Kubota M59 w/ FEL snowblower?
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Dave M7040
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The M59 is a tractor loader backhoe correct?
As such it likely has a much larger hydraulic pump. On tractor data I see 27 gpm total but it is not clear how much of that flow could be dedicated to a motor on a blower.
It takes a knowledgeable dealer to match a hydraulically driven blower to a tractor.
Normand or Pronovost web sites will provide some info. The hydraulic drive system has lots of inefficiencies so you really need to have a use requiring a hydraulic drive to go that route.
Dave M7040
As such it likely has a much larger hydraulic pump. On tractor data I see 27 gpm total but it is not clear how much of that flow could be dedicated to a motor on a blower.
It takes a knowledgeable dealer to match a hydraulically driven blower to a tractor.
Normand or Pronovost web sites will provide some info. The hydraulic drive system has lots of inefficiencies so you really need to have a use requiring a hydraulic drive to go that route.
Dave M7040
oosik
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The same time I was buying my new 2009 M6040 - one of the school district maintenance programs bought a new M7040 with front mounted blower that was PTO DRIVEN. What a lumbering, job specific nightmare. A drop down reversing gear box back on the PTO and a super long drive shaft with two U-joints at strategic points as it came forward and at least two carrier bearings. I'm sure it worked but the time involved installing/removing the unit - which, I'm sure, they seldom did. And then the restriction on the height that the blower could be lifted on the FEL because of the drive shaft.
Somebody really wanted the PTO unit or was dead set against a hydraulic driven blower.
Somebody really wanted the PTO unit or was dead set against a hydraulic driven blower.
majorwager
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Don't believe any of the compacts, including TLB models such as M 62, develop sufficient capacity to adequately power a FEL snowblower. Standard flow skidsteers are a prime example. Woodmax offers a hyd blower, as an example, that operates w/ a flow of 20 gpm. Pressure in the 2500 psi range. Will it discharge snow?, yes. Will the Operator be satisfied?, doubt it.
High flow hydraulics are necessary to really move snow. 6" of light very dry powdery snow is NOT representative of SNOW. Dense wet snow seperates the machines. High flow of the 30+ gpm range, 2500-3000+ psi will move real snow.
I just built a 3 point hyd power unit for the hyd supply task necessary for a FEL finish mower. Several mfgs offer the commercial equilivant. 40 pto hp is the minimum power required and 30 gpm, 3000 psi is the desired output for a snowblower, MK Martin, Canada, offers a nice unit paired w/ their blower.
EDIT:
Mikester, not surprised at no photos, it can be done, it just will NOT function.
Internal hyd power to a FEL blower? The capacity doesn't exist from that tractor.
Post continuation below:
Dave 7040 is smart and he knows it is not rocket science to match hydraulic components, but hyd knowledge is required. Believe he is an engineer.
Long way to OP question, M 59 internal hyd supply is inadequate to throw snow at a satisfactory distance. Inch pounds of motor torque necessary simply won't materialize.
M62 implement flow just above 16 gpm. Even a 7060, 12 speed, is < 18 gpm. Just insufficient hyd flow.
High flow hydraulics are necessary to really move snow. 6" of light very dry powdery snow is NOT representative of SNOW. Dense wet snow seperates the machines. High flow of the 30+ gpm range, 2500-3000+ psi will move real snow.
I just built a 3 point hyd power unit for the hyd supply task necessary for a FEL finish mower. Several mfgs offer the commercial equilivant. 40 pto hp is the minimum power required and 30 gpm, 3000 psi is the desired output for a snowblower, MK Martin, Canada, offers a nice unit paired w/ their blower.
EDIT:
Mikester, not surprised at no photos, it can be done, it just will NOT function.
Internal hyd power to a FEL blower? The capacity doesn't exist from that tractor.
Post continuation below:
Dave 7040 is smart and he knows it is not rocket science to match hydraulic components, but hyd knowledge is required. Believe he is an engineer.
Long way to OP question, M 59 internal hyd supply is inadequate to throw snow at a satisfactory distance. Inch pounds of motor torque necessary simply won't materialize.
M62 implement flow just above 16 gpm. Even a 7060, 12 speed, is < 18 gpm. Just insufficient hyd flow.
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Yes I did it. I went rear mount when I bought a bigger snow blower.
I blogged about it. No M59 front mount photos sorry.
Snowblowers – Front and Rear PTO Driven Conversions for my Tractors – Part 1 – Divergent Stuff
Thanks for the answers, it clears things up for me. I just hate the idea of having to drive in reverse for using a 3pt blower. I have a 1000' driveway with a large parking area that needs to get cleared. I also have multiple out buildings to navigate around so being able to accurately maneuver is important.
rScotty
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What did you conclude? Did you ever get an answer to your original question below?
I've been following this thread because I've had the same question with our M59....and am curious what you figured out.
rScotty
The general consensus between what was said here and what I read elsewhere is that while it theoretically is possible to run a standard flow hydraulic blower off the front, the reality is the performance is just not going to be satisfactory.
