Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
Parke1

Which would you plow snow with?

Recommended Posts

Parke1

Hey gang,

I have a plow blade to use with one of my two Horses. It's either going on my 1985 314-A or my '73 8-Horse 4-Speed.

I kind of figured that the standard transmission would hold up to the stress of plowing better than the automatic in the 314, but I'll leave it up to you fine gentlemen to decide.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

-Parke1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Docwheelhorse

Either machine will hold up just fine to plowing, personally I would use the 8 Hp 4 speed as it is plenty of motor to get the job done and you can "dump" the clutch to get the big piles moving. :banana: The 314 would be great with a snow thrower attachment for those REALLY big snows....

Tony

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
JimD

gotta go along with docwheelhorse on this one, but then i don't have an automatis in the horse line, jim

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
hodge

I found that my B-80 plowed better than the 1600. I know that this isn't an "auto vs manual" comparison, but I do feel that there is something to be noted- I believe that because of the lower weight in the front end, the B-80 had better weight distribution, therefore better traction. I tried with pushing gravel and snow, and in both cases, the 80 did much better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
zieg72

I had a ball with my 520H pushing snow with no chains just weights course never had a manual to compare it to.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
jusjeepn

I personally have never plowed snow with anything but my automatics. The 753, the 1055 both found new homes before snow was on the ground. This year I have the Raider so I may try her out but I definatly will have the blade on the 520H. The Electro's do a great job of piling with the hydro lift. Just lift the blade as you climb the pile. First winter for the 520H so I'm pretty eager for snow. :banana: :banana: :banana:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
WheelHorse_of_course

I have used both my Charger (auto) and my 854 (3 spd) to plow snow.

For light snow it really doesn't matter. But when the snow is thick you tend to have to do more backing up and attacking from different angles and the auto is much nicer for that.

This year the Charger will have the blower on it, so the plow will get used only when the snow is light. So it will be on the 854.

BTW, the narrower tires on the 854 work surprisingly well despite no chains and only m fat butt for weights. :banghead:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
wh500special

This is a topic that has been discussed before and it seems that opinions vary about 50/50 between the hydros and the gear tractors.

I prefer a hydro in almost all conditions since I like having the ability to vary speed while blading the driveway. Whether the snow is light or heavy I find it works best to start pushing slowly until you get traction/momentum established and then run as fast as possible down the driveway. The higher ground speed actually lets the snow curl off the blade rather than just slowly inch its way to the side.

It's not like plowing with a truck where you can zing the snow out of your way using the curl+speed combo, but I feel I can move more, deeper snow at higher speeds than at lower speeds. Gets the job done faster and my wife and I on the road in the morning more quickly.

As mentioned, it is much easier to reverse direction with a hydro too at the end of each pass. On a tractor like my 418C (hydro) where reverse is almost as fast as forward, it makes plowing go really quickly. Some hydro tractors have hydraulic lift (I'd assume yours doesn't due to what I will say in the next paragraph) that really make blading fast and efficient...there's a lot of up and down when plowing snow.

Your 314A probably uses an Eaton 7 (700) hydrostatic transmission that really isn't the stoutest unit ever crammed into one of these tractors. Earlier hydros had a pretty robust Sundstrand (although they meet their demise from dirty oil very quickly) and later/bigger tractors used the Eaton 11 (1100). The 7 will hold up wonderfully in your blading operations, but it isn't meant for plowing/discing in the garden. Some 310/312 hydros and the 516/518 hydros used the #7 also and you will note in the product literature that they aren't approved for ground engaging implements. It is perfectly suited to your tractor for blading snow, but don't get carried away the rest of the year trying to turn your 14 hp beast into a bulldozer as you yearn to watch material move out of your way just like you did in the winter.

While you clear the snow from the spots you can't reach with the tractor, you should let the tractor and transmission warm up for a while before setting things in motion. Start the engine and let it run at fast idle (not wide open throttle) for 5-10 minutes while you go about your other chores.

In general, I like using a hydro much more than using a gear drive tractor. Whether mowing or messing around in the snow it seems that the ability to vary speed and direction instantly makes everything much more convenient. The only place I really prefer a gear type is for tilling because it seems like the tillers are too apt to push a hydro machine forward while they churn away at the soil. Gear drives also don't "run away" on a downhill like the Eaton 1100's do as in my 418. It's a constant battle to use the brake to keep it at a good pace.

Plowing snow is one of the most enjoyable tasks you will do with your tractor. Mount that blade to the 314 and have at it!

Steve

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
T-Mo

I was going to stay out of this one and leave my opinions to myself. But, I will say that what Steve posted is pretty much what I was thinking. I love the hydros and with the hydraulic lift, it sure makes it fun to use.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Rideawaysenior

While I do agree with Steve, the only eaton 7 hydro that had an advisory to not using ground attachments was the 312-A from the mid late 80's. I had a 516-H and the sales brochure as well as the operators manual advised that it could use ground engaging attachments.

