Making ramps for snowblower

[supton]

Was thinking yesterday about moving my snowblower to do friends driveway, and realized I don't have ramps to get it into my truck.

I see HF has some, other places too I imagine. But is this something I can make with 2x6's for less? Bed length of the truck is 6.5' so I'm not sure if folding is required or not. Big detail is how to "hold" the ramp to the bed.

Trailer is a pain this time of year. I could dig it out though, and ramps for that would be easier, or I could see if it tilted still.

 

[Nick1994]

I'd get 2-2X6's at 6 feet long and use some other boards to connect the two together. Make the 2X6's the width of the tires of the snowblower. Might cost $10. I use a Harbor Freight aluminum ramp for my ATV and it works great, doesn't sound like you really need a traditional ramp though.

 

[zzyzzx]

Is snowblowing a path to their house an option?

 

[EdwardC]

You can buy ramp brackets to help with the top part: http://www.amazon.com/Highland-0700100-R...s=ramp+brackets

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Is snowblowing a path to their house an option?


I'd get tired after a mile or so I'd think. Plus with no shoulders on the road I'd be a bit scared. Lot of traffic hasn't slowed down, despite the obvious snow I. The road.

 

[The_Jeff]

Use 2x8s two feet longer than you think you need. Like 8 feet. Leave two feet overhanging the tailgate inside the bed, escort the machine up (standing on its side, running its drive deadman control) then when it gets onto the bed the lumber will pivot to a horizontal position. Either kill the blower or kick the wood out of the way.

Unloading, you just sort of stuff the wood under there so it's horizontal then do the reverse.

Is there a pile of snow you can put the 2x6s on and drive up them into the bed of your truck? EG back up to a snow bank?

I have the dopey 4 foot harbor freight utility trailer with 8 inch tires, and I unhook the tongue so it tilts up and load my blower with stunningly short board "ramps". The only fun thing is the tongue slams down when balance is achieved. Sometimes I can rig its safety chain with some slack so I get eight inches of travel.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: EdwardC
You can buy ramp brackets to help with the top part: http://www.amazon.com/Highland-0700100-R...s=ramp+brackets



Bookmarked. That might be the bit I need to order.

 

[Donald]

I got some fold up ramps for pretty cheap. A snowblower is pretty heavy and you will need to power it up the ramps.

 

[Donald]

If you use 2x6 or 2x8, maybe 1x1 boards on the outside top edges to prevent the wheel from going off into empty space.

 

[KD0AXS]

I would caution against using the plank ramps for a snowblower. There's not much traction there and the snowblower could slide down the ramps on top of you, especially in snowy/icy conditions.

I have a set of these steel ramps from HF. They work great for a snowblower because the way the steel is stamped provides a lot of traction.

 

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
I would caution against using the plank ramps for a snowblower. There's not much traction there and the snowblower could slide down the ramps on top of you, especially in snowy/icy conditions.

I have a set of these steel ramps from HF. They work great for a snowblower because the way the steel is stamped provides a lot of traction.

+1. I own a set of these ramps and use them to load my tractor in my pickup. Much easier than the set that I made using the brackets noted in a previous post.

The brackets are nice but wooden ramps not only weighed a ton but were a PITA to carry around. The HF ones are easier to carry and store. Ended up repurposing the wood as shelving in my storage shed and the brackets now grace a shelf in my basement.

I'd recommend the HF ones.

 

[earlyre]

is there enough snow to build a "ramp" out of?
a drift you could back the truck up to, and drive the blower up?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: earlyre
is there enough snow to build a "ramp" out of?
a drift you could back the truck up to, and drive the blower up?


At home, sure. Wherever I go? Dunno.