John Deere 425 Blading and Scraping Snow

[@dr7584]

It's a well-done and honest video. A couple of comments: First, there's no correlation between the depth of snow pack and the spring rutting of the gravel surface. That sounds more like a subgrade issue that can be prevented by proper crowning of the surface in the fall and/or subcutting and replacing weak soil in the roadbed during the summer. Simply adding more gravel on top of soft areas will be a temporary repair only. I find it helpful to prep a gravel driveway for winter by letting a layer of compacted snow build up on the surface before I start blowing away additional accumulations as winter progresses. Run your car tires over the width of the road when conditions are right. Otherwise, you'll risk running loose gravel through your snowblower or blading it off into the grass. Use the snow to contain your gravel wearing material. Second comment: if the JD has a "float" position for running a neutral pressure on the blade, that is preferable to constantly running the blade up and down. Certain times require down-pressure and "cutting," but you,ll get a nicer job with "float." It's faster and easier, plus dragging in the reverse can feather out a smooth ride. Comment three: blading snow is fun and everything, but if you have a long snow season, chances are you're going to start running out of snow storage along the roadway, build high drift-building snow banks, narrow your driveable width, and concentrate alot of melted snow onto the road surface in the spring. Blowing snow far from the road is more costly in terms of time and gas, but it prevents other problems, too. Thanks for posting your video and comments.

[@_P0tat07_]

Those 425s are the best. I love them.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Nice video Rory, and good commentary. Looks like the 425 plows pretty good. Sometime down the road I want to get a 445, X475, or X485. Would be nice to have a free hand for plowing snow....can't get that when you're plowing with a 140 and a 210.

[@MrThumper1440]

Great video(s). May want to check with someone that knows more than me, but I heard you say that you run the blade at 1/4 throttle....from what I understand, a hydrostatic driven tractor must be driven at certain RPM’s or damage to the hydro pumps may occur. Especially when pushing or pulling. At 70 hrs, that tractor is still new. Very nice machine. Thanks for the video!!

[@lobsterbox20]

MrThumper1440 Thanks! While I haven't heard of any damage so to speak, it's well understood that hydrostatic drives operate much more efficiently (and also faster of course) at higher RPM's. I'll keep that in mind - maybe 1/2 throttle is better.

[@robertduncan2742]

Works great, the last snow we had I locked the pin so the springs were solid since there was plenty of ice on top and bottom with snow in the middle. The old 420 did the trick with the vanguard 23hp

[@cmk3282]

Time delay module is likely the cause of the coils cutting out. Same thing happened to my 425. About $30 at jd.

[@Rusty-Metal]

You need to use float maode on gavel. 425 has that. Push the up/down lever forward until it locks or hold it there.

[@machone7580]

You need to use more throttle when blading. Low RPM's is not good for the Hydro and Battery,

[@JuliaCV9]

when I mow with my 425, I throttle it up all the way when mowing and when I'm not mowing I usually have it at about half throttle or something to not use up too much gas.

[@keithinthemountains6450]

Hey I really enjoy your channel! I am going to have a John Deere next year with a blade. I was leaning toward older 300-400 series but after seeing this I like that 425. Do you prefer 425 over 318 and up? Thanks!

[@lobsterbox20]

@@keithinthemountains6450 thanks for the compliment! I vastly prefer the 4X5 serious to the older 300 series and even the 420/430. On the 4X5 series, the mowing deck is much better, the quick attach is a game changer, the tractor is so much more economic to use, parts availability on the used market is now much greater for the 4X5 series since the older 300 and 400 series are ageing out.

[@robertduncan2742]

More throttle and side covers with a small opening to maintain engine temp better

[@antoniopizzi4877]

Mi piace complimenti

[@noworriesmate8287]

Lock the blade and go.

[@robertduncan2742]

Try some seafoam with a higher octane fuel