JD 790 Snowblower installation

[mountain_man]

As a follow-on to the JD 790 Mid PTO installation, here's the continuation of the JD 790 Snowblower installation. Thanks to Sleepyhollow for his great snowblower photos and excellent advice.

I found the used 59" 2-stage snowblower (front part only) in a dealer lot. It had been returned from a local municipality as being "too small"(?). Originally was part of a package with a JD 42/43/4400 series tractor. I needed to purchase mounting & drivetrain parts as well as minor hydraulics modifications to make it work with my JD 790.

The first picture of the driveshaft from the Mid PTO (foreground) towards the front of the tractor.

 

[mountain_man]

Front of tractor with snowblower attachment.

 

[mountain_man]

Intermediate drive shaft & hydraulic lift.

 

[mountain_man]

Quick connect lock and pins.

 

[mountain_man]

Snowblower rear - before attachment

 

[mountain_man]

Hydraulics - side view

 

[mountain_man]

Hydraulic attachment - note had to modify fittings for JD 42/43/4400 (see original fitting upper right) to JD 790. Purchased four Pioneer 4000 series 1/4" Quick connects and four 3/8" to 1/4" adapters from HydraulicHoseFittings.com for about $28.

 

[mountain_man]

Ready for the snow!

 

[mountain_man]

Changed from skids to shoes. Thinking it should give more adjustment.

 

[RobS]

Excellent Mountainman! Nice rig and super photo essay, thanks. How much snow do you normally get and when does it all start? Is a cab next?

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MGADon]

Mountain Man,
You are more than half way to building one of my dream projects, a front mount mower for a CUT. You have the drive shaft and the hydraulic lift in pace.
Don

 

[mountain_man]

I live in the foothills at about 8000'. In a normal year we get about 60" of snow per season (a couple of 18-24" + few smaller snowfalls). Believe it or not, March is our snowiest month, followed by April & November.

However last year we got about twice the usual amount including one storm (March 20) that dumped literally 5-6' in 36 hours. All our usual snowplows broke and large front end loaders were in high demand. We ended up hiring a small bulldozer to plow us out (see pix).
I've already busted the budget for this year, so just a new set of goggles and a hat for the time being. However I've looked at cabs. Anyone have a recommendation?

 

[mountain_man]

One more pix of the snowstorm. Used my 4 legged friend to make trails (tunnels) in the snow. The snow's weight kept packing down the lower snow, making it almost impossible to move. Good for igloo's tho...

 

[mountain_man]

Hadn't thought about a front mount mower, but it certainly makes sense with the PTO shaft out in front. It never ceases to amaze me, how a small hydraulic cylinder easily picks up a 450 lb. snowblower.

 

[BigMomma]

Very Nice - the pics are perfect - congrats on a great job

I am exploring a way to do this without removing my Loader. I live in NJ so don't get the volume of snow you get in the Rockies, but want something quick for few NorEasters we get every year. I currently have 6' Myers blade with a bucket mount i fabricated. That works well except for wet, heavy spring snow - so exploring a blower.