As a weekend racer and weekday tuner, I've always had a passion for performance and handling. But when winter rolls around, my priorities shift to clearing the driveway of snow and ice. My neighbor, a fellow car enthusiast, has a retired municipal Ford Super Duty with a Fisher hydraulic plow on it. I've had the chance to ride along and get a feel for the beast, and I have to say, it's been a game-changer. The Super Duty's pushing power is not infinite, so you need to be a little thoughtful about where you pile the snow. It's kind of like a Tetris-style puzzle: fitting heaps of precipitation into various corners of the property so that cars can easily be extracted later. The plow blade itself is a colossal wing of steel repositioned with hydraulics, thumping and thudding around with hefty importance. As I sat in the passenger seat, I ...
As a weekend racer and weekday tuner, I’ve always had a passion for performance and handling. But when winter rolls around, my priorities shift to clearing the driveway of snow and ice. My neighbor, a fellow car enthusiast, has a retired municipal Ford Super Duty with a Fisher hydraulic plow on it. I’ve had the chance to ride along and get a feel for the beast, and I have to say, it’s been a game-changer.
The Super Duty’s pushing power is not infinite, so you need to be a little thoughtful about where you pile the snow. It’s kind of like a Tetris-style puzzle: fitting heaps of precipitation into various corners of the property so that cars can easily be extracted later. The plow blade itself is a colossal wing of steel repositioned with hydraulics, thumping and thudding around with hefty importance.
As I sat in the passenger seat, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a snow-plowing simulator. The cab was warm and cozy, and the music was blasting. My wife even got a turn, and I was impressed by her skill. But as I watched her expertly maneuver the plow around my cars, I realized that this was more than just a fun activity – it was a necessary one.
Of course, my neighbor’s truck has its limitations. It can’t go deeper into my property than the driveway, which is why I’ve recently invested in a smaller plow for my Polaris Ranger. It’s not as luxurious as the Super Duty, but it’ll get the job done. And with its winch and manual tilting system, I’ll be able to adjust the plow to fit my specific needs.
As I type this, I’m sitting in my garage, surrounded by the tools of the trade. My Polaris Ranger is mounted with a smaller plow, and I’m itching to get out there and clear the snow. It’s not going to be as easy as riding along with my neighbor, but I’m excited for the challenge.
After a couple of dry years, my little corner of New York has been blanketed in snow more than a few times this winter. That’s given me multiple occasions to drive my neighbor’s snowplow, and boy howdy, is it fun. But it’s not just about the thrill of the ride – it’s about getting the job done.
As I look out at the snow-covered driveway, I’m reminded of the importance of being prepared. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a weekday commuter, snow and ice can be a real challenge. But with the right tools and a little bit of know-how, you can clear the way and get back on the road.
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