X500 plow or snow pusher? Weights?

[JCam]

I'm new to the forum here, but my Dad has been on here forever and I've been a lurker. I just a picked up a 2014 x500. I got a 44" blade off a x300 that will work on it. I just have a couple questions:

How much weight can I hang off the back without hurting the machine? I suppose another way to ask the question would be how much tongue weight from a trailer can the tractor handle? Anyone know how much it can tow?

Also, at work we use large 5000 series JDs for plowing with large snow pushers. They are a lot faster than a plow because they have the wings on the side that help to clean up the rows when clearing large areas. I was wondering about taking away the angle feature of the plow, and converting it to a mini snow pusher. My driveway is L-Shape, one section would be 20x50 and the other 20x30. What's your thoughts? Think this would work?

Thanks.

 

[rekees4300]

Anyone know how much it can tow?

The X500 Operator's manual says: "Total towed weight must not exceed combined weight of pulling machine, ballast and operator". The X500 weights around 800 lbs. so assuming no ballast and 200 lbs. operator it would be unsafe to tow > 1000 lbs. Manual also recommends use of counterweights and/or wheel weights with heavy loads.

 

[JCam]

Ok thanks for that. How much weight can the rear axle support? I know I will need a counter weight, but how much is ok?

 

[nybirdman]

I would think the X500 would soon bog down with a pusher.Hard to compare it to a 5000 series with a pusher.

 

[JCam]

Yes that's what I'm wondering I guess. I'd just keep it at 44" but add the wings. Not sure if anyone else tried this.

 

[rekees4300]

Ok thanks for that. How much weight can the rear axle support? I know I will need a counter weight, but how much is ok?

Maybe a JD dealer could answer that question? No info in manual. IMO if you need to worry about the rear axle breaking then you are using the machine for a purpose which it wasn't designed. It's more of a lawnmower than a real tractor.

 

[JCam]

I do not intend to go crazy. Hopefully 100lbs or so if it's not too much.

 

[oldnslo]

I have installed wings on my X540 blade. The wings angle back so that I can also tilt the blade and use it as a plow. The wings do help gather the snow and also help reduce spillage off the leading edge when angled. I think filling the tires with fluid will add around 70 lbs / tire. Wheel weight another 40 - 50 / tire. These transaxles do NOT have a relief built in so the tires spin, drive belt slips, or something breaks.

 

[JCam]

I'm interested to know about the wings you added. With the plow straight, could you push much snow very far?

 

[beenthere]

The limitation is the Tuff Torq K72B transmission, IMO. I'd think going to Tuff Torq and learning about the limitations from them would be the way I'd go.
As said, likely not designed to be a tank..