L60 with front snowblower - pavement scraping

[sandalwood]

Anyone using an Grand L60 series with a front snowblower having any problem with unintentional scraping of driveway pavement?

Using L4474 blower (weight about 1000lbs). Tried gently lowering blower to just touch pavement and also tried using "float", both leave scrape marks.

Options I have considered include:
1. leave blower 1/2" off surface
2. invest in down pressure relief valve though I am not sure the $2500 option would make any difference

Any advice or suggestions?

 

[crazyal]

What's scrapping the shoes on the sides of the blower or the cutting edge under the front auger?

 

[sandalwood]

It is the shoes that are scraping.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Could try slitting a pvc pipe and put on cutting edge, 1.5-2". Then raise the shoes. Dont know how fast it will wear out. Pretty cheap and could have a couple spares ready. I snowblow a couple widths for the dogs and a walk way to may shed, it doesnt tear up the grass. I dont have much pavement so I was still on the first one.

 

[PILOON]

Any plastics of material that wont scratch will wear out pretty darn fast so wheels are about the only option.
The wheels would also need to swivel otherwise they will constantly wear out. Best would be to find a polyurethane wheel as they seem to offer best resistance to wear.
Naturally you then need to accept leaving an inch or snow behind.

On the other hand scraping or blowing simply infers some nicks and scrapes, just the nature of the beast.

The only perfect solution would be to use high pressure air and blow the snow yonder while mounted on a hovercraft as even the tractor wheels can and will spin from time to time. Naturally nature would need to limit snow falls to a mere couple of inches of dry snow at a time.

 

[sandalwood]

Agree, few nicks and scrapes are to be expected but there is a big difference in quantity of scrapes with this new blower.

Old blower, Pronovost P620 rear blower, weighed about 600lbs. New blower closer to 1000lbs and front mounted. Whether it is the weight or the fact it is front mounted, does seem to make big difference in scraping by the blower shoes.

Sadly, like you, snowfall sometimes measured in feet and brush or high pressure air wouldn't cut it.

Hoped there might be option for some sort of synthetic tipped blower shoe that would wear but scrape pavement less... don't want to have to pay homeowners to have driveways treated with tar sealant to hide scrapes each spring!

 

[wild bill]

You might want to consider the modification in post #9 of this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/326098-bx2360-front-snowblower-how-keep.html

 

[PILOON]

One other possibility.
That frt mtd blower is essentially 3 pt mounted. Try cranking in the upper arm to shorten it thus changing the angle of attack. Could be you are pointing downwards hence 'digging' in.
4 sure if the arms were longer there would be less 'digging,.

 

[sandalwood]

Thanks, I thought I remembered something about this being posted before. I will need to look at current shoes for adaptability.

You might want to consider the modification in post #9 of this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/326098-bx2360-front-snowblower-how-keep.html

 

[sandalwood]

It seems to be a 4 point front hitch, but your suggestion is a good one. I will have to look into this further.

One other possibility.
That frt mtd blower is essentially 3 pt mounted. Try cranking in the upper arm to shorten it thus changing the angle of attack. Could be you are pointing downwards hence 'digging' in.
4 sure if the arms were longer there would be less 'digging,.