Snow plowing question

[PHILLIE PHANATIC 6]

My 1st post. I am interested in purchasing a 310-8 for plowing a 3/4" blue stone driveway. My question is, does the blade have different height adjustments? I would like to keep the blade raised about 1" so as not to push up the stone. I asked the guy who has it for sale but he's not sure, he's never plowed with it. By the way it's an early 90's 310-8, with new battery, 2 new front wheels & tires, chains, rear wheel weights & plow (no mower) for $700. Seems a bit high, what do you think?

[rjg854 11,350]

  on the left side of the tractor is the implement lift handle, I use the adjusting knob to keep my blade an inch or so above the stone on my driveway, so I don't dig into the stone itself.  I try to leave the stone in the driveway.  I'm not sure if there are other ways to keep

 

the blade from dragging on the ground, it's just the way I do it, and it seems to work well enough.

[PHILLIE PHANATIC 6]

Thank you, so there are not different height adjustments like a mower deck? I have a Green & Yellow tractor with 6 height adjustment.

[wallfish 16,985]

The best way to keep it from gouging out the stone is to add some skid shoes to the blade. I'm not sure the 310 has one of those dial height adjusters or not which limit how far implements can go down. If the blade is just hanging, then it can and will change depending on the terrain like running over packed snow. The rear tires go up or uneven and therefore the blade does too. With skid shoes set at 1 inch below the scraper edge the blade will consistently ride at that height for the most part.  

[wallfish 16,985]

 

[ebinmaine 67,290]

4 minutes ago, wallfish said:

The best way to keep it from gouging out the stone is to add some skid shoes to the blade. I'm not sure the 310 has one of those dial height adjusters or not which limit how far implements can go down. If the blade is just hanging, then it can and will change depending on the terrain like running over packed snow. The rear tires go up or uneven and therefore the blade does too. With skid shoes set at 1 inch below the scraper edge the blade will consistently ride at that height for the most part.  

That's what to do...

 

 

 

You can make a set of shoes from 2 x 4 steel tubing.

@WVHillbilly520H could throw some instructions in.

 

27 minutes ago, PHILLIE PHANATIC said:

early 90's 310-8, with new battery, 2 new front wheels & tires, chains, rear wheel weights & plow (no mower) for $700. Seems a bit high, what do you think

Pictures would help us see what it's value is.

If it's in good shape that's reasonable.

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,493]

 

If your drive is really flat, and your tractor has the adjustment knob, adjust it to have the blade float...but it will dip on bumps...

 

My drives are asphalt but in poor condition, so I use adjuster to elevate blade 1/2" to keep from ruining the asphalt in poor spots...

 

Second option - skids like mentioned above, but they will skid / rut a bit through gravel, especially on turns... (but way better than grading all your gravel nicely off your driveway!)

 

[305 380]

if it was me i'd add some wheels to the snow plow blade instead of skids. on my walk behind snowblower i put on  wheels in place of the skids, works great

 

just a thought , your mileage may vary

Edited December 8, 2019 by 305

[Lee1977 6,647]

2 hours ago, rjg854 said:

  on the left side of the tractor is the implement lift handle, I use the adjusting knob to keep my blade an inch or so above the stone on my driveway, so I don't dig into the stone itself.  I try to leave the stone in the driveway.  I'm not sure if there are other ways to keep

 

the blade from dragging on the ground, it's just the way I do it, and it seems to work well enough.

The height adjustment on 310s and 312s was an option most don't have them. You may post in the wanted section as some one may have one to sale off a parts tractor. 

[953 nut 55,092]

Here is a picture of the height adjustment knob. In my opinion $ 700 without a mowing deck is a bit high unless it is in exceptional condition. 

The mid mount grader blade is much better for leveling gravel if you can find one.

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

7 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

You can make a set of shoes from 2 x 4 steel tubing.

@WVHillbilly520H could throw some instructions in.

 

They are linked in @richmondred01 post above yours.

[ebinmaine 67,290]

Just now, WVHillbilly520H said:

They are linked in @richmondred01 post above yours.

You and I were right on that earlier today... At exactly the same time.

 

I "mentioned" you while you were sending that post...

 

[Pullstart 62,799]

 @PHILLIE PHANATIC!

 

I have heard of some people using schedule 80 pipe slotted andslid over a plow edge to float a plow over loose gravel and turf without digging in.  Plow shoes would otherwise be the most effective addition as others have mentioned. 

 

[rlrnot 39]

I don't believe most 310-8s came with the height adjustment knob.  Mine didn't but I was able to obtain the parts needed to add it from that online auction site.

[Achto 27,508]

[PHILLIE PHANATIC 6]

953nut, thanks for the picture. I haven't seen the tractor in person yet, the guy was suppose to have it ready this weekend and call me, he never did,but from the pictures I've seen there is no knob like that. I know this is a Wheel Horse forum, but what about an older Bolens, are they a good tractor?

[953 nut 55,092]

I have never owned a Bolens, but most brands from the '60s and '70s were well built. Seems like in the '80s and beyond the "Big Box" era began and MTD started dominating the market under various names, all were stamped steel frames with variable speed belt drives rather than having a transmission.         That is why we treasure our  so much, they continued to build quality machines that would stand the test of time.

[PHILLIE PHANATIC 6]

I don't know the year of the Bolens, but it looks like an older model. It does have an FMC badge on it.

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

to

!!

[ebinmaine 67,290]

1 hour ago, PHILLIE PHANATIC said:

older Bolens,

 

 

Trina and I got into Wheelhorse as a practicality. Not for the Love of the brand.

Since we've gotten into this forum and figured out what kind of amazing machines these were for the most part, we just wouldn't go get another brand of tractor.

 

Wheelhorse garden tractors and implements are simple, repairable, easy to use, and just plain rugged.

 

 

You would do very well to find an older C series or 3/4 500 series that fits your needs