Heres a good tip: Cut a PVC pipe (1-2") the length of your blade straight down the middle and apply it to the bottom of your blade, no need for those height cups to contact the driveway. Does a great job of plowing and you won't have to use a rake to put gravel in any holes. Also, spray the front of your blade with RainX, snow won't stick to it. Apply as needed.
Came here to also suggest ABS. Much more rugged. Or if you have the ability, pick up a piece of black steel pipe and do the same thing. You’ll need to fabricate some sort of retainer system, but the pipe will last a lot longer. I put a 1” ID steel pipe (1 1/2” OD) on the leading edge of my commercial snowblower’s cutting edge. Really helps not dig up the gravel when it’s not frozen.
Thank you! Ventrac is cool and capable, which stands on its own. But when you so clearly share your own know-how, and with demonstration, it's good for Ventrac and very good for your viewership. Nicely done. 🙂
Great video. I have two gravel driveways that I plow with my 8 foot Fisher minute mount 2 plow and I do whatever I can to back drag as much as possible. I am going to try what other people have mentioned, using ABS pipe to place over the cutting edge.
Good tips. YT'ber have success with a 2" PVC or iron pipe (for heavier plows) with a slot cut thru in one side, and placed over the sharp blade edge. The round edge helps to lift the blade over rocks and high spots. My lawn tractor blade will bury itself once it starts cutting into dirt or gravel.
Off topic, but I've found weight transfer set on #2 also works great for back dragging dirt with the power bucket. Really smooths things out for final grading.
One of the main reasons I went with the 72 inch blade was so I could use the blade with the duels on if I needed to. Honestly if I do a lot of dirt pushing I would rather take them off. I always take them off for winter. The duels dont really help with traction, And they would get in the way for plowing snow. Now if you lived somewhere where you only get a few inches of snowfall once or twice a year then you could probably leave them on and be fine.
@@SierraYankee7 Sand may work. I have thought of getting a old set of tires for winter to change out and addong studs. I do not like chains for winter because they often slip and grab. When they slip and grab it is hard on the unit. Adding studs gives even traction. I may do this next year. Here is a link to what I zm referring to. www.amazon.com/Leriton-Carbide-Tractor-Motorcycle-Installation/dp/B0DFYMH3HY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=1FDPDW36ZR4N6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0ZkQr0rWxjx2begY3fHKyO-PA3qQaC-Kf0D8jhosuZR0ErOzLXlYozgwbLyT7vytR0IciG_kxLckKS-ufpITmDzNXjm5WSb9xPdDC0njFzfVThDBOzJTbL6gXKZPKz4EAnm4XfXrAWyNpipAAI8AtdOVgkt9DuHiR-TiW65Y7JhFFEy2-CQd7SIp4j6dFbLP03yUDYdUPTs0vdxz8Rh42A.SCWJkPRP5sSFrzD9brpvIz4S5UyGXe7V1sK-XOZitsk&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire+studs&qid=1733455791&sprefix=tire+studs%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1
Um, no. Why not just use a box blade with the scarifiers down? It brings up the large stone you already have, smooths out holes and bumps, gets ride of ridges.
I was going to talk about that in the video and forgot. I am glad you asked this question. Yes same tips apply. Keep shoes in a high setting and use thecweight transfer. With a snow blower gravel should not stick as bad, but if it were to just aim the shhot into the berm of the drive so its not throwin in the lawn.
Heres a good tip: Cut a PVC pipe (1-2") the length of your blade straight down the middle and apply it to the bottom of your blade, no need for those height cups to contact the driveway. Does a great job of plowing and you won't have to use a rake to put gravel in any holes. Also, spray the front of your blade with RainX, snow won't stick to it. Apply as needed.
WD40 as well, and it helps your steel blade if you have one!
Don’t use pvc it’s very brittle at cold temps abs pipe is better and won’t shatter as easily
Came here to also suggest ABS. Much more rugged.
Or if you have the ability, pick up a piece of black steel pipe and do the same thing. You’ll need to fabricate some sort of retainer system, but the pipe will last a lot longer. I put a 1” ID steel pipe (1 1/2” OD) on the leading edge of my commercial snowblower’s cutting edge. Really helps not dig up the gravel when it’s not frozen.