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I had a 60" blower on the front and it worked just fine on powder snow. The biggest issue for me was the stock 3PH blower sticks way out in front and cutting around curves and tight spaces was a PITA. My new blower is 74" and I have a large driveway as well. With it on the back I can leave it in 3rd and let it rip. Now that I have an enclosed cab I don't worry about eating snow so I can go a lot faster. The new blower also throws the stuff twice as far as the old one both on the front and/or back - the biggest difference is the blower design.
It all falls to personal preference. I don't mind going backwards now because I can get into tighter spaces going backwards and my cab keeps my warm and dry. If I didn't have the cab I'd probably put it on the front to keep it farther away from me so I wouldn't eat as much snow. I'd also cut off the 3PH mounts and go direct QA on the blower to shorten the overall length.
If you need to accurately maneuver you probably won't like it on the front with a stock 3PH mount blower.
majorwager
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Here is a point to consider. Not aware of sub-60 hp tractors that produce a flow of 16 gpm. Mikester was probably correct, in that his NH was closer to a 12 gal output. As noted, a 7060 12 speed < 18 gpm.
So if this is accurate, why would companies like deere, land pride, MK Martin, develop and test and MARKET a hydraulic 3 point power unit for FEL implements, if sub 20 gpm output was adequate for this application. The answer is self explanatory. The theoretical ability exists, but what consumer will be satisfied w/ substandard results?
What is the MOST useful application for a snowblower? If you concluded, DRIFT removal, you are correct. Charge into a drift w/ limited torque and hp, and your blower is now just a plow w/ a nonfunctioning auger and fan.
I would ask Mikester for the specifications regarding the motor used to drive the hydraulic front blower. Include manufacturer, model #, and cu in displacement. Again this was powered by EXISTING front remote. Generally they are 3/8 " but some are 1/2". There is much resistance in these small supply lines. They are designed for intermittent use, such as a grapple. The valve rarely has continuous flow function, so bungy cord the lever in active position? Or use a third hand to drive and operate blower?
Not trying to be combative here, rather just realistic. One option is to mount a gas engine to the blower. I has seen this done on TBN and U tube. Not really a difficult mount application, then with either multi-belt pulleys or chain drive, power the factory 540 rpm gearbox. there is a significant advantage if access to a inexpensive horizontal drive engine in the upper 20's hp range. By reducing the engine speed from mid 3000s to 540, through mechanical reduction, the torque factor may be multiplied by 5x+. Believe that application could move serious snow.
EDIT: Snow blowers are NOT Fast, Nor are they designed to be so. You a funneling 5 to 6 ft of snow into a 24 inch or smaller fan. Simple physics tells you this process requires a factor of time. Ok, 2 or 3 inches might work, but that is not typical. Excess just spills past the sides, Honestly!!!
And if a rear mount is the application, why monkey w/ hydraulics, just use the PTO drive.? (absent chute rotation and deflector)
Power Trac brand may develop higher hyd flow w/ 60 hp,? but they are not tractor typical and all functions on those machines is hydraulically drive,
Very different from a compact TLB like M 59 or M 62.
So if this is accurate, why would companies like deere, land pride, MK Martin, develop and test and MARKET a hydraulic 3 point power unit for FEL implements, if sub 20 gpm output was adequate for this application. The answer is self explanatory. The theoretical ability exists, but what consumer will be satisfied w/ substandard results?
What is the MOST useful application for a snowblower? If you concluded, DRIFT removal, you are correct. Charge into a drift w/ limited torque and hp, and your blower is now just a plow w/ a nonfunctioning auger and fan.
I would ask Mikester for the specifications regarding the motor used to drive the hydraulic front blower. Include manufacturer, model #, and cu in displacement. Again this was powered by EXISTING front remote. Generally they are 3/8 " but some are 1/2". There is much resistance in these small supply lines. They are designed for intermittent use, such as a grapple. The valve rarely has continuous flow function, so bungy cord the lever in active position? Or use a third hand to drive and operate blower?
Not trying to be combative here, rather just realistic. One option is to mount a gas engine to the blower. I has seen this done on TBN and U tube. Not really a difficult mount application, then with either multi-belt pulleys or chain drive, power the factory 540 rpm gearbox. there is a significant advantage if access to a inexpensive horizontal drive engine in the upper 20's hp range. By reducing the engine speed from mid 3000s to 540, through mechanical reduction, the torque factor may be multiplied by 5x+. Believe that application could move serious snow.
EDIT: Snow blowers are NOT Fast, Nor are they designed to be so. You a funneling 5 to 6 ft of snow into a 24 inch or smaller fan. Simple physics tells you this process requires a factor of time. Ok, 2 or 3 inches might work, but that is not typical. Excess just spills past the sides, Honestly!!!
And if a rear mount is the application, why monkey w/ hydraulics, just use the PTO drive.? (absent chute rotation and deflector)
Power Trac brand may develop higher hyd flow w/ 60 hp,? but they are not tractor typical and all functions on those machines is hydraulically drive,
Very different from a compact TLB like M 59 or M 62.
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