5XI Series 56" Plow Upgrade

[emdmat1981 61]

Hello and Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

I recently acquired a 56" plow (model 06-56BA0) from an early 1980's D-Series and was thinking of upgrading my stock 48" plow to the wider 56" on my 520xi Plow Tractor.   

 

Was wondering if anyone with a 5xi ever upgraded to a 56" blade?  And if you did  ... did you run into any challenges or experience any issues while operating a larger blade?  (the 56"  blade will swap out in like 5 minutes as the connecting points to the plow frame are identical to the 48" blade). 

 

Now I've seen many of the 48" blades on the 5xi's bend and I'm thinking a larger and heavier blade would make quick(er) work when plowing out the neighbors. I've been running the 48" for the past 2 years and haven't pushed it to the point of bending the existing blade (you do need to plow sensibly though  )

 

The 5xi weighs close to a D (a D200 is 11 lbs heavier) but I'm thinking its beefy enough to run the big plow and it does have the front stabilizer rod on the plow frame (attaches to the front hitch) which adds a bit more strength and stability.  I'm also wondering why they put such a light duty blade on such a big tractor.  Its almost like the blade is the weakest link in the chain and designed to fail before you bend something that is more crucial / expensive to fix.  With that said i'm wondering if running a 56" perhaps i'd be over-taxing the plow frame and its mounting points on the tractor.  

 

So .. any concerns from the experts out there? 

 

PS.  The 56" plow also has the holes towards the bottom of the blade to accept two skid shoes. I'm missing the shoes, and was planning to go with a 1/2" x 4" x 56" piece of black UHMW polyethylene to act as a wear bar and protect the driveway from scratches anyway.  That seems to work well on the 48" plow so I have no plans to change that up in any way.  Thanks again !

 

 

[cschannuth 3,816]

I upgraded from a 42” on my Dad’s C-161 to 54” and I love it.  It’s plowed everything from light fluffy snow to pretty deep wet stuff with no issue. I just run inner and out wheel weights  and fluid in the rears and wheel weights in front. As long as the mounting system is compatible you should be good to go.
 

I also fabbed and installed a stabilizer for the front mule drive location to take some of the pressure off the rear axle when the blade is angled. 

[ebinmaine 67,288]

@wallfish John has done a bit of pushing a 60" with a 400 series (?).

I have that blade now and will be mounting it on the Cinnamon Horse C160 at some point.

 

Rear wheel weight and traction will be the key.

My setup weighs roughly 1350 lbs with me on it. Pushes a 48" with no issues on very rough ground.

 

I can't answer specifically about the design of the tractor you have. I will say there is ALWAYS a weak link in every chain and it's best to have it at the most repairable place.

 

 

[emdmat1981 61]

Thanks Guys.

 

I don't have any good wide angle pics ...  but believe I should have plenty of rear weight and traction: 

 

Tractor  = 1015

Wheel Weights = 100

Hitch / Hercules Steel Weights  = 175

Operator = 180

Plow Frame / Plow = 100

 

Approx 1570 lbs total.

 

I'm getting ready to order the UHMW polyethylene for the plow bottom and should be good to go shortly.