Adding a 2-speed pto

emery · Feb 5, 2002

Sure looks like a rugged unit. But don't the wheels pack down the snow causing the blower to tend to 'ride up' leaving too much snow behind?

Anonymous Poster · Feb 5, 2002

I did'nt notice in your earlier pictures of your project, but in the last one with the snow blower has your rops been lowered? Does this have anything to do with the backhoe attachment? It sure does look alot more convient and just as safe as the tall ones, was this another mod ? or is this factory or a picture allusion. Tim

rbargeron · Feb 5, 2002

Barry - There's a story behind this snowblower. 20 years ago, there was a JD dealer in the neighborhood who got two of these machines in from a manufacturer in the midwest somewhere. I remember looking at them and thinking those foolish flatlanders were designing for dry midwest powder, not New England snow that packs like iron if you drive on it !!

But the tractor doesn't pack it as tight as a car does, and the plow edges do a decent job of getting under it. I bought one of the original 2, wore it out, and tracked down the other one (the one in the picture) which had an easy life up to then. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

rbargeron · Feb 6, 2002

Tim - good eye ! Yeah, this is a mod but not a public one (until now) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The rops is from my L4150 - I shortened it 9" so it would go into my buildings. When I got the L5450 I swapped the rops, selling the tall one with the L4150.

It is enough above head height so it's not in the way. At this height it is somewhat less effective at stopping a roll - but it's sure better than not having one. It's not in the way for the backhoe at all. The bh seat is higher - bar is about hat level. (not expecting a rollover while digging) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Feb 8, 2002

what kind of snowblower is it and how much do they cost?

rbargeron · Feb 8, 2002

I don't know who made it - there's a faded decal but no nameplate, and the dealer is long gone. Maybe somebody else knows - John Miller III ? I don't think they are available any more - at least not in any places I've been. A good fab shop might be able to make one - its pretty simple. Does your rig have 750 or 1000 pto available?

emery · Feb 8, 2002

I image with the tread pattern on your tractor you don't flatten as much as a car or with turf tires. Are you using it on gravel or paved surface?

rbargeron · Feb 8, 2002

My place is mostly paved. The blower's plow edges lift and scrape the snow pretty well - so it does the job.

rbargeron · Feb 15, 2002

Emery and DonL and others have asked about the pull-type snowblower. A Canadian company Normand makes a few pull models - they show some pics & specs <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cienormand.com/soufnina.htm> HERE </A> - (thanks to Paul Benvenuti in Quebec) I'm pretty sure my blue one is not a Normand.