How to attach snowthrower up front?

[jeffgreef]

I'm researching what tractor to buy. Kubota or Deere would be nice of course, and they have factory snowthrowers that attach up front, but they are expensive.

If I get a used tractor that doesn't have a factory made snowthrower designed to attach to that tractor, what are my options for front mount? Don't want a rear Cat 1-3point, cause my road is 1/2 mile and that's too much neck turning.

Are there aftermarket units made to attach up front that use a mid-mount PTO?

If I attach a hydraulic operated thrower up front, will I have to add another hydraulic pump to the tractor to drive the thrower?

Thanks

JG

 

[MichiganIron]

We manufacture front mount kits for snowblowers on all tractor models. Our installation does use a rear PTO hydraulic pump and reservoir to drive the snowblower . Most compact tractors do not have the hydraulic flow necessary to develop the required horsepower at the blower.

 

[a.p.]

Meteor makes a front mount kit that runs off of a mid pto and your loader valves: The Front Mount Kit Expands Compact Tractor Uses

I hope this helps, AP

 

[jeffgreef]

Very helpful, thanks to both

Any other alternatives would be appreciated.

JG

 

[jeffgreef]

Here's another alternative I found- Erskine 60 inch blower on a front mount "universal" frame that they claim will fit any tractor. Anyone seen this, or know more about Erskine?

Skid Steer Attachments - Erskine Attachments, Inc.

 

[Deadman]

Buy a JD with a mid PTO and get the quick attach for the front and you'll have a PTO driven blower. Best of all worlds.

 

[Roger2561]

I'm researching what tractor to buy. Kubota or Deere would be nice of course, and they have factory snowthrowers that attach up front, but they are expensive.

If I get a used tractor that doesn't have a factory made snowthrower designed to attach to that tractor, what are my options for front mount? Don't want a rear Cat 1-3point, cause my road is 1/2 mile and that's too much neck turning.

Are there aftermarket units made to attach up front that use a mid-mount PTO?

If I attach a hydraulic operated thrower up front, will I have to add another hydraulic pump to the tractor to drive the thrower?

Thanks

JG

Hello, I have an Erskine Snowblower that is attached to the front of my JD4500 but operates off the rear PTO. It has a transfer case on the rear to which it couples to a shaft that runs the entire length of the underbelly of the tractor. It is completely mechanical, the only hydraulics I have on it are for the lifting as well as turning the shute. They couple into the FEL connections on the tractor. Mine is the 721FM model (6 feet wide) and I absolutely love the thing. Yes, it's pricey but IMHO it's worth every penny. I have a neck problem which prevents me from turning my neck too far so the front mount unit is a God send. I hope I was able to help and good luck in your search. Roger

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Here's another alternative I found- Erskine 60 inch blower on a front mount "universal" frame that they claim will fit any tractor. Anyone seen this, or know more about Erskine?

Skid Steer Attachments - Erskine Attachments, Inc.

Erskine has made blowers since 1948 (I believe) and is a quality unit built in Mn. These front mount can be mounted to most brands of tractors and could be made to fit any brand if you want to fab your own brackets. They also offer a rear mount blower that you drive forward to use.
They are at least as good a attachment as any of the factory blowers.
I have yet to sell one of these, but have several of the skidsteer hydraulic blowers out there with no complaints.
For more info pm me.
Ken

 

[Deadman]

Mid mount PTO seems more like the thing to use.

 

[Rara Avis]

Mid mount PTO seems more like the thing to use.

But then you are limited to only the vendor's snowblowers...

 

[HobbleCreek]

We manufacture front mount kits for snowblowers on all tractor models. Our installation does use a rear PTO hydraulic pump and reservoir to drive the snowblower . Most compact tractors do not have the hydraulic flow necessary to develop the required horsepower at the blower.

That sounds like just what I'm looking for. I've got a meteor rear mount snowblower that I use with my JD 4720. I would love to be able to mount it up front on the FEL. I'm working on the quick attach frame right now, but the trickier issue seems to be getting power to the snowblower. I've checked out your website and I'd love to get more info on what you offer, along with any other ideas folks may have.

Thanks,

 

[Ductape]

Out of curiousity, has anyone here ever priced the front PTO / 3 point hitch that Meteor / MK Martin makes?

 

[lungdoc]

If I were you I'd strongly consider looking for a used cab tractor that already comes with the blower - then the setup is done and will be cheaper than buying separately. I know the new Deere blower for 4x20 series tractors is circa 9 grand (hydraulic power-pack on PTO + blower itself). That's triple the price of a good rear blower.

Failing that I'd go for a tractor that already has mid-PTO and you know you can get a blower for that unit.

Rear pull blowers are another option, much cheaper, they were at most about $1000 more than a similar sized rear facing unit. Strongly considered these and they seem to work well, some people worry about the snow being driven on first but nobody with firsthand experience says that's an issue. Not handy in a really deep situation but you do keep FEL on tractor.

I ended up ordering a conventional rear blower mainly due to cost, plus the fact that I will be using occasionally at our cottage and not regularly AND will be cleaning up after a pickup truck plow which narrows the road as banks grow. A rear facing unit is good for that sort of cleanup work.

 

[foggy1111]

If I were looking to mount on the front of the tractor I would be looking for a mid PTO too. Lacking an OEM PTO drive and blower, I think you could have something fab'd to make another brand work....but you are at the mercy of the welding shop / fabricator to make it work right....so you better have a good one.

FWIW.......back in the 50's my father manufactured snow blowers and we drove them from the rear PTO on just about any LPTO tractor (with 40 HP or more). We had an offset "sprocket box" which would offset the PTO drive and send the power under, or to the side of the tractor and then to the front where a second sprocket box sent the power to the blower rotors. Back then PTO shielding was not required so the PTO shafting may only be guarded with a fender or a piece of steel. The operator was supposed to be "careful". We also made truck mounted blowers and other tractor blowers that were driven with a Wisconsin engine.

That lack of PTO shielding still scares me when I see the pictures.

 

[Ductape]

That is really neat !

Don't worry about that un-shielded PTO shaft, people were smarter back then!

 

[Charlesaf3]

skidsteer/michigan iron - how much hydraulic flow is needed to run a hydro snowblower? I've thought about it for the m59, since I can run harley rakes/rockhounds etc - around 16gpm light. Any thoughts?