How to attach snowthrower up front?

[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?