The Ultimate Snow Removal Machine!
Before I begin I would like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum. There hasn't been a time that I have logged on and not learned anything. I appreciate this a bunch. Special thanks to Skyrydr2 for his kindness and help in answering my frequent questions. Also thank you goes to Marlboro180 for welcoming comments when I first started viewing the forum.
I obtained my first Ford {closed side} LGT145 about 4-5 years back and was able to spice it up a little with a new paint job. It looked awesome. I was attracted to this particular tractor for it's snow removal capabilities. It came with several implements and the primary one of choice was the snow plow with the hydraulic angle cylinder. A couple years after purchasing it, I started to plow a neighbor's drive in our first 6" snow fall. I made one pass up the drive and was so excited to how easy it made the work. Before I finished the pass the rod broke and the engine came to a slow death. Afterwards I didn't really want to put any more money into it. The previous owner bought it back for what I paid him since I put a few dollars more into it. He purchased a running LGT145 from the local dealer and had them swap the motors. Needless to say Bob had a nice looking tractor that ran and a spare LGT145 with a dead motor.
Meanwhile I had acquired an old 250cc Suzuki quad runner from my dad which I call my Urban Tractor. I snagged an old Cub Cadet plow and had it modified/widened to 54" and put on the old 250cc Suzuki. It does rather well but, I love to play in the snow. Snow blowers have always spiked my interest. Checking the web I saw where others have modified LGT snow blowers and put them on their 4 wheelers. I for one cannot see spending $3,000.00-$5,000.00 for an ATV snow blower. The local dealer happened to have an old 42" 2 stage snow blower sitting collecting rust. It looked as if it had potential.
I acquired the snow blower and started developing plans and trying to figure out ways to mount it on the front of my Urban Tractor. Just last winter I acquired an 18hp Briggs and Stratton engine {opposed twin} and had developed a way to mount it to the LGT snow blower. The big issue with this unit was, it would be twice as long, and lifting it high enough to go up the ramps on my utility trailer proved to be interesting. I could make it work but, my welding skills are limited with little equipment to work with.
Well, just a couple of months ago I was discussing the project with Bob, remember Bob? Bob told me that he would give me the non-running LGT145 for free. This was tempting. Being a good friend I had to give Bob a little something for his kindness and I ended up trailering home my second LGT145 for just $50.00.
I soon started poring through the newspapers, craigslist, and e-bay for a functional Kohler K321. Much to my surprise I came across a running "Ford Tractor" just four days after it was posted on Craigslist. The gentleman sold me the LGT165 with a functional mower deck for just $200.00. He had to sell it before moving to Florida for work at the beginning of the year. I got home in the 45 degree temps and pulled it off the trailer. I had to try it out.
I tell my sons who hate mowing our yard that they should be able to cut the grass with our push mower in about 30 minutes. Needless to say it still takes them about an hour. Years ago I would chuckle to myself when I would see my next door neighbor mowing with his little riding mower. I told myself, "I hope I never get that bad off". Now then, I hadn't ever tried mowing with my first LGT and after having the opportunity, I doubt if we ever need to use the push mower again. It only took about 5 minutes to mow a third of my back yard with the LGT165. The yard looked better after being mowed with the LGT then it ever had with the push mower. I can't wait till next summer. In fact, I would prefer to baby the LGT165 and devote it to the summer life of mowing. I plan to watch the oil like a hawk and work on rebuilding a backup motor in the event something happens to the original 16hp Kohler. I think a grass catcher / vacuum system may even be in order. Now that I have 2 Ford LGT tractors.
This all leads me to the title of my post,
"The Ultimate Snow Removal Machine". After reading several of the postings on the forum and the excellent advice from Skyrydr2 I have decided to officially submit my first posting to this forum. My goal is to give the old LGT145 new life and hopefully have The Ultimate Snow Removal Machine for next winter.
My goal;
a.) Repower my Ford {closed side} LGT145 with the 18 hp Briggs and Stratton opposed twin.
Skyrydr2 has already directed me to the equipment and modifications needed to make the swap.
I've been able to acquire the parts off of the internet and now it's just a matter of available time.
b.) Refurbish the LGT snow blower and mount it to the tractor.
c.) Add more to the hydraulics; front and rear that will supplement the tractor's snow removal
capabilities.
d.) Consider making a hydraulic V-plow for quick passes down the sidewalk and wider passes on the
driveways.
d.) Produce a quick release system for switching from a snow plow to the snow blower on the front.
e.) Produce a second quick release system to switch implements such as a scraper blade on the
rear.
f.) Add supplemental lighting which will brighten my path in addition provide warning lights to the
rear.
g.) Additionally, I want it to look as good as new and the panels need to be secured as to not rattle.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am open to reading or hearing about the experiences of others. I have a strong feeling that this may be a never ending project. Check out my album for pics.
Thanks again for such a great forum to come to.
Doug G
