Tall chute vs. short chute snow blowers

[kto434 108]

Why did WH replace the short chute with a tall chute on its single stage snow blower attachments for 300/400/500 series tractors?  And what was the switchover model year?  Do owners prefer short chute over tall chute (or vice versa)?  I need schooled as I am new to the WH snow blower attachment.  Thanks!

Edited January 30, 2019 by kto434

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,033]

Original snowthrower was 37" wide and the added wings made it 42". Multiple changes to the units over the years and they have been listed on this page. Click on the picture.

Garry

[ebinmaine 67,279]

I'll be following along to see what folks say...

 

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

4 hours ago, kto434 said:

Why did WH replace the short chute with a tall chute on its single stage snow blower attachments for 300/400/500 series tractors?  And what was the switchover model year?  Do owners prefer short chute over tall chute (or vice versa)?  I need schooled as I am new to the WH snow blower attachment.  Thanks!

First off technically single stage versions are considered "throwers" (but I digress) and the biggest advantage IMHO was/is the throwing distance, the short chute throws about 10-15' on average (dependent on snow type and amount) where as the tall chute was 25' on average, just my experiences and humble opinion, but of course you also have 2 versions of the 2stage "blowers" one a 38" from Berco and the 44" Toro version, Jeff.

[peter lena 8,583]

my experience is the type of snow you are dealing with, heavier wetter snow , the short chute works best for me, if you are regularly getting dry snow ,the taller chute works very well. I picked up modified chute ,that was about a foot longer than the short chute on the 36/42 single blower, found this to work well with the usual mixture of snow that I get. in addition to this chute preference, I found the lubrication detailing on these blowers , as opposed to rusty frozen movement points , is what make these blowers really get it done. I would also add if you have a local wheel horse brother , make contact and find out what he or she does, pete 

[Ed Kennell 38,023]

I believe the tall chute throws a tighter plume of snow, therefore increasing the distance slightly.    IMO, the worm gear chute rotator is the best improvement.

[WHX?? 48,784]

I have one of each and both have their place.

The short chute is good for light snows and you don't have to throw it far. Heavy snow it poorly performs and slushy snow will rip the chute right off. I have welded mine up countless times. Then there is the cable turn on the short. Not the best invention and a real PITA to keep working as should. Very subject to freezing up.

 

Tall chute will reach up over tall banks and throw much further and as Ed said and gear rotator is a  much needed improvement. Adding a piece of pipe to inside of chute increases performance but will plug up worse in the wet stuff. Down side is the chute attaching blocks can break and replacements are  $$.

 

All said go for a tal chute if possible or convert a short to tall which is fairly easy if you can find a donor tall.

One of these days I will swap blowers on these 520's.

Edited January 30, 2019 by WHX21

[kto434 108]

Wow—awesome info, thanks guys!  Where I live, SW Ohio, we tend to get snow infrequently in batches of more than 5 inches (maybe only a couple times a year).  Most of our snow events are under 5 inches—usually 3 maybe 4 inches when we get enough snow to worry about clearing.  All this info helps a lot so thanks again!

[WHGuy413 2,683]

10 hours ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

First off technically single stage versions are considered "throwers" (but I digress) and the biggest advantage IMHO was/is the throwing distance, the short chute throws about 10-15' on average (dependent on snow type and amount) where as the tall chute was 25' on average, just my experiences and humble opinion, but of course you also have 2 versions of the 2stage "blowers" one a 38" from Berco and the 44" Toro version, Jeff.

I have a 44" Ber-Vac 2 stage on my 416H

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

7 minutes ago, WHGuy413 said:

I have a 44" Ber-Vac 2 stage on my 416H

I meant Ber-Vac which is now Berco... Which makes most of the snow blowers for the sub compact/compact tractors like my Mahindra or Kioti (I just bought a Kubota version to retrofit to my eMax)

 

Edited January 30, 2019 by WVHillbilly520H

[WHGuy413 2,683]

6 minutes ago, WVHillbilly520H said:

I meant Ber-Vac which is now Berco... Which makes most of the snow blowers for the sub compact/compact tractors like my Mahindra or Kioti (I just bought a Kubota version to retrofit to my eMax)

 

Ahh my bad. I have the 44 and there is a guy up the street who has a 38 I believe it is. I know it's narrower than mine. Never stopped to look at it. Just happen to spot it and now I stare everytime I go by. Looks like it's on a 312 or 314.

[WHX?? 48,784]

I had heard good things about those Bercs but is it true they are no longer made?

Heard they were made with our grandfather's grade of steel. Toothed augers.. deuce what's not to like?

I been eyeballing one on my local CL but was fitted to a XI. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt to a 520 front attach??

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

23 minutes ago, WHX21 said:

I had heard good things about those Bercs but is it true they are no longer made?

Heard they were made with our grandfather's grade of steel. Toothed augers.. deuce what's not to like?

I been eyeballing one on my local CL but was fitted to a XI. Shouldn't be too hard to adapt to a 520 front attach??

Those particular units are no longer made but they still produce new units for Cub Cadet Husqvarna and the 4x4 SCUTs ect, all made north of the border in Canada...http://bercomac.com/en/...as far as retrofiting that one back from xi to classic it's not the attachment as much as the PTO drive , much like @WHGuy413 having fun getting the 260 series single stage going on a 310-8.

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Someday...I hope to find a Berco for Caleb’s JackRabbit.  From all the research that I’ve done, they look to be awesome blowers and I think it would be great for him to have one for his tractor when he gets his own place someday. Who knows, maybe he’ll take up residence down by @19richie66 and won’t need one.  However, if he settles in the north, I’d like him to be equipped to deal with the elements.

[Ike 75]

On 1/30/2019 at 9:33 AM, WHX21 said:

I have one of each and both have their place.

The short chute is good for light snows and you don't have to throw it far. Heavy snow it poorly performs and slushy snow will rip the chute right off. I have welded mine up countless times. Then there is the cable turn on the short. Not the best invention and a real PITA to keep working as should. Very subject to freezing up.

 

Tall chute will reach up over tall banks and throw much further and as Ed said and gear rotator is a  much needed improvement. Adding a piece of pipe to inside of chute increases performance but will plug up worse in the wet stuff. Down side is the chute attaching blocks can break and replacements are  $$.

 

All said go for a tal chute if possible or convert a short to tall which is fairly easy if you can find a donor tall.

One of these days I will swap blowers on these 520's.

I have the same two snow blowers and I find the short chute to be a great blower. Mine handles big snow with no problem bolted on my 314h.  The only thing I am not a fan of is the cable chute rotator.  It does require constant adjusting.