857 horse 2,581 #1 Posted December 27, 2016 (edited) OK guys,,,,a real question,,,,My 857,,,,front line go to machine....I have added wheel horse weights on the rear BOTH SIDES !!!!! now,,,,,,do I fill the rears as well.....to much for 1" axles Go wider with the blade 42" to 48"................to much for those smaller axles......????? gimme your thoughts...leave it as is??? Last year was just outside weights,,,,,,Then !!!!! I saw Ed K. stackum hi.... kinnda curious...................... thanks Boyzz Edited December 28, 2016 by 857 horse 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,943 #2 Posted December 27, 2016 All of the above Howie ......and you will never see snow again. It worked for me. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,237 #3 Posted December 28, 2016 I am running my C-105 without weights this year and through two 6" - 9" snow falls it has been fine with just chains. Last year I had a 100 lbs stack on the back. Truth be told - no difference noted by me (and for the record I have LOST 15 lbs since last year)...My son does numerous neighbor drives and weighs 50 lbs less than me and he has had no issues as well. Keep in mind...Bigger blade = more resistance = more potential for spinning tires. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R. L. Addison 299 #4 Posted December 28, 2016 From past experience, I filled tires with calcium chloride and wheels rotted off the tractor! If you prefer loaded tires you will still need chains or bar-cleats. I always preferred bar-cleats, especially when I had my loader. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,515 #5 Posted December 28, 2016 Have wheel weights, seldom used. 48" plow, turf tires, chains. Never a problem. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #6 Posted December 28, 2016 OK....you guys reminded me...I forgot,,,i have turfs and chains....no cleats....I'm not saying I had nite mares....but with a good wind if Eds machine ever blew over,,,,,i wouldnt have a chance...that is one STACKED machine......show um Ed.. lololo 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DTOM 124 #7 Posted December 28, 2016 I would leave your existing set up the way it is or add a bigger machine to your collection 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,076 #8 Posted December 28, 2016 @857 horse Howard just eat more potatoes and bread , that will add a few pounds. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrblanke 840 #9 Posted December 28, 2016 I'm thinking since we don't know when enuff is enough you should continue to test the limits until we know how much enuff is. Then we will subtract just enuff to make enuff enough. Good enough? 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,237 #10 Posted December 28, 2016 Well enough said... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,559 #11 Posted December 28, 2016 all that ... just look at me , a few more pounds doesn't hurt ! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 52,007 #12 Posted December 28, 2016 For those who are old enough to remember Flip Wilson here is one of his best skits! There were two comedians who had a long running vaudeville routine. One called himself Bad Enough and the other went by the moniker Well Enough. Vaudeville audiences dwindled and the pair fell upon Hard Times (a street not far from “Times” Square). They started squabbling, about money — of course. One thing led to another, punches were thrown, and they finally ended up in court before Judge O. Noyoudont. After they had finished telling their stories the judge laid a small fine on Well Enough, but he threw the proverbial book at Bad Enough: a $1000 fine, 5 nights in jail and probation for a year. Bad Enough couldn’t understand, so he asked the judge for an explanation of why he had received what he considered a harsh sentence. The judge was surprised by his question, shook his head a few times to clear his head, then looked down at him and explained, “I’m trying to get you to learn to leave Well Enough alone.” Lesson learned, Howard; leave well enough alone. 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,943 #13 Posted December 28, 2016 2 hours ago, 857 horse said: OK....you guys reminded me...I forgot,,,i have turfs and chains....no cleats....I'm not saying I had nite mares....but with a good wind if Eds machine ever blew over,,,,,i wouldnt have a chance...that is one STACKED machine......show um Ed.. lololo OK Howard, one more time. 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
82Caddy 851 #14 Posted December 28, 2016 On this subject, I have a commando 800 that I swapped 12" rear and 8" fronts onto with 1" axles. All tires are tubed and fluid filled (RV antifreeze) with outer weights (plastic 50# rear, 25# cast fronts), rears have inner cast weights. I haven't had any problems pushing snow with a 48" blade. Only problem was when I ran out of fuel at the bottom of the driveway and the battery was dead. Had to get another tractor to pull it back to the top of the driveway. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roadapples 6,981 #15 Posted December 28, 2016 2 hours ago, Jrblanke said: I'm thinking since we don't know when enuff is enough you should continue to test the limits until we know how much enuff is. Then we will subtract just enuff to make enuff enough. Good enough? I actually think that makes sense... 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 39,032 #16 Posted December 28, 2016 Fill the tires with RV Freeze or rimguard. As you are plowing and hit a snowpile, the momentum of the rolling fluid will push you further. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
