Adjusting 3pt blower for a clean scrape (blow?)

[cnice37]

Search didn't get me a hit, so I was wondering if it has been discussed before...

I am in my learning season with my 3pt blower, and I haven't been able to get as clean of a scrape as I'd like. At first I thought it was my driveway, but anice and flat, newly paved neighbor's driveway yielded similar results.

The blower is 4' wide, so much smaller than most of what I see here. The videos posted here show much better finish performance on a single pass than I am able to achieve. We have had a couple very dry, light snows as well as a soaking wet, heavy snow. In all cases, I'm left unimpressed by the cleanliness of my work. Comparing to a walk behind, it isn't nearly as clean of a scrape.

I tired for a "level" approach, adjusting top link such that bottom of blower box was level. I then tried to tip it forward for an actual "bite" if you will. The prior works better than the latter, and would be better longterm I'd think as well. Its not like the blower isn't gobbling and throwing snow, if it weren't for moving cars I can do my driveway in about 4 minutes, so I'm moving and keeping the RPMs high (>2k.)

So what else can I adjust? There are no shoes, just the bottom braces and the bottom of the blower.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have to adjust my blower, first to avoid digging into the ground and then when the ground is frozen I angle the cutting edge downward.

I guess, I never really get a close shave when I think about it, which has never bothered me. Just the snow left behind builds up and then you have half a foot of slush in the driveway in the spring that nothing short of a tractor can drive through!

 

[mpham]

Mine is adjusted down as far as I can go. It still leaves snow behind enough to ice up..I think I am going to try to add a scraper edge to it this summer.

 

[ScottyChip]

I agree, my blower leaves behind a thin layer of snow, but that is the way I like it because I have a gravel driveway. I use my bucket when it gets soft to scrape of most of the built up layer.

 

[Avondale]

My blower has "feet", usually in fully raised position (Leaving blower edge closest to surface). Then the top link adjusts the angle of attack, as you mentioned. Only other adj I have is one bottle screw on right hand lower 3pt arm to adjust for blower level (left to right).

 

[JJZ 109]

I agree, my blower leaves behind a thin layer of snow, but that is the way I like it because I have a gravel driveway. I use my bucket when it gets soft to scrape of most of the built up layer.

Same here. I like a little hardpack "base" to save from blowing stones out into the yard. I usually leave the loader arms in the float position and adjust my angle on the fly, that's the beauty of the skid steer as opposed to 3PH. Even though I've got the right amount of spacers inserted on the shoes to keep the cutting edge up off the stone, sometimes the shoes will bite into the gravel and want to steer the whole machine one way or the other. Trial, error and seat time have improved the results. Unfortunately that takes some time. It wasn't a bolt on adjustment or quick fix to make it happen.

 

[MAN IN BLACK]

You need to adjust the top link, turn it to make it longer.
The blower will not be level from front to back, it will be lower on the back side (cutting hedge).
You also need the lower links to be level.
There is no other way to adjust a blower that I know !
Good luck
BLACK

 

[yelbike]

Got pictures of the blower's cutting edge? Is it sharp? Is it the first things that contacts the ground when being lowered?

What brand is it?
I've owned many farm king 48". They usually work great. I like my front mount because you can add a little down pressure.

I've found my over sized box blade does a great job that gives a nice finished look to snow clearing jobs. It gets done to the hard surface and leaves no tire tracks.

 

[cnice37]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I will just tweak it, trial and error, and see what works best for me.

The blower was essentially brand new albeit bought used. The cutting edge is good and flat. I'll see if I can go in the opposite direction with top link next time, see what changes.

 

[Lawnranger]

I have a Woods 3ph and if I don't extend the top link out, the blower won't travel down far enough to clean when the tractor is on a grade. I gave up on the angle of attack and I adjust it to travel about 3 inches below the rear wheels and it cleans much better. I park in the garage and hang the blower out the door to adjust it down the small incline leading up to the garage. Hope it helps.