pfrederi 17,147 #1 Posted December 2, 2019 (edited) Had about 6 inches of snow today so it was plow day no blowing required. fired up the Charger 12 and went to work. Didn't get much seat time only took a bout 35 minutes (see pics in the show me your snow machine thread). Running up and down the drive way I have to plow to one side after the first pass at full throttle full speed...she rolled the snow off beautifully. Now I know there are a lot of opinions about "best" plow tractors. Gear drives 400 series 520's but to paraphrase Gordon Gekko (Wall street) SPEED is good. I know most like Etons over Sunstrands but look at the top speed difference between a Charger and a 520. Now seat time is good but sometimes getting the job done and going inside for a hot toddy is better. Besides it rolls the snow over better . Gear drives with their low top speed and slooow reverse are not in consideration. Also note the similarity in weight (I always thought 520 were heavy... ) When it comes to plowing horse power is not terribly relevant unless it can drive more speed traction is the limiting issue. First pic is 520 second is Charger.12 Let the disagreements begin.... Edited December 2, 2019 by pfrederi 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,546 #2 Posted December 2, 2019 I always plow in 3rd gear high range when I know that there is nothing to hit. I agree that it rolls the snow off the blade better with speed. My GT 1600/8 speed ain’t to fast, since it’s a dedicated plow machine I have considered upping the drive pulley from 4” to 5”. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,186 #3 Posted December 2, 2019 I too plow in 3rd gear high range. Driveways are long and paved so no worries. I don't know what my 312-8's speed would be. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herder 2,354 #4 Posted December 2, 2019 I put this little beast In 2nd or 3rd gear and let it rip, it rolled the snow right off the plow. Todays snowfall was mostly sleet and was a bit rough on the snow thrower. To heavy. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 8,650 #5 Posted December 3, 2019 @Wishin4a416 Speeds for a 1989 312-8 are as follows Low Range 1st .4 2nd .6 3rd 1.1 rev .5 High Range 1st 1.6 2nd 2.5 3rd 4.3 rev 2.1 MPH According to the original owners manual. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #7 Posted December 3, 2019 (edited) note the pic above manual trans speed 3rd gear / high range: 5.5 mph 400 series hydro: 7 mph so I don't how / why a 520-H top speed is 5 mph - when a 400 hydro is 7 mph Edited December 3, 2019 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,137 #8 Posted December 3, 2019 I normally plow in second gear at about 3/4 throttle. I'd go faster but our gravel drive is too rough and I'm not fond of forcefully removing the plow from tractor by that method. Later in the season but before Mudd I can speed up a bit. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 8,650 #9 Posted December 3, 2019 @tom2p I see the speeds are different than my 312, do you know what year that chart pertains to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #10 Posted December 3, 2019 18 minutes ago, JCM said: @tom2p I see the speeds are different than my 312, do you know what year that chart pertains to. hmmm ... what years did they use the Kohler in the 400 series ... ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #12 Posted December 3, 2019 (edited) pic above is from the toro site manual for 94 416-H top speed 5.6 mph Edited December 3, 2019 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 6,777 #13 Posted December 3, 2019 Didn't some government or ANSI standard kick in and limit top speeds about 1990? I believe I read that years ago. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #14 Posted December 3, 2019 (edited) so Kohler/Sundstrand powered/motivated is the way to go ... ??? Edited December 3, 2019 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #15 Posted December 3, 2019 1 minute ago, lynnmor said: Didn't some government or ANSI standard kick in and limit top speeds about 1990? I believe I read that years ago. very likely 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 8,650 #16 Posted December 3, 2019 My 1991 Operators Manual Quotes approximate Forward variable 0- to 5.6 and reverse 0-3.4 MPH This is for a 520 - H. Don't quote me on this but I believe Kohlers were used on the 400 series in 1985 6 7 and newer were 16 h.p Onans but Someone with more knowledge on that question will chime in. This is off the top of my head and seems to diminish the older I get. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #17 Posted December 3, 2019 maybe the quickest and least expensive way to gain more speed is to pump up those rear tires way up lol 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 8,650 #18 Posted December 3, 2019 It's ether that or have @ebinmaine figure a way to mount a bottle of Nitrous oxide on a WH tractor? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,722 #19 Posted December 3, 2019 11 minutes ago, tom2p said: maybe the quickest and least expensive way to gain more speed is to pump up those rear tires way up lol I wonder what Frank’s overall top speed is? 10 hp, Sunstrand, big wheels and tires, stock pulley configuration! Maybe with the hydraulic lift, I should put my plow on him for a couple rounds with the white stuff! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,130 #20 Posted December 3, 2019 C 105 Manual 10 hp - Second Gear Wide Open...never any issues. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tom2p 2,393 #21 Posted December 3, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, pfrederi said: I know most like Etons over Sunstrands but look at the top speed difference between a Charger and a 520. Is this the case ? back in the late 70's / early 80's I had a summer job at a hydraulics and pneumatics distributor at that time Sundstrand was considered to be the best ; the 'Cadillac' construction equipment (including a zillion cement trucks ; pump typically in the front of the rad and motor back near the drum ) underground mining equipment paving equipment (including the 'Roto Mill' milling machines) heavy manufacturing equipment etc Edited December 3, 2019 by tom2p Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,137 #22 Posted December 3, 2019 2 minutes ago, JCM said: It's ether that or have @ebinmaine figure a way to mount a bottle of Nitrous oxide on a WH tractor? Rough sketch... 1 1 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JCM 8,650 #23 Posted December 3, 2019 Boy your'e quick,didn't have to put to much engineering into that application. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,137 #24 Posted December 3, 2019 5 minutes ago, JCM said: Boy your'e quick,didn't have to put to much engineering into that application. It's only a single cylinder one bbl carb. Easy peasy.... Mostly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,849 #25 Posted December 3, 2019 @pfrederi When plowing speed is definitely king. I found that to be absolutely correct while plowing my neighbors 1/4 mile driveway at a steep incline over the years. Used to plow it with his C series in third gear. Then started using my Electro to do it. Going up hill Electro is much faster rolling snow off plow much easier. Then going downhill I actually have to hold it back since it will go twice as fast as uphill. Downhill snow just literally flies off plow. I do it the same way as you do. First pass with plow to side full throttle and speed at center of driveway, then up and down on opposite sides so I don't have to turn blade. This thing is absolutely unstoppable. So many time guys driving by with plow trucks just stop and watch me plowing it giving me the thumbs up. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites