We have a second home on 35 acres in the southern part of the state with a 600 ft. driveway where we go to one week out of the month. We were down there in mid-December one year when a heavy storm hit (not forecasted). Cedars and pinon trees on the west side of the driveway act as a snow fence which results in four and five foot drifts on it. My wife had to fly out the next day. I spent several hours trying to find someone to plow the drive and the earliest anyone could get there was four days. She missed her flight and speaking engagement which cost us 5K and I missed testifying in a court appearance (judge was not real happy with me). When we finally got out and home I spent 14K on a 4 wheel drive tractor with bucket, blade and brush hog. On more than one occasion, when a propane delivery was due, I had to snowshoe in to get the tractor when my 4X4 F-250 couldn't make it. I've used the brush hog many times to clear about two acres around the house of vegitation that would kill a riding mower. To me it was money well spent. Make a careful assessment of your needs and buy accordingly and one step up from what you think you'll need. To my way of thinking it's better to buy one heavy duty unit than keep replacing a cheaper one. YMMV