Snow DK35SE HST front mount snowblower opinions

[NormB]

Hi all,

Last winter was my first year owning a tractor and the primary reason was to enable my neighbours and me join civilization following very generous dumpings of the white stuff. This was accomplished with minimal difficulty with a 72" Econor attached to the 3 pt.
This winter more neighbours have asked to get on my customer snow removal list. Hard to turn down seat time, but the 3 pt setup on my 69 years made it very demanding on the old neck.
Therefore seeking, from the wide base of knowledge on this forum, opinions on how a front mount snowblower would work on the DK35SE and cost guesstimation.

Thanks, NormB.


DK35HST w/cab, fel, grapple, tiller, scraper blade, box blade, wallenstein chipper, bush cutter, backhoe, pallet forks and of course the econor snowblower.

 

[Mousefield]

I just talked a few days ago to my dealer about the cost of adding the mid PTO and a front mounted snowblower. Cost approximately $500.00 for the mid PTO installed and about $6500.00 for a front mount 66 inch snowblower. This was an over the phone ballpark quote. Not sure if this was with/without tax.
This would be for my CK35. Hope this helps.

 

[drmac]

I've just completed a conversion of my old PTO driven snowblower to a front mounted, hydraulic driven, attachment on my DK50. First test was yesterday with our first 8 inch snowfall. IT IS GREAT! I've written a narrative on the job but it's rather long, I'll try to post an excerpt later today.

 

[Coyote machine]

Kioti now makes a front mounted mid-PTO driven two stage snowblower that is controlled by the loader's joystick/ hydraulic lines. Removal of loader is required.
I saw one mounted on a CK, I believe it was the other day. It looked sturdy and well designed. Don't remember price - but it wasn't cheap.

 

[SSdoxie]

It will around $7000, with adding mid-point pto. If you have a Bobcat dealer close try working the 2 dealers for best price. Same tractor CT335 so mount frame and pto setup is the same.

 

[drmac]

Sorry, the details of my conversion are going to have to wait until I get back from a couple of days away. I did have a chance to total up my costs, however. The existing snowblower was a Woods SB 74. Out-of-pocket for the hydraulic parts, hoses, fittings, steel, hydraulic oil and welding (I had a local shop do some fabrication for me) came to $3186, including tax and shipping.

More when I get back.

 

[drmac]

Like NormB my neck was not up to the 斗et痴 drive backwards to blow the snow thing (mine is 76 years old) and I had an old PTO driven blower. Having just updated to a DK50 Cab tractor I faced the question of just how to put the blower on the front.

Without going into all the reasoning my decisions were:

1. Use a 20gpm pump on the PTO.
2. Feed it from a 25gal fluid reservoir.
3. Drive the blower with a 540rpm hydraulic motor.
4. Plumb the system to avoid flow restrictions.
5. Protect the pump and motor with a pressure relief valve.
6. Drive the chute rotator with a little gear-head 12V motor.
7. Blow snow in total comfort!

My parts list is (nearly everything from Central Surplus, who gave me great service):

9-1047-1-C pump
9-6666 torque bar
9-6135-75-L relief valve
9-7950 reservoir
9-7290-125 internal tank strainer
9-059-10 10 micron filter
9-072-1063 motor
1-1563-G shaft coupler
5-1726 20rpm gearmotor
11-3259 DPDT switch
1-3421-E coupling half
1-3421-M coupling half
1-3421-X coupling insert
4?-7700 ｾ inch Gates quick couplers
1?-7290-125 tank strainer
1?-4404-20-20 adapter
2?-5404-12-12 nipple
1?-6815-16-16 elbow
3?-6806-12-12 elbow
2?-078-240 ｾ inch 20 foot hose
4feet?-1956 1 ｼ inch return hose
locally supplied 30 inch relief valve return hose
wire, zip-ties
quick change plate for the FEL
miscellaneous steel

I designed the fluid reservoir support for the 3 point, the QC plate attachment and gusseting, the hydraulic motor mount and the chute motor housing and had the welding done locally.

As I recently posted the conversion was tested with our first 8 inch snowfall this week and performed flawlessly.

My total cost came to $3186 (welding was 750 of that) including the 20 gallons of fluid to fill it, not bad for earning an A in Hydraulics 101!

DrMac

 

[Coyote machine]

It will around $7000, with adding mid-point pto. If you have a Bobcat dealer close try working the 2 dealers for best price. Same tractor CT335 so mount frame and pto setup is the same.

As I seem to remember my dealer said over $8K, possibly 8.5 or close to it for a DK-40 series....
That's a lot of $$$$!

 

[NormB]

I'm back. First may I say thanks to those that have provided comments. In particular and regretably, DrMac's description of his solution is well beyond my skill level.

Based on the responses so far, it appears the front mounted snowblower club is a very small group which is understandable considering the unbelievable upfront cost of this implement. My dealer has also suggested $8,000. for the kioti kit.

Currently awaiting a quote on the following from my dealer Company Normand - Snowblowers Front Lift System.

I'll post the second option results when received.

Til then

 

[drmac]

NormB, I suspect you underestimate your skills! If you have a competent welder available you'd have no trouble. Your real advantage is you already have the basic blower.

I'd be happy to send you sketches of my project and help with any questions.

Drmac