Plowing is a no win situation. I did it for years with an F250 4X4. Front end work, tranny, drive shaft (both of them). Broken cutting edge on plow. Blown hydralic lines, and the list goes on and on.

I now have a guy plow my driveway. 800 feet long, a turn around and parking area for 6 cars. Charges me 40 to 50 bucks depending on how much snow. 10 big storms a winter and I spend $500. You can't even get a set of new truck tires for that money.

I'm surprised at how much negativity there is about plowing. It's pretty good to me
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Niko,
No doubt it could be good. But I'm looking at the cost of entry, as I don't currently have a plow truck, nevermind a plow. Already have had a year of significant car repair/maintenance bills with my 2000 Tahoe and better half's car. Still have payments on my 2003 Express work truck. In this economy, and the twins having just entered college, I can't justify taking on more debt given the abuse that plowing would put on an asset I am just starting to pay down.
And on that note, I am off to work. Rebuild a bulkhead today.

I get it doesn't fit your situation ross, just surprised no one else had anything positive to say about it
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I think what is trying to be conveyed ( maybe not sucessfully in my case) is that it is not the golden goose some people make it out to be...it's like any buisness adventure... there are up sides and down sides.. for people with seasonal buisness.. it is a way to pay the bills when there is no cash flow.. land scapers bring the perfect scenario... they are used to maintaining their own equipment and have the time to repair and maintian between storms... they also usualy have an established clientel... but for someone to go out, buy a truck and find new customers is taking a big risk... especialy since those dependable customers already have a chosen plow company... the ones ( obviously not all) looking for some one in a pinch may not be all that reliable... i plowed snow for over 20 years.. and in the end i made money... it wasn't fun... it was hard work.. i even lost money some seasons.. some season I made enough to up grade equipment... as i said earlier.. it's just a buisness adventure.. not a get rich scheme.. not that Ross was looking for that.. i understand he was looking for a suppliment....he asked for advise.. I'm giving an honest answer... from someone that has more than a season or two of experience...

F350 at auction this weekend @ Mass Maritme

http://www.maritime.edu/apps/boats/a...s/P6220012.JPG

full list, lots of stuff looks way overpriced, but I don't know if the prices shown are starting bids

http://www.maritime.edu/apps/boats/index.cfm?sort=price

$5800 for a 96 Ford F350 is way to much

I would not want to plow driveways with that beast either, full 4 door dually crew cab with an 8 foot bed, need a football field to turn it around.

:smash: hmmmm, I didn't think of that. Oh well, another good reason why I snowblow and shovel :tooth:

A guy I trust picked up a 2000 Dodge Dakota Sport, with a 6' MM Fisher plow. Asking 2k He has gone through it for brakes and basics. I still have a few questions for him but may offer him a lower number this week. He got it off a kid who got a DUI and couldn't make his payments. Small enough to turn around in driveways and Old Town too.

fine for small storms but when we get a big one you and your customers are gonna be bummed out. if its just for personal use it will be fine as long as you keep up with the berm at the end of your driveway

try plowing 8 inches of wet snow with that thing, plowing is blood money and I hate it. Been plowing since 94 if I could give it up I would.

You can't have a heavy enough pick up to move snow IMHO. Particularly if you are using it to make money. Time is of the essence and spending 2 hours on a 40 dollar driveway is never a good deal. A Dakota may handle your personal space without issue but the transmission and front end will need to be re built every year. The 46RE tranny is notorious for failures.
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keep the snow blower and hire someone to plow when snow is to deep....how many times around here ya need to be plowed...6 maybe at 50 bucks and no headaches of breakdowns & repairs