Front mounted V-Plow and Dual Rear Snowblowers

Villengineer · Sep 20, 2004

Ah, now this all makes more sense. Knowing the application really helps us help you. Based on your reply it appears that your parameters are blowing 2 windrows approx. 3ft sq on either side of the plow while minimizing the amount of equipment required and minimizing the impact on the "medians". Just off the top of my head I would say that mounting everything on the single loader would increase the impact on the "medians" as your contact psi will be higher. What if instead of mounting the blowers directly to the loader you built a "trailer" that the loader backed into that would essentially be self contained. Most loaders have at least have a hitch. This trailer could be "U-shaped" to keep the OAL as small as possible and bring the blowers up alongside for ease of operator observation. The loader then only has to pull it along. High floatation tires could be used to minimize ground contact pressure and it could have it's own power unit so as not to rob any power from the loader. Since it would be easily removed the loader could still be used as just the plow if need be or as a loader in the off-season. This also wouldn't necessitate the purchase of a new loader.

eltufto · Sep 20, 2004

Oh, forgot to say that at this point the tractor is going to be outfitted with tracks -> see QUADTRAC, which will greatly lessen the contact pressure. But the idea of a trailer is pretty interesting. It would mean that the tractor would not have to be modified (mechanically, hydraulics would still be an issure), or not nearly as much.
There are two problems I see with it though, but they could be solved.
1)The trailer may have a tendancy to rotate if it encounters a heavier windrow on one side, as one blower gets bogged down.
2)It would be without the weight of the tractor to keep the blowers from bouncing around.
Number 2 could be solved by with the secondary motor that you suggested as it may make it heavy enough. But I guess you could also experiment with adding weights to the trailer as well.
And I suppose for 1, you could install a locking mechanism with the trailer hitch for when you want to go straight. It would have to be something that could be engaged and disengaged inside the cab.

Thanks for the idea, definately something to take into consideration now.

Villengineer · Sep 20, 2004

( 1)The trailer may have a tendancy to rotate if it encounters a heavier windrow on one side, as one blower gets bogged down. ) If you bring the blowers up on either side of the rear drive units it would be necessary to keep the unit "locked" with the rear of the loader at all times to prevent contact with the loader. Additionally this would put any rotational forces into both the trailers suspension and the loader. I wouldn't think that there would be a need to have the trailer capable of moving relative to the loader in the horizontal plane.
( 2)It would be without the weight of the tractor to keep the blowers from bouncing around.
Number 2 could be solved by with the secondary motor that you suggested as it may make it heavy enough. But I guess you could also experiment with adding weights to the trailer as well ) I would definitely use a seperate engine/hyd power unit. It's always easier to add weight than remove it, so that would be an easy problem to solve. Controlling the unit remotely from the cab would be relatively easy. Could either be done using a pendant or even via remote control.

ronjhall · Sep 20, 2004

There is a post somewhere on TBN that shows a forward facing 3ph snowblower. I cannot find the thread. Someone may have better luck than I did.
Two of these snowblowers mounted on a frame or trailer would be a good start. Does the tractor have a PTO to power the blowers. Should not be hard to find a gearbox that will drive 2 blowers similar to a bat wing rotary cutter.

Rollinns · Sep 21, 2004

See attachment.

To hook up the snow blowers like a trailer, you could just tie them into the v-plow with quick disconnect pins. The blue parts are just the first ideas I had to mount the snow blowers. You could connect the snow blower to the tractor hitch and then run a piece of steel on each side to connect to the rigidly mounted v-plow, this turns the trailer into a easily disconnectable snow blower u-shaped frame. Also by placing the frame outside the tracks, it greatly reduces the stress on the rear hitch during turning. I would probably put a step on these steel frame pieces for easier cab access but that's something to be worked on in a later stage of planning.

In the rear you could use that space for the bat-wing mower style PTO drives for the snow blowers or for the power unit for the snow blowers and the rear of the frame could be extended rearward if more space for weight is needed.

The black circle at the top is a runway light.

If this turns out to be feasible, it's going to be one snow-taming beast. We'll all be eager for pics (including the construction) of the "TBN Airport Snow Beast".

Villengineer · Sep 21, 2004

Somewhat like I was trying to describe. However, if you stay with an articulated piece of equipment you have to keep the front and the back seperate (can't attach the V-plow to the back) or you won't be able to turn.

rockinmywaypa · Sep 21, 2004

One time I saw a mercedes-benz unimog with a 10 ft wide angle plow with blower incorporated/built in right on the discharge end of the plow so that the snow was blown as it reached the end of the plow. looked awesome to me. You could probably do it similarly, doubling the idea so it works off both sides of the v-plow. It would cut down on framework, extra parts like augers and the chances of missing some of the windrow of snow.

eltufto · Sep 21, 2004

Attaching the blower component to the plow with a long beam was something I was wondering about too, but the loader that we have right now has a pivot in the middle for it to turn. We still need to be able to turn tight to navigate between runways, and taxiways, so unfortunately this won't work.

I didn't have any time at work today, but tommorow I'm going to take another look at the loader to see if there is a place behind the pivot solid enough to attach the blower unit to. There is also the option of purchasing a unit with a backhoe (I was told today that apparently money is no problem), which would make mounting much simpler. It would provide hydraulics as well, so a trailer unit wouldn't be necessary. This is a last resort though, because I would like to stay with the CASE 821B, since the airport owns a few which could act as replacements in case of break-downs.
Attaching the blowers to either end of the V-Plow was brought up initially, but it had to be rejected because the snow has to blow in the same direction, which would mean snow blows in front of the driver.

I think for now I am gonna run with the trailer idea and see how far it gets me. My manager seems to think it is doable. I am still not so sure how to solidly secure the trailer behind the loader, hopefully tommorow I will see something that catches my eye. Because right now the exsisting trailer hitch wouldn't be solid enough to keep the trailer rigid. It needs to be rigid, because when the loader wants to turn, the trailer needs to turn with it (if the trailer is a U-shape, which seems the best at this point); if it lags behind in moving it will interfere with the rear tires. I would like to see the trailer hook up with the hitch, and then arms on the side to securely fix it to the tractor.
So that's the plan for tommorow, if all goes well, I think it will be time to start ironing out the details to really see if this thing can happen.

As soon as a design is finalized, and work begins (unfortunately, this is definately a back-burner project, so it may be some time), I'll get pictures posted of the progress, and eventually the finished project. Hopefully, this will get done in time to see it put into action.

Thanks again for all the help, I really appreciate it.

Villengineer · Sep 22, 2004

If you start looking at alternative equipment to the Case front-end loader that you make sure you have enough lift capacity to handle that plow. If I remember correctly that plow is right about the capacity of the Case. It would take a very large backhoe to have the same capacity. Especially once you remove the counterweight of the hoe. Also, I think I remember reading that the plows are not a universal hook-up so you may need to see how difficult or $ altering the plow to fit another piece of equipment might be.
When looking at the Case's trailer hitch, look for locations that additional attachment points could be welded or bolted on. Don't limit yourself to the existing hitch.
Oh yeah, a little heads up, in general, no matter what anyone tells you, $ is always a problem.

eltufto · Sep 22, 2004

Yeah, that's what I'm going to be looking for, solid places of steel to weld attachment points onto. Hopefully, I'll luck out though and find some suitable beams or whatnot to latch onto, that way all the CASE 821's in the fleet can be used with this.