RedDirt
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
- Messages
- 469
- Location
- Northern Idaho
- Tractor
- Kubota BX23, Wards 16HP HST Garden Tractor, (previous) D2 Logging Cat
What is a typical speed for a snowblower impeller? Auger? Impeller:auger ratio? I have web searched and searched and mostly find the speeds not listed in mfg specs and in other sources just too much info that does not apply to my specific needs.
Here's what's up. Yesterday I purchased a 46" "garden tractor" snowblower for $250 (a great deal...I think) and I want to convert it to run off my bx23 pto. There are no make/model numbers on the unit but it would seem to be similar to a Berco, more or less. Owner says he purchased from Orchard supply (now Sears?) ten years ago to run on his Kubota scut pto but never got to it, moved to a lower elevation and now moving again and he is "lightening up". The machine has never been used, original paint without a scuff on it but faded for living ouside a number of years, still turns over freely but seems a tad bit stiff. I suspect some disassembly, clean up and fresh lube change will improve that. Alas, no manual.
Here's a couple of photos.

MY unit has a 12" dia four blade impeller and a 16" dia auger. The impeller to auger ratio is 10:1 impeller:auger.
Here are a few example specs:
Kubota B2781 rear 50" 17.5 dia impeller rpm not given, 14" dia auger 286rpm
Kubota BX2750C front 10" 16" dia impeller 903rpm, 12.8" dia auger rpm not given
Puma 48" rear, 20" dia impeller 540rpm, 16" auger rpm not given
Berco snowblowers - impeller/auger dia and rpm's not given
With my smaller impeller (12"dia) and 10:1 impeller:auger ratio I am thinking I need to run faster than any of the above, something like 1000 - 1500 impeller rpm w/ 100 - 150 rpm auger speed. Too fast? Maybe it should run even faster.
If anyone has the missing specs for the examples above that may help. If anyone has a blower similar to mine (or similar specs) that would really help. If anyone has any general observations/comments regarding impeller/auger speeds that would be most appreciated.
Bottom line is I am looking for informed suggestions regarding what speed I should run my impeller.
Thanks - Ray
Here's what's up. Yesterday I purchased a 46" "garden tractor" snowblower for $250 (a great deal...I think) and I want to convert it to run off my bx23 pto. There are no make/model numbers on the unit but it would seem to be similar to a Berco, more or less. Owner says he purchased from Orchard supply (now Sears?) ten years ago to run on his Kubota scut pto but never got to it, moved to a lower elevation and now moving again and he is "lightening up". The machine has never been used, original paint without a scuff on it but faded for living ouside a number of years, still turns over freely but seems a tad bit stiff. I suspect some disassembly, clean up and fresh lube change will improve that. Alas, no manual.
Here's a couple of photos.


MY unit has a 12" dia four blade impeller and a 16" dia auger. The impeller to auger ratio is 10:1 impeller:auger.
Here are a few example specs:
Kubota B2781 rear 50" 17.5 dia impeller rpm not given, 14" dia auger 286rpm
Kubota BX2750C front 10" 16" dia impeller 903rpm, 12.8" dia auger rpm not given
Puma 48" rear, 20" dia impeller 540rpm, 16" auger rpm not given
Berco snowblowers - impeller/auger dia and rpm's not given
With my smaller impeller (12"dia) and 10:1 impeller:auger ratio I am thinking I need to run faster than any of the above, something like 1000 - 1500 impeller rpm w/ 100 - 150 rpm auger speed. Too fast? Maybe it should run even faster.
If anyone has the missing specs for the examples above that may help. If anyone has a blower similar to mine (or similar specs) that would really help. If anyone has any general observations/comments regarding impeller/auger speeds that would be most appreciated.
Bottom line is I am looking for informed suggestions regarding what speed I should run my impeller.
Thanks - Ray
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