My first cab/air/heat/power bobtach machine was also an S-185, i still use it for snow removal, moving dirt, and backfilling retaining walls its a 2005 and i won't buy another loader without any of those options ever again, the first thing to go, if i absolutely didn't need it, would probably be the A/C as it is a $1500 option and a pain in the @$$ to maintain. The reason it might come in handy for you is a little trick that when your door fogs up doing snow removal, just hit your a/c switch with heat cranked and it defrosts/defogs your window, something a lot of guys dont consider when getting into the snow removal business. The difference between the 175 and 185 is the 185 is turboed so you get a small boost in power. i really notice it when going into a pile, its faster to get a heaping bucket with the 185. Not to talk the 175 down but you will be much more satisfied in the long run doing the jobs you mention with the s185. If the price is right, just remember A/C $1500 Cab/heat $2500 power bobtach $700. I was in a similar position at one time, it was time to upgrade and stuck between an S185 w/every option availible besibes high flow (worthless to most people) and a very basic cabless S175. i know now haveing operated both machines that i made the right decision to spend the extra $3500 on the s185. as for the controls thats up to the operator. I was told by a reasonable source that before long we wont see any foot controls coming off the assembly lines anymore :beatsme ill run either of them, my stubborn days are over. Best of luck!
