yankeerider
Platinum Member
Have had several opportunites to plow snow with the new HPX since December. First time was about 10" and since then a number of smaller storms. The machine is a Gator HPX gas, built in early June 2008. It's equipped with the Deere V-plow, and I have 250 lbs of sandbags against the tailgate for ballast. Standard A/T tires.
First attempts were in normal 2wd mode, which worked just fine on my gravel driveway, which slopes slightly downward away from the door where the HPX is kept. I then turned and had to plow up a steeper grade to go across the property. I sometimes lose traction here under normal conditions in 2wd with the rear diff open, so I was not surprised to lose traction with a full load of snow against the blade in its v configuration. I locked the rear diff, switched 4 wd on, and headed off across the property (grass under the snow) leaving a wake of snow rolling off the blade. This thing rocks! Getting to the other side of our lot- about 370 feet from where I started, I just cranked the steering wheel to the left and executed a 180 degree turn. (This is the path where the dog goes for his morning walk.) The steering was actually lighter in effort than I encounter if the rear diff is locked and 4wd is engaged on dirt.
About plowing at night with this:
The dealer installed the plow raise/lower switch in the dash, rather than at the base of the parking brake, which the plow manual suggests as an alternate location. I think I might prefer it there, and may relocate it later. In the dash it's a longer reach than is comfortable when plowing- either that or I'm just spoiled by the joystick on my 755.
The stock headlights give ample light for plowing snow. I may add backup lamps, though..
My second day of plowing was the real test. The main reason we got the HPX over the TX or CX was because I wanted to keep the road to our back lot open through the winter with this machine. It's steep, and traverses our own private cliff. For two winters I kept this road open using the FEL on my 755, but that takes way too long. One trip downhill, then I raised the plow and backed up the hill with no difficulty to widen the path on a second downhill pass. I then did some cleanup going uphill!
After several more storms I'm even happier with this thing's plowing capability than I was initially. Next summer's project: Convert the v-plow from manual to hydraulic angle. I have figured out how to do it- just need to assemble all the pieces. And I need to prioritize the coin to put a cab on this thing so I can plow more comfortably when the snow is still falling. I'm now thinking I'll buy a roof and windshield and build the rest of the cab myself.
I'm posting this report because I saw someone on plowsite say their school dept. tries to plow with an HPX and that machine is worthless for the task. Either that machine has mechanical issues or they just don't know what They are doing. This Gator with 4WD plows much better than my old 9N with chains and a 55gal drum loaded with sand on the back for ballast, and it sure as heck is a lot faster than the FEL on the 755.
Also a thank you to jcmseven, who once remarked that his Gator was one of the best plow machines he had used, and has provided guidance on his experiences.
TommyHPX4x4, sometime you have gotta get up north and plow snow-it's a whole 'nother form of muddin ! Except I haven't got this thing stuck- yet.
Maybe some time I'll get my son to get videos of this machine in action. Until then, here's pics of the hill road and the machine.
First attempts were in normal 2wd mode, which worked just fine on my gravel driveway, which slopes slightly downward away from the door where the HPX is kept. I then turned and had to plow up a steeper grade to go across the property. I sometimes lose traction here under normal conditions in 2wd with the rear diff open, so I was not surprised to lose traction with a full load of snow against the blade in its v configuration. I locked the rear diff, switched 4 wd on, and headed off across the property (grass under the snow) leaving a wake of snow rolling off the blade. This thing rocks! Getting to the other side of our lot- about 370 feet from where I started, I just cranked the steering wheel to the left and executed a 180 degree turn. (This is the path where the dog goes for his morning walk.) The steering was actually lighter in effort than I encounter if the rear diff is locked and 4wd is engaged on dirt.
About plowing at night with this:
The dealer installed the plow raise/lower switch in the dash, rather than at the base of the parking brake, which the plow manual suggests as an alternate location. I think I might prefer it there, and may relocate it later. In the dash it's a longer reach than is comfortable when plowing- either that or I'm just spoiled by the joystick on my 755.
The stock headlights give ample light for plowing snow. I may add backup lamps, though..
My second day of plowing was the real test. The main reason we got the HPX over the TX or CX was because I wanted to keep the road to our back lot open through the winter with this machine. It's steep, and traverses our own private cliff. For two winters I kept this road open using the FEL on my 755, but that takes way too long. One trip downhill, then I raised the plow and backed up the hill with no difficulty to widen the path on a second downhill pass. I then did some cleanup going uphill!
After several more storms I'm even happier with this thing's plowing capability than I was initially. Next summer's project: Convert the v-plow from manual to hydraulic angle. I have figured out how to do it- just need to assemble all the pieces. And I need to prioritize the coin to put a cab on this thing so I can plow more comfortably when the snow is still falling. I'm now thinking I'll buy a roof and windshield and build the rest of the cab myself.
I'm posting this report because I saw someone on plowsite say their school dept. tries to plow with an HPX and that machine is worthless for the task. Either that machine has mechanical issues or they just don't know what They are doing. This Gator with 4WD plows much better than my old 9N with chains and a 55gal drum loaded with sand on the back for ballast, and it sure as heck is a lot faster than the FEL on the 755.
Also a thank you to jcmseven, who once remarked that his Gator was one of the best plow machines he had used, and has provided guidance on his experiences.
TommyHPX4x4, sometime you have gotta get up north and plow snow-it's a whole 'nother form of muddin ! Except I haven't got this thing stuck- yet.
Maybe some time I'll get my son to get videos of this machine in action. Until then, here's pics of the hill road and the machine.
Attachments
Last edited: