I used a BIG molly do-hicky!
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/BMplow004.jpg)
Sticky stuff not so good! It does work. Using Batt. power now! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbDL79akR78&list=UUsVatIqoETFwgDl9avX4Heg Sean
I have a 18v battery I use with the old 12v drill motor I use. Spins it faster. You can see my rotary build on my web site, click on the projects button.
I have seen and admired your rotary Jerry.
The busted cordless drill I used only had a 12 volt battery. I didn’t want ot spend much money on this rig and batteries can be big bucks. I will find a 14 or 18 volt someday.
I watched your video Sean and it works. It looks like you have more of a flat face than I do. I see you have a pre cutter before your main blade and it looked from your video that snow was coming out your chute. Cool. Is that a row of LED’s on the roof?
2 things I need for success a pre cutter and MORE POWER.
Todd
When you go to the Big “E” this weekend go see Don Sweet about a Batt.
http://www.remotecontrolthrottles.com/index.shtml
If you talk to him before he could have a Batt. for you then, or he might bring some to look at.
I use one of his for the Leaf blower and now use it for the rotary!
Good people.
Sean
Going back to the post title - Yup I’ve had that same thought this winter. Last year I built a second wedge plow for the rear and equipped them both with super bright LED arrays for night plowing. After it was done we never had any snow to plow. This year I prepped the plow train before Christmas and had it ready to go when we got our first snow. Even with my heavy SD-45 under battery power I couldn’t get up the grade with both plows. Might have been ice, but I got tired of fighting it in the cold so I gave up. I’m starting to agree with Ken (and that’s dangerous 
) That perhaps snow is best enjoyed through a large picture window from a warm place inside :o Today it will hit 40 before a deep cold snap this evening. I’ll get out there with the hand shovel and clear the few short sections that aren’t already melted just in case we get some nice light fluffy stuff. You still probably won’t catch me out there when it’s much under 30. Edit to ad photo:
Thanks for the link there Sean. I will be up to the Big show this coming weekend. I checked on Don’s site and the batteries range from $54- over $100! Trouble is I don’t want to spend that kinda dough on something I might use once or twice a year. Last year I built the unit and barely got enough snow to test it. Living on the Cape we don’t get alot of snow and it is usually wet when we do. And like Jon said I don’t like being out there when it is really cold.
I would like to build a blower car and that would require a battery as well so maybe I could then be persuaded to get one and swap it out between the rotary and blower?
We might get some snow this coming week BUT it is going to be in the 20’s ! If that is the case like Jon and Ken said I will be looking at the layout through the picture window.
I like that LED arrangement.
21F here in East Anglia right now, and due to go down to about 10F tonight, we are told. Not been THAT cold here since the Big Freeze in 1963, when almost 200 died.
Just got in from feeding the birdies their supper.
tac
I just use an 18v B&D battery. I use them for the R/C unit also.
Todd Haskins said:Thanks. Those are left over from a neon sign conversion. Each module has 3 bright white LEDs and the circuitry to run them off 12V. They'll light up at about 6V and tolerate my 14.8V pack at full throttle.
I like that LED arrangement.
Todd,
I can also recommend buying your batteries through Don Sweet. You’ll get a nice professional pack that will be reliable for years. He has some li-ion batteries available, but I’m still a believer in NiMH. So if you ever decide you want to go battery-RC, he’s a great source.
Todd
Are your equipment out yet?
Put them out and cover them.
Snow’s coming!!
Sean
Good idea Sean - BUT; if you are battery powered it’s best to keep the batteries warm, so hopefully they are removable.
I’ve been meaning to build a snow shed just outside the exit from the indoor layout. Just never seems to get done and only thought about after it snows.
You cover it with a tarp if need be!
Ya the Batt. in the house being charged!
Was out running the pole sander on layout!
Snowing now, but with work tomorrow it might be to dark when I get home! But you never know so be prepared!
I had a good snow last week and never got the time to get out and enjoy it. For those that have been looking for cheap batteries, you might check with a local pawn shop. I bought an old 18V drill that was real beatup but the drill and the battery still worked. It will be the base for my Rotary if I ever get around to building it.
Another suggestion is to stay away from Li-ion. Not for the fire hazzard, but because the Nickle based batteries are heavier and weight will help you plow better.
No my stuff isn’t out but you are right it should be. I was busy all day today and didn’t have the time to tinker on the rotary. I think I can move the blade out of the chuck a bit to have it bite the snow better but so much for snow being thrown out the chute. Had trains running Saturday so the troubel was ice and not dirty track.
Good idea to find a used battery Jake. I like to go to yard sales when they are in season of course and will have to stat looking for a setup.
Let us know about your plowing adventure Sean.
Dusting…
Will be gone by the time I get home!
Sean
Sean McGillicuddy said:Not with these temps. My current temp is 15 and I picked up about 1/2 inch between last night and today. No plowing for me. Not with windchills below zero and blowing snow. Thats where I draw the line.
Dusting.................. Will be gone by the time I get home! Sean
As I looked out the window this morning (it was 16F) I noticed the perfect scale amount of snow on the railroad. A dusting or about 2-3 scale inches. Rail heads still visible but ties covered in spots. Fortunately I had to go to work and wasn’t tempted to pull a train out for pictures
Woke up this morning with near 4 inches of fluffy snow and another chance to give the rotary a go. I put the equipment out before breakfast on a door mat to acclimate the metal wheels. The rotary, the GP38, the NW2 and a caboose. Last time I put them directly onto the rails and I think it caused icing. After a couple hours out there it was time for me to head out to give it a shot. The older part of my RR has alot of curves so I needed to help the train through. Things were going well until I hit a hidden branch and the rotary popped off and jackknifed breaking the coupler and a stirrup. Fixed it and continued on and it was working! with a little push here and there. Somewhere the rotary picked up a rock or 2 and that seized it up. The shaft slipped in the drill chuck so that just had to be tightened. I use 3/8 blustone for ballast. When this happened I was already past the half way mark of the track so I hooked up the wedge to plow the rest. It was cold out there but guess what it was fun even though I broke the antennae on my TE when I put it in my pocket and bent over. UGH. Here is a photo of the rotary in action. you can see the snow being fired out the chute.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/RotaryAction12213.jpg)