The downfall to the Eaton 7, was there is no auxiliary pump for hydro lift, and no oil filter. This greatly reduces the longevity of any hydro unit. Steve, I mean no disrespect by the correction, I just figured the info in print is accurate. I have a sales brochure I'll copy and paste to this string when I get a chance. I was quite suprised my self to see that the 312-A couldn't use the ground engaging tools but a 516-H which has the same trans setup can.

Jack

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Parke1

Well I appreciate all of your opinions and input!

One thing, though, my 314-A doesn't have a hydraulic lift system. Manual only.

Is this odd? I know I don't see too many references to 314-As. Were they an odd-bird model, or just not popular?

Thanks!

-Parke1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Nick

Parke1, Most people prefer one over the other, when talking hydro vs gear drive. Being easy to swap the blade from one tractor to the other you could try it it out on your 314 then if it doesnt work out just move it over to the 8hp. I'll be corrected but dont think any eaton 7 tractor has hydraulic lift.

I think all the eaton 7 tractors were at some point listed as not being suitable for ground equipment. Im sure one of the experts will be along with all of the details and maybe a timeline. :banghead: A local person purchased a 518H with attachments and in the end Wheel Horse paid to have it upgraded to an eaton 11 so that it would be rated to use them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
wh500special

I mean no disrespect by the correction....

No problem!

I'd much rather be corrected than go through life blissfully unaware that I missed something!

I'm betting that if they felt they could put the #7 in the 516/518 tractors they had a fair amount of faith in it.

Steve

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Rideawaysenior

Ok, so I did a test my self today. I had a 516 that I sold so that was not a subject sample. I do however have a 90's vintage 312-H that has the Eaton 11. I don't think that it had much to do with the pump or the trans for that matter regarding the ground engaging attachment restrictions.

I took my trusty steed to a 3 acre plot that I lease for hobby farming today and decided to turn over the last 1/2 acre today. I have a 12in moldboard that I hooked to the sleeve hitch and went to work. I noticed that the problem was not with the hydro at all, it was the power. 12 hp in most applications is plenty, and here it was at best mildly sufficient. Hydro's demand alot of power to operate, much more so then a manual but everyone here I am sure knows that. The big problem I encountered was being that this was hard packed sod. I could barley get enough speed to turn the furrow out. In soft soil no problem. So, I then did the same with my C125. Third gear ripped right through everything. So in my most unscientific opinion I am going to place my hypothisys on power transfer and limitations rather then the ability of the pump or trans.

This is think is certainly one of those occasions where I would love to pick the brain of a Wheel Horse Engineer. I would think that the 312-A would work very hard with ground engaging tools but would fare no better or worse then what I encountered today.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
jusjeepn

I'd have to agree! My (s)old 1055 did the plowing for 2007 with my 12" moldboard. Third gear was biscuits and gravy. This year plowing went to the 70 Electro 12. Comparitively the 10hp out pulled the 12hp by a mile. Tilling was a little more of a chore also. Now back to the subject. As easy as these attachments are to change try them on each. First snow blow with the hydo and push with the stick. Next snow blow with the stick and push with the hydro. The only true way to find out is to just have fun with it. Heck, you may have so much fun it you could do the whole neighborhood :banghead:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
bitten

I use a 310-8 to plow my snow and really like to be able to steer, operate the lift and control the speed through the clutch at the same time. I have never used a auto to plow snow so cant give any real comparison. We have a gravel driveway that is shaped into a horse shoe.So I'm always adjusting the height of the blade while steering so that keeps my hands busy. I have a D200 and have never tried to plow with it, just seems like it would be more difficult and I have a blower that I use on it. Recently we got a GT14 that came with a blade and I'm sure that I will try it, actually I can't wait to try it. The one bad thing with the 4 speed is you cant get into a big hurry while you are shifting and sometimes you are shifting a lot. The 310 has a 42" blade and I would like to have a 48" for it as it seems to have plenty of power. I have Ag tires that are fluid filled with weights and chains, traction hasn't been a problem. I know that I'm stressing the rear end with all this weight and do plan to put a 8 pinion rear in it sometime.

I like to plow snow but am not in no big hurry for it to get here.

P.J.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 
Nick

Just asked my brother about the eaton 7. The major problem with them is that they only hold around 3/4 quart of oil,it is a self contained unit similar to a z mower hydro. So when used for heavy ground engaging attachments they will overheat and can fail. The unit just isnt built as heavy as an eaton 11 (that also holds around 5 quarts of oil).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...