X500 44-inch Snow Blower

[cjofpa]

I have a X500 with a JD plow, angle kit, 4 weights on the back, turf tires great all winter up to 6" snows, then we got a 15" heavy Snow. Started right down the middle of my 175 foot slight down hill gravel drive, when it made a right turn into the snow bank and stuck. I got out my 7HP walk behind snow blower and dug it out.
Mind you this is the 4th worst storm in a 12hr period since 1930's but a 44" snow blower is shore looking good. I just bought in Oct 2009 all new. I could have went with a blower. I figured it was easier to store a blade and I have a walk behind snow blower. Less moving parts also.

Can you have a plow installed, buy a used 44inch snow blower, and just switch them when needed? or is it a whole different sub frame and levers?

I would like both. How much time to switch then out if it is possible?

How much for a used 44" off peak season? I could state looking.

[djb25]

Originally Posted by cjofpa

Can you have a plow installed, buy a used 44inch snow blower, and just switch them when needed? or is it a whole different sub frame and levers?

CJ,

That's a good question. I have an x500 (also bought in October '09), but I got the 44" blower.

Even though I love the blower, I have thought about getting a plow as well.

Why don't we take a few pictures of our respective machines and compare the setups?

- Damion

[stladrill]

Well guys I just check and the hitch for both the 44" snowblower and the 48'' blade are the same

Part number AM134974 (#20)



44'' snoblower hitch (#3)

[subeluvr]

I knew the rock shaft was the same and thought both mounts were the same. Since that's the case the changeover from blower to blade is pretty simple and quick.

Remember, the cutting height adjustment works on both the blower and blade the same as it does on the mower deck... kinda handy if you have a gravel driveway.

Slick tip for the blade is to add Polaris round skid shoes http://mytractorforum.com/showthread...ght=round+skid

I'm gonna add a pair to my 44" blower. Should work better on a gravel driveway than the factory skid shoes.

[slkpk]

COOL and another couple of satisfied cutomers . Who's next? slkpk

[KATT]

I didn't want to say if I wasn't sure, but I did think I had read they were the same hitch. Nice memory stadrill !!
Like I have said in other posts I can change my #44 blower sitting down on my shop stool in way less than 15 min ( never really timed it, didn't need to) except to lie down on the creeper to release the belt.

[cjofpa]

Stladrill thanks for the info. Where are you getting the diagrams from?

This forum is great guys thanks.

djb25
Here are some pics to compair.

[AVR Mark]

I have both the blower and the blade and they are an easy swap. You might find it easier when swapping to also swap the forward (outside) adjusting rod (part 18 in the diagram) as, at least in my case, the two rods are adjusted a bit differently. I bought the blower first and then bought a used blade so I can do maintenance on my driveway.

Mark

[stladrill]

Originally Posted by cjofpa

Stladrill thanks for the info. Where are you getting the diagrams from?

This forum is great guys thanks.

From John Deere Web site

http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/c...ageServlet_Alt

Just enter the model number and you will find every thing you want, part number diagram etc...

[Sergeant]

I was looking at the X300 Blade sorry for the wrong information.

[Yankees251]

My two cents: Save your money, keep the blade and your walk behind. A heavy 17 inch snow, which is rare in your parts, is probably not worth the additional blower investment. If you split that once a year storm into two manageable jobs I'm sure your rig with blade would've handled it just fine.

[subeluvr]

Originally Posted by Yankees251

My two cents: Save your money, keep the blade and your walk behind. A heavy 17 inch snow, which is rare in your parts, is probably not worth the additional blower investment. If you split that once a year storm into two manageable jobs I'm sure your rig with blade would've handled it just fine.

I might agree if there was a larger price difference between the blade and blower.

For an X500 the blade (with pivoting control kit) is right at $1000 and the blower is $1500... for the extra $500 I have to have the blower.

Working snow with the blade is harder on the tractor than using the blower.

I've had both and the blower just works better, faster, and you move the snow ONCE.

[cjofpa]

I agree with all of the above. I may have a space issue during winter. I have a two stall garage with a 16 foot door. I park the tractor and walk behind on the side my truck parks on.
Can someone tell me the storage dimensions of a 44" blower on an X500 when the snow blower in on the tractor.

And just the blower when it is off.

When it is off, it would need to replace the space I now have the walk behind blower.

Or on the wish list........ build another shed or on the wish list pretty low down...3 car Garage up by the house

[stladrill]

9 feet 1/2 with the weight on the back.

The blower is about 32 inch by 44 when off the tractor.

[mhussey]

I have a 22x24' garage and only a 12' door. My truck is parked on one side and I can still drive out/back in my machine with the 44" blower. It is 9' long and 44" wide. Next year maybe tricky when I replace the overhead door with a 16' one that way my wife can park in the garage. I dont think I'll be able to fit the 155C, my F150 and the wifes escape all comfortably inside but i'll try!