From this to this

[JCM 9,165]

Tried out the 418-A today for the first time with the 44'' 2 stage. A few observations. For the past 20 years between 2  520's both with cabs I can say that the snow coming out of the shute when it blows back at you still feels the same      Don't miss that at all. My left hand kept going to the left side of the steering wheel coming up empty when I needed to lift the blower, that is going to take some time to adjust. First time for 4 link chains, now I know why everyone prefers 2 link even though they were ice chains. I guess I'm used to 2 link for the past 35 years blowing and blading, they seem to back up better. Steering is much easier on the 520. Hydro levers work great on either tractor. I would assume fuel usage is close, not that it matters. Sound of the Kohler vs the Onan, both are music to my ears. Power, the Kohler throws the snow as well as the Onan just didn't operate it long enough for a good comparison. If the 418 works like I think it will the cab may be headed on that one, maybe not this Winter though.

Edited February 1, 2022 by JCM

[ebinmaine 67,494]

13 minutes ago, JCM said:

the snow coming out of the shute when it blows back at you still feels the same

You play snowman Jim?

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,317]

55 minutes ago, JCM said:

First time for 4 link chains, now I know why everyone prefers 2 link even though they were ice chains. I guess I'm used to 2 link for the past 35 years blowing and blading, they seem to back up better.

What about the ride? Always heard that 4 link ride rougher and really jostle your kidneys

[rjg854 11,361]

The wind when snowblowing can either be your friend or your enemy. I always try to play the wind to my advantage.

[JCM 9,165]

7 minutes ago, Sparky said:

What about the ride? Always heard that 4 link ride rougher and really jostle your kidneys

There is so much Ice in the yard right now it was hard to tell, but that sounds about right  

[ebinmaine 67,494]

19 minutes ago, Sparky said:

What about the ride? Always heard that 4 link ride rougher and really jostle your kidneys

 

10 minutes ago, JCM said:

There is so much Ice in the yard right now it was hard to tell, but that sounds about right  

 

 

 

Sparky on smooth groomed gravel you can feel a difference. 

Really though, if the air pressure is right the tire should give around the chain as it rotates.

 

Where I noticed the biggest difference is not so much in the lack of jostling type of ride quality but the lack of traction. 2 link chains obviously have twice as many links and the traction by my experience is exponentially better than twice.

 

[roadapples 6,983]

31 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

The wind when snowblowing can either be your friend or your enemy. I always try to play the wind to my advantage.

Like sitting around a campfire, no matter where you move the smoke blows in your face...

[oldlineman 1,481]

That happens to you too, thought it was just me! Bob  

[ebinmaine 67,494]

43 minutes ago, roadapples said:

Like sitting around a campfire, no matter where you move the smoke blows in your face...

 

5 minutes ago, oldlineman said:

That happens to you too, thought it was just me! Bob  

 

 

Being avid rough country campers and professional owners of a backyard fire 🔥 pit the Trina and I have been around more campfires than you could shake a stick at.  

I assure you all. 

Smoke does follow you. 

We've scientifically proven it multiple times.  

 

I've wondered the same about blowing snow.  

Seems no matter which way the wind is blowing or I'm facing I manage to get a good quality covering of ❄️❄️❄️. 

 

No worries though. Saves me a shower later.  🤪

[953 nut 55,228]

2 hours ago, Sparky said:

What about the ride? Always heard that 4 link ride rougher and really jostle your kidneys

Not at all that bad. They are a bit rough on paved driveway but on the lawn you don't even feel them. I have the four link on my snow plow tractor and seldom go very fast while plowing so no problem. 

[c-series don 8,707]

If you read some of the Wheel Horse manuals they say “experience will teach you not to throw snow into the wind!” 

[ebinmaine 67,494]

6 hours ago, c-series don said:

If you read some of the Wheel Horse manuals they say “experience will teach you not to throw snow into the wind!” 

 

This was clearly written by someone who's had no experience with a south facing mountainside directionally changing wind that follows most every nor'easter. 

The wind here changes direction 2 or 3 times within a minute. 

[JCM 9,165]

33 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

The wind here changes direction 2 or 3 times within a minute. 

            Same thing here, always.    

[Retired Wrencher 5,455]

13 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

 

Being avid rough country campers and professional owners of a backyard fire 🔥 pit the Trina and I have been around more campfires than you could shake a stick at.  

I assure you all. 

Smoke does follow you. 

We've scientifically proven it multiple times.  

 

I've wondered the same about blowing snow.  

Seems no matter which way the wind is blowing or I'm facing I manage to get a good quality covering of ❄️❄️❄️. 

 

No worries though. Saves me a shower later.  🤪

To me it is all part of getting the job done.  I guess we have to just Man up. 

[AMC RULES 37,130]

...or, use the right tool for the job at hand.

Don't you have a cab?

[ebinmaine 67,494]

42 minutes ago, Retierd Wrencher said:

To me it is all part of getting the job done.  I guess we have to just Man up. 

That's why I make Trina run the snowblower

 

 

[rjg854 11,361]

I have a hunch you don't   "make"   Trina do anything she doesn't already want to do.  

You're just a big ole "teddy" bear.  

[ebinmaine 67,494]

10 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

I have a hunch you don't   "make"   Trina do anything she doesn't already want to do.  

You're just a big ole "teddy" bear.  

Hey HEY!!!!

 

Okay maybe that's just a little bit completely 100% true....

[Ed Kennell 38,171]

15 hours ago, roadapples said:

Like sitting around a campfire, no matter where you move the smoke blows in your face...

 My Boy Scouts always had a left handed smoke shifter ready for this problem.

[WHX?? 48,815]

I have some 2 link with vbars I can send you Plunge. Ain't no way I can use them on asphalt. They came on The 520 I got from Denny Clarke. Surprisingly unshod turfs  do well even on my hill as long as I don't go off road. 

[squonk 41,109]

Solution for  owners to keep the smoke out your face! 

 

 

[lynnmor 7,306]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

I have some 2 link with vbars I can send you Plunge. Ain't no way I can use them on asphalt. They came on The 520 I got from Denny Clarke. Surprisingly unshod turfs  do well even on my hill as long as I don't go off road. 

 

If you have stiff 4 ply turfs, chains will cause a very rough ride.  The rounded and cheap original equipment tires worked OK, I went back to those for running rubber tire chains.