How long does a tractor snowblower last>

[Kubotafan]

I was wondering what the life expectancy on a tractor snowblower is. How long before a gear box needs rebuilding? What problem signs should a person look for? I have one that has cleared about 2000 driveways and am wondering what maintenance I should consider before the next season. I prefer to do things now and not in the middle of a snow storm.

 

[hhsco]

Good questions. I've seen folks on craigslist around here selling old v-style blowers from the 40s-50s that supposedly work perfectly. My chinese piece of crap needs a little more TLC.

I would assume they're like anything else- keep oil in the box and grease on the zerks and just be ready to replace or repair the occasional part and you'll be good to go. If you're doing it commercially then I'd almost definitely have an extra gearbox ready to go if you ever do break down. Otherwise what is there to fix that isn't just bending or welding? Is yours driven off a chain?

 

[yelbike]

Do your regular maintenance. Top off gear oil grease it oil the chain and you should be pretty good to go I think. Unless your wearing out the base or skids I wouldn't be too worried.

 

[Kubotafan]

I have replaced the shoes and cutting edge as they wore out. The chain has been replaced several times. I had one blower where the blower housing started to get holes and had to be rebuilt. The cogs also wear, but not sure at what point they should be replaced. I had to rebuild one gear box on a blower, but think it may have been the result of a grease zerk not getting enough grease.

 

[Looking4new]

With proper maintenance there is no reason why they shouldn't last 10 years, at least.

 

[Kubotafan]

With proper maintenance there is no reason why they shouldn't last 10 years, at least.

Does the amount of use effect this? Some people may do 20 or less a year. I did over 500 this winter. We won't both get the same number of years.

 

[hhsco]

I should think that amount of use is definitely a factor, along with TYPE of use, and perhaps even non-use.
More gravel = more wear and tear on just about everything. If you are doing pavement and the only thing going through the machine is snow then I'd guess you'd at least have a less scratched up looking unit!

My blower generally just chugs along fine with the occasional shear pin blown from gravel or sticks or whatnot. I occasionally blow my sisters driveway and she always has all sorts of hidden goodies. This past winter I got a head-sized rock jambed into the chain/gear inside the blower box. Sure stopped me quick....I removed the rock (what gouge marks!) and everything seemed fine except the chain was broken. Pins didn't even have time to shear. I eventually discovered that the shock of that rock without breaking the pins completed stressed every third or so link on the chain, making it pretty worthless. That's something one may or may not have to deal with in a parking lot.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Which tractor do you blow with? I have the B3030HSDCC and am a little concerned with the wear on the inside of the impeller housing and the thickness of the metal. I have been thinking about how to deal with it. Should I hard surface weld this which would be a bit of a challenge. I was even think about Rhino Lining (lining used in pickup truck beds). I kind of agree with the other comments. Keep fresh oil in the transfer case and keep your shafts greased. I also think being easy on the equipment and taking a little longer to do the job will go a long way towards making mine the last blower that I ever have to buy.

 

[dragoneggs]

Which tractor do you blow with? I have the B3030HSDCC and am a little concerned with the wear on the inside of the impeller housing and the thickness of the metal. I have been thinking about how to deal with it. Should I hard surface weld this which would be a bit of a challenge. I was even think about Rhino Lining (lining used in pickup truck beds). I kind of agree with the other comments. Keep fresh oil in the transfer case and keep your shafts greased. I also think being easy on the equipment and taking a little longer to do the job will go a long way towards making mine the last blower that I ever have to buy.

Nice video! Thanks for sharing.

 

[RickB]

Does the amount of use effect this? Some people may do 20 or less a year. I did over 500 this winter. We won't both get the same number of years.

You use a blower on 500 jobs in one year, there should be enough revenue to replace it BEFORE it needs major attention. The drive chain should be replaced without even thinking about it, and the gearbox should be drained & filled. PTO shaft u-joints & telescoping tubes need a close inspection.

