Snowblower Frankenblower! (self powered snowblower attachment)

[bostonrats]

Behold all that is FRANKENBLOWER!

What began as a Kubota L322 snowblower attachment has been modified for, oohhh, agggh, agghh, agggh, MORE POWER. That and there is NO WAY I was going to pull off the FEL and subframe every November and put it back every May.

The engine is a Kohler 16 HP twin cam. I've used the original clutch..but have a new one on the way from Ronnie at TractorSmart.com

There were a few issues along the way, but at this point it's 99% fun.

Here are the videos.

Frankenblower Apple Test

Frankenblower New Year's Eve 2009!

Frankenblower Storm 2!

Frankenblower Test Run January 2, 2009

Frankenblower vs Amputation Snow




Best to all!!

 

[PBinWA]

Nice work!

 

[JB4310]

I like it, why not, many of those landscapers mowing machines have separate engines for their bagging systems.
Show some pics of how it's put together.

 

[bostonrats]

Thanks PBin WA! Hello JB4310, here are some photos from the build. If I were to do it again I would have used heavier steel for the engine overbridge. I had to add more during the trials. The gearing is almost 1:1 to the original input shaft.

Previous Post with Imagesl

 

[ray66v]

Yes, but why would you want to blow snow without a cab?

I have a little lawn tractor with a 32" blower, and its so unbearable, I bought a cab.

Have fun, I would put the plow back on.

 

[bostonrats]

Yes, but why would you want to blow snow without a cab?

I have a little lawn tractor with a 32" blower, and its so unbearable, I bought a cab.

Have fun, I would put the plow back on.

Hi Ray,

It had a cab on it when I got it, it had no doors and was pretty rough...I didn't like being inside, couldn't see around. It's cold sometimes, the New Year's storm was powder and I had to blow the snow north, where the wind was coming from...white out for a while. I put the chute down after the video.

Honestly, I don't mind it 99% of the time. I like being outside and dress for it.

Thanks for the note and best to you!

 

[smfcpacfp]

Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

 

[bostonrats]

Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

Hi smfcpacfp!

Good eyes. The issue was the Kohler engine...I picked it up used for $100 bucks, it was on a leaf blower or chipper...not sure what. The shaft was 1/2 eroded but I was able to use the inner portion for a pinned sprocket.

It was running rich, started fine but after mid throttle the governor would push the carburetor wide open...but it wouldn't rev. I cleaned the carb 3 times, and did a dip in Hydroseal. Checked ignition, still messed up. Finally I pulled off the front cover and checked the cam timing. With the crank at 12 o'clock the #2 cam was at 12, but the #1 cam was at 7 o'clock! The #1 cylinder was about 130 degrees retarded. I fixed the timing and now it runs pretty good.

Your property and 'Bota both look awesome!

 

[smfcpacfp]

Glad to hear that it running better.

One advantage of the FEL attached blower is that you can lift it quite high. There are times when I wish I could lift mine higher, like when I got it stuck in the snow and had to dig out under the blower

 

[bostonrats]

Glad to hear that it running better.

One advantage of the FEL attached blower is that you can lift it quite high. There are times when I wish I could lift mine higher, like when I got it stuck in the snow and had to dig out under the blower

You're right, let's swap!

Actually, I have used it to top snow banks...it's a pretty scary sight. The real issue is knowing what's inside the snow. I'm playing it a bit more conservative now...just trying to get through the storms.

I didn't see chains on your 'Bota...maybe soon? They really help.