[oldyankeebarn1390]

How do I install a 49 snow thrower onto my 318?? It has been a few years since I had to do this and can't find the information. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[rustyknuckles]

Some people say they can do it in 15 or 20 minutes, but it always takes me at least an hour!

First, I prop up the back of the snowthrower such that the pins in the back of the snowthrower line up with the slots in the lower front of the tractor frame. (The spring pins in the top rear of the snowthrower frame have to be pulled to the "out" position and then locked.) Then I gently drive the tractor up to engage the pins. I do this **dismounted from the tractor**, on the right side. No doubt this is a no-no, but otherwise I can't see what I'm doing. Takes several back-and-forth maneuvers of the tractor to get the tractor frame to go just inside the snowthrower frame. Once the tractor is moved up onto the snowthrower, I then have to knock out the supports holding up the rear of the snowthrower, so that the snowthrower pins can settle down into the bottom of the slots in the tractor frame. Then the whole snowthrower has to be pivoted up and to the rear, so that the top spring pins can be released into the holes in the tractor frame. (When I do this, the snowthrower pins often come out of the slots, so I have to start over!) But anyway, I eventually get the pins in the slots and the spring pins into their holes. Then the drive belt has to be maneuvered onto the upper and lower pulleys - best done with the tractor grille removed.

I suppose it would be a lot quicker and easier, if I had two strapping young relatives, to just pick up the snowthrower and push it onto the tractor. But I don't !!

 

[KB]

I get the bottom pins in, then hook up the hydraulic hoses. I use the hydraulics to rotate the spring pins into position.

There is also a release tab that lets you swing the tensioner pulley out of the way until the belt is in position, then slide the tensioner into alignment, and flip the lever back to tension the belt. Watch your finger on that tensioner release.

How much snow is on the ground up in there?

 

[Mike P]

I have found the easiest way to install the 49 is to get a few 2x4s and stack them below the blower to the correct height so that the bottom pins are level with the hooks on the tractor. That way your not wrestling with side to side and up and down. Drive straight in, raise and rotate to engage spring pins. After a few years of experimentation, it no takes me about 15 minutes from start of install to blowing snow.

 

[michael l.]

I had such trouble getting my 49 on the 318 that I wrote down the correct height to have the 49 when mounting it on the 318.
Place 3 1/2" under the snow thrower mount in the rear and 1 1/2" under the front scraper blade.
That will make he 49 thrower nice and level when getting the 318 to line up with it.
The book says to have the tractor in neutral so you can be up front holding the 49 and rotating the front tire by hand to get the lower pins into the slots in the snow thrower.

 

[7dad34]

I'm going to be the spoiled rotten brat here .
I have a 318 for winter use only so I don't have to fight getting the blower and fluid filled tires on and off every fall and spring . I bought a basket case 318 and rebuilt the motor, painted it up nice and now I have Frosty !

 

[rustyknuckles]

I hadn't thought of using the hydraulics to pivot the snowblower up to engage the spring pins. If I remember, I'll try that next year. I'd also like to figure out some sort of jack or lift to help get the rear into position for the tractor slots, instead of stacking up two-bys.

 

[rustyknuckles]

michael -
I found I needed both hands to hold up the front of the 49, and a third hand just wasn't available to turn the front wheels!

 

[dhager4692]

One thing I discovered the hard way is not to have the tractor running when you unhook the hydraulics or there will be pressure in the cylinder. Turn the tractor off and work the hydraulic levers to release the pressure.

 

[michael l.]

Jay, If you take a couple pieces of 2x4 about 8" long and nail them together you could then set that under the center of snow thrower mount so thrower is 3 1/2" off the ground.
Then a couple pieces of 2x4, one each end of thrower in the front, lifting front 1 1/2" off ground, and the snowtrower should set there at correct height on it's own.
My snow thrower mounting plate was a tight fit onto the lower hooks on the 318, so I ended up trying to spread the mount with a screw jack ,and ended up grinding some off the outside of the hooks, so it would slide into the hooks on tractor easier. I didn't have to grind much but it really made it easier mounting the snow thrower.

 

[450deeres]

If you would just spend $15 on a small 4 wheel dolly you could set the blower on it when it is coming off. Then in the fall you can roll it up to the tractor for mounting.

 

[wyogreen]

I've always used Randy's method of mounting the blower. I have a 4 wheel dolly that is about 3 1/2 inches high, so it pretty much rolls right into place. Only problem with that method is the dolly doesn't roll real nice on gravel or grass, so the blower takes up precious room in the shop.

Steve

 

[bo2009]

Furniture dollies, the smaller ones, can & may work just dandy at times. Use 'em here to store & move attachments.
Wonderful for removal & storage but (long story short), not the greatest help always for attaching/installation account the dolly height(s) mainly. (Complain = guess I'll have to build/make my own dollies.)

Jim Briney described & posted the best & safest & simplest way to do this [attach/install/mount a Model 49 Snow Thrower
to a 318 L&G Tractor]. That info is stored on this web site somewhere........

 

[bert]

All very good 49 mounting ideas and tips being suggested. In my case, after a couple of years of frustrating,infuriating and even painful seasonal sessions I dedicated my 2300hr.332 to exclusive snowthrower duty. If necessary in future, I think using a dolly would be my choice as well.