John Deere X370 44 inch snowblower vs: 8 inches of new snow
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Techniques and performance of the X370 44 inch blower. This model has hydraulic lift and power steering, which makes it perfect for larger driveways like mine. I'm also doing an aircraft ramp in back so there's plenty to do!
I am impressed by the speed and power of that setup.
We will need it again before we know it!
Thanks for taking the time to make this.
Nice Cessna 177. Great colors. So much more rich looking over the 172 or 152. Having your driveway be your tarmac--priceless.
Couldn't agree more! I highly recommend both Cardinals and airport living.
l have a 2007 X540 with 47 inch blower. It still looks great, works great after 12 years. I blew out the Cul-De-Sac one year when the city scraper broke. Mine has the Kawasaki water cooled engine with power steering with large tires in the back that I use chains on. Plus has the differential lock which I've used when tilling. I haven't broke down yet mowing, blowing, or tilling. Great machines.
That’s a nice set up
I’m looking at a new x390, I’ll be getting that snow blower to for winter
I have that same snowblower on my 2007 X300. Great snowblower! Does a great job.!!!The cable that controls the discharge chute broke one winter. Water got in near the handle and froze. The cable broke. It's around $100.00 for the cable. I rebuilt mine. I added a rubber boot near the handle to keep the water out. So far, it's fine. The dealer told me it tractor only needed two 40 pound rear weights.. I added two 50 pound weights because it got stuck often. Now it's a little brute!!! Enjoy your machine!! I like the way you operate! Ya never blow snow INTO the wind...Some folks don't get it...Ah, the seat may start to crack and tear in about 5 years or so, which is normal. We use our machines year 'round, the cold makes them crack up. (No, they are NOT crack seats!)...Keep up the great work! Enjoy the Deere!
You must have an earlier version, mine uses a spiral (helix) rod to spin the chute. It can be a little sticky but shouldn't break like your cable did.
@@cardinalflyer for what John Deere wants for that cable, I figured that I had nothing to loose trying to repair it. I took a gamble and won..
Do you have chains for the tires and did you just improvise your own weights for the back? I just bought a 2007 x300 with the blower attachment and wondering how to best prepare for next winter. Mine came with 2 smallish weights probably like 20-30lbs each if i had to guess
@@0technopuck0 I bought the chains from the dealer when I bought the snowblower attachment. I'm not sure now, how much the two John Deere suitcase weights weigh. I bought them from the dealer at the same time. My older sister had (2) 50 pound go-cart weights he had used in his '61 Ford Falcon in the winter. Anyway, I sit one 50 pound weight between the suitcase weights, and the other 50 pound weight, I attach it to the bar that the suitcase weights hang off using a piece of flat steel bar stock from an old garage door opener, drilled and tapped it so I can clamp it to the weight bar. Wish I could show you.
So, it's tire chains, and weights in the back for traction...
The tire chains, as I learned, must fit tight! If they're loose, they'll come off very easily.
@@cardinalflyer I have the same rod to spin the chute. What I'm referring to, is the chute discharge flap, if you will. That is a cable. You pull the handle for the height, then twist the handle one way or the other to lock it in place. That cable is what jammed up..Hope this helps.
I just bought a x370. Good to see it handling snow well. I did not buy the blower attachment as of yet
Congratulations! You'll probably be thinking about it every time you shovel until you do... :-)
@@cardinalflyer Hi Keith, It's hard to tell from the video, but do you have a gradual grade in your driveway or is fairly flat? I just got a 370 with the blower attachment and have not used it yet. Do you have any issue with traction?
There is a hill, quite substantial. That's why I try to start at the street and get up a head of steam uphill. I don't plow downhill unless the snow is very shallow, as if I can't push forward, backing up hill is very difficult.
I always use weights on back, in fact I just built a new rack which installs more easily and holds 2 more 25 lb weights. Story can be seen here: czcams.com/video/VTgUK83Cmnw/video.html
I used steel chains just once, but they tore up the driveway too much. For many years I used rubber 'chains' that I cut out from an old tire, they worked very well but were very hard to get on. Now I do it all with momentum and watching the slope.
If I ever want to get back to adding traction again I'll consider these, they are functionally the same as the ones I built but might be easier to put on. Perhaps. amzn.to/2GIwUom
On my driveway clever driving can overcome the challenges. Others may not be so lucky.
that works darn well as a plow !
