Do rear snowblowers float?

RickB · Feb 3, 2011

jinman said:
Your description of side-to-side float and Rick's lateral float sure sound like side-to-side tilt to me just to add another expression to the mix. Isn't tilt the normal term when describing one side of an implement lower than the other? Isn't that why we say TnT, meaning Toplink and Tilt (sidelink) adjustment?

Lateral float is a John Deere term from at least the 1970's to describe the motion allowed when the 3PT lift links are pinned to the draft links in slots that allow the draft links free upward movement of 2-3 inches at the implement balls. This range of motion, coupled with the common 3PT characteristic of a floating rockshaft, allows the implement to float alterally some. Not to be confused with leaving stabilizers loose or unpinned. Whatever it is called, most of us are talking about the same motion, or lack thereof.

Freds · Feb 4, 2011

Lightnsound said:
I recently hung a rear snowblower on my tractor and have had the same interest in float or tilt or whatever we are calling this. I have thought of pulling off my sidelinks and replacing them with chains and shackles. This would allow me to lift the blower when necessary, but allow it to tilt and follow the contour of the drive when it's down. As long as I can figure out a way to keep the chains out of the PTO shaft I think it might work.

Thoughts?

I think this is a pretty good idea. You'll lose some height when lifting due to the slack in the chains when in the down position, but it would certainly allow the blower to follow a horizontal contour. If you only needed a couple inches or so of movement, it should be fine. Like you said, just make sure it's impossible for the chains to contact the PTO shaft.

loingrader · Feb 4, 2011

my lorenz 7310 and all lorenz 310 series blowers have a mount that allows for a fixed or float position.

Lorenz Snow Blowers

This allows it to float and follow contours much better than just relying on my JD3320 link arms to do the floating. It really follows contours quite well.

brunswick000 · Feb 8, 2011

Im new to this stuff so just dismiss my comments if they make no sense. But since just about everyone on this site seems to be able to fabricate, why not change the mount for the bottom links on the blower mounts? Instead of having just a single hole you could have a vertical "slot". That way it could at least tilt to either side. Not sure what others think of that, but perhaps in combination with the addition of an adjustable guide wheel to the blower that ive seen in another post (customization I think) would allow easier tilting as it would contact the ground more smoothly then just the blower dragging itself over everything. I dont if anyone will understand that?