Clearing a long driveway, a farm lane or the yard in front of the shop is one of the main reasons people buy a compact loader. Here is how a Nesher handles the job, what the cold does to the battery, and where an electric loader is not the right snow machine.
The tools for snow
The snow plow. It is available for the L880 ($2,490) and the L1400 ($2,750). It pushes snow off driveways, lanes and parking areas.
The general bucket. It comes with every loader. It scoops, carries and stacks snow. It is 40" wide on the L880, 3'10" on the L1400 and 5'8" on the L2500. The L2500 is not offered with the plow: it clears snow with its bucket.
No snow blower. Nesher loaders have no PTO, so they cannot run a snow blower. If you need to throw snow over the banks, or there is nowhere to push it, a tractor with a snow blower fits better. See our comparison with a compact tractor.
Plow or bucket
The plow moves the bulk of the snow along the length of the driveway. The bucket lifts and stacks it at the end, clears in front of doors and moves a bank that is in the way. As the winter goes on, the banks get higher: the dump height is 5'11" on the L880, 7'1" on the L1400 and 7'10" on the L2500.
Wet snow and the hard ridge the municipal plow leaves at the end of the driveway are the toughest part. Take smaller bites. A bucket of wet snow weighs far more than a bucket of fresh powder: stay under the machine's rated load, which is 880 lbs for the L880, 1,400 lbs for the L1400 and 2,500 lbs for the L2500.
What the cold does to the battery
Nesher loaders come standard with AGM batteries. Like any battery, they deliver less energy in the cold. The advertised 4 to 6 hours of run time applies in mild weather; in deep winter, plan shorter sessions. We have not yet published a measured winter run time: here is what we know about winter.
Three habits help: store and charge the machine indoors when you can, plug it back in after every session, and don't leave it outside with a flat battery on a bitterly cold night.
How much snow per charge?
We don't publish a figure in square metres or driveway lengths, because it depends too much on how deep and wet the snow is, the temperature and the operator. What we can say: a session of an hour or two after an ordinary snowfall suits the machine well. A storm that needs eight straight hours of plowing is more than one charge can give.
Charging between storms
On a 120 V, 15 A outlet, a full charge takes about 8 hours for the L880, 12 for the L1400 and 20 for the L2500. A top-up after a partial session takes less. Plugged in at night, the L880 is ready the next morning. If you plan long back-to-back days with the L2500, a 240 V supply is recommended.
At residential rates, a full charge from empty costs about $1.36 for the L880 and $2.17 for the L1400 in Quebec (Hydro-Québec Rate D, taxes included), and about $1.18 and $1.88 in Ontario (off-peak rate, estimate). No fuel to gel, no block heater to plug in, no jerry cans to fill before the storm.
Staying warm
The L880 has an open seat with no cab: dress for it. The L1400 can be ordered with an enclosed, heated cab ($3,400), and the L2500 includes one. Heating draws energy from the battery, which reduces run time.
Traction and safety
All three models have all-wheel drive. On ice, any light loader can slide: carry the load low, slow down on slopes and spread grit on icy paths. Nesher loaders are off-road machines; check your municipality's rules before using one on a public road or sidewalk. At the end of winter, rinse off the salt and slush and let the machine dry under cover.
Who it suits
| Your need | Our take |
|---|---|
| A residential driveway, a farm lane or the yard around buildings | Good fit: L880 or L1400 with the plow |
| A small commercial lot next to a building where it can charge | Good fit; check the run time with us first |
| A snow route across several sites, or more than eight hours straight | A diesel machine, or a second machine |
| Blowing snow over the banks | A tractor with a snow blower |
Next step
Build the L880 with the snow plow or the L1400 with the snow plow to see the price, or ask for a quote and tell us what you need to clear: we will tell you plainly whether the machine fits.