Which Wheel Horse Tractor to replace IH-Cub

[mazzbob 8]

Hello all:

 

I am at the crossroads…. I am looking to improve my work load and maintenance around my ½ acre property. I have a steep incline on the Driveway and Yard where the ground becomes a greasy slippery mud pit mess.

 

Currently I have a IH-Cub Cadet 1450 w/ Blade, SS-Blower, Mowing Deck. It has it’s Good and Bad points as all GT’s seem to have. There is no perfect one.

 

The Good:

1. Mows Well and Mulches due to modifying with X-Blades, does not bag well.

 

The Bad:

1. Plows OK, but have a lot of Wheel Spin. (Wheel Weights/Chains + 2/5 Gal. Buckets of Concrete on Rear Platform, approximately 500# in total.

2. SS Blower/w Modded Flapper does not work well in Wet Snow, does not throw far and Clogs & a lot of Tire Spin.

 

I have experimented with a couple of Bolens that had that adjustable rear locking Hub which when I had Wheel Spin I was able to stop it with Plowing and Blowing. However,  the Mower Cut was troublesome and they did not Mulch well even with X Blades when compared to the Cub, not even close. The Bolens, SS Blower was just as bad as the Cub. It would not Throw the Wet Snow & clogged often.

 

I’m looking at Wheel Horse Models that could improve my situation. However, I have no experience with them at all. What I would like is a Tractor with Hydraulic Lift, Rear Discharge Deck, Blade, & 2 Stage Blower also the possibility of future Independent Rear lift & FEL. I can create Mods if necessary

 

So far I’m looking at GT14, 416H’s or C160 (better w/Kohler Engine, in my opinion). Interested in the 10 Pinion Differential with Posi Spring. (which I think will provide better traction). I’m not sure if the C160 Operational aspects are with the 2 speed Hydro 6 Gear Compared with the GT14 & 416H.

 

Therefore, any wisdom, guidance & advice is truly appreciated. 

 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,012]

Seeing with your input I would recommend a C-145,C-160, or a 417-A. A C-145 which I have plows snow beautifully the hydraulics are nice and strong and it already has hydraulic lift for the rear, but it may be a bit underpowered for a 2 stage blower. So If you’d really like a 2 stage blower I would go the a 417-A. Hydraulic lift, plenty of power, comfortable ride. The C-160 hydro would be a good choice also and should handle the 2 stage just fine. Or you can always get a single stage blower and put that infront of literally any Wheelhorse tractor with an attach o matic.

Here’s a vid of my C-145 with a single stage with heavy wet snow. 

[Gasaholic 316]

If y our driveway is gravel or dirt I would highly recommend a snow blade instead of a snowblower  - Snowblowers don't like gravel driveways , however a snow plow blade won't give a damn.

 

If you opt to go with a plow, then any model will do pretty well - anything from a C-81 to a C-175 (or newer models, 308 to 520 ) Only thing is you won't find 8 HP with hydro lift , so C-120, C-145, or looking to newer models 312-A, 314-A, 417-A, 520H probably al will do 

 

14 HP is plenty of power for plowing and mowing , half acre property you'd do just fine with a 36:" rear or 42" rear discharge - they can all take wheel weights and easy enough to create weight boxes.

Tire chains (especially those with ice cleats)

 

- I don't have a steep drive (or mud pit at the bottom) but worked properly , a snow blade would pretty easily handle winter duities as effectively (if not more so) as a snowblower  Granted, it is rare in my area any more to see a foot of snow at once, but we've had 3 feet plus at a time , and I'm usually plowed out before neighbors with snowblowers are half done.  Strategic plowing is a must however as the season goes on, it's easy enough to build up large snowbanks that shrink your driveway space so a lot of my plowing is done in a sort of herringbone pattern from exit of driveway inwards - really kind of depends on just how much snow you regularly have to deal with I guess.  As far as the mud pit at bottom of your hill, might look into doing a french drain to a back corner of property (I'm on a bit more than an acre, myself and run 36" rear for mowing...) 

[mazzbob 8]

Thanks Very Much,   for the replies.  Sorry, Omitted the driveway is asphalt coated.  Yeah, a French drain would help but BIg Big $18K.    The Town has rules where it can only drain into a County Storm Drain.   So it's 500 feet + Permit, Blueprints and Plans & County approved Contractor.  So i'M better off getting a Tractor. Tony Nice Video on the snow,   I get the same heavy packing type in the Hudson Valley.   The yard, when wet and dry but its always kinda wet.... Thats why the interest in the posi rear.... I put 2 buckets on the back of the Cub, which are 100#'s each.   

[mazzbob 8]

What is the difference between the Eaton 1100 and the 6 Speed Gear Hydrostatic ? are they both Hydros? 

 

[squonk 44,165]

Load the rear tires. 

[TonyToro Jr. 2,012]

5 hours ago, mazzbob said:

What is the difference between the Eaton 1100 and the 6 Speed Gear Hydrostatic ? are they both Hydros? 

 

I’m not sure of the difference but would rather have the Eaton 1100 it’s a great transmission. And any parts that you may need are available.

[TonyToro Jr. 2,012]

3 hours ago, squonk said:

Load the rear tires. 

[Easton Rich 680]

10 hours ago, TonyToro Jr. said:

Seeing with your input I would recommend a C-145,C-160, or a 417-A. A C-145 which I have plows snow beautifully the hydraulics are nice and strong and it already has hydraulic lift for the rear, but it may be a bit underpowered for a 2 stage blower. So If you’d really like a 2 stage blower I would go the a 417-A. Hydraulic lift, plenty of power, comfortable ride. The C-160 hydro would be a good choice also and should handle the 2 stage just fine. Or you can always get a single stage blower and put that infront of literally any Wheelhorse tractor with an attach o matic.

Here’s a vid of my C-145 with a single stage with heavy wet snow. 

cm-chat-media-video-1:921c5e01-9961-3138-8733-92850a611703:10989:0:0.mov IMG_3377.mov

 

I would like to add the 418-A is a great tractor also. Has the Eaton 1100 and an 18hp Kohler Magnum Twin. 417-418 are almost identical tho. Whichever you can find. I'd recommend ag tires or chains in the snow. If you've got any questions, ask!  

[Easton Rich 680]

417-a - Wheel Horse for Sale - RedSquare Wheel Horse Forum

[mazzbob 8]

Thank You all.   I will start looking.... This has helped a lot.