Snow blower or ATV blade

[KBF]

For those of you folks who have had or used one or both which would you prefer?
Another big dump forecast and I’ve waited too long.....again. Haha.

[skidderman]

Too many things to go wrong on a snowblower. Blade is simple and simply works.

[RACKER]

I run both.The snowblower does a great job in tighter spaces and throws it a good distance.I find with the quad and blade to have to make alot of passes if you want the pack kept really clean with a heavy snowfall.With the quad you really have to keep pushing the snow as far back as you can so you dont end up with buildup and have it freeze.If you buy a snowblower get a bigger one if you can afford it.I have a long driveway so i find the quad better/faster if the snow isnt really heavy.IN the city or town i would say snowblower.Big yard i would say quad.

[45-70govt]

Driveway length? Width?

[MountainTi]

Well if you were closer I would say definitely blade. Just sold a quad today and he didn't want the blade, so now have one for sale

[Opalsasquatch]

I use a blade on a Yamaha grizzly. Works good, but you have to plan ahead where you are moving snow to. Once a windrow sets up, it’s there till spring unless you bring a skid steer or tractor home

If your area is relatively small, a snow blower works great too. A quad blade requires some room around buildings/obstacles, or a lot of pushing the same snow over and over to get it away from the yard.

If it’s mostly a long driveway, blade is way faster

Edit to add:


I’ve had the Moose brand plow since 2014, good piece of kit, no repairs needed yet and I’ve done some ridiculous things with it, but get the optional pulley kit that brings your winch line back to the front rack, it will keep you from breaking your winch line constantly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nimrod]

Im in the country , Im use my quad with a blade for snow, but if it blows or we get alot of snow, then blows, The country will allow the grader to come and do my driveway, but thats another 40 to pay for this service

[1899b]

I had a blade during my 6 year stay in Edson where we got a lot of snow.
You need to have room and somewhere to make the pile as it grows and grows and grows. Other homes I had a snow blower and it was blown evenly onto the lawn.

Prefer snowblower

[FCLightning]

If you have lots of space to clear then get both. Otherwise the snowblower is more versatile.

[CNP]

My driveway is long, has a substantial grade and is gravel. All of that added up to a decision for a blade. Already had a Yamaha Grizzly.....just added a Warn blade.

[kodiakken]

Originally Posted by skidderman

Too many things to go wrong on a snowblower. Blade is simple and simply works.

This is true till you have a winter with lots of snow that stays. Once you blade it up and it freezes unless you have big enough equipment your plowed area keeps shrinking. Remember few winters back we had lots of snow I used a skid steer with blade had that stuff pushed up 8 plus feet high and banks were 30 feet deep.
With a blower you can keep what you want open and get the snow the heck out of your yard.
It really depends where you live and your average snow fall. I use the snowblower more than the blade.

[dmcbride]

I prefer the snowblower only because it keeps the snow banks low and I don’t get a lot of snow accumulating on the driveway when it drifts.

[Dona]

I have a 1000 Polaris Ranger on Tracks with a Hydraulic Blade. My driveway is 1/2 mile long. This machine is good for lesser snowfalls and leaves ridges that make the driveway smaller upon successive snowfalls. Driveway takes 2 hours. Love the Machine but a C- for snow removal.

I have a 75 hp tractor with the Snowblower mounted on the front of the tractor. Driveway is done in 20 minutes. A+ job.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by dmcbride

I prefer the snowblower only because it keeps the snow banks low and I don’t get a lot of snow accumulating on the driveway when it drifts.

My preference, and my my reasoning as well. With a blower you don't end up with huge piles and drifts.

[204ruger]

I like the “let it pack down till I have time to clear it method” and a blade is perfect for this because a snowblower won’t dig to the cement like a blade will after it’s packed. I have way more important things to do with my time than to clear snow as soon as it falls.

[KBF]

Originally Posted by 45-70govt

Driveway length? Width?

Driveway 120’ x 80. I’m in town but area quite open. Can push snow off east side of main road towards empty lots. Driveway is also gravel

[KBF]

Originally Posted by 204ruger

I like the “let it pack down till I have time to clear it method” and a blade is perfect for this because a snowblower won’t dig to the cement like a blade will after it’s packed. I have way more important things to do with my time than to clear snow as soon as it falls.

Typically that’s my methodology. But our parking area is about 3’ higher than the low portion of driveway. When we get lost of snow and wind blows from west driveway has 4’ of snow behind vehicles. No way to get out. Grrrrrr

[58thecat]

Snowblower....have had mine for 14 years and still going strong......if the snow is light I shovel a bit and drag tires on the lane way to remove the drifts etc othe than that it the snow blowers job.

[ken1989]

You can move allot of snow in a hurry with a 32" cut 10 Hp blower.

[nimrod]

We should do a poll, on this subject, if you live in the city, snow blower, if you live in the country, quad blade, yes no ?

[Roamer]

I’ve used both, plus a pickup with a plow, plus various skidsteers and attachments. I vote for any means of blowing. As others have said, the trouble with plowing is you end up with ever growing piles. If you have no means of moving them it becomes an issue. I know you said you have empty lots you can push into, that helps. The other issue I have with an atv plow is when you get a big dump of heavy wet snow traction becomes an issue. Many long “running” starts ending in abrupt stops with minimal snow movement. You can’t beat physics. Go with a blower.

[AndrewM]

Had both and they both will work. Blower is better to get up and over the windrows. Plowing with a quad is brutal if you don't plan really well ahead.

[graybeard]

Originally Posted by AndrewM

Had both and they both will work. Blower is better to get up and over the windrows. Plowing with a quad is brutal if you don't plan really well ahead.

Exactly...

When plowing you start planning at the first snow fall. If you don't your driveway is pretty narrow come the middle of the winter.

Yes a little more work but blowing gets rid of it and there is no issue.

BTW: Set your snow blower feet up a little as not to scoop up debris or rocks.

[AndrewM]

Originally Posted by graybeard

Exactly...

BTW: Set your snow blower feet up a little as not to scoop up debris or rocks.

And be warned about wet snow. It is terrible to push or blow!

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by KBF

For those of you folks who have had or used one or both which would you prefer?
Another big dump forecast and I’ve waited too long.....again. Haha.

I have both becasue I live on acreages and have for 20 years. Long driveways and large parking areas. If I was in the city it would be a blower. I use the blade all of the time as the quad is way faster than the blower. Blower only gets used to throw the snow further into the yard or ditch when I run out of room to pile the snow with the blade, so many years it doesn't get used at all.

[redhunter1]

Use my quad 650 Brute Force with a Warn blade. 2 bolts to install plow and 1 shackle on winch. I plow my gravel driveway in no time and can handle a foot of semi frozen snow.

[mulie4x4]

We use blade on acreage and snow blower in town. Did have a snowblower for the acreage but the gravel and other hidden things destroys them. Even with the snowblower raised up always get some gravel. Got a quick release Polaris blade works awesome.

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by mulie4x4

Got a quick release Polaris blade works awesome.

That is the one I have - slick system

[Zrunner]

Originally Posted by KBF

For those of you folks who have had or used one or both which would you prefer?
Another big dump forecast and I’ve waited too long.....again. Haha.

I use both the snow blower on concrete drive and pads, blade for long gravel portions of the driveway and to manage the windrow from the highway plow. I have lots of drop off areas paralleling the driveway so snow management is easy

[Pixel Shooter]

Pretty much quad for acreage blower for city. Best attachment i bought for my yammy was a power pivot so i can change angle without getting off the quad electronically. Cats butt