PTO Horsepower

[Atlas]

I have a B3030 and would like to get a snowblower for the 3pt so I can leave the FEL attached. I am looking at the Loftness L-series:
Loftness > Snow Blowers > Tractor Mounted > L Series

The 601L is two inches wider than my tractor width and has a 16 to 35 Hp requirement.
The 721L is 14 inches wider than the tractor but has a required Hp rating of 20 to 35.
The PTO rating of the tractor is 23 Hp.

I like the idea of having the extra width the 721L would provide but I don't like being at the lower end of the manufacturers required horsepower rating.

Right now I am leaning towards the 601L based on the power rating.

Any thoughts, comments, and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks gents.

 

[easygo]

I use a 60" snowblower on my B7800 (22pto hp) and it handles it very well. You might be able to run the larger one but you would have to go slower especially as the snow gets deeper. That said I used to run the same 60" blower on my previous 16pto hp tractor and it worked fine. l had to go much slower but still it worked like a charm.

 

[crazyal]

This is just my personal opinion but I think the two HP ratings are there for two different reasons. The lower is the amount needed to power the unit while the upper is the max power the unit can handle without being damaged. In the specs they say the it has a 35 hp oilbath gearbox.

Both have the same size fan so that'll be the limiting factor. If you need to go a little slower with the larger blower you'll still be clearing the same amount of snow in a given amount of time if you get a real dumping of snow.

I would let what you plan on clearing decide which size I would buy. If your driveway is 8' or 9' wide you have to make a pass down then back up, either size would be fine. If your driveway is larger and having the extra width meant one less pass I would go larger.

 

[brandoro]

With the hydrostatic drive the wider unit would be my choice, you can go slower in heavy snows as required and use the greater width and higher speed in light snow to keep enough snow fed to the fan for good performance. Snowblowers don't throw the snow very far if there is not enough weight of snow going into the fan. My blower is a 63" front mount, I would have bought a wider one if there was one available. Since mine is a front mount though I can comfortably travel faster when removing light snow.
If the snowblower is rated for a higher HP than your tractor can deliver it makes it much less likely that you will break anything by pushing it too hard, the load will pull down the tractor's engine speed first and give you some warning to slow down. Not a bad thing.

 

[herringchoker]

Lots of good advice already given. Here's something else to consider:
I run a 72" blower (which I used to run on a larger tractor) on a B7800 (basically same tractor as yours but with 22 PTO HP). It has tons of power to handle the load, even in heavy wet snow. I also have a FEL with a 54" bucket. I find I have to be very careful when using the FEL in tight quarters not to sideswipe things with the much wider blower. That's why, if the time comes to replace the 72" blower, it will be with a 60" one. BTW, I find the rear blower / FEL combination to be excellent for snow removal.

 

[art]

I'd be with a 72 unless I was bunching the snow into piles to blow away.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I just bought a 64" Frontier blower for my JD770....Tractor is 54" wide and has 20hp at the pto.

From what I learned in the search it's ok to go "bigger" as opposed to going "smaller".

The 64 inch on my tractor appears to be a great fit (doesn't look too big) BUT, this winter will be my first time operating it.

If I was to vote....72" will be fine.

 

[jas67]

The 601L is two inches wider than my tractor width and has a 16 to 35 Hp requirement.
The 721L is 14 inches wider than the tractor but has a required Hp rating of 20 to 35.
The PTO rating of the tractor is 23 Hp.

I run a 60" Woods with my B7610, which is rated for 18 HP at the PTO (24 HP engine). It does just fine. With the larger blower, if it gets really heavy, just take a smaller cut, or go a little slower. You'll be glad you got he larger one when it is light and fluffy, or not very deep.

 

[DiezNutz]

What, no Leon?

Paging Leon... paging Leon... 3PH snowblower buying in progress in the "PTO Horsepower" thread! :laughing:

(sorry I have little to contribute as all of the good advice has already been given. :thumbsup

 

[Atlas]

Gents,

I want to thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

My decision is to go with the 60 inch vs. the 72.

If I need to clear a lane where it would not be advisable to blow the snow I can use the 60" FEL without worrying about the snowblower hanging up on the sides.

And, let's face it, we get some seat time on the tractor then get on TBN and reminisce about seat time on the tractor. Maybe one more pass on the driveway isn't such a bad thing!

Thanks again, Atlas