[scott C]

Any suggestions on what to use to clear sidewalks of snow. I am looking for something enclosed with the option of heat. Small enough to clear walks without damaging grass and also will not break the bank. What are my options?

[Stonehenge]

I'm no winter work pro, but don't they make some small, narrow Bobcats? Would make quick work of walks, and would give you another valuable tool for warm weather work.

But it'd be a pretty expensive shovel, without a doubt.

[scott C]

yes, A narrow bobcat would work, I was kind of curious what else might be out there. Something about buying a smaller bobcat instead of a larger one ( which I need is killing me) I suppose it could be brought down to NYC after the season and sold or possibly even sold up here to a farmer (cleaning out stalls) Bettter yet get the snow plow account to sign a multi year contract.

[Paul]

What kind of walks are you looking at clearing? Long commerical walks or homeowner stuff?

[scott C]

Mostly city sidewalks

[Paul]

I don't know if it's cheaper, but for speed in clearing sidewalks we use a ATV with a plow. I don't know if your looking to move the snow (load it) or just push it off o the side.

[scott C]

Paul, I really need to find something enclosed, and something I can drive on the streets. An ATV sounds like a much more entertaining peice of equipment and also something I could use for recreation while still enjoying a tax write off

[Nebraska]

For walkways we use a pick-up truck.....it's nice and warm. Music, talk radio, your favorite CD...

and a temp employee with a snow blower and a shovel....

I'm kidding but also serious....last year we employed temporary employees for the walks and it worked out great!

[PSUscaper]

I've been using my toro dingo with a john deer 54" plow I rigged up for it......when angled, it's a perfect 4ft......works awesome.

I've got the wheeled version.........have to put chains on at least the back 2 tires to be effective.

Only problems are.............IT's COLD standing on that thing to start with.

The second problem......the engine seems to be getting carburator ice and stalls out after a few hours.. Not sure what the problem is yet, but am getting ready to find a solution before this season.

Any ideas on this? Its a 22 kohler pro. The factory air cleaner quite frankly stinks.........thinking a nice donaldson cylinder type filter may help things......either that or somehow channeling the air intake over the muffler some how to get warm air, but not exhaust.

[pinhi000]

we just bought a honda atv to do walks this season. we have a large number of condos and hope to reduce number of people we need for shoveling and blowers. in turn ,reduce the expense of having to have 5 or 6 snow blowers to maybe a couple. you can check out polaris, they have a utility vehicle that you can also have an enclosed cab and heater. grasshopper co has the same
both will run you over 10 grand. honda atv with plow was about
6 grand. i was also told you can equip exmark sit down z mower
with a plow

[Paul]

One thing to watch out for with a ATV plow is toe stubber concrete, you know the places that have heaved along a joint! go too fast (which is easy to do) can cause sreious injury to the driver and the plow equipment.

[pinhi000]

i have thought of that too. we will have shoes on plow so hope to avoid throwing someone off the machine. that was one reason i thought a polaris utilty truck is a better way to go

[AZTLANLC]

Maybe you can get one of those U-edges, they work pretty good on the big plows

[Bill Schwab]

Bobcat 463. 44" wide, you could mount a blower or small blade on it, and sit in the heat. Cost about 16K with enclosed cab and heat

[cutntrim]

Our city sidewalks are done using Bobcats, with heated enclosed cabs. Seems like the route to go to me.