Snow Removal on Your Acreage

Whether you’re the type who likes to build snowmen, ride snowmobiles or sled, or you’re the type who stays indoors as much as possible once the temperature drops below freezing, at some point snow can be a burden that you need to remove from a path you need to travel. And as with most things these days, you can go as high-tech or low-tech as you desire.

Safety Is Key

No matter if you’re using a shovel or the top-of-the-line snowblower, there are some general rules to follow to keep yourself safe while removing snow.

• Dress for the Occasion. Even if you do not expect your chore to last too long, wear the proper boots, hat, gloves and outer layers for the weather when you will be removing snow. A slip and fall injury are one step away without the right footwear, especially with how slick ice and snow can be.
• Take Breaks If Needed. We understand, there are a lot of things to do on an acreage and only so many hours in the day. However, moving too fast on a slippery surface or trying to lift too much with every shovel load could lead to a hospital trip. Every winter in northern climates, there are reports of heart attacks brought on by trying to get through an entire long driveway without stopping.
• Wear Layers. Starting with multiple layers of clothes is a good idea for any cold-weather activity, and snow removal is no exception. If you feel yourself starting to sweat, take off one layer at a time, but make sure not to expose your perspiring skin to the cold air if possible. Not only does this make for an unpleasant experience (I’ve been there), but it could bring on hypothermia or frostbite depending on the conditions.
• Scrape, Don’t Lift. When possible, try to remove snow a little at a time to prevent getting a massive amount on your shovel. If the snow is wet and therefore heavy, don’t fill the shovel up all the way. The adage of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is never truer than when referring to injury prevention. When and if you are lifting, do so with your legs and not your back.
• Safety Around Equipment. For snowblowers or other gas-powered equipment like small tractors, make sure they are always started outside or in a well-ventilated area to prevent fire hazards and possible carbon monoxide inhalation. As with any machinery, keep all body parts away from moving parts, and clear any obstacles that might hinder your safety before you start your task.

Low-Tech

Depending on the climate where you live, a simple snow shovel might do the trick to clearing your driveway or sidewalk, especially if that’s all you need to clear it off.

To make your shoveling chore(s) easier, try spraying some cooking spray on your shovel, applying melting agents on your surfaces before a snowfall and even putting a tarp down so you might not even have to shovel.

Equipment

Snowblowers are an obvious pick. Depending on how much snow you need to move per session, this will help you get a lot of snow removed far out of the way in a relatively short amount of time. Like all equipment you use on a farm or acreage, you can buy anything from just enough to clear a driveway to a heavy-duty unit big enough to clear paths in front of outbuildings all day should you want to use one for a snow removal business.

Leaf Blowers Aren’t Just for Fall Anymore

While leaf blowers are great for clearing your driveway or sidewalk in the fall, they can be just as valuable in the winter.

If the snow is relatively light to move and there’s not much of it, a leaf blower can work to remove a couple inches of snow at a time.

Attachments to Vehicles

Living in the country, your truck is often your most versatile, as well as your most valuable, tool and removing snow can be no exception. A myriad of options are available for attachments to all makes and models of trucks, not to mention all shapes and sizes of tractors.

In northern states, once harvest season is over, a blade on a truck or a scoop on a tractor is fastened onto a vehicle until spring and can make quick work of snowfall around a property.

No matter how you plan to remove snow this winter, make sure you check out the rest of AcreageLife to find products and services that can help you get the job done until green grass returns.