I need a snowblower for my YM146

mikek2 · Jul 13, 2011

Hi gang! Noob to the forum here. I have a Yanmar YM146 that I just don;t get enough use out of. It is in nice shape, but it doesn't have a rear PTO or 3 pt hitch.

...anyway, I really would like to get a front mount snowblower for the old girl. What are my options? I'm guessing that there is no reliable source for Yanmar made units anymore - is there any John Deere model that will fit?

Thanks!
Mike

YannyMan · Jul 14, 2011

Good luck. I looked for a year and a half and had to buy a tractor with one attached to get it...

YannyMan · Jul 14, 2011

The rear PTO's can be had. You're in the same boat as the snowblower for the 3 point hitches though.

These tractors do come up for sale from time to time, including on E-bay. Keep your eyes open and you could pick up a parts tractor or donor for less than $1000 with some of the parts you need. Since parts availability for these tractors are limited to begin with, a parts machine is always nice.

blackd · Jul 14, 2011

Mike, if your mower deck is belt driven, then you have all the front belt driven snow blowers as options. All will surely need to be engineered to fit. Mounting hardware and pulley sizes will be sure things needing attention.

If, however, your mower deck is drive shaft driven, you have fewer options. Obviously the mounting hardware will need to be modified or engineered, but finding a drive shaft with the correct length and possibly with the correct ends might be a problem. You might need a machine shop to get the correct length and matching ends.

None of these are too difficult to achieve if you are at all handy.

Now, after you have your front mounted snow blower working, start planning your cab. you have no idea how much snow blows, until your sitting in the back draft from your blower. Guess how I know.

YannyMan · Jul 15, 2011

Nothing on the YM146's are shaft driven.

mikek2 · Jul 15, 2011

Thanks everybody. I figured I'd probably be doing some fab work . I don;t really have any need for the rear PTO or 3pt on this machine, I only mentioned it to illustrate that a rear mount blowere wouldn't be a viable option for me. I have bigger machines for ground work, but I'd really like to move snow with the Yanmar. It's a really pretty machine and it runs like a top, seems like a shame to just let it sit there.