Snowblower Erskine Front Snowblower Modification

[rbargeron]

My tractor's rear wheels are 75" overall and my Erskine front blower is only 72". A wider blower head would be good.

At first I was just looking for an 84" Erskine to trade up to - but when I actually saw one up close it was bigger than I expected. The 84 weighs nearly 600 pounds more - it has a taller housing, bigger fan, bigger auger, bigger frame rails to the back - it's more on the scale for a 75-100 hp tractor. I decided to pass on the 84. Besides, I'd really like 90" width if I could get it in a reasonable-weight machine.

The Erskine 72 is already very rugged - it weighs 1600 lb. The auger and fan do a great job and have plenty of unused capacity. Lets say I've never bogged it down even running into a snowbank. So my little brain got going on a project to WIDEN a 72" blower to 90". Wings might work - but 9" on each side is pushing it and snow won't flow past the auger sprocket very well.

Last spring a nearly-new Erskine 72 came up on CL for short money and I couldn't resist. The pics below show where I'm planning to cut the housing and weld in a 9" extension on each side. The auger and it's drive shaft will need to be extended too. The auger flights are spaced at 9" already so adding one on each side will be a good fit. The chute turner only needs a longer mounting bracket and cable. The cutting starts tonight - wish me luck and stay tuned......

 

[Luremaker]

I'm really want to see how this works out for you. Good luck!!!:thumbsup:

 

[JoeL4330]

Why go all the way to 90 to cover 75 in tread width?...I think I'd start with wings, say 3-6 inches, easily done before the first flakes ...it seems that (unless you have a circular drive) you drive out and back and can clear quite a swath with the two passes.

nonetheless, I applaud your enthusiasm and look forward to seeing your progress

 

[RADIUM]

Wow all that work for a few inches on each side good luck not to mention you have to keep everything balanced which will be quite difficult or else you will have a vibrating snowblower that will shake itself apart don't ask me how I know my brother tried to put two together to make a six-foot snowblower LOL didn't quite work out. I use an 84 inch rear snowblower on my 60 hp tractor no problems whatsoever close to 1400 pounds, I would try and trade it or sell it for and 84 inch blower that little bit of weight increase should not matter on your tractor especially with the front mounting system I was looking at one myself but I just couldn't justify $12,000 for a front mount snowblower four months of use take care

 

[rbargeron]

It's really not looking like that much work - the blower head is already laying on the floor in 3 pieces - took a couple hours to make the cuts. No turning back now.....

Good points about other blowers, but I've sorta BTDT. I have a 7' rear one too - it even has a drag blade I made for it. It works great.

I'm just a snowblower nut - I've had all kinds but lately I'm interested in front ones. My tractor has no mid pto - so the Erskine setup does the trick. It spins opposite from other blower heads - the drive shaft runs from the back - and is reversed. That limits the options for a front blower to an Erskine. Thing is, above 78" their blowers are too huge. So I'm making my own. I'll be in and out for less than $2000 - might be zero if a find a buyer for another Erskine 6-footer I have.

A reason to go a foot or so wider than the rear wheel width is clearing near things like buildings, parked cars, etc. You don't have to line up on it as straight with a wider front blower. Sorta like having an 8' plow on a pickup - quicker & easier to maneuver.

 

[rbargeron]

I keep getting side-tracked but there has been some progress on my chopped Erskine. The blower head and auger are both cut in two places. The head is sliced down through at 18" in from each end. I traced templates of the cuts so a local metal shop is forming extensions the to fit at the gaps.

The auger is built on a 2-1/2" square tube with 15" diameter 1/4 x 2 steel flights. It needs 2 new flights, one on each side of the center paddle section. I ordered two flat steel rings that I'll cross cut and pull into a helix to make the flights. (Figure I'll need a bench vise, a pipe wrench and a roller skate and a scissors jack for this operation). The flights have flat spokes off the center drive tube so splicing in the new ones should be clean. The center area of the auger will be as-is but with the extensions there will be 4 welded seams in the center tube. To keep the auger strong and straight, a new 4-foot chunk of 2" square tubing will run inside everything. Balance should work itself out because the changes are all symetrical.

I'll post some pics when I find a card for my camera or figure out how to use my phone. :confused2:

 

[rbargeron]

A few progress pictures - The auger and housing are ready to tack together. I made 2 new flights from flat rings, and a long coupling to extend the side shaft. Erskine uses this design up to 78" width so I think 84" is as far as I will stretch it.

 

[beenthere]

Rgargeron
Sure looks like a well designed stretch, and you must have some good skill along with some great tools to work with.
Will be anxious to follow your progress.

Any snow in the near forecast?

 

[hawkeye08]

Very nice job! Keep the pictures coming!

 

[Willl]

Nice job. What did you use to cut out the new flights ?