Winter lawn tractor setup / Cub Cadet XT1. Setting up for snow plowing in the ‘burbs….

Let's get those plow put on! With winter setting in it is time to get the plow put on the tractor and add chains to the tires. Take a look at the way I add the chains. Follow along for a few tips and tricks for setting up any garden tractor for snow plowing. I demonstrate my chain attaching method using a rope, installing the plow using the floor jack as a helping hand and even something as simple as a handle on my 60 pound tractor weights makes setup easier.
You have to remove the mower deck for snow plowing for ground clearance so you do not get stuck in the snow, see the setup video and do the reverse for removal. An added bonus is my tried and true method for protecting the mower deck clutch cable during the rough winter months.
Here is the video of the Spring Setup
• Cub Cadet XT1 / XT2 Fu...
Here is the video from making handles for the tractor weights.
• Upgrading tractor weig...
Music by Bensound.com
This channel is owned and operated by Armed and Dangerous DIY.

[@CapeAnnImages]

Nice "rope trick"! I have the same model and I find leaving the mower deck on adds just enough mid weight to allow better steering.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

When I first got the mower, I plowed about a foot of snow with it and got stuck with the snow packed underneath the mower deck. After that I started taking the mower deck off because digging a lawnmower out of the snow was not a lot of fun that day. For a small amount of snow you would probably be OK, but 12 inches of snow is more than I care to deal with. Thanks for watching!

[@wtbm123]

Nice tractor

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

Thanks 👍

[@azzionsmith7187]

That’s awesome great vid too

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

Thanks! I love getting encouragement. Stay warm!

[@terrellma]

Man, you have the patience of a Buddhist monk. I can’t imagine trying to do a job like that with one hand. Very impressive.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

Thanks! Yes actually after I lost my arm I gave up playing with tools for like 2 years out of frustration. It took years to relearn and patience was indeed the key. I also think ahead on steps so I don’t get stuck where I have to undo something because I forgot.

[@fiorenzofabris5925]

Can you provide links to where you purchased the plow and the additional stretch bands for the tire chains.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

I purchased the plow from the cub cadet dealership where I bought the tractor the same day I bought the tractor. The chain tensioner I bought at Farm and Fleet in Wisconsin. It’s very similar to this, although I’m not sure of the correct size for your tractor. But you get the idea. Security Chain Traction Chain - QG20030 a.co/d/2npyKLG

[@robertcote2406]

I'm considering getting one of those attachments for my XT2. How reliable has the snowblower been for you? Is it low maintenance? Do you have a big driveway? TIA!

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

I assume you meant snow plow. Lol. Anyways it’s a breeze to install without tools. It works very well IF (BIG IF HERE) you have all three counter weights installed. It came with one…constant slipping. I bought a second but marginally better. With three I’ve never got it stuck. The blade works remarkably well and tilted is slightly narrower than the sidewalk which is perfect. My gripe was the shoddy control cables which have NEVER worked correctly plus the lack of a blade floating position. My driveway is 100’ long and 40’ wide plus I’m on a corner so twice the sidewalk. If you’re used to plowing with gears, you will be amazed at how much easier it is with a hydrostatic transmission. I bought the xt2 engine specifically for snow plowing and towing my 2,000 lb trailer full of stone or rock around the yard. I do two elder neighbors as well as long as they keep baking me oatmeal raisin cookies. Thanks for the comment. 😀

[@dennislesh2374]

Do you traction problems with those chains? I have a new John Deere x370 with a snowblower on it and it worked OK in wet, heavy snow, but not very good in really cold temps and snow and ice. I've ordered a set of vbar chains for it in hopes traction will improve.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

Yes, I get extremely good traction. At first when I bought the tractor, it had a single counterweight and whatever chains the cub cadet dealership sold me with it. That was lousy so I purchased the other two weights. That made a world of difference. I noticed also that the chains across the treads were spaced unevenly and every time I got to a wide spot the tire would slip so I spent some time since I’m an engineer, and have to overthink everything, to figure out how tight I can get the chains. Hence, in the video I cut the extra links off, that worked better but I still noticed some slippage so I put those constant tension bungee cords on and that did the trick. Last winter I plowed over a foot of snow on top of ice and had no issues. The funny thing is I can see the scratch marks from the tire spinning when I hit the big snow pile in the dirty concrete driveway I have. I weigh 250 pounds so you’re talking about 250 pounds plus the weight of the rear of the tractor plus three 60 pound weights hanging off the back about 2 feet. That’s a lot of weight on the rear tires. Good luck with yours. I’d be curious to see how it works out for you. The molded in grips on those weights are dumb and frankly with one arm they’re nearly impossible to pick up without injuring my wrist. That’s why I added the garbage can handles to make putting them on a cinch. I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave the weights on all winter, so I just install them when I’m plowing but it’s a lot easier to park in the garage without all that extra stuff hanging off the back. Happy new year!

[@dennislesh2374]

@@armedanddangerousdiy6096 I, too, have 4 weights......42lbs each.......on the back of mine and the chain tighteners and my over 200lbs sitting in the seat, but have no traction on mostly gravel. That's why I'm hoping the new chains will work much better.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

I’m plowing which is a fairly flat surface. Gravel is much more slippery as I grew up plowing a gravel driveway as a kid. That was the 1960s era Allis Chalmers with a gearbox instead of hydrostatic. I’d be curious to find out if you’re better chains work.

[@dennislesh2374]

@@armedanddangerousdiy6096 I'll let you know how the new chains work when I get them and get some decent weather to put them on........I don't have a garage so I have to do it out in the elements.

[@jaypeerobot3745]

YOUR CHAINS ARE ON INSIDE OUT! The links on the outside should have the prongs facing out so they don't wear into the tire. I think that's why you are having trouble putting them on.

[@armedanddangerousdiy6096]

It’s quite possible you are right. Thank you so much for noticing!