snow plow report GT2542

[vtcress]

First snow fall plow with GT2542. The plow was retrofitted from my old 43 inch yardking tractor. See picture attachments. It attaches to the rear hitch pin which I beefed up to take the strain of pushing the blade. The front member is simply a side to side support, no front to back support. The important comment to make was how well the GT tractor performed. I could easily push mountains of snow compared to the old yardking tractor. I used only chains, but then the GT is a few hundred pounds heaver. The blade lift I adapted to the deck lift (same idea as the CC plow blade). The main difference from the old tractor setup is, that was a down or up position, where the CC can be incremental. The lift is somewhat difficult (needs more assistance) as I did not want to disturb the deck lift setting. I would hope the CC snow blade is more balanced without changing the setting. All in all I’m quite impressed with the CC plow ability. I do notice a weakness in reverse power but I can live with it. I think I killed the old tractor tranny because it had too good of a response from forward to reverse. That was a peerless AWS hydro, nice but weak. One more thing, I removed the PTO pulleys to get more blade lift clearance. The CC snow blade design probably solves all these issues, but the $600 blade cost compared to $0 was just too much.
Charlie in vt

 

[vtcress]

Another point of interest I forgot to mention. For those who need to snow plow on a gravel driveway, the CC spring-loaded deck is an excellent aid as it takes much of the weight off the plow skids. I have plowed 8 years without that aid and each year spent 1-2 days in the spring racking the gravel back off the lawn. This year with the light load on the skids, they did not dig into the gravel and left it where it belonged, in the driveway. This comment applies to my adapted plow but I think the same would be true for the CC plow since it works off the same spring assisted mechanism. Maybe someone with a CC OEM plow can verify the comment.

On the other hand, my separate walk behind snow blower suffers from the same problem as it just digs in and loves to throw stones. I have tried several home-made skids but none worked as well as the plow this year.
Charlie in vt

 

[BTDT]

First snow fall plow with GT2542. The plow was retrofitted from my old 43 inch yardking tractor. See picture attachments. It attaches to the rear hitch pin which I beefed up to take the strain of pushing the blade. The front member is simply a side to side support, no front to back support. The important comment to make was how well the GT tractor performed. I could easily push mountains of snow compared to the old yardking tractor. I used only chains, but then the GT is a few hundred pounds heaver. The blade lift I adapted to the deck lift (same idea as the CC plow blade). The main difference from the old tractor setup is, that was a down or up position, where the CC can be incremental. The lift is somewhat difficult (needs more assistance) as I did not want to disturb the deck lift setting. I would hope the CC snow blade is more balanced without changing the setting. All in all I’m quite impressed with the CC plow ability. I do notice a weakness in reverse power but I can live with it. I think I killed the old tractor tranny because it had too good of a response from forward to reverse. That was a peerless AWS hydro, nice but weak. One more thing, I removed the PTO pulleys to get more blade lift clearance. The CC snow blade design probably solves all these issues, but the $600 blade cost compared to $0 was just too much.
Charlie in vt

I don't see any attatchments!!

 

[LBrown59]

Another point of interest I forgot to mention. For those who need to snow plow on a gravel driveway, the CC spring-loaded deck is an excellent aid as it takes much of the weight off the plow skids. I have plowed 8 years without that aid and each year spent 1-2 days in the spring racking the gravel back off the lawn. This year with the light load on the skids, they did not dig into the gravel and left it where it belonged, in the driveway. This comment applies to my adapted plow but I think the same would be true for the CC plow since it works off the same spring assisted mechanism. Maybe someone with a CC OEM plow can verify the comment.

On the other hand, my separate walk behind snow blower suffers from the same problem as it just digs in and loves to throw stones. I have tried several home-made skids but none worked as well as the plow this year.
Charlie in vt

I just got a new CC OEM Front Blade but haven't put it on the CC GT2554 yet.
I'm looking for a way to power lift it and lower it seperate from the mower lift lever.
This could be something for you to consider too.

 

[LBrown59]

First snow fall plow with GT2542. The plow was retrofitted from my old 43 inch yardking tractor. See picture attachments. It attaches to the rear hitch pin which I beefed up to take the strain of pushing the blade. The front member is simply a side to side support, no front to back support. The important comment to make was how well the GT tractor performed. I could easily push mountains of snow compared to the old yardking tractor. I used only chains, but then the GT is a few hundred pounds heaver. The blade lift I adapted to the deck lift (same idea as the CC plow blade). The main difference from the old tractor setup is, that was a down or up position, where the CC can be incremental. The lift is somewhat difficult (needs more assistance) as I did not want to disturb the deck lift setting. I would hope the CC snow blade is more balanced without changing the setting. All in all I’m quite impressed with the CC plow ability. I do notice a weakness in reverse power but I can live with it. I think I killed the old tractor tranny because it had too good of a response from forward to reverse. That was a peerless AWS hydro, nice but weak. One more thing, I removed the PTO pulleys to get more blade lift clearance. The CC snow blade design probably solves all these issues, but the $600 blade cost compared to $0 was just too much.
Charlie in vt

What Picture?

