Plowing Snow with a Grader & Cold Starting Old Equipment

Snowfall and Grader Preparation

• ❄️ A recent snowfall brought 3-4 inches of dry, fluffy snow, which is unusual for the current temperature of 13°F.
• 💨 The wind was brutal overnight, blowing snow in various directions, partially covering some structures.
• 🚜 The plan is to use a Volvo grader to clear the main road, which became icy and treacherous after the last snowfall.
• ⚠️ A cold start for the grader is anticipated, with a jump box needed due to the Cummins motor's weak starter, despite having the largest possible battery.

Grader Operations and Challenges

• ⚡ Power is still out, necessitating the use of generators, with a long, expensive cord required to connect to the welder plug.
• ⛽ The grader's fuel tank was topped off to avoid running out during the plowing operation.
• 🛠️ The grader's mboard was stuck, requiring prying loose, possibly due to freezing.
• 💨 The first attempt at scraping snow on gravel aims to avoid removing too much gravel from the driveway.
• 🛣️ Plowing is expected to be smoother on the paved main road.
• 💡 Speed is identified as the key to effectively clearing the snow with the grader.

Post-Plowing and Cold Starts

• ☀️ After plowing, the sun begins to melt the remaining snow, and the road is expected to dry out.
• ⚙️ The grader's cutting edge was sharpened after use, noting its wear and tear from grading.
• 🥶 The plan shifts to performing cold starts on older equipment, including a shovel, a 220, and a drag line.
• 💨 The old shovel, despite being twice the owner's age, starts better than the grader.
• 💧 The drag line struggles to start, possibly due to water in the fuel line or a frozen throttle cable, and is unable to move beyond idle.
• 🚜 The old shovel starts up without any issues, highlighting its reliability.
• 🌟 There's a desire to sandblast and completely redo the old shovel when time and shop space permit.