Just going a bit fast it looks
Coming up on my 2nd winter with my x580 (replaced my x530 after 10 years because….I wanted to😀). After some experience, you’ll be able to work out a plan that requires less backing. Maybe go a little slower to avoid side-spillage and necessitating redoing areas. Weather enclosure (cab) is a great investment. Enjoy your new toy!!
Thanks for the encouragement! Although I've been blowing this property for over 30 years now... I've tried a lot of variations and the process I followed here is the best one so far.
I do a lot of backing because of the slope of the driveway: if I try going downhill and can't make progress, backing up hill is impossible. So I accept the additional backing to avoid getting completely stuck in some worst case situations.
As for spillage, it is very difficult to go slow enough to have none. The only other solution is to take half a bite, which is sometimes required due to snow depth anyway. But having tried all three theories across those decades, for me it is best in most areas to move the bulk of the snow quickly, then take a second pass to clean up the spillage, blowback etc.
awesome video. thanks for sharing
Great video, thanks. I'm looking at the 370. Do you find the snowblower clogs up much, like regular blowers do? Is a 2 stage blower? Thanks
It is 2 stage, I find it clogs less often than others I have used, but in very wet snow anything will clog. Most often if it does clog I try to find some fresh snow to push in, often that blows out the clog. On those very wet days it can be annoying, but again I don't think any others are better.
Some suggest using silicon spray or other products inside the chute to try to help, I've never found much difference from doing that. But I do try to keep it painted: sand, prime and paint when the chips build up.
In heavier snow any tractor is useless without chains. After 14 years I sold my 2004 L110 tonite, and would not have been able to push the blower w/o the chains. New X370 coming tomorrow with weights, chains, blower, mower, and bagger as well as a winter cab. Leaving the overflow of snow at 4:15 was result of driving too fast for the blower to get rid of the amount of snow being pushed into it. Still, I'm looking forward to the new machine being a nice upgrade from the L 110. Hello power steering and hydraulic lifts !!
Useless might be a little strong... I have not used chains for the last 28 years or so and it has not been too much of a challenge. It depends completely on your terrain, but with a technique which manages energy and momentum well a lot can be done without optimum traction.
By the way, relative to your 'driving too fast'.. as you may notice I tested this at 4:21, by slowing to see if it would capture all the snow. It did not, so I would have to come back and hit it again anyway. So, might as well go fast!
So it is a plow and a blower combo!
I bought an x590 last summer. Long story short, I specifically told the salesman that I needed 4WD and he sold this tractor to me as a 4WD. Miscommunication? I don't know and he no longer works for the company I bought it from. My driveway has a short, steep hill, then flattens out where we park and where the garage is. I decided to give the 590 a try, with weights and chains. Just does not do the job. I have spoken to the dealership sales manager and am waiting for them to get back to me with figures on getting in to a 730. I should have been more diligent I suppose but I relied on the salesman to be honest and selling me what I wanted.
As they said back in high school, there's no replacement for displacement! You're in a different class there... more power to you! ;-)
I found a blower coming off a newer x370. I have a 2014 x300 was wondering if it would be compatible because the blower had hydraulic lift and the 300 uses the foot pedal. Don’t know if you can convert these blowers or not?
I think the blower will probably link up just fine. They work hard to make them universal, and the hydraulic connections should mimic the manual ones. I've had both!
Do the deck hydraulics raise and lower the blower?
Yes they do! And drive the power steering as well.
Wait. Power steering on a X370?
Nice video. I just bought a X380 and was looking to see if it would handle the snow alright. It seems it would probably do alright.
It should indeed! As I recall the 380 has a slightly bigger engine and larger bad wheels, so it should be more of a good thing.
Nice machine!
I Just purchased the x370 also looking to get the OTC enclosure to keep blowing snow off me , did you plan on also getting a cab enclosure ?
Just in time for winter! No, I have never used a cab but imagine it would not fit in my parking location. Besides, I grew up in South Dakota so the temperate climate of Illinois still feels balmy... ;-)
How does it do if the snow is heavy and deep?
It depends on how hard the snow has become. It will blow right through 2 feet of soft snow, which is fun. But when there are 3 foot drifts, which get as hard as rock, it takes multiple runs at it.
There's a technique to that as well, and it is certainly still a lot easier than a shovel. I think most snow moving systems would struggle with deep, rock hard drifts.
Seriously looking at this option. Wondering if the 370 can be purchased without the mower platform and just the snow thrower attachment. Anybody know?
