Snowblower Erskine Front Snowblower Modification

[mjncad]

Hey Matt - I looked at your band saw mods and the snake pit on Bambi - wow, now there's some fluid power choices! What tools do you plan to drive with the new SCV's? When I added new 2-spool valves I used three 1/2" lines with daisy-chained PB's and tee'd returns so there's full flow to any valve, or independent sharing without disabling the PB to the 3ph. But it's a lot of plumbing! Happy Holidays - DickB

Thanks. When we bought 35-acres at the end of 2007 just before the economy took a major nuclear dump; the thought was to upgrade the tractor in case I needed the outlets for something or another while building the new house. Now the outlets are just there with one running a top-link. I also wanted to get the kits while I still could.

Now the house is nothing more than a wet-dream and we may have to sell the land.

 

[rbargeron]

........what year model is your 5450 and how many hours does it have on it. I have always thought the 5450 was a great looking machine.

Hi Randall, The L5450 is an HDT-W (hydraulic shuttle, dual-traction, wet clutch) and was new in 1998 - probably one of the last L5450's out the door. It has around 1100 hours. For a while I had a second identical one without the cab but with a backhoe. I transferred the bh and sold the open-station tractor to a guy I work with - but sometimes I miss it. This model is among Kubota's best products I think. Very strong, heavy, dependable and trouble-free. The Laurin cab's flat-glass styling is getting a little out of date - but mine is too ! Looks like we may get some snow to try this baby out. I clear 8 places in my neighborhood so I'll post a report tomorrow on how it performs. Take care, Dick B

Hey Matt - I hope things improve so you can keep your acreage and build on it. As the economy gets off the floor lots of stuff will need to be built, all of it needing a plan. Hang in there. Dick B

 

[rbargeron]

Well it did itself proud, passed the test with flying colors - we got less snow than some nearby towns at higher elevation, but 6"-7" is enough to check out blower function. The wider blower head is much better. You wouldn't think a few inches on each side would be that big a deal but it is - I'm no longer driving over un-blown snow with my rear tires, and it's easier to do around mailboxes, parked cars, and near buildings.

It's cool to have a one-of-a-kind attachment too. The blower looks like hundreds of other seven foot machines - except that the chute is on the right and the fan turns ccw.

 

[foggy1111]

Great post. Nice Job...Well done! :thumbsup:

 

[rbargeron]

Hey Tom - Thanks for the thumbsup. I've been clearing out some drifts and moved one pile the town's plow left. It was good to see the new longer auger is reasonably matched to the fan - it doesn't over-feed it or leave a center pile.

Not snow blower related, but I saved the pic of your stump grinder - I'm wondering about adding a hydraulic extender to one of these so it could advance without moving the "planted" tractor. What do you think?

 

[rbargeron]

We finally got some real snow in western MA ! I don't have any action pics but the wider blower works like a champ in 12+ inches of snow. The chute deflector now has an up/down switch on the valve handle - very handy item. A cup holder for my hot cider & scotch is next !

P.S. If anybody is interested in the yellow one I'm accepting offers. :thumbsup:

 

[mjncad]

A cup holder for my hot cider & scotch is next !

What kind of Scotch do you drink?

 

[pilot-werx]

Wow, that really looks great!

 

[rbargeron]

What kind of Scotch do you drink?

Dewar's White Label - Ancestor when available. But as my old uncle used to say, I'll drink any given scotch.

 

[mjncad]

Dewar's White Label - Ancestor when available. But as my old uncle used to say, I'll drink any given scotch.

I'm partial to 15-year old Laphroig (sp); but I'll drink any single malt scotch and Johnny Walker Black Label for blended.

 

[Willl]

What did you use to cut out the new flights ?

:confused3:

 

[rbargeron]

Hi Willl - the answer was in post #12 above - the new flights are made from flat rings cut by a cnc plasma torch unit - I bought them from a local steel shop and bent them into right and left spirals. The spokes are 1/4" x 2" x 3-5/8" flat stock. Hope this answers the question - take care, Dick B

 

[Willl]

Hope this answers the question

It does, thanks.

And yes, totally missed post 12.

 

[rbargeron]

I'm partial to 15-year old Laphroig (sp); but I'll drink any single malt scotch and Johnny Walker Black Label for blended.

Well if we're going to talk barley whiskey, I should say my taste for it started while I was playing baritone sax in a blues band. Used scotch to stay hydrated (or so I thought) through three or four sets without having a hangover. It was Teacher's Highland Cream in those days. Later I switched to White Label which I've heard is a blend of Phiddick, Morangey and Grant - but none of those malts has the taste I'm after. My bari is a Selmer Mark VI with low A. It's the ultimate single-malt saxophone - as close to perfection as there is. I like Walker black too, but it's a little sweet.

 

[mjncad]

I'll have to remember that excuse for drinking Scotch...to stay hydrated...LOL. I don't know diddly about musical instruments I'm afraid.

We now return you to our regularly scheduled thread.

 

[Reg]

Hey Tom - Thanks for the thumbsup. I've been clearing out some drifts and moved one pile the town's plow left. It was good to see the new longer auger is reasonably matched to the fan - it doesn't over-feed it or leave a center pile.

Not snow blower related, but I saved the pic of your stump grinder - I'm wondering about adding a hydraulic extender to one of these so it could advance without moving the "planted" tractor. What do you think?

Hi,
I got here from another thread - about my possible Loftness front mount blower project.

Anyhow, here's my thought on the stump grinder question;

I have a TSG-50 and although I haven't done a lot with it yet I think moving it forwards/backwards is going to work the same way that I do small positioning adjustments when beside the tractor, i.e. put the front up on the bucket edge and use the joy-stick - at engine idle.
At a guess, somewhere between a foot and 18 inches should be possible this way, though I have never measured it.
Careful to raise the grinder, since rolling the bucket affects the grinder height (-:

I think I will be standing beside the right rear wheel anyway a) to monitor progress b) to operate the swing and depth hydraulics.
It is going to be easier, more accurate, better, etc than trying to do it from the tractor seat.

 

[rbargeron]

Reg, I hadn't thought of that method but it seems like a perfect way to do it. I had watched a bigger trailer-type stump grinder operate that had about 6 ft of hydraulic ram travel in the hitch tongue and I though it was a good feature - but a foot or 18" should be enough for most of the stumps l'll be doing. My bucket has all of that. And if the job needs a re-plant or two from the seat, so be it.

Apologies to anyone looking for the snow blower thread