Winter on the farm has a way of slowing everything down. Tracks get muddy, ice creeps across the yard, and fresh snow makes simple jobs harder than they need to be. Whether it’s blocked lanes, frozen feed pads, or tractors skidding where they shouldn’t, things that were straightforward last month suddenly take twice as long.

This article covers how to keep things moving when the weather doesn’t play nice. With the right tools (built specifically for winter farm work), you can stay on top of your routine without spending half the day clearing the same bit of road. From snow ploughs to yard scrapers, here’s how Rata gear helps you handle the cold, wet, and slippery stuff more easily.

Clearing Snow from Farm Roads and Tracks with the V-Snow Plough

When access tracks and lanes are covered in snow, daily jobs can come to a standstill. Whether it's the tanker needing a clear run or stock waiting at the gate, delays aren’t ideal. That’s where the Rata V-Snow Plough comes in. It’s designed to clear snow efficiently across unsealed surfaces like gravel lanes, paddocks, and farm roads.
The V-shaped blade pushes snow to both sides as you go, giving you a clean path in just one pass. That means fewer runs back and forth and less time spent dealing with buildup. Built with a reinforced steel frame, the plough is tough enough for farm use and holds up well even in wet or compacted conditions.
It’s ideal for light to moderate snow and can be fitted to a wide range of front-end loaders or tractors. With the right height setting, you’ll avoid scraping too deep while still clearing a reliable track, keeping your day moving with less mucking around.

Yard and Pad Maintenance with the Rata Yard Scraper

Winter doesn’t just bring snow—it brings a messy mix of ice, mud, manure, and whatever else ends up underfoot. Feed pads, dairy shed aprons, and main yard areas can quickly become slippery and hard to manage. That’s why the Rata Yard Scraper is built for these high-traffic areas, helping you stay on top of safety and cleanliness.

Its strong, simple design lets you clear packed-down muck, ice, or slush in a single pass. That’s especially useful around the dairy shed where slippery concrete isn’t just annoying, it’s a genuine risk to both people and animals. With regular use, the scraper helps reduce buildup, making surfaces easier to work on even during cold snaps.

It’s also useful for keeping lanes and silage loading areas tidy when conditions get wet. With fewer slippery spots and clearer working spaces, you can move stock or machinery more safely. It’s a practical tool for a job that only gets harder if you leave it too long.

Snow and Ice Clearing Tips: Angle, Height & Technique

Getting the most out of your snow gear isn’t just about having the right attachment. It’s how you use it. The way you set the angle and height of your plough or scraper makes a big difference to how cleanly and safely you clear an area.

For ploughs like the Rata V-Snow Plough, it’s best to set the blade just above the surface to avoid digging into gravel or damaging unsealed roads. Keep the blade angle consistent on both sides so snow sheds evenly, rather than piling up unevenly and needing another pass.

Go steady, especially in icy conditions. A slow, even speed helps avoid wheelspin and gives you better control. Make several lighter passes if needed, as trying to shift everything in one go often just makes more mess or puts strain on your machine.

Use a scraper when the snow has compacted or when there’s a mix of muck and ice. It gives you more control and stops you from shifting snow only to uncover more slippery trouble underneath. Always check your visibility before starting and avoid working too close to hidden obstacles like troughs or fenceposts. At the end of the day, winter’s clearing is much easier when it’s done right the first time.

Rata Winter Attachments vs. General-Purpose Implements

It might be tempting to repurpose whatever blade or bucket’s already sitting in the shed, but when it comes to clearing snow and ice, not all gear is up to the task. General-purpose implements are fine for shifting dirt or spreading gravel, but they’re often too blunt (or too rough) for winter work.

Rata’s attachments are designed specifically for snow and muck. That means cleaner results, less wear on your machine, and a safer working area. The V-Snow Plough, for example, is shaped to push snow efficiently without digging up your tracks. The Yard Scraper clears ice and slush without leaving a slick behind.

Here’s how they compare:

Off-Season Storage and Maintenance

Once winter’s behind you and the snow gear’s no longer in daily use, a bit of basic maintenance goes a long way in keeping everything ready for next time. Start with a proper washdown. Snow clearing often involves grit, slush, and manure, all of which can speed up corrosion if left sitting on steel.

Grease all moving parts, especially pivot points and any areas that were exposed to moisture. This helps prevent seizing and keeps components protected through months of disuse. Check for wear or damage, look at blades, welds, and mounting brackets. If anything looks worn, sort it now before it becomes a surprise problem next season.

Ideally, store attachments under cover and off the ground using timber blocks or pallets. Keeping gear dry and away from pooling water will prevent rust and help preserve the working life of your equipment.

Be Winter-Ready with Rata

Winter doesn’t have to bring your farm to a halt. With purpose-built snow and ice removal tools from Rata, you can keep your tracks, yards, and pads clear safely and efficiently. Our attachments are built for real conditions and real use, so they don’t just look the part, they handle the job.

Plan ahead, set up right, and let your gear do the heavy lifting. Need help finding the right attachment? Our team’s always ready to talk through options and get you sorted for the cold season ahead.