Jim_in_Omaha
Gold Member
I'm looking for the weight of a New Idea model 518 snowblower. How is the quality of this brand?
thanks
thanks
Snowblower New Idea 518 Snowblower weight
- Thread starter Jim_in_Omaha
- Start date
rbargeron
Elite Member
Jim,
The 518 is 92" wide and has twin augers. I have a 516A - it's 84" wide with a single auger. I'm guessing it weighs around 1000 lb so the 518 might be 1200-1300 lb. I'll check my manual and see if it lists a weight.
The build quality is very good - everything is heavy and rugged. Comparison-wise they are just slightly heavier duty than the Pronovost Puma line - very respectable. The Avco New Idea units were made back in the '70s, so after sitting outdoors for 35 years the paint may be gone - but the rest of the machine is apt to be just fine. Mine had surface rust but is very solid underneath. What size tractor do you have in mind for the 518? It may want at least 40-50hp, not so much for the power, but for the weight. The 516A is on a 60 hp rig but doesn't need it all unless there's a foot of slush.
Below are a couple pictures - one is of an Avco New Idea brochure that showed the 516, 517, 518 and 519 - they called them rotary plows (like the railroad machines). The other pic is a 518 operator's manual. The manual is currently on eBay (not mine - no connection).
There's a thread on TBN about changes I made to my 516A - link here
Take care, Dick B
The 518 is 92" wide and has twin augers. I have a 516A - it's 84" wide with a single auger. I'm guessing it weighs around 1000 lb so the 518 might be 1200-1300 lb. I'll check my manual and see if it lists a weight.
The build quality is very good - everything is heavy and rugged. Comparison-wise they are just slightly heavier duty than the Pronovost Puma line - very respectable. The Avco New Idea units were made back in the '70s, so after sitting outdoors for 35 years the paint may be gone - but the rest of the machine is apt to be just fine. Mine had surface rust but is very solid underneath. What size tractor do you have in mind for the 518? It may want at least 40-50hp, not so much for the power, but for the weight. The 516A is on a 60 hp rig but doesn't need it all unless there's a foot of slush.
Below are a couple pictures - one is of an Avco New Idea brochure that showed the 516, 517, 518 and 519 - they called them rotary plows (like the railroad machines). The other pic is a 518 operator's manual. The manual is currently on eBay (not mine - no connection).
There's a thread on TBN about changes I made to my 516A - link here
Take care, Dick B
Attachments
Last edited:
OP
Jim_in_Omaha
Gold Member
Thanks for the reply.
There is one at an auction near by. I figured that it is very heavy at 92". What I was thinking was if I could get it cheap enough I would take it apart, narrow it, and make it fit a cat 1. I have a large array of tools and welding equipment. My tractor is only a 30hp but does have a high 3 point lift rating of around 1700 which seems really high. If the blower is around 1300 that is heavy.
thx
Jim
There is one at an auction near by. I figured that it is very heavy at 92". What I was thinking was if I could get it cheap enough I would take it apart, narrow it, and make it fit a cat 1. I have a large array of tools and welding equipment. My tractor is only a 30hp but does have a high 3 point lift rating of around 1700 which seems really high. If the blower is around 1300 that is heavy.
thx
Jim
rbargeron
Elite Member
Jim,
Shortening it will reduce the weight, but not proportionally. The center area has some heavy frame and impeller components - and the gearbox.
The body of the blower would be fairly easy to shorten.
Unless you routinely blow deep snowbanks away or most snowfalls are over 18" you could cut another 100+ pounds by taking out the upper auger - it's driven by a roller chain that could be shortened to drive only the lower one. Shortening the lower auger might be easiest by cutting a chunk out of the middle and coupling it with a pipe sleeve under the paddles. It would be best if the machine is a little wider than your rear wheels. No problem fitting to Cat I - may just need smaller pins. If your tractor has a FEL the balance would be ok. If not, may need weight on the front.
These big machines sometimes go very cheap at auction - good luck !
Shortening it will reduce the weight, but not proportionally. The center area has some heavy frame and impeller components - and the gearbox.
The body of the blower would be fairly easy to shorten.
Unless you routinely blow deep snowbanks away or most snowfalls are over 18" you could cut another 100+ pounds by taking out the upper auger - it's driven by a roller chain that could be shortened to drive only the lower one. Shortening the lower auger might be easiest by cutting a chunk out of the middle and coupling it with a pipe sleeve under the paddles. It would be best if the machine is a little wider than your rear wheels. No problem fitting to Cat I - may just need smaller pins. If your tractor has a FEL the balance would be ok. If not, may need weight on the front.
These big machines sometimes go very cheap at auction - good luck !
OP
Jim_in_Omaha
Gold Member
Thanks for checking on the weight. I'm going to try and bid in the auction. Hopefully being that we have had mild winters and its old, there won't be much activity on it.
OP
Jim_in_Omaha
Gold Member
I stopped by the auction site to preview the snowblower. Its very large. The fan is 27" across. The end plates look like 1/4" steel. Its well used to say the least. I really think I might hold out for something else to show up.
rbargeron
Elite Member
On the 516A the end plates and center frame are 1/4" thick - the fan housing measures about 25" dia.
If the 518 doesn't look like the right machine for your needs, it probably isn't. There are others out there. Take care, Dick B
If the 518 doesn't look like the right machine for your needs, it probably isn't. There are others out there. Take care, Dick B