Best Wheel Horse snow machines?

[Sarge 3,463]

I'm putting together a '74 D-180 and a #6-1141 - 56" blade . Blade , frame , mounts , lift were all mangled from some previous owner , looks like they took down a building with it - more than once . Blade frame is now reinforced and repaired , whole new nose assembly that is custom made to duplicate the original but from 1/4" 1018 steel laminated , all stainless steel pins and other parts . Just got the new Traxion 26x12-12 tires , going on today and will add weights and chains this fall . Tractor weighs 1100lbs , another 230lbs for the blade at this point , haven't straightened out the blade yet but that's this weekend's project . New piece of 1/2"x3 pre-beveled 1055 high carbon steel should be here Tuesday , will determine then if it gets bolted or welded...should be a beast .

 

Still need to repair the rear frame plate on the old 1277 - the liquid weight in the tires and the cast iron weights proved a little too much for the amount of work it's done , but I have no problem fixing that ....lol .

 

Sarge

[cheesegrader 433]

I get 10 feet of snow.

This is what I do:

[DennisThornton 4,769]

8 hours ago, cheesegrader said:

I get 10 feet of snow.

This is what I do:

I'm envious again...  Oh my TC35 with 74" blower and 72" FEL will handle the REALLY big stuff but a smaller FEL will get into some spots easier but what I really want is

THAT SWEEPER!  And I've got a BCS walk behind with a big rotary brush if I would just fix the mount...  BUT I STILL WANT THAT SWEEPER!

 

Really nice Snow Removal Team!

[cheesegrader 433]

The sweeper is great if there is no wind.  That is rare here in the winter.  It is great for getting the leaves and small sticks in the fall.

The loader is vital to deal with the deep drifts, and when snow sheds off the barn roof.  Those piles are really heavy, and nothing else can move them.

The plow gets about 200 lbs of weight on the rear wheels, and 60 lbs on the front.  It could use suitcase weights on the front.  Steeering in heavy, wet snow is a problem.

The thrower cab weighs 400 lbs, so I don't need any extra weights.  The rear cylinder vents onto my right foot, so I have never needed extra venting for heat.

I have to leave the rear window open most of the season to COOL the cab.  It has a wiper, LED lights, a defrost fan, and a linear actuator to control the deflector chute.

I would like to motorize the rotation as well, but for now I still use the old crank.

The heavy spring between the tractor frame and the thrower frame is essential let the thrower "float", which really helps steering.

Front Tri-rib tires also really help steering the beast.  I may get a set for the plow tractor next year.

All get 2-link v-bar chains, put on as tight as possible.  The rear ags on the loader get diamond pattern v-bar chains, rimguard filling, and 110 lbs each of steel weights.

The tension block on the thrower has been replaced with an Idler pulley, and I would like to replace the thrust bearings on the augers with sealed bearings.

The tractors are '91, '93, '95, and '96 520's.  I like 520's. I can't imagine using anything smaller.  

In case of emergency, I use a Ford 7000, but the 84" bucket is too wide to work around structures, and the cab is 9' tall, and catches on branches.

Go ahead.  Snow.  

[DennisThornton 4,769]

@cheesegrader

First thing I thought of after the "Wow!" was while I may not put a cab on my dozer blade tractor (though I have an extra for some tractor!) I think I would want one for the Sweepster.  January not so much but come February I get enough sun that if I manage to get most of the snow off the drive the sun will melt the rest and I get to start from scratch.  Nothing better than a rotary broom!  I have used large push brooms to a similar effect but not as good and not nearly as much fun!  

 

I do intend to mount a combination of brooms on some sort of bracket to mount to my blade though!  I was that much impressed with the stiff brooms!

 

I also intend to use a linear actuator for the chute's rotation control.  I really don't need the deflector control.  I don't think anyway...

 

You can come back with the Sweepster so I not sure I want the blower to float...  Something to think about though since I do usually come back with the blade anyway...

 

Glad to hear about the tri-ribs.  Those are in my target.

 

I'm a big fan of having as much v-bars to the ground as possible.  For me anything less is just about worthless.

 

If I was your 520 with the blade my feelings would be hurt...  That job will stay with my 8hp.

 

Thanks for all the details!  That's what I was hoping for.  

 

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Cheesegrader, I did the locking collar releasable bearings (same as the single stage auger and impeller shaft bearing and holder) on my new to me 2stage last fall/winter had to make a 1/4" spacer for on the inside and a cap for the out side sealed with black RVT,on my bought new anniversary 520H with cab, now I have a couple more so it has been relieved to snow duty only, also my extra rear weights are fluid filled ags 75lb cast weights and a home built rear suitcase weight hanger approximately 130 lbs, and 2 link chains,Jeff.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,497]

Hey Jeff, I like the whole setup, darn nice job on everything.

 

Glenn

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

Glenn if and when I get the 523Dxi going (bought it non running) I would love to find a 2stage blower and cab for it too ,that Onan chucks the snow the Dxi would really rip through it I would think,Jeff.

[DennisThornton 4,769]

1 hour ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

Glenn if and when I get the 523Dxi going (bought it non running) I would love to find a 2stage blower and cab for it too ,that Onan chucks the snow the Dxi would really rip through it I would think,Jeff.

I don't know why the 523Dxi with it's 2 stage wouldn't be the ultimate WH snow blower!  I'm going to settle for a 522XI with a 2 stage.

[shallowwatersailor 3,213]

41 minutes ago, DennisThornton said:

I don't know why the 523Dxi with it's 2 stage wouldn't be the ultimate WH snow blower!  I'm going to settle for a 522XI with a 2 stage.

 

Dennis, the 523Dxi is a good base. I don't have a 522xi to compare apples to apples though. My other two are an 18 and a 20 without power steering. Here are a list of Pros and Cons, as I see them, between a 522xi and a 523Dxi.

 

Pro -523Dxi

• 23 hp claimed
• very easy on fuel
• hydraulic steering and lift
• more than enough power and torque

Con -523Dxi

• the typical diesel issue of cold weather starts. It does have glow plugs. Mine has never failed to start.
• radiator fan moves a ton of air inside the cab so there isn't any heat.
• heavier front end but can be compensated with wheel weights and rear weight.

Pro - 522xi

•  22 hp claimed
• hydraulic steering and lift
• less airflow through cab due to smaller fan for air-cooled engine.

Con - 522xi

• gas consumption. 
• not as much torque as the diesel.

My only complaint with my 523Dxi is the airflow with the cab. With regards to the airflow in the 523Dxi equipped with a cab, it doesn't need as much flow in the winter as summer so a way could be found to block or re-direct the airflow. For example, a Kubota BX has a removable panel beneath the hoodstand and there are available covers to block the air screens which are similar to the 5xi. I have thought of a few ideas but haven't acted on them yet.