Drag blade for rear-mount snowblower

[rbargeron]

I don't charge anyone either - planning to make it up with volume

 

[rbargeron]

Well it didn't snow here in December or January so the modification of the snowblower has continued. The drag blade moves up out of the way now and operation is hydraulic. Also added a linkage to turn the chute. We finally got some snow to test it on - it works!
Here are pics showing the blade on the blower, and the neat job it does in front of garage doors.

 

[rbargeron]

Here are some more pictures of the project. This blower is 35 years old at least (see pics at the top of this thread taken in November)- but we took advantage of the warm days in January and sandblasted & painted it - looks new now. The drag blade linkage was fun to figure out - did it in AutoCad, using dimensions from cylinders I got cheap on eBay. The control valve (also eBay) has a float spool so the blade can follow the ground independent of the blower. Linkage arms are 3/8" x 2" steel. Using a single cylinder and a crank tube keeps the blade level with the blower. It's strong enough to lift the blower with the blade - but it's best to lift the blower with the 3ph, and let the blade just float. The chute turner is like the ones on Farm King blowers - a curved swing arm with cable wrapped around the chute - simple and effective. Cost-wise, I'm in this whole project for less than 10% of a new blower with this feature. (I'm considering my time as play time)
It can snow all it wants to now.

 

[rbargeron]

In answer to a PM question on the hydraulics - I plumbed it with hoses and fittings from Discount Hydraulic Hose. The tractor has a 13gpm pump - I wanted a control valve with large (3/4") in-and-out ports so the power-beyond system to the 3ph would be free-flowing. On eBay I found a Cross BA 2-spool loader valve with power-beyond sleeve and a float detent on one spool. The control valve's inlet and power-beyond hoses connect in place of the FEL hoses (when the loader is removed) or can connect to include the loader when its mounted. The cylinders are piped with 1/4" hoses and fittings which dissipate some of the hydraulic energy - makes blade and chute motion less abrupt. (Thanks to Mad_Referee for confirming this would work) One last feature, the linkage is designed so with cylinders at full stroke there is no force on it. This is so the huge hydraulic forces don't tear it apart.
And, no, none of this is patented.

 

[Ductape]

Now that is slick ! Since you are not so far away from me..... i have a great proposition for you. As winter peters out, i'm going to bring my little 48" blower down to you and have you make identical mods to my ole blower. I'm willing to pay you TWICE what you make in a seasons' snow removal. That should about cover it.... yes??!!

Seriously..... nice job !

 

[rbargeron]

Uh, let's see - that's two custom-made ash coffee tables, two motorcycle paint jobs, several bottles of Lemon Cella liquer, four tins of chocolate rum balls, six dozen oatmeal cookies, and two bottles of single malt scotch.

 

[dylan]

rbargeron
Your project turned out really well. It looks very professional.

I like the clearance you get when the blade is down. It really gets the blower up and out of the way. Did you consider side plates to keep the snow in when back dragging. Nothing worse than going back for that little trail of snow.

Good job.
dylan

 

[BTDT]

Very nice. Looks like a fun project, probably voided your warranty on the snowblower with those modifications though.

 

[rbargeron]

rbargeron
Your project turned out really well. It looks very professional.

I like the clearance you get when the blade is down. It really gets the blower up and out of the way. Did you consider side plates to keep the snow in when back dragging. Nothing worse than going back for that little trail of snow.

Good job.
dylan

Thanks, Dylan - Side Plates?? Leave it to somebody who has built his own drag blade to think of side plates ! On my rig, they could reach forward outside the arms. Did you add side plates to yours? Any pics? Great idea - I'm on it !!

I was thinking a good thing about your ToolCat's front mount is you can turn your front wheels sharp and move the drag snow to the side into the next pass - handy.

 

[rbargeron]

Very nice. Looks like a fun project, probably voided your warranty on the snowblower with those modifications though.

Hello Michael - your comment got me interested in checking the actual history of this machine (I gotta get a life).
So far I've found out it was made by Avco New Idea, (not Agco), Rotary Snow Plow, model 516A, manufactured sometime in the '70s. They didn't call it a snowblower - prefering to call it a rotary snow plow, like the railroad units of the time. This model was the "baby" of the lineup - the others were 8 ft and 9 ft with twin augers. The gearbox looks like it would handle 150 hp. Everything is so strong they could have given a 50-year warranty without much exposure.
All this snowblower stuff must look a little silly from Texas
p.s. coin-operated air is $0.75 in Vermont - residue of Howard Dean?