Will snow thrower 79361 work on 418A?

[Dfbittner 21]

I have a 1987 418A and have been looking for a 2 stage snow thrower.  Found a 79361 for a good price but it’s hard to tell if it will fit the 418A.  It looks like the preferred snow thrower is the 79360. 

[Cee245 818]

IF I read your question right, you're asking if the 2-stage 79361 will work on your 418A? 

The answer is yes. I have one I used on my 417A.  Our tractors are almost the same.

 

I prefer my 79360 single stage because it's easier to maneuver. 

The 2 stage is an excellent snow blower, but singles are easier and cheaper to maintain. If I ever get a 520, I may prefer the 2 stage as the gear reduction helps with steering from what I read on here.

 

With that said, and all things equal, The 2 stage 79361 is a superior blower IMHO.

 

 

 

Cory 

[JCM 9,177]

Yes the 2 Stage will fit. That Tractor and blower will take on any snowstorm you can throw at it. However, the 520 with gear reduction steering does steer a little easier. Lived in Danvers for 50 years .   @Dfbittner

[lynnmor 7,307]

48 minutes ago, Cee245 said:

 

I prefer my 79360 single stage because it's easier to maneuver. 

The 2 stage is an excellent snow blower, but singles are easier and cheaper to maintain. If I ever get a 520, I may prefer the 2 stage as the gear reduction helps with steering from what I read on here.

 

With that said, and all things equal, The 2 stage 79361 is a superior blower IMHO.

 

 

I have both single and two stage, after years of use, my opinion is that the single is good enough.  The extra storage space and the difficulty installing the two stage may be more trouble than it is worth. 

[c-series don 8,720]

I have a two stage on a 417-A and I must say that thing is unbelievable! We had almost two feet of snow a few years ago and that thing was so impressive that I went and did my neighbors driveways because I was enjoying it so much. They didn’t need it done because they are only here in the summer! I hear it’s a PITA to take on and off but I put it in once and it is now my dedicated snow blower. If I had to take it on and off I may opt for a single stage. Note my F-350 with 8’ Fisher plow and sander in the background that I could use for this task, but this is way more fun! I use the truck for my snowplowing business. 

Edited May 1, 2022 by c-series don

[wallfish 17,011]

Another 2 stage vote. I've used both styles and the singles do work well but when it comes to deep heavy wet snow, the 2 stage outperforms them. Especially at the road where the big road plow drifts are. Yes, they will clog the chute too but no where as often

Both have pros and cons and either beats a shovel any day. It's nice to have a dozer blade tractor too for quick easy light storms and maybe some clean up after blowing.

I don't like piling huge drifts with a blade after multiple storms because they don't melt here and just get bigger and wider so it's nice to just throw it out to sides and be done with it. And like Don said it's kind of fun too and shoot it 30 ft.

Guess it all depends on the driveway too. A small 6 car area would probably be easier with just a blade unless there's no where to pile it. Mine is a big U with an additional straight on one side along the side of the house so it's quite a bit of area. 

[Horse Newbie 7,074]

We get maybe on average 1-3 inches every 5-10 years down here in Monroe NC.

I have a dozer blade but haven’t had snow since I got it…

[Dfbittner 21]

7 hours ago, JCM said:

Yes the 2 Stage will fit. That Tractor and blower will take on any snowstorm you can throw at it. However, the 520 with gear reduction steering does steer a little easier. Lived in Danvers for 50 years .   @Dfbittner

You live in Danvers too?  What are the chances?  And thank you for the input.

[Dfbittner 21]

8 hours ago, Cee245 said:

IF I read your question right, you're asking if the 2-stage 79361 will work on your 418A? 

The answer is yes. I have one I used on my 417A.  Our tractors are almost the same.

 

I prefer my 79360 single stage because it's easier to maneuver. 

The 2 stage is an excellent snow blower, but singles are easier and cheaper to maintain. If I ever get a 520, I may prefer the 2 stage as the gear reduction helps with steering from what I read on here.

 

With that said, and all things equal, The 2 stage 79361 is a superior blower IMHO.

 

 

 

Cory 

Cory, yes that is exactly what I am trying to figure out. It’s difficult with these older machines, information isn’t as readily available. Appreciate it. 
Dan

[Dfbittner 21]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

I have a two stage on a 417-A and I must say that thing is unbelievable! We had almost two feet of snow a few years ago and that thing was so impressive that I went and did my neighbors driveways because I was enjoying it so much. They didn’t need it done because they are only here in the summer! I hear it’s a PITA to take on and off but I put it in once and it is now my dedicated snow blower. If I had to take it on and off I may opt for a single stage. Note my F-350 with 8’ Fisher plow and sander in the background that I could use for this task, but this is way more fun! I use the truck for my snowplowing business. 

That’s what I’ve heard. I inherited my father’s 418A when he “upgraded” to a new Deere.  It’s been 10 years and he still misses the WH.  Deere is nice but the 418 is a better machine.  I tried to convince him years ago to look for a snow thrower attachment but he insisted on the 48” plow. Cleared his 150’ driveway for a long time. He will be envious if I get this setup going. 

