Snow blade, snow blower or sweeper for winter service
The right equipment is the be-all and end-all for winter service as a farmer. But when are snow blades, snow blowers or sweepers useful?
The right equipment is crucial for winter service: Of course, an operational and roadworthy tractor is a prerequisite for clearing roads. Now you need the right attachment. But between snow blades, ploughs, snow blowers and classic sweepers, it is not always clear which device makes the most sense for which situation and purpose. We explain the differences and advantages of the various machines.
Short:
- Snow blade & snow plough for snow heights of max. 30-50 cm
- Snow blower for snow heights of 30 cm or more
- Broom sweeper for low snow heights or in combination with other devices
Snow plow & snow blade - classics in winter service
Snow ploughs and snow blades are indispensable for winter road clearance work: they quickly clear snow-covered roads and are therefore a frequently used tool when snow falls. However, there is often confusion between snow plows and snow blades, as the two terms are used interchangeably. However, snow plows and snow blades actually differ: The snow blade has no automatic level control and can therefore only be used if the level can be regulated via the attachment mechanism. A snow plough, on the other hand, has automatic level control and is therefore also suitable for vehicles with a rigid connection or for uneven terrain.
Both snow ploughs and snow blades are available in a wide range of clearing widths and are suitable for clearing small areas as well as entire roads or parking lots. Depending on the tractor and model used, snow heights of up to 30-50 cm can be cleared.
Snow blower: expert in heavy snowfall
Tractor-mounted snow blowers are usually used when snow plows and blades reach their limits. As a rule, snow blowers are therefore used when the snow depth exceeds 30 cm or the snow cannot simply be pushed aside by a plow. Buying and operating a snow blower is significantly more expensive than a snow plow and snow blade, which is why it is only worth purchasing in areas where there is regular heavy snowfall in winter. It is also necessary to match the snow blower attachment to the drive machine correctly. As a rule of thumb, the power of the tractor (HP) multiplied by eight equals the throughput in tons per hour.
The sweeper: partner for small amounts of snow
If only small amounts of snow need to be cleared from the road, a snow sweeper is often a good choice: while snow plows and co. often leave behind a thin layer of snow, especially on uneven surfaces, the sweeper cleans the ground very thoroughly. In addition to being used when there is only a small amount of snow, the snow sweeper brush can also be combined very well with a snow plow or snow blade. While these push the high snow to the side, the sweeper cleans the remaining thin layer of snow and ice on the ground.
The right combination
Anyone who values cleanly cleared roads and paths in winter service is rarely happy with just one attachment: snow blades and snow blowers clear large amounts of snow, but often leave some residue on the road - sweepers, on the other hand, are not suitable for large amounts of snow. This is where it pays to combine the different machines. The snow blade or snow blower removes the coarsest masses of snow, the sweeper then provides the finishing touch. Of course, you can also work with gritting material - this keeps the road ice-free for longer.