I believe you should be able to. Just call your local JD Dealer and ask them. The deck comes with its own manual and think it is billed as an attachment like the bagger, blower, etc.
Want this for a 4ws power lift steer version. Is diff look a must on the x5 series or can this get it done?
Is it not four wheel steering, but it is power lift and power steering. It does not have differential lock. Traction is something to be managed... I work a little on momentum and keep the slope of the driveway in mind so I'm never forced with backing up uphill. It has enough traction to work just fine for me, although one could always wish for more traction! But you don't always need to just power through without regard for physics...
How are you able to keep it running with the safety switch under the seat? Mine keeps flooding when I turn it off after blowing snow and I have to wait till the gas dissipates to start it again. When it does chug to a start it blows dark smoke until the engine fully catches. I have the Kawasaki engine. Being able to keep it running would save me a lot of down time. I bought my X304 with the 44" JD snowblower but the skid shoes could not be adjusted to the proper height due to the holes in the shoes. I ordered new ones for the snow that's probably not coming again till next winter in Boston. lol
I don't have a post-shutoff flooding issue... you might check your fuel, float, etc. Not sure what the safety switch has to do with that. The skids go along with the scraper bar, you need to replace both. I put on fiber shoes... should have done a video on that.
@@cardinalflyer Yes, could be a sticking float adding too much fuel to the mix at startup. The safety switch disable refers to the seat switch that allows you to get off the machine while it's running, without shutting down. How is this done? That would take care of the starting issue during a storm at least. The skids the dealer put on were the wrong ones. I had no vertical adjustment left and the blade was sitting too high up. I just got a replacement set and now the blade is down to 1/4" height from the ground. Now watch us not get any more snow till next winter! haha
Remove and clean the electric plunger/fuel shut of on bottom of carb. (The thing with wires) inside is a metal plunger,clean it up with 000 steel wool,or a Drexel with wire brush. 100% that's your problem, and you can clean the jets in the carb while your in there.
Regarding the reverse button: (AKA: PAIN IN THE ASS!) On X370 , just pull the connector off the backside of the button and install a short jumper wire with male spade terminals on each end. Just push the spades into the connector slots (that push onto the back side of the button). Then just secure the loose section of wire to the harness with a zip tie. Takes you a few minutes to make your life less aggravating because backing while forgetting to push the button (me) shuts off the blower causing you to engage the clutch again many times which must put extra wear on it. P.S. Love the X370.
Yep, that's how it works! Way ahead of you...
Did that, changed my life!
Just upgraded from the LX277 to an x390. Besides installing the blower, this will absolutely be the first thing I do!
Have you guys noticed any long term issues with the electronics jumping that damn reverse?
I noticed you had no weights on the back or chains on the wheels, is that right or did I miss it? I own a X354, which has the same engine minus power lift & power steering but it has 4 wheel steering for small radius turns. Did you have any traction issues? I noticed you have a somewhat flat driveway and I planning on getting this attachment for a 120 feet long drive way up a slight hill (12 feet rise). Do you have any experience trying this on hills?
Hello Szymon. I do have weights, hanging on a rack which I designed and built myself. They are cast iron weights from Craftsman, 100 lbs in total. I have also toyed with rubber tire chains in the past, built from old car tires. They worked well but were a pain to install.
You are correct that our driveway is fairly flat, although the house driveway does have a hill which can be a challenge at times. Much of the success of my system is in technique using momentum, although the 370 works better than my older 111 or 276 Deere's.
I would suggest that you start with weights then consider the rubber 'chains' I see on Amazon.. they have temped me at times, like this example: amzn.to/2SazMKL
I'll see if I can build a video about my weight rack.
Keith
Thanks. The rubber grips is exactly what I was thinking of getting since my sidewalk has pavers and do not want to scratch them. Also I was going to get the plastic skid shoes.
I'm at the top of the hill snow blowing down, so I agree with technic. I'm think on the hill part I'd would only be able to clear going down.
I spoke to a sales guy at Deere and he said they do not perform well on hills unless you have 4 wheel drive which I don't hence my hesitation to get one. Trying to find a video in CZcams of someone using this combo on a hill.
@@realace108 I think your Deere salesman was trying to upgrade you! Mine works fine on the hill I have, but I do have to think a little about momentum and make sure I have a path back down to take another run at it.
