me. He made 4 passes and was done. I would have been rolling it back and forth for 20 minutes

 

First time of the season, I'd be lucky to get it that close on the first shot

I usually get centered up pretty well, it's the depth perception that I screw up. My back window is tinted really dark so I have a hard time telling how close I actually am. The beeps are inconsistent, I think it depends on where on the trailer's tongue they pick up. Then there's the all embarrassing moment when you realize you never lifted up the nose of the trailer and you backed into the front of the tongue. Not that I've ever done that, but I've heard it's embarrassing from a friend...

 

I used to be pretty good at hooking up without the camera, but I moved the boat with the '84 last summer and when I thought I had it lined up I wasn't even close. Then I readjusted and had the alignment right, but was still about a foot shy. Hopped back in to close up the distance and *bang!*
Turns out that my estimation of a foot from inside the cab was a little on the long side...

 

I picked up this for nothing a few years ago, rebuilt the engine and made my own plow mount using a plow off a lawn tractor. Fun to use but now I want to 'upgrade' - subcompact 4WD tractor with a cab, bucket, snow blower, mower, and ... backhoe. Do I need one? Nope. Will I part with the cash? probably not.

 

I sometimes see mid 2000s Grizzlys with plows and reasonable hours that look to be in good shape going for around 3k which isn't too awful.

It'll probably be something that I don't get until I see a deal I can't say no to.

 

I traded an old crapsman lawn tractor that was given to me for the quad and kept the plow off of it. Ended up putting several hundred into it to make it run nice nice. The neighbors just love the 2 stroke whine...

 

It's snowing. Remind me what month it is again...

 

Do you guys not get snow in April?

 

Backup camera from Auto Zone
https://www.autozone.com/safety-and-security/back-up-camera-system/yada-backup-camera/823845_0_0

 

The GF's dad has one of those on their horse trailer/camper thing.

 

When I get to within that last foot, I keep the door open and watch the ground. That's the best way I've been able to accurately estimate how far I've actually traveled when I'm just creeping into position.

 

Anyone in the market for a boat? I’ve got a 14’ aluminum shallow v hull sitting around that I’d like to get rid of. It does not have a trailer, as a tree fell on the trailer a few years ago, and is since been gotten rid of. Looking for BRO ((CHEAP!)). Shoot me a PM if interested. This past year I built a fishing platform with built in tackle storage for it. Aaaand it just sat there never used it. Does have a trolling motor I’ll throw in. Perfect for someone who lives on the water or has a camp somewhere. Pics upon request.

 

I may know somebody interested. Please send pics/price. Thanks

 

Wow, that is a great price. Nice vehicle!