[Parsec]

Does anyone have a hitch-mount personal plow on their Ridgeline? I have a 300 ft hilly driveway and it's a pain to clear even with a snowblower. I was thinking it would be easy if I could push the snow out to the street since I live at the end of a wooded cul-de-sac.

I was thinking of getting a Curt front hitch:
http://www.hitchsource.com/honda-ri...p-27806.html?gclid=CN2b5qjXp7MCFUlxQgodVkcAhA

and a Snowsport LT blade:
http://www.hitchcorner.com/snowsport_snow_plow.htm

The Snowsport LT is only 82" wide and weighs 56 lbs, or about half of a regular 7' personal plow blade. The light weight blade shouldn't cause any problems if I leave it mounted all winter long right? I never considered a plow before since most personal plow setups weigh over 200 lbs, but this setup only weighs 85 lbs for the receiver and blade. No electronics or angler involved since it's self-adjusting.

What about the effects of pushing vs towing? Is pushing 3500 lbs of snow the same as towing 3500 lbs of snow? I planned on just making 2 passes down the middle of the driveway, then using the snowblower to do cleanup work along the edge of the driveway so the snowbanks don't get too high. What do you guys think?

 

[Parsec]

Upon further research I found out this plow used to be called the Snowsport 180. This is a new design that's supposedly lighter/stronger, so they renamed it Snowsport LT. You can mount this to the front or back of your truck, as long as there is a 2" hitch receiver. I have been reading posts about people saying that plowing is bad for the truck, but I won't be plowing in the traditional sense where you're smashing huge piles of snow into a snow bank. My driveway is 300 feet long and I plan to make 2 quick passes to push it out of the driveway and into the cul de sac (there is plenty of room). Then I'll use my snowblower to finish off the edge of the driveway. This should save me about 1-1.5 hours of snow blowing the middle 80% of my driveway.

 

[Wrascal]

I wouldn't use a RL for this job, it's too valuable, and NOT designed for this type of work. Instead I would look to craigslist for a (used) medium duty garden tractor with a plow and/or a snow blower.

Get a good one and you can use it on many different jobs for many years.

EDITTED TO ADD: I just did a quick search on Boston craigslist farm and garden and found two with blowers
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/grd/5240770517.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/grd/5240024623.html

Yes, I'm biased to JDs green, but there are other capable ones.

 

[Elkhunter]

....or cheaper route, hire a few kids (after they sign a hold harmless waiver of course)

 

[Parsec]

I wouldn't use a RL for this job, it's too valuable, and NOT designed for this type of work. Instead I would look to craigslist for a (used) medium duty garden tractor with a plow and/or a snow blower.

Get a good one and you can use it on many different jobs for many years.

EDITTED TO ADD: I just did a quick search on Boston craigslist farm and garden and found two with blowers
https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/grd/5240770517.html
https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/grd/5240024623.html

Yes, I'm biased to JDs green, but there are other capable ones.

A tractor would be nice, especially since it can be used year-round (I'm on 1.5 acres). Can I park it on the driveway during the winter like I can a Ridgeline with plow attached? It won't fit in my garage.

....or cheaper route, hire a few kids (after they sign a hold harmless waiver of course)

Kids around here don't work because they're spoiled and lazy. I paid $900 last winter alone for plow service, so I'm looking to reduce my variable costs going forward by spending a couple grand up front.

 

[darkstarmoto]

A tractor would be nice, especially since it can be used year-round (I'm on 1.5 acres). Can I park it on the driveway during the winter like I can a Ridgeline with plow attached? It won't fit in my garage.

You can, might be good to put a tarp over it just to keep the bulk of weather off it. A battery tender every once in awhile will keep the battery from going flat if it doesn't get driving often.

 

[Carsmak]

Parsec, Have you read this thread?

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50329

 

[Parsec]

Parsec, Have you read this thread?

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50329

Yeah, that is too much plow for me. His K2 plow setup weighs 3x more than the one I was considering. I know the Ridgeline isn't built for plowing that's why this lightweight Snowsport interests me.

 

[Dnick]

You'll be kicking yourself if you use your RL for plowing & end up blowing something up (like the tranny maybe?).

"Light" plowing would probably be OK, but you know once you're doing it, you probably won't stop when it gets a little heavier than you should be pushing.
Proceed with caution... and at your own risk! I agree that a "utility" vehicle would serve you better at much lower risk (presuming you have a place to keep it).

 

[davedad]

No matter what some people say, the RL is not made for snowplowing, buy a beater truck and use that, no matter how you plow snow, you will beat the hell out of your truck, I know I had a few plow trucks full-size dodges and full size blazer, they take a beating and you end up fixing something. My advice, don't put a plow on the RL.

 

[Wrascal]

Some more Boston craigslist options:

https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/grd/5265577033.html

https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/grd/5259027969.html

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/grd/5264428760.html

 

[Apex]

Kubota BX1860 or similar. Get the snow blower, or you can use it as a plow. You can use it as a lawn mower or bucket loader if needed.

 

[Mikeypa]

I have a Dodge Dakota Pickup 4x4 with hard tonneau cover that has a
removable Plow blade on it for sale. Works great, plowed my 1/4 mile
driveway less than an hour. Has a stick shift and left leg doesn't like it
anymore. Otherwise, advise getting used UTV (not name brand) and
snowsport (new style).
PM me if want pickup (I'm in Penna)