 

[vtcress]

I just got a new CC OEM Front Blade but haven't put it on the CC GT2554 yet.
I'm looking for a way to power lift it and lower it seperate from the mower lift lever.
This could be something for you to consider too.

I really think they were there before but I'll try again. Re the lift, see route66supply.com/store/page26.html and autoloc.com. These are some of the linear actuators that I came across.....thinking the same as you.
charlie

and another link Linear Actuators

 

[vtcress]

Results of 2nd VT plowing. The 2542 does very well in pushing the snow, this time about a 6-7 inch snow. With a waxed blade it just acts like a big plow. One point to mention is that over the years of plowing I had to go to the 2 link chains instead of the 4 link ones to keep the wheels from skipping. With the 2 link chains and the extra weight of the 2542 it just performs well. The only point of further interest is, as was mentioned by LBrown, I may look into an electric lift as when the snow accumulates on the plow it does require extra lift effort. The only other point is that now its heavy enough that when stuck you need another vehicle to pull it out. I ran it into a ditch with my clumsy big boots when I missed the brake and hit the gas. If anyone has inputs on an electric lift that they have used I would be interested in their comments.
Charlie in vt

 

[LBrown59]

Results of 2nd VT plowing. The 2542 does very well in pushing the snow, this time about a 6-7 inch snow. With a waxed blade it just acts like a big plow. One point to mention is that over the years of plowing I had to go to the 2 link chains instead of the 4 link ones to keep the wheels from skipping. With the 2 link chains and the extra weight of the 2542 it just performs well. The only point of further interest is, as was mentioned by LBrown, I may look into an electric lift as when the snow accumulates on the plow it does require extra lift effort. The only other point is that now its heavy enough that when stuck you need another vehicle to pull it out. I ran it into a ditch with my clumsy big boots when I missed the brake and hit the gas. * If anyone has inputs on an electric lift that they have used I would be interested in their comments.
Charlie in vt

* So Would I !

 

[Thomas]

I ran it into a ditch with my clumsy big boots when I missed the brake and hit the gas.

Evening Charlie.
Looks like you got couple more inches than us...4" here.
Not sure if the brake pedal bother to you,but dang one gotta remember to lift there foot least foot high to the pedal.

Looks like the snow not going to last either...another warm spell on the way.

 

[LBrown59]

Results of 2nd VT plowing. The 2542 does very well in pushing the snow, this time about a 6-7 inch snow. With a waxed blade it just acts like a big plow. One point to mention is that over the years of plowing I had to go to the 2 link chains instead of the 4 link ones to keep the wheels from skipping. With the 2 link chains and the extra weight of the 2542 it just performs well. The only point of further interest is, as was mentioned by LBrown, I may look into an electric lift as when the snow accumulates on the plow it does require extra lift effort. The only other point is that now its heavy enough that when stuck you need another vehicle to pull it out. I ran it into a ditch with my clumsy big boots when I missed the brake and hit the gas. If anyone has inputs on an electric lift that they have used I would be interested in their comments.
Charlie in vt

What amazes me is pushing this much snow with no extra weight on the tractor.
I have AGs on my CC GT2554 and no chains.
Haven't had a chance to try it out on mud or snow

 

[vtcress]

* So Would I !

After looking at some more actuators, it seems like this one is a good possibility.
Linear Actuators
They also have come out with a line of micro actuators for robots....seems like a good up-coming company. For my setup I would use a 3 inch actuator and lock in the button release so as to still make use of the lift spring. In that way there would be less load on the actuator and travel would be faster, about 1/2 inch per sec. It only draws about 3 amps which I also like. That way I could tap off the 5 amp accessory fuse. Cost is something like 120 plus about 50 for brackets and switch.
charlie in vt

 

[pearlmanz]

Hey VT, I am about to buy a GT2542 to replace my 14 year old Snapper that the forward on the trany is about gone. I have a little less and I mean a little less than an acre and can't see the money for two more inches of mow and a HP of power. How do you like your 2542? PLease email your response to pearlmanz@verizon.net as I might not make it back to this web site before I by a GT2542. Thank you, PMZ