Im interested in that model also!! I was just wondering how far it trow snow( i mean regular snow no powder or slush just an average one) My driveway is 32 feet wide its nice when you dont have to blow it twice!! Im curently using a honda 9-28 and it does the job!!
As you point out it depends completely on the snow. I've had a lot of 'blowers over the years and this does as well or better than any of them.
Is this the same Keith Peterson who went to Penn State?
Nope. Guess it's not the most unusual name.
Do you press the reverse override button off camera when you back up or did you disable it?
It is disabled. I had almost forgotten it ever existed.
I don't think I should get in the business of disabling safety equipment, in fact I would not recommend doing so. But it isn't difficult, if you think abou how that reverse switch works.
All you need now is a leaf blower to blow tractor off before putting back in garage.
That's an interesting idea! Although as you probably noticed it's a hangar and I keep it at about 40 degrees, so don't need to worry about it freezing up or anything. By next time it will just have a few water spots.
The X370 doesn't have Traction Assist, where both rear wheels lock for traction. Having only one drive wheel, has it affected your plowing at all? For example, does the one drive wheel spin when you're on slippery/cy on inclined surfaces? Also, how many weights do you use on the back?
Yes, one wheel can spin. Usually it is enough to just lean toward the spinning wheel. Other times (like glare ice) it helps to back up and take another run. On some icy days you can make either wheel spin by leaning.
I now use 6 25 lb weights on the back, built a special new rack to hold two more, check it out here: czcams.com/video/VTgUK83Cmnw/video.html
@@cardinalflyer Sorry for the late reply. The plow kit from JD allows you to use weights. I'm wondering if the wheels will still spin even with weights added. Also, would you happen to know if there are spiked chains (or hi-grip chains) available for these JD mowers?
@@coolcatjohnny380 Yes, the wheels will still spin at times. I do have chains for it but they chew up the driveway. I've built rubber chains in the past from old tires, they worked well but were a bitch to get on and off. I've often thought something like this would be a good option: amzn.to/3uFWI8w
Why did you opt for the snowblower vs the plow?
We get enough snow here in Illinois, most years, that it would pile up along the edges. So by throwing it I get rid of it. Some years you have to throw it high! Also we live out in the country where drifting is a serious factor, so windrows along the driveway would cause me to have to move snow much more often.
Hugh Jinvaney
Blower hands down, from Minnesota
Isn’t there a plow attachment?
Could be, you'll have to ask your John Deere dealer. I prefer to throw the snow so it doesn't leave a pile to attract later drifts. Also the blower works as a pretty good plow in most cases!
Was gonna tell ya you could lower chute to not hit hangar but looks like you already know that.
I do my best, but there are always new tricks to learn! Recently I was blowing my way around to the runway side of the hangar and realized I was blowing snow at my new apple trees... one more target to avoid.
Did the engine bog down much?
No, in all of the snow I have moved I have never noticed any bogging down. I know the 380 has a bigger engine, but for what I'm doing the 370 seems to have engine enough. We have not had any of those 30 inch snows recently for extreme testing...
Thanks for the video! Any idea how the X370 compares to the X390?
There are better experts, but as I recall, moving up the model numbers the x380 has a larger engine and larger wheels, perhaps also a larger gearbox, but not power lift or steering. The x390 is the power steering and lift version of the x380.
What gear can you run these at and it still keep.up with the blower
Gear? You mean speed? I run mine Mid Speed and it's fine. Unless it's really Heavy / Wet snow. I run full speed when Wet / Heavy snow and make sure it can handle it. Belt is a bit pricey and others things too... You don't want it break in Winter. Fixing these in Winter is NOT fun!
This is a hydrostatic drive mower, so there are no specific gears... just push on the pedal until it feels right. As Jordan says, in light snow it will run full speed. Deep snow may need a little more time to empty the augers. Wet snow you need to play with... sometimes slow will let it pile up and clog the chute so fast can be better.
One thing I have noticed... with my old manual lift blower I could drop it to sometimes clear a clogged chute but with the hydraulic lift I can't do that. Usually I just find some drier or deeper snow and it pushes out the clog. Small difference in technique.
@@cardinalflyer - Take a WD40 when Weather dry. Spray on the Chute + Auger and leave it on there to dry. In the snow it helps a lot since its slippery. My Dad take " PAM No-Stick Cooking Oil Spray especially for GRILLING with High Temperature " and spray the Chute + Auger with it as well since he doesn't' want Oil all over the place. BOTH seems to help a lot!
