AC 718H Snowblower

[gr-made]

Hello Everyone: We have yet to receive our first snowfall here in Michigan and I am counting the minutes until I can use my new toy. I just finished up putting on a set of two link tire chains on my AC718H. I will be pushing a 36" snowthrower that I hope will work as great as everyone says. My question is that since this is my first winter owning this tractor should I be looking at adding weight to the back of the tractor. If so, how much and where to add. I was told by the local Simplicity dealer that my particular tractor was designed for a larger snowthrower (42" I think) and it should really move mountains with the 36". I just don't want to get caught with my pants down, because once it starts here we will get hammered. Any imput from you pro's would be appreciated. PS: Don't you feel sorry for those simplicity owners down south that can't enjoy pushing and blowing snow.

[Guest]

Hi Greg, just what part of Mi. are you from?? I live north of Detroit about 35 miles and we havn't received any snow "yet" but up around Port Huron this past Sun. they received 5-7" off Lake Huron. I don't concider myself an expert but I also use a 36" blower when the snow get deep enough and have found using a pair of 55lb. rear wheel weight more then enough for off setting the weight of the blower on the front and just fine for even pushing snow or dirt with chains infact I run the weights all year round on one of my tractors.. May I suggest you read some previous postings in regards to wheel weights and axle tubes while your at it if you havn't already. Actually I have found that not as much weight is needed with the blower because its doing all the work where as with the plow the tractor has to work hard to push the snow and needs more traction to do so. Again just my opinion and others may disagree which is ok and more then welcome by me as that's the only way we all are going to learn what's best. Cheers>>->happyjack<-<<

[Guest]

You'all can feel sorry for me all you want to. I used to live in Birmingham, Michigan and went to school my first year in Big Rapids, Michigan. I got tired of freezing, slipping, sliding, and moved back South. Rain isn't as cold and not near as troublesome to get around in. As as added bonus I don't need a snowblower. However, when it does snow a little bit I have fun with the dozer blade on front of my B-1. Works fine with liquid in the tires and chains. Roy

[Guest]

Roy if you used to live in Birmingham we could of knocked on each others doors-Maple&Telegragh ring a "bell"?? happyjack

[FiremanRon]

I only weigh 150#, so I need the wheel weights just to counter the weight of the blower. But, on my flat driveway, I don't usually need chains, unless it is really icy. The tractor is not really pushing much, anyway. I suppose, if you are on the far side of 200#, you wouldn't need too much weight on the tractor, based on the performance of mine. Speaking of the power of the single stage: I had mounted a fog light on the top edge of the blower with on of those "no-drill" mounts. One day when I was blowing snow, I heard a banging and a clanging, and saw a stream of metal and plastic pieces, shooting across the snow. The bracket had vibrated loose and the light dropped in front of the auger. Now my lights are mounted with bolts through the blower.

[BrianS]

Hi all, I have lived just north of Chicago for 5 years. When I moved here I bought a AC 912-H that had a blower with it. Last year was the first year I used the blower and boy was it fun. I started with no weight and lawn tires. That was pretty much a joke. The blower was just too heavy. I hung an old electric motor on the back (about 100 lbs) and I couldn't believe the difference. It did well even without chains. I'll probably put wheel wieghts on this year though. The motor was kind of a pain. The biggest problem I had was keeping the belt on the front PTO. The one thing that sent a chill through me was the single stage blower running. Be careful. Seeing the tines spinning at that speed gave me a whole new respect for the power of that little 12 horse engine. Brian

[Guest]

One more thing to consider with snowblowers. If you have the rear sleeve hitch, it helps to put some weight on this hitch. I have a tow hook and hang about 40 lbs. on it. What this does is not only add weight to the rear of the tractor but it counter-weights the snowblower. This makes it easier to lift the snowblower especially when its loaded down with wet snow (yes even for the hydraulic/electric lift tractors). The blower also "bounces" up easier when you hit an obstacle. If you have a gravel driveway this will keep the blower from plowing into and moving all of your gravel onto the lawn. MS