Thank you! Ventrac is cool and capable, which stands on its own. But when you so clearly share your own know-how, and with demonstration, it's good for Ventrac and very good for your viewership. Nicely done. 🙂
Great video. I have two gravel driveways that I plow with my 8 foot Fisher minute mount 2 plow and I do whatever I can to back drag as much as possible. I am going to try what other people have mentioned, using ABS pipe to place over the cutting edge.
@@David-cy7qv I may try the ABS on my cutting edge this year aswell if I ever get any snow. Thanks for watching.
Good tips. YT'ber have success with a 2" PVC or iron pipe (for heavier plows) with a slot cut thru in one side, and placed over the sharp blade edge. The round edge helps to lift the blade over rocks and high spots. My lawn tractor blade will bury itself once it starts cutting into dirt or gravel.
Off topic, but I've found weight transfer set on #2 also works great for back dragging dirt with the power bucket. Really smooths things out for final grading.
Best video on ventrac weight transfer I’ve seen. Would be interesting to see all 5 settings side by side
@@2elgnismi Thank you. I may be able to do a multi setting someday.
What are your thoughts about dual wheels and weather to keep them on or remove them when plowing?
One of the main reasons I went with the 72 inch blade was so I could use the blade with the duels on if I needed to. Honestly if I do a lot of dirt pushing I would rather take them off. I always take them off for winter. The duels dont really help with traction, And they would get in the way for plowing snow. Now if you lived somewhere where you only get a few inches of snowfall once or twice a year then you could probably leave them on and be fine.
any tips on gravel driveway with inclines? I was thinking of adding ash and/or sand to them for extra traction.
@@SierraYankee7 Sand may work. I have thought of getting a old set of tires for winter to change out and addong studs. I do not like chains for winter because they often slip and grab. When they slip and grab it is hard on the unit. Adding studs gives even traction. I may do this next year. Here is a link to what I zm referring to.
www.amazon.com/Leriton-Carbide-Tractor-Motorcycle-Installation/dp/B0DFYMH3HY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=1FDPDW36ZR4N6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0ZkQr0rWxjx2begY3fHKyO-PA3qQaC-Kf0D8jhosuZR0ErOzLXlYozgwbLyT7vytR0IciG_kxLckKS-ufpITmDzNXjm5WSb9xPdDC0njFzfVThDBOzJTbL6gXKZPKz4EAnm4XfXrAWyNpipAAI8AtdOVgkt9DuHiR-TiW65Y7JhFFEy2-CQd7SIp4j6dFbLP03yUDYdUPTs0vdxz8Rh42A.SCWJkPRP5sSFrzD9brpvIz4S5UyGXe7V1sK-XOZitsk&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire+studs&qid=1733455791&sprefix=tire+studs%2Caps%2C216&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1
Um, no. Why not just use a box blade with the scarifiers down? It brings up the large stone you already have, smooths out holes and bumps, gets ride of ridges.
Just wondering if this works for a snowblower to?
I was going to talk about that in the video and forgot. I am glad you asked this question. Yes same tips apply. Keep shoes in a high setting and use thecweight transfer. With a snow blower gravel should not stick as bad, but if it were to just aim the shhot into the berm of the drive so its not throwin in the lawn.
@@steiger256 one more thing do you put it in float position?
@@mooiman9 Yes. I always have it in float while plowing snow. Unless I am pushing piles back then I will raise it up for that.
Tip #1 on plowing snow on a gravel driveway. #1 Blacktop driveway. Tip # 2-5 done.
Do you know if the ventracs mid weight bar will fit the Steiner 430 max? Thanks
I do not know for sure, But I would say prob not. Unless you could fabricate it to fit.
@@steiger256 ok if you know anyone with the Steiner LD300 loader let me know I’ve been looking for a while they are are to come by
@@LoganTech98 I will ask around and keep a eye out. That stuff does pop up now and then, But not often.
@@steiger256 ok thanks
which model blade and width? Thanks
@@fraziertfortenberry This is a Ventrac model KD722 blade. It is 72 inches in width.
Skids are no good dig all the rocks up , attach a metal pipe or plastic pipe along bottom
Use a backpack leaf blower to put stones back on to your driveway from your lawn.