Do rear snowblowers float?

[RTalma]

As I consider a sub-cut purchase, color undetermined I wondered how 3 pt hitch snowblowers work. Do they tend to follow the driveway contour (float) or is the 3pt fixed in postion so it tends to lift or dig in depending on movement over bumps in the driveway? I have relatively smooth asphalt, but a concrete gutter at the end and wonder how a rear blower will react to dropping a wheel off the driveway. Thanks.

 

[radioman]

with any 3pt attachment, all tractors 3 pt "floats" as there is no down pressure. its the top link that does the cutting or skipping by adjusting the length. n

 

[flyingcow]

Basically floats, no down pressure other than the weight of the blower. You can adjust the top link on the 3 point. This will make it more or less aggressive on the cutting edge.

 

[leonz]

As I consider a sub-cut purchase, color undetermined I wondered how 3 pt hitch snowblowers work. Do they tend to follow the driveway contour (float) or is the 3pt fixed in postion so it tends to lift or dig in depending on movement over bumps in the driveway? I have relatively smooth asphalt, but a concrete gutter at the end and wonder how a rear blower will react to dropping a wheel off the driveway. Thanks.

With a smack and a bang but otherwise unhurt provided the auger does not catch anything substantial and shears a pin.

You can set the draft control androp likn to skim the path and to lock its position to avoid this if you want but you may end up making a second pass.

No worries, great implement- depending upon the builders steel thickness. and the cross augers snow entry design- you want a cross auger design that has an open top to pull tyhe snow down and in to avoid snow flowing over the blower.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I find that my Frontier follows the surface really well.

It has good sized skid shoes and weighs about 500 pounds.

I am very happy with mine although I have experienced some neck pain.

 

[Craig Clayton]

As for a rear snow blower I think it comes to your age and how deep your pockets are .My neck is slowly reaching the stage of a Barn Owl . I am positive it will soon turn almost all the way around just before it stiffens up. The front setup is more costly and depending upon the machine some are better than others. If you are planning on keeping your snow blower forever and live in snow country I would suggest a front model if your pocket book can afford it.
I have a rear blower that I would like to retool for front usage and then I could put the rear blade back on.
Craig Clayton

 

[Freds]

Going by your post, no, it will not float. Snowblowers have no side to side float, just up and down float. So if you drop a shoe off the edge, the snowblower will basically stay supported by the shoe still in contact with the ground. The lower lift arms work in conjunction with each other. You can lift one up and down and the other will follow suit.
I sure wish it had side to side float though. I went from a rear blade to a snowblower. I could take out a pin on the rear blade and it would follow the contour of the crown on a dirt driveway. Not so with the snowblower. It threw the crown into my yard with the rest of the snow, lol. Shaved it right off. I have since had my driveway concreted and no more problems that way. It would be nice if they had side to side float.

 

[RickB]

Going by your post, no, it will not float. Snowblowers have no side to side float, just up and down float. So if you drop a shoe off the edge, the snowblower will basically stay supported by the shoe still in contact with the ground. The lower lift arms work in conjunction with each other. You can lift one up and down and the other will follow suit.
I sure wish it had side to side float though. I went from a rear blade to a snowblower. I could take out a pin on the rear blade and it would follow the contour of the crown on a dirt driveway. Not so with the snowblower. It threw the crown into my yard with the rest of the snow, lol. Shaved it right off. I have since had my driveway concreted and no more problems that way. It would be nice if they had side to side float.

Good post; a rear blower will float about as good as a tombstone. Some 3pt linkages have settings that provide 'lateral float'. The blower isn't likely to have that ability otherwise.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Couild you explain the side-to-side float.?? What is that.??....I leave about a 2" "float" in the turnbuckles with my blower....Is this not what you are talking about.??

 

[chopped]

I agree on the floating. I also have one of these
HYDRAULIC TOP LINK CATEGORY 1 - Agri Supply
The hydraulic upper link lets me fine toon it to the depth of cut. Not alot of adjustment but just another use of the hyd top like.(adjust on the blow) lol