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.