Appreciate your thoughts, although clogging isn't really a problem, just one factor in choosing the proper blowing speed in my experience.
@@JodBronson I do the same but with 100% pure silicone. When dry there is no oily residual and snow clears well.
So do you 100% love the JD snow blower? I have the X300 and live in the Upper Peninsula Mi...I need a new snow blower and was thinking of this but I'm still on the fence...Not a lot of reviews.
In fact I do. I had 'blowers on my JD 111 and 176 in the past, and this new one does a better job with less fussiness. I have been very pleased with it. The only detail I've dealt with was replacement of the two sheer pins when a neighbor helpfully did my driveway when I was out of town and tried to throw some well hardened ice chunks. So those work too!
I’ve had the 47” JD blower for three seasons now on my X758. I love it! It’s a beast!! A lot heavier steel than some of the competition.
All I had was a blacked out screen!!!
Try again... this video is mostly white! :-)
You can always blow the snow, you only get to plow it once. BTW if you continue to engage the blower with the motor at a high RPM, at some point you'll be purchasing expensive parts.
I suppose we'll all buy expensive parts "at some point". Not sure a lower RPM would significantly change the wear... these electric clutches fetch up pretty quick, so I doubt there is much engagement slip. The Internet will propose all sorts of theories, but I tend to rely on my mechanical engineering education instead.
was that a generator I saw?
Perhaps! I have an old generator on the sidewalk... it needs a new home. Interested?
@@cardinalflyer LOL No, I'm good
Why ya blow in the air? Sheesh.
We live out in the open plains, where the biggest problem is wind. If you leave a pile alongside the driveway it will drift right back in again. So I toss it up into the air and let it spread off downwind.
My point exactly then more fun with your toy!!!
How much for the snowblower ?
I frankly don't recall! A Google search suggests it is something like $1600. At times you can get a deal by buying a package...
Just picked up my x350 from RDO Equipment. $1900 -- 44" blower, chains, 2 weights mower removed blower installed.
What no spreader on the back for salting/sanding.....sorry deal breaker.
You haven't seen the fertilizer spreader? Better check it out!
Get plow markers
Just proves you don’t need to go buy a $30,000 truck with a plow🤣
True enough! In a recent snow I was doing a lot of plowing, as it didn't seem to be throwing that particular batch of snow very well. Turns out one of the snowbanks I had pushed into had too much ice which sheared my auger pins... so the auger wasn't running. After replacing the pins the snow blew a lot better! But in the meantime, plow mode worked pretty well.
I like some things that you do and then I do not like some things that you do. That is a very nice machine that you have. I understand 100% about where the wind is blowing from thinking. But with me having a two family home right along 3/4's a 100' driveway from the front and then a fence on the opposite of the friveway down from my garage 3/4's from the back... you can not make too much of a deal about the wind blowing because the snow has to go to where it has to go. People with walks in the park kind of clearing jobs who over analyze every thing really make me laugh and this is not directed towards you either. Also... there is way... too much driveway here. I can not see or understand the reasoning for a "U" shaped driveway in front of the house. Way... too much driveway to clear.
It also depends on where you live. I live on the open plains where half the problem is blowing snow. Just today we had a new inch, but it drifted a foot or more deep in places. I blew it clear but it filled in within the hour.
In your case, the fence probably has more to do with your drifting than where you put the snow. We each have to find a way to deal with what we have!
Speaking of which, if you purchased a house that had a circle drive, would you go to the expense of removing it? Or get a good blower and enjoy keeping it clear? I know, right? :-)
Actually, the fence is a problem with where I put the snow and not because of drifting. Luckily my neighbor let's me throw the snow over the fence. You might think that is a good thing which it is to a degree, but mostly it is a royall PITA especially when the storms are smaller and I shovel. Throwing snow over is hard and it gets harder every year. I swear the fence gets taller and the snow gets heavier. And when the wind blows, let's just say my negative vocabulary gets practiced. I have to keep throwing snow over to keep my side clear for the next storm and so on. Because as I get tired of clearing through out the season, less goes over the fence.
As far as the driveway, removing it probably would not be done unless it really started to drive me nuts. But on the other side of the coin, it would not be cleared of snow either.
I wish I had a u shaped driveway, it would make bringing trailers home way easier than trying to back the trailer off the road. So why does he have a u shaped driveway? Because he can!! And he wants one. Different strokes for different folks.