Convert walk behind snow-thrower into a "ride on"?

[NormL]

Given the innovative bent of virtually every TBNer, I have no doubt this has already been done. But being the indolent sort when it comes to doing searches I'm hoping someone knows exactly where to look and is kind enough to show me the way.

I'm getting up in years and walking behind a snow thrower is hardly good therapy for worn out knees and hips. My driveway and loop add up to about 550-600 feet of drifted white stuff, some of it up to 3' deep. This winter I've been blowing it out sometimes twice a week!:mur: So, I would like to convert an older, well built unit that at present needs an engine anyway, re-power with more horsepower and hook a set of wheels with a seat on it trailer style. What would be really cool: use the drive from another unit behind the first one and make a 4wd rider.:drool:

I don't care if you guys tell me I'm crazy; I already know that and have come to terms with it. So, how about it? Anyone?

 

[yomax4]

A friend tried exactly that. he did a good job but could never get enough traction to do anything. No way to steer and he was always getting off to straighten it out. Like I said though, He would mostly sit and spin. It's a great idea however.

 

[8n Bruce]

If your going to get a second drive ,it should be one with steering capable. I just wondered why you didn't think about mounting two 30" in front of a tractor & use the gas engine to drive it :confused3:

 

[NormL]

A friend tried exactly that. he did a good job but could never get enough traction to do anything. No way to steer and he was always getting off to straighten it out. Like I said though, He would mostly sit and spin. It's a great idea however.

That's what I thought might be a problem with a trailered seat. Even with chains I think the blower might not be heavy enough to pull me - I'm not a petite guy!:laughing:

 

[BigMike50]

Looks like you have 3 tractors and 2 with a loader. Why aren't u using th instead

 

[NormL]

If your going to get a second drive ,it should be one with steering capable. I just wondered why you didn't think about mounting two 30" in front of a tractor & use the gas engine to drive it :confused3:

To steer, I'm thinking I would just lower/shorten the handles and steer the machine like an articulated tractor. As for two 30"ers side by side, both my tractors are equiped with FEL's so a good bit of mods would be needed. On the other hand, a couple of 20"ers pushed with my garden tractor could work. That's the one I'm using right now to keep the drive cleared. The problem with the blower on that one is its a single stage belt driven set-up. The turf tires on the steers are no help either! When the snow is hard and I'm trying to take just a partial bite, the tendency is to veer off course and then I'm stuck. There are times I could get more done with a shovel!:smiley_aafz:

 

[NormL]

If your going to get a second drive ,it should be one with steering capable. I just wondered why you didn't think about mounting two 30" in front of a tractor & use the gas engine to drive it :confused3:

To steer, I'm thinking I would just lower/shorten the handles and steer the machine like an articulated tractor. As for two 30"ers side by side, both my tractors are equiped with FEL's so a good bit of mods would be needed. On the other hand, a couple of 20"ers pushed with my garden tractor could work. That's the one I'm using right now to keep the drive cleared. The problem with the blower on that one is its a single stage belt driven set-up. The turf tires on the steers are no help either! When the snow is hard and I'm trying to take just a partial bite, the tendency is to veer off course and then I'm stuck. There are times I could get more done with a shovel!:smiley_aafz:

 

[NormL]

Looks like you have 3 tractors and 2 with a loader. Why aren't u using th instead

The first few winters I used the Ford to push all my snow. I always wound up with deeper and deeper drifts as the windrows on each side got higher. So I started to use the garden tractor to blow out the drives. Trouble with it is described above. Also, it started chewing belts till I discovered the clutch pulley was seized. My SIL did in his walk-behind when it ingested an extension cord and the shear-pin turned out to be a hardened bolt! So, to dig out the Ford now, I'll need to shovel for a couple hours. I hope Spring gets here and makes that un-necessary.

 

[davedj1]

I say go for it, I like the articulated design. Now how to get power to the rear axle? A driveshaft? Put chains on all four wheels and you should be all set. maybe convert the front wheels to tracks and just have skis or rollers on the rear "sulky".
A friend of mine has some old Hus ski snow machines, tracks up front and skis in the rear that you sit on.
Home — Bolens Hus Ski and Diablo Rouge

 

[davedj1]

sorry, it double posted for some reason!