[Dfbittner 21]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

Another 2 stage vote. I've used both styles and the singles do work well but when it comes to deep heavy wet snow, the 2 stage outperforms them. Especially at the road where the big road plow drifts are. Yes, they will clog the chute too but no where as often

Both have pros and cons and either beats a shovel any day. It's nice to have a dozer blade tractor too for quick easy light storms and maybe some clean up after blowing.

I don't like piling huge drifts with a blade after multiple storms because they don't melt here and just get bigger and wider so it's nice to just throw it out to sides and be done with it. And like Don said it's kind of fun too and shoot it 30 ft.

Guess it all depends on the driveway too. A small 6 car area would probably be easier with just a blade unless there's no where to pile it. Mine is a big U with an additional straight on one side along the side of the house so it's quite a bit of area. 

Thanks John. I have a good sized U as well and finding a place for piles is tough. The blade has been fine except for the walkway that goes around the back of the house. There is a sharp curve and unfortunately the metal garage roof and metal house roof both dump snow right on this curve. I wouldn’t care but I have to keep it open for Kerosene deliveries. The plow is useless for that. Only other option is a small loader which would be fun, but more expensive than a snow thrower attachment. 

[Dfbittner 21]

Thanks everyone. I’m sold on the two stage. As long as it has everything I need to use it, I  am going to go for it. 

[wallfish 17,011]

Lift bar, springs and such. Definitely look up the parts diagram because there's lots of smaller parts and brackets for mounting them which seem to disappear like the socks from the dryer when they're removed from the tractors. Never to be seen again! The belt guards are nice to have but not critical to operation. Look down the chute and through the front at the throwing paddles. They're a PITA to straighten if bent. Not the end of the world but the whole thing disassembles to get to it.

 

Top left of every page is a browse button. Hover and it will drop down a menu and you will see manuals. Put in that number or 2 stage blower and you should find the manual and parts list.

Good luck on getting it!

[roadapples 6,983]

You mentioned using a loader. I love mine, but not the best for moving snow. You need too much room to maneuver around. Blower is the way to go...

[c-series don 8,720]

19 minutes ago, roadapples said:

You mentioned using a loader. I love mine, but not the best for moving snow. You need too much room to maneuver around. Blower is the way to go...

Agreed! I have both and I think once the loader is on there, it’s on there. That to me would harder to take on and off then a blower. Both have their advantages but the blower in the snow is the way to go!! 

[Dfbittner 21]

55 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Lift bar, springs and such. Definitely look up the parts diagram because there's lots of smaller parts and brackets for mounting them which seem to disappear like the socks from the dryer when they're removed from the tractors. Never to be seen again! The belt guards are nice to have but not critical to operation. Look down the chute and through the front at the throwing paddles. They're a PITA to straighten if bent. Not the end of the world but the whole thing disassembles to get to it.

 

Top left of every page is a browse button. Hover and it will drop down a menu and you will see manuals. Put in that number or 2 stage blower and you should find the manual and parts list.

Good luck on getting it!

I will do that. I don’t mind a little cleanup or part searching but definitely don’t want to go on a wild goose chase.  
The description of the one I am looking at says it has a rebuilt gearbox.  Will see how it looks. Thank you much for the advice. 

[Dfbittner 21]

9 hours ago, JCM said:

Yes the 2 Stage will fit. That Tractor and blower will take on any snowstorm you can throw at it. However, the 520 with gear reduction steering does steer a little easier. Lived in Danvers for 50 years .   @Dfbittner

Awesome pics. I need to clean mine up and repaint some areas. Mostly cosmetic stuff. I like that seat!  Mine is destroyed, there is a seat upholstery place that I frequently pass by that I’ve thought of checking out but I like the armrests on yours. Nice looking setup. 

[JCM 9,177]

@Dfbittner   Moved to Maine in 2008 from Danvers. This September we are having our 4th annual Meet & Greet and you are invited. 63 miles from Danvers. Check out info under Red Square Herd or send me a PM for more info. Pictures of my 520-H just to keep you interested in the 2 stage blower.

[Dfbittner 21]

On 5/1/2022 at 4:46 PM, JCM said:

@Dfbittner   Moved to Maine in 2008 from Danvers. This September we are having our 4th annual Meet & Greet and you are invited. 63 miles from Danvers. Check out info under Red Square Herd or send me a PM for more info. Pictures of my 520-H just to keep you interested in the 2 stage blower.

 

I will check it out, thank you for the invite. Awesome pics!  
The guy selling the 79361 ended up being a little difficult (didn’t want to provide more than one picture and wouldn’t explain what parts were with it. I just didn’t want to waste the better part of a day driving to NH for a dud) so I’ll keep looking. $350 seemed reasonable where one in great shape goes for $700 or more but anyway…

On 5/1/2022 at 4:46 PM, JCM said:

 

 

 

On 5/1/2022 at 4:46 PM, JCM said: