After a couple of parched years, my small part of New York has been coated in snow more than a few times this winter. This has given me several opportunities to operate my neighbor’s snowplow, and wow, is it a blast.
Now, professional snow removal involves lengthy hours and pressure-filled situations. Clearing extensive stretches of highway and large commercial parking lots before dawn is taxing, I can imagine.
I, on the other hand, only need to manage one driveway with no elevation variations. It’s merely a single, straight run of about 100 feet. Still, shoveling it is a hassle. That’s partly why I struck up a friendship with my neighbor—he owns about 20 acres, a significantly longer driveway, and a retired municipal Ford Super Duty equipped with a Fisher hydraulic plow. Just kidding; I would have been friends with him regardless (gotta protect myself in case he sees this).
But jokes aside, utilizing the full-sized plow setup has been an incredible back-saving benefit and a whole lot of fun.
Residential (recreational?) plowing is fantastic because it merges the tactical driving of off-roading with the convenience of remaining on your property, along with the gratification of finishing a task. It’s that straightforward, honestly.
Given the volume of snow we’ve experienced, a bit of planning is necessary to execute the job properly. The truck’s pushing capacity isn’t limitless, so you need to strategically consider where to place the snow. It’s somewhat like a Tetris-style game: fitting mounds of snow into different areas of the property so that vehicles can be easily accessed later.
The plow blade itself, a massive steel wing adjusted with hydraulics, thuds and bumps around with great significance.
All the while, you can relax in a cozy cab with your coffee and music, and perhaps a partner if you’re exceptionally fortunate (my wife had a turn too, while I sat in the passenger seat and squawked when she got too close to one of my vehicles).
The primary limitation of the Super Duty plow setup is that it can’t venture deeper into my property than the driveway. We have a small walking path at the back, between my home and the field where my in-laws’ horse resides, which is also quite unpleasant to shovel. That’s why, as I compose this, I’m having a smaller plow affixed to my Polaris Ranger. That should be capable of cleaning much of my property when it’s operational—but it’ll be far less luxurious. The Ranger utilizes its winch to lift and lower the plow, but tilting it side to side will necessitate leaving the cab and manually making adjustments.
Oh well, it merely signifies I’ll need to wear some good gloves for Polaris plowing sessions. Here’s hoping I didn’t jinx the snow for the remainder of the season by purchasing a plow of my own!
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**How Borrowing a Neighbor’s Plow Truck Altered My View on Snow Removal**
Winter can be an enchanting season, cloaking the world in white and transforming scenes into postcard-perfect vistas. However, it also presents the challenge of snow removal, a task that can be both time-consuming and physically demanding. My viewpoint on this seasonal chore changed significantly one winter when I borrowed my neighbor’s plow truck, an experience that reshaped my understanding of snow removal and the community spirit that accompanies it.
**The Initial Doubt**
Before that winter, I had always regarded snow removal as a necessary hassle. Equipped with a shovel and a sense of obligation, I would invest hours clearing my driveway and sidewalks, frequently complaining about the effort involved. The idea of purchasing a snow blower or plow truck seemed excessive, especially given the limited number of snowy days throughout the year. I had resigned myself to the notion that manual effort was the only means of addressing the snow.
**A Neighborly Offer**
One especially snowy evening, following a heavy snowfall that blanketed our neighborhood, I heard a knock on my door. It was my neighbor, John, who offered to lend me his plow truck. At first, I hesitated; I had never driven such a vehicle before and was unsure about the logistics of using it. However, John reassured me that it was simple and offered to provide me with a quick tutorial.
**The Plowing Experience**
With a blend of excitement and trepidation, I climbed into the driver’s seat of the plow truck. As I turned the engine on and felt the vehicle’s power, my outlook began to change. The speed at which the plow truck cleared snow was remarkable. In just minutes, I turned my driveway from a snow-covered barrier into a clear pathway. The thrill of watching the snow accumulate behind me was exhilarating.
Not only did I clear my driveway, but I also seized the chance to assist a few neighbors who were struggling with their own snow clearance. This kind act fostered a sense of community that I had not fully valued before. As I plowed through the neighborhood, I was met with waves and smiles, and I felt a sense of togetherness that exceeded the usual daily interactions.
**A Renewed Outlook on Snow Removal**
Borrowing the plow truck shifted my perception of snow removal from a monotonous chore to a chance for connection and community involvement. I recognized that snow removal could be a communal experience rather than a solitary task. The efficiency of the plow truck enabled me to aid others, reinforcing the belief that we can depend on one another during tough times.
Moreover, I started to grasp the importance of investing in appropriate tools for the job. While I had previously viewed a plow truck as an unnecessary expenditure, I now comprehended its worth in terms of time saved and the capability to assist others. This experience motivated me to contemplate possibilities for future winters, including potentially investing in my own plow attachment or collaborating with neighbors to pool resources.
**Conclusion**
The simple act of borrowing a neighbor’s plow truck transformed my approach to snow removal. It taught me that with the right equipment and a willingness to lend a hand, what once seemed like a burdensome chore could evolve into an opportunity for community engagement and connection. This winter, as the snow begins to fall, I am eager to embrace the season with a refreshed outlook, prepared to tackle the snow with both efficiency and a spirit of community.