Give me that hydro!

[JoeM 9,706]

Down at the brothers cleaning up some left over snow using a 310-8. Wow what a difference between arm strong manual and hydro! 

With the shifting and manual lift, being a contortionist on the hill holding the brake and using the clutch, wears a man out. 

 

This one will be up for sale in the spring, well maintained, nice mower deck

[Wishin4a416 2,516]

Im thinking the same thing. I have 4 gear drives but may keep my eye out for a nice hydro.

 

[ri702bill 11,617]

It's a physical thing, like driving an old floor shift pick-um-up truck... with no power brakes or power steering - and no heater.

Edited February 10 by ri702bill

[pfrederi 20,130]

Gear dives have their place...roto tillers and mowing with steep grade changes (set it and forget it no hydro over run/slow down)....but for speed control for your blower and plowing ...and the faster reverse  not it mention hydro lift they win  hands down.

 

I want to downsize my herd but the Sunstrands are staying.

[Handy Don 16,109]

I can relate to @joeM’s comments of lift, rotate, shift, steer--and watch where you’re going!

I’ve caught myself wondering how hard it would be to have a hydro round hood! It’d have to be a mashup, though, and use the ‘65+ rear fender/seat setup to fit the larger transaxle.

 

 

Edited February 10 by Handy Don

[Ed Kennell 45,524]

                           Wheel Horse Snow Removal Progression

 

OPERATER AGE                                              REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

     15-35                                                               round hood w/ plow

     35-55                                                               312-8 w/ short chute blower

     55-65                                                               520H w/ tall chute blower

     65-75                                                               520H w/ cab and tall chute blower and foot control

     75-85                                                               520H w/ heated cab and foot control and two stage blower

     85- ?                                                                Give the above rig to your neighbor boy for clearing your driveway

 

 

It has become clear that several members of the Wheel Horse Family do not agree with this well researched survey.

Rest assured none of the following guidelines were followed.

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  4 Sources

 

 

 

Edited February 11 by Ed Kennell

[c-series don 11,757]

Well looks like I’m going to have to sell my cab and two stage blower and get a single stage tall chute! I was not aware I was in violation?! 

[Ed Kennell 45,524]

Just now, c-series don said:

Well looks like I’m going to have to sell my cab and two stage blower and get a single stage tall chute! I was not aware I was in violation?! 

Nah, your OK Don.    You just matured fasted than normal.

[Racinbob 12,878]

I pondered and pondered as I looked at the rules list and just came to the conclusion that I'm simply a misfit. The closest I came is the round hood and plow. About 10 years on one of those but by the time I was 15 I had done graduated to a square hood and that's not even part of the proper progression. I did go from a shorty to a tall chute but I've never had a 520. 

Then I realized that I should just go and hide somewhere. I'm just not really a hydro fan. I tried with this one but it will be moving on to a new owner this spring.

  

 

[SylvanLakeWH 30,920]

Paraphrased from Lou Gossett Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman:

"...Gears and steers, and I ain't got no horns..."

 

[702854boy 606]

3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

15-35                                                               round hood w/ plow

I guess I'm in violation because I turn 14 in a couple of weeks but I use an 864 and a 1962 plow.

[Achto 31,415]

9 minutes ago, 702854boy said:

I guess I'm in violation because I turn 14 in a couple of weeks but I use an 864 and a 1962 plow.

 

Nothing wrong with gettin' an early start. Then again  Maybe you better use a shovel until a couple weeks from now next year ?? Just to be safe.

Edited February 11 by Achto

[Wishin4a416 2,516]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

I pondered and pondered as I looked at the rules list and just came to the conclusion that I'm simply a misfit. The closest I came is the round hood and plow. About 10 years on one of those but by the time I was 15 I had done graduated to a square hood and that's not even part of the proper progression. I did go from a shorty to a tall chute but I've never had a 520. 

Then I realized that I should just go and hide somewhere. I'm just not really a hydro fan. I tried with this one but it will be moving on to a new owner this spring.

  

Well Racinbob, if you are going to the big show this year and traveling 70 east, you can just drop that off in Washington, Pa.

 

[kpinnc 17,575]

6 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Paraphrased from Lou Gossett Jr. in An Officer and a Gentleman:

"...Gears and steers, and I ain't got no horns..."

 

Clearly the family friendly version... 

 

6 hours ago, Racinbob said:

will be moving on to a new owner this spring.

 

That is a very nice machine. I might have jumped on it had it been closer. A clean 314-H is alot of tractor. 

[Racinbob 12,878]

It's definitely a dandy. I purchased it about a year ago with I believe 100 hours and still some tags hanging on it. It was only used to push snow on a short driveway and never even had a belt on the pto until I put a deck on it last summer. 

[c-series don 11,757]

8 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

You just matured fasted than normal.

That reminds me, the older you get the more important it is to not act your age!! 

[WHX?? 55,829]

9 hours ago, Wishin4a416 said:

you can just drop that off in Washington

Heck with Jack Bob I'll come get it... 

[Racinbob 12,878]

17 hours ago, Wishin4a416 said:

Well Racinbob, if you are going to the big show this year and traveling 70 east, you can just drop that off in Washington, Pa.

 

Unfortunately I won't be going to the big show. I still have to decide what I'm going to do. Obviously it would sell better with a deck or at least a blade or blower. I have a deck I could put on it but I don't really want to. Note my wanted ad for a deck so I can keep the three I have. I know I probably paid too much for it and I'm not going to recoup that but that's fine. Mounting a deck would make it easier to sell, not as much so for you guys as it would for someone who doesn't know these machines inside and out. 

 

Sorry @JoeM I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

[Dan 312-8 490]

On 2/11/2026 at 8:25 AM, Racinbob said:

I pondered and pondered as I looked at the rules list and just came to the conclusion that I'm simply a misfit. The closest I came is the round hood and plow. About 10 years on one of those but by the time I was 15 I had done graduated to a square hood and that's not even part of the proper progression. I did go from a shorty to a tall chute but I've never had a 520. 

Then I realized that I should just go and hide somewhere. I'm just not really a hydro fan. I tried with this one but it will be moving on to a new owner this spring.

  

 

I think I may be third in line, but I would at least be interested in discussing specifics if I am in the running after @Wishin4a416 & @WHX??.

[OoPEZoO 594]

I think those 314's with the Hydro really are the sweet spot.  Dead simple to work on with none of the potential troubles (or repair cost $$$) of the twin cylinders, and just enough power to run just about about anything.  I refuse to part with my 314-8 for a few reasons, but I have seriously considered finding a rolling hydro chassis to swap all its pieces parts over onto.