Snowblower 3pt forward-facing snowblower

[rozett]

I have a used implement dealer around the corner from me. I stopped in today for some misc. hitch pins, etc. He had an interesting 3pt snowblower there today. Instead of the throat facing the rear, it faced forward . So you drive forward and as you drive over the snow, it goes into the chute and the first stage of the blower. I can't remember the manufacturer but is was something like Snowmachines or something. He claimed that it came from Canada.

Has anyone seen one like this? Any comments on how effective it operates? If that was the answer to facing rear, I would expect to seem more of them, So are there any known problems with this type blower?

This guy is normally over-priced. He wanted $650 for a new boxblade, when I bought a Midwest box from Corriher for almost $300 less delivered. He wants $700 for a 6' rake with guide wheels, but I can also get that cheaper from Corriher. But he only wants $400 for this blower... used of course.

 

[mgrick]

Do a search for snowblowers,there's a post under front or rear mount snowblower.There were several posts a while back on these snowblowers.Someone said there used alot up in Canada.

 

[rbargeron]

I posted about this single-stage snowblower a while back. I since have been told it was made by Snow Machines. Forward facing 3-pt single stage snowblowers have also been made by Erskine.

This rig works well - it's best over paved surfaces - doesn't like rocks, but works ok on unpaved if its skids are adjusted to hold it up a little.

A large forward facing 2-stage rear-mount is offered by Pronovost (Canada). That one is reversible, I think.

Erskine also offers a front-mount, rear-pto-driven 2 stage.

And just to complete the circle, SnowMachines made a backward-facing 2-stage - I saw a used one listed at Ag Dealer.

The SnowMachines models I've seen have been blue and white, with a large round logo decal. Was the unit you saw 2-stage?




I've also seen backward facing 2-stage from - but they are no longer in business.

 

[rozett]

Yes, the one I am looking at is a two-stage blower. It has a typical spiral first stage. The second stage looks like it has 3 flat paddles that propel the snow out the chute. The chute is manual, not hydraulic. I think I will go back and check it out again during the week.

 

[rbargeron]

The asking price of $400 may be in line if the machine is decent. On most 2-stage blowers the auger is driven by a roller chain & sprocket off the gearbox. One good test is to turn it by hand to make sure it is easy and smooth. Check the condition of the chain & sprockets - if they are worn (sprocket teeth should not be pointed or sharp), it may be a clue that the machine will need a lot of tinkering to keep it running. Also, any signs of oil leakage from the gearbox should be checked out. If the unit is stained from leakage there's no way to really know how low on oil it's ever been allowed to get. Finally, check the pto shaft u-joints. They should be tight and smooth-pivoting. Sorry if I'm covering stuff you already know.

Good luck, Dick B