857 horse 2,581 #17 Posted December 28, 2016 I do believe,,,James clearly cleared this up,,, looks like Caddy sounds like where I was going,,So now,,,with all the I have collected,,I just might get a cup of coffee,,,check the oil and top off the gas,,,,sit a bit and waite !!!!!! There will be pics of the ensuing flurries !!!!! film at 11... One last thing,,,,if I find an I HOP ,,,would I call it the Ed Stack,,,or a Bud Andrews stack ????? Howard in Va 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #18 Posted December 28, 2016 There are a few places that I clear up in the winter that have some grades and drop-offs at the end of a drive or lot - those are the places I used to get stuck too . I loaded the rear Carlisle Tru Power ags with around 7.5 gallons each of RV antifreeze , 50lb cast iron weights and just for grins put the 2-link chains on it . That 1277 has lived like that for 4yrs now and has never gotten stuck . However , the rear transmission mounting plate where the hydrostat bolts on - that broke in several places , again . It has to be replaced in the spring (no garage) and a whole new plate from heavier steel will be built to keep the mounting points the same . I may also tie into the case bolts on the rear end to insure it doesn't rip out the bottom two bolts from the cast iron . The old warrior not only has worn these shoes for snow , but has moved tons of gravel , rock , dirt , clay and other material year round as well as some occasional mowing duty . I've never really cared if it tears up the ground and it never has although asphalt will suffer greatly from those rear tires . This monster wears it's blower , center grader blade and front dozer blade quite well and is known for being amazingly capable around town - some people are bummed it's "down for awhile" but I also have the big D-180 running a similar setup except with no liquid in it's tires , it's just a lot heavier to start with and doesn't seem to need it . I guess my point is this - when enuff is enough , be prepared for the consequences . I knew that going in but with my skill set I knew I could fix it if needed , and I'd be surprised if there isn't some serious wear in the 2-pinion automotive rear differential and gears as well . Hubs and wheel bearings will be inspected in the spring as well , I expect a need for additional parts in those areas and that's fine - it's done more than enough work to justify it and lasted far longer than I ever expected . Sarge 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,943 #19 Posted December 28, 2016 Howard but you know the rules.... ......and all the bananas in the world dancing is.....not gonna change the fact..... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,943 #20 Posted December 28, 2016 Jim, you should know, all good writers like Howard have a knack for keeping the readers in suspense while whipping them into a frenzy as they wait for the final chapter. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,943 #21 Posted December 28, 2016 True True.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #22 Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) I'll be the second guy that says stick with the 42 inch blade on an 857 if you don't already have a 48.. You'll be happy you did if the snow is deep and heavy, especially if you are pushing snow on a smooth black top driveway or if you have hills... Enjoy the seat time, who's in a hurry? Edited December 28, 2016 by Ken B 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,391 #23 Posted December 28, 2016 I was given a snow blade that I have restored. It will be going on the 500 Special and be my snow pusher in Indiana. The rears are 23-8.50 and I'll have 2 link chains and weights on it. I actually didn't know if it was a 42" or 48" so I just ran out to measure it. 42". I'm fine with that. Howard, if you want a 48" go for it. You don't need to worry about the 1" axles. Even with weights and chains you'll lose traction before you reach the breaking point. Now with Ed's stacked machine............ 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 52,007 #24 Posted December 28, 2016 This is the driveway that my 1055 with 42" blade has pushed snow on with turfs wrapped with 4 link chains, 35# of weight per rear tire and my 185 pound butt in the seat. I built a rear weight box for this winter and am sure it will help, but not an absolute must. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrblanke 840 #25 Posted December 28, 2016 Howard, how about posting a picture of that 857 dressed in its winter duty. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites