Initial snowblower installation -x575

[psdx]

I have ordered a new 47" snowblower for my x575. I'll be picking it up in about 2 weeks in boxes. I don't want to pay the dealer to assemble and install it, but I have just one area of potential concern. Does anyone have experience with installing the PTO shaft through the front axle - removing the knockouts and installing the bearings and seals?

 

[Dutch445]

congrats on the blower, you will love it

it's not a hard job, you will lose some oil,
so be prepared to catch that. have everything ready,
parts/tools so when you open up the axle you can pop
the shaft/bearings and seals right in.

same with your lift cylinder lockout valve,
you have to remove an elbow on the back side of
the hydraulic valve to install the shut off, and you will
lose a couple tablespoons of oil but it won't keep
coming out till you get the new part on like it does
from the axle.

 

[psdx]

I just bought the x575 used - sounds like a good time to drain and replace the axle and transmission lubricants.

 

[ctlguy]

I spent more time rounting and clamping the cable for the spout rotation than anything. Pretty easy project, the x575 should already have the lockout valve installed. The base units should have been the only onesw/ out that valve.

 

[psdx]

Where's the lockout valve located? I'll look to see if it's there.

 

[psdx]

One other question if I could.... Could someone that has the John Deere 47" snowblower Take 2 measurements from the skid shoes? I would like to get something larger made up in advance to keep me on top of the gravel. Could someone please tell me the distance between the slots and the diameter of the minting bolts? Thanks very much!

 

[Dutch445]

, the x575 should already have the lockout valve installed. The base units should have been the only onesw/ out that valve.

not true, the valve comes with the hitch/blower assembly. still true
today, it's only provided with the front hitch/blower on the X700's

the couplers are standard now, where they used to be optional
for the 425. (and maybe plain X700?)

 

[beenthere]

Where's the lockout valve located? I'll look to see if it's there.

This valve is located at the hydraulic selective control valve (SCV) and replaces an elbow in a solid hyd. line from this valve. The valve will have a t handle or a knob to shut it off when not using the mower deck, and when using the snowblower hyd. rams for lift and chute direction.

Look under the control valve for this shutoff valve. It is in the output line from the valve.

 

[psdx]

I definitely don't have the lockout installed. Can I assume that a 3 point hitch would also be disabled by closing this valve?

 

[beenthere]

That would be a correct assumption, if the hitch would count on the hyd. ram that lifts the mower deck.
The lockout valve turns control with the two control levers over to the 2 pair of hyd. outlets used for the front blower.
If the lockout valve isn't in place and/or turned off, the mower deck ram just extends itself in or out first before the blower chute reacts. i.e. the 3 pt hitch wouldn't raise until the blower chute reached the end of its ram stroke.

 

[psdx]

That was a guess on my part - thanks for confirming. I had been wondering about the potential usefulness of a 3 point hitch and a rear PTO for my x575. This helps with the decision. For me, spending the money on a 3 point hitch isn't that wise. I'll just use the Kubota B3030 for any 3 point implements. Now I just need to get that snowblower to th dealer for me to pick up.

 

[psdx]

Anyone have any good suggestions for removing and replacing a rear tractor tire loaded with RimGuard? I don't have a hoist and I'm afraid to even think about removing the tire without the benefit of someone else's experience.

 

[Dutch445]

jack your tractor up just slightly but not enough to
get the tire off the ground. remove your wheel bolts,
and roll the wheel away from the hub. it isn't all
that bad.
when re installing, block the front wheels, and jack
the tractor up just enough to roll the wheel and kick
the bottom in to line up with the hub. if you need to
turn the hub it's sometimes easier to put tractor in
tow mode with the hydro release inside the right rear wheel
and turn the hub to line up with the wheel's holes.

if the hub doesn't turn, you can always rock the tractor up
so the other wheel is off the ground enough to turn and that
will turn the other side without the wheel on it. having help is
nice, but you can get it by yourself.

 

[psdx]

.Makes sense so far. But to get the wheel away from the hub protrusion that fits into the pilot hole, it seems like you need to either slide the wheel toward you enough to get the wheel's pilot hole off the hub Or....you'd have to tip the top of the wheel out and away enough to get the pilot hole off the hub.

I may be missing something, so feel free to chime in to set me straight. This is the part that "worries" me. Moving a loaded tire of this size horizontally or tipping it - either one seems like a scary proposition. That wheel and loaded tire would just pin me to the floor if I somehow got under it.

While typing this, I did have another thought based on the prior post... What about jacking the axle up enough to roll one of those Harbor Freight dollies under the wheel, then lowering the jack just enough to allow the dolly to carry the wheel weight, then unbolt and roll the wheel away? Basically a variation on the prior post but using the HF dolly to transport the wheel away from, then return it to the axle hub. Anybody tried that, or think it will work?

EDIT: I guess I posted this line of questions in the wrong thread - been skipping around too much I guess. Sorry. The loaded tires I'm actually talking about are for my B3030 - wanting to remove the wheel to install a factory remote. Fortunately the question is not brand-specific.

 

[beenthere]

If you are this worried, then have some help around.
But I wouldn't use a dolly under the tire. Trying to hold a loaded tire upright means balancing it upright, and that won't be easy (or possible) if the lower part is on wheels (think like being on ice).

Shouldn't be a problem twisting it enough to get it to walk out off the pilot (whatever that is on the 3030) after the lug bolts are removed.
But good to be careful.

 

[psdx]

I'm going to do my best to install the remote with the tire on. If I skin my knuckles enough times then I'll think harder about removing the wheel. I just know I can't pick up a 450 pound wheel that's fallen on its side. ....I'd have to call all the friends I have to pick that back up - LOL.