Snow Drove 680 miles in 9 hours to pick up a....

[mgstevens]

Your search will likely be next to impossible anywhere near Nelson, BC.

Yeah, you were right. In the end, I ponied up the cash for a new snowblower, although I did save almost 15% by shopping a province over, and getting it shipped to me. I got it this morning. Still trying to wrap my head around the process to disconnect the loader and get the blower ready to clear snow, which could happen any day now. That said, we are getting some of the mildest weather for this time of year I have seen in a long time. Outside all day in the sun working in a light jacket. Been this way for a few weeks. Has made prep for winter go pretty smoothly so far.

I got so used to the changeover process with my old Bolens setup that I need to rethink the whole thing with this machine. Much more machine, but it's all good, just never been through it before and as always, can't wait to be on the other side of it. I must say, compared to what I was using (smaller and 40 years old..) this unit seems like a beast. Can't wait to see it in action.

 

[irvingj]

Once you get used to it, swapping from FEL to blower is pretty easy. The only trouble I occasionally have with mine is lining up the mid-PTO driveshaft. Maybe yours is different, but mine is apparently "keyed" so it only slips onto the splines in one position. If yours is like that, make life easy and mark the driveshaft & splined shaft so you can line them up easily. (I used "Wite-Out" stuff.)

It really helps if you have a concrete floor, of course! I use a 4-wheel dolly to set the FEL bucket onto --don't forget to put the FEL's "feet" down first!-- so it can be stored and moved around when necessary; I just pick up on the two arms while standing between them and can drag or push it around fairly easily.

Keep in mind: if you really need to go from blower back to FEL (I rarely do, maybe once or twice a winter), you can leave the quick-hitch assembly on the tractor and mount the FEL. Just be aware that the quick-hitch shoe does hang down there and could hit a low stone wall, for example. Dropping only the blower off is really easy; I also drop that onto a 4-wheel dolly.

At this point, switching from blower to FEL (or FEL to blower) takes me about 8 minutes or less. If I have to remove the quick-hitch assembly & driveshaft... add another 5 minutes or so.

 

[lpakiz]

I know I’m supposed to, but I don’t remove the FEL on mine. I take off the bucket or forks and retract the SSQA plate tight to the loader arms. I installed a high pressure ball valve on the hose that would raise the loader, so I can hydraulically lock the loader in the “UP” position. The ball valve also allows me to re-connect the loader hose without fighting the pressure in the quick coupler.

 

[txdon]

View attachment 627851
I know I’m supposed to, but I don’t remove the FEL on mine. I take off the bucket or forks and retract the SSQA plate tight to the loader arms. I installed a high pressure ball valve on the hose that would raise the loader, so I can hydraulically lock the loader in the “UP” position. The ball valve also allows me to re-connect the loader hose without fighting the pressure in the quick coupler.

Now that's a good idea! That ball valve would also work good for a grapple.

 

[irvingj]

Very clever! (I don't have SSQA on mine.... or a cab.... )