 

[Kubotafan]

You use a blower on 500 jobs in one year, there should be enough revenue to replace it BEFORE it needs major attention. The drive chain should be replaced without even thinking about it, and the gearbox should be drained & filled. PTO shaft u-joints & telescoping tubes need a close inspection.

,

I do replace the drive chain every year, but have never had to do anything to the pto u-joints besides keeping them greased.

I had one blower where I had to have the blower housing rebuilt. I had metal fabricators bend a piece of steel to the right curve, and a friend who is an excellent welder, and particular about his work welded it in. I sold it and that tractor it was on shortly after and replaced them with a larger tractor and blower. I would like to replace my present blower before it needed this much work, and would give a new owner who didn't use it as much good service. However, it costs money to trade, and if I could get another year without problems I would.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I've often wondered if it would pay to line the blower housing with a slippery plastic just to help the blower blow further ans to prevent the housing from wearing.

 

[doxford jim]

pmsmechanic,

Thanks you have just given me an idea. The inside of the fan housing on my old snow blower could do with relining and I am sure using some high density PTFE type material will help a lot and there would be no need to be a good welder. Strategically spaced countersunk screws/bolts should work well and can be easily replaced. Hhhhm, the cost wouldn't be too bad and the material readily available.
Cheers

 

[RickB]

pmsmechanic,

Thanks you have just given me an idea. The inside of the fan housing on my old snow blower could do with relining and I am sure using some high density PTFE type material will help a lot and there would be no need to be a good welder. Strategically spaced countersunk screws/bolts should work well and can be easily replaced. Hhhhm, the cost wouldn't be too bad and the material readily available.
Cheers

Be sure to report back on that. I think the idea has merit, but also wonder how stones/gravel would treat the PTFE. I see how my steel impeller housing is lasting in my gravel drive..............

 

[pmsmechanic]

Yes I'd like a report back too on how well the high density plastic works. I have a small float as I call it for leveling dirt. It's a blade with a roller behind to control the depth of cut and to pack the soil in preparation for grass seed. I use it in winter on my gravel driveway to pack down a layer of snow so that when I clean off my driveway the gravel stays where it belongs. The only down side is that if we get mild weather the snow turns to ice which is treacherous to walk on.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you can get your hands on some UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene), then use that for your scraper/bumper needs. This is used by the US Navy for amphibious craft well decks and downcombers to name a couple applications. This stuff is tuff!

 

[oosik]

I had a five foot PTO snow blower that I bought new in '82. The only part needing replacement was the sheer bolt - about 2-3/season. I traded it in on a new Wallenstein chipper last year. It was 32 years old and still in great shape. It was kept under cover all the time and I dismounted and stored the chain in a coffee can of oil during the off season. I drained and put new gear lube in the gear box each year. With this kind of maintenance I would expect it to last another thirty years. I used it to clear a mile long gravel driveway.

 

[dragoneggs]

I had a five foot PTO snow blower that I bought new in '82. The only part needing replacement was the sheer bolt - about 2-3/season. I traded it in on a new Wallenstein chipper last year. It was 32 years old and still in great shape. It was kept under cover all the time and I dismounted and stored the chain in a coffee can of oil during the off season. I drained and put new gear lube in the gear box each year. With this kind of maintenance I would expect it to last another thirty years. I used it to clear a mile long gravel driveway.

Maintenance is the key! To almost everything in our possession! Even your better half! :laughing:

 

[BleedingOrange]

If you can get your hands on some UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene), then use that for your scraper/bumper needs. This is used by the US Navy for amphibious craft well decks and downcombers to name a couple applications. This stuff is tuff!

Any idea where a regular guy could buy some of that stuff ? Is it thin enough to be able to bend it into a circle 15 " diameter circle ?

 

[oosik]

Guido455,
Unless you use something like spray in bed liner, I don't think you will be able to get a tight fit and it will just bind up on the impeller or get chewed to shreds. I don't know what everybody is using their blowers for but using mine for the 32 years, clearing my mile long driveway barely ground off the paint inside the impeller enclosure. Folks must have really abrasive snow or they are blowing sand & gravel along with the snow.