Huntington
New member
Looking for advice on purchasing a 3pt hitch snowblower. I would like a 87" model. Any suggestions on manufacturer? New or used?
Be sure to buy wider than tire tracks.
Most Canadian blowers are top notch designs especially those made in Quebec.
As to used blowers most if not all service components are 'off the shelf' items. (chain, bearings,shear bolts etc.)
The more blades and the larger the fan housing the better the performance.
Pronovost with 5 bladed 24" blades is an awesome blower as an example and favored by contractors.
Easily adjustable skid shoes is another feature to look for as you generally want them low to build a base on gravel drives but once the base is there you raise them to get all the snow.
Avoid blowers that have the gear box integrated as part of the augers shaft. The better design has the auger chain driven at one end.
Check out the fan housing for signs of extreme wear as some can get worn clear thru from blowing lots of gravel. (a liner is often installed to repair this problem)
You didn't neglect it......there no maintenance to them. Oil chain lube PTO shaft. I've had several with zero issue.I have an older Buhler 60" blower and it has worked great for me.
I have pretty much ignored it as far as maintenance and it has been forgiving.
I was the envy of the neighborhood about 3 years ago when we had 42" in Baltimore.
I did every neighbor in my little panhandle development and it never failed.