 

[duwem]

Here you go!!!

The Touring Troy-Bilt Snowblower - YouTube

 

[NormL]

Here you go!!!

The Touring Troy-Bilt Snowblower - YouTube

Thanks duwem.:cool2: What I'm taking away from that video is that the 29/30/31 inch machine with 10hp has the traction to pull those guys. I'm heavier than either of them but not both.:laughing: I'm thinking I will start with the trailer/sulky first. The blower I'll use had an 8hp engine which I'll repower with a larger heavier one. Also try running the blower at higher speed to send the white stuff far enough so the sides of my cut stay lower.

 

[duwem]

Some Chains and or wheel weights may be necessary to do some actual work with you attached.

At some point you will find the weakness of the transmissions drive system. If its a friction drive, you may need to add some extra springs to prevent the disk from slipping and wearing quickly?? if its an old gear drive you may be ok, but a lot of snowblowers dont have bearings, just brass bushings or even shafts running right in the sheet metal.

 

[NormL]

Some Chains and or wheel weights may be necessary to do some actual work with you attached.

At some point you will find the weakness of the transmissions drive system. If its a friction drive, you may need to add some extra springs to prevent the disk from slipping and wearing quickly?? if its an old gear drive you may be ok, but a lot of snowblowers dont have bearings, just brass bushings or even shafts running right in the sheet metal.

This project will be for summer. The blower I want to use is under snow in the back forty. Several feet of it. I can't remember what kind of drive it has. I'll make sure the bearings/bushings are going to take any added load I'm giving them, thanx. To repower it I'll watch the sales at Princess Auto for the diesel engine they carry.

 

[jaotguy]

kijijji and look for a cheap 10 HP show blower .... with motor OK but won't drive, broken parts / rusted bucket ....

or look for one with tracks and individual track controls (left and right) for steering.

 

[kevin37b]

Love it ,purty place .

 

[NormL]

I say go for it, I like the articulated design. Now how to get power to the rear axle? A driveshaft? Put chains on all four wheels and you should be all set. maybe convert the front wheels to tracks and just have skis or rollers on the rear "sulky".
A friend of mine has some old Hus ski snow machines, tracks up front and skis in the rear that you sit on.
Home Bolens Hus Ski and Diablo Rouge

This is what I'm looking for advice to give me ideas. Even if the blower drive can handle another driven axle, I need to make sure auxiliary axle is the same speed. I'm hoping that at the low speeds I'll be driving this, solid drive axles won't matter too much while cornering. Thoughts?

 

[davedj1]

As long as the two axles are geared the same I don't think you would have any problems turning with a straight rear axle on an articulated rig.
Make sure you set the skids on the blower so the main scraper isn't contacting the ground.
Take a look here
articulated snow blower - Google Search

 

[T_e_r_r_y]

What about using 2 similar snow-blowers. Same age, make, model, bucket size, engine h. p. speed range, etc, Rig them up like an articulated tractor. Use 1 ahead for front wheel drive and snow-blowing. Use the rear 1 for additional power and help in propelling the unit forward.
As was posted earlier find one that has a bad front blower or exploded gear case,(extra parts) but with a good drive train.
Maybe make a short wheel base sulky type, putting a seat on the rear 1 above the motor for weight and help with traction and still be able to reach the controls on the front 1.
Use a foot pedal for tightening the belt.
Make a console on the side for the throttle,electric start, and gear selection.
Might be able to do it this summer, with the snow ending soon.
This way you could start building if it dosen't look right take parts off and re-do it to your liking.
Just a few thoughts from this old mind.

T. J.

 

[NormL]

As long as the two axles are geared the same I don't think you would have any problems turning with a straight rear axle on an articulated rig.
Make sure you set the skids on the blower so the main scraper isn't contacting the ground.
Take a look here
articulated snow blower - Google Search

:laughing:
Scrolled through that link! I think the only thing not in there was someone with a shovel in their hand!:laughing::laughing: