just saw this video...made a snowblower from a motorcycle engine

grsthegreat · Feb 7, 2015

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/see-guy-turned-kawasaki-ninja-snowblower-143030641.html

different...and noisy

ericher69 · Feb 8, 2015

Doesn't seem to blow much snow without bogging down! Fail!

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

paulfun9 · Feb 8, 2015

He needs to change the cam timing, change the exhaust from open pipes to a merged collector, and add some type of throttle governor to hold the RPM. In actuality his RPM drop isn't that bad when you consider he is probably off a little in operating speed for the blower and compare the percentage of RPM drop in a tractor hitting deeper snow in a wrong gear (remember its an engine built for a totally different use and has a very light flywheel). I would have looked at other power plants before using that one but I still could not give him a Fail if it gets the snow blown out of the driveway without actually stalling when it hits the deeper snow.

bigdeano · Feb 11, 2015

It just needs a governor. Any engine will slow down without a governor. Plenty of hp, not very heavy.

paulfun9 · Feb 13, 2015

I do a lot of work on bikes here and would not run the stock cam timing on that engine for the task at hand Merging the pipes and changing the cam timing will make it a much better suited engine than it is now. He is losing a lot of power with those individual pipes and the cam timing is set to attain max power at high rpm with that changed he will have a much better time with the task at hand. Its like running a drag racing engine with a high stall speed converter in a 4x4 truck trying to haul a heavy load. Simply put the wrong tool for the job but change the cam and put in a more suitable converter and it will be a pleasure to drive

bigdeano · Feb 13, 2015

A milder cam would be better if it's available, since this is apparently a racing type engine.

There's a video on youtube of a walk behind blower about the same size as this one powered by a 454 chevy. It bogs down in heavy snow too because there's no governor. Sure does throw the snow though when he opens the throttle.

KubotainNH · Feb 13, 2015

Between the noise and fuel usage, not the best motor for the job. Need something with torque at low RPM's. Maybe a V-twin from a bike would work well. The video below is from a previous TBN member (Bostonrats). The blower came with the tractor but he hated the idea of pulling the loader off to mount the blower. He added a decent sized twin cylinder briggs motor and as long as it's running properly is does well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1rHhsHY0iU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jPvhMIPrO4

bigdeano · Feb 13, 2015

Keep in mind that motorcycle engines have gearboxes built in, and probably a 2:1 reduction between engine and gearbox. The output rpm could be quite modest even if the engine is screaming.

KubotainNH · Feb 13, 2015

bigdeano said:
Keep in mind that motorcycle engines have gearboxes built in, and probably a 2:1 reduction between engine and gearbox. The output rpm could be quite modest even if the engine is screaming.

True but all the HP is high in the RPM's. Not the best use of that motor.

MossRoad · Feb 13, 2015

I remember that Northern Tool used to sell a pickup truck mounted snow blower powered by a 25HP Kohler. No longer offers them. Found these, though. They cost a bunch.
SnowVac Front Mounted Snowblowers for Trucks, Tractors, and Loaders - Buhler Farm King Implements