If you have the early machine, you can put a QA42A on it too. It will work. You might need to change out the pulley on the blower if you get one depending on what machine it was on before. Your tractor takes a WF blade. There was an under-carriage just for the cyclops, but you can use the standard WF one, it will work.

I've got a 450 on my (early) 1862 and it's fantastic. Throws a long way and the power steering makes it easy. You'll need wheel weights or weight on the rear to keep traction. The Serial Number break is 821,059 for an early 1862.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...ors/002-15.jpg

I wired a set of fog lights on the cutters for better night vision.

front blade or snow blower
 

No one ever mentioned the drive way.

Gravel, concrete, or blacktop.

I pick enough gravel out of the lawn with a blade.
Can just imagine how far a blower would toss the gravel.

I like the blade for lesser, heavier snow that might be packed down due to someone (ahem) driving on it before I can get home to scrape it. My drive has a problem that if I dont get it really clean it does some pack/freeze/thaw and i can end up with ice pack.

But once it gets past 2/3 inches, my tractors arent heavy enough to be able to push it against a pile that is already there from the last pushing. If angling, this means the front of the tractor just pushes sideways.

So if I could have only one it would be the blower. (mine is a 450 on an 1811). It does blow a long ways which lets me aim in several directions (much farther than a walk behind).

So in conclusion, you really need two tractors, one dedicated for the blace and one for the blower.

I think this is really the best advice right there :beerchug:

Blades are great but inevitably, as everyone says, you run out of space to push it if you have a lot of snow. Where I plow, every couple snows (depending on the amount) I have to push the plow line back several feet to give myself more room for next time.

Yep, I agree, blades are good for snow on rock, otherwise blowers/throwers are a great thing if you have a cab.

One thing that has not been mentioned is a rear scoop to put with a blade. Blade on front and scoop on back is an awesome combination!... ask me how I know :-p

I have a 36" thrower for my 1450 that I converted for use with the 1864. Haven't used it in a while but it did work really well. Lot cheaper than a 451 and does a really good job, keep the belt tight tho!