MT347 S-HST snowblower and skid steer attachment

[SnowDuke]

I am buying this 2022 LS tractor w/loader from a private party mostly to blow snow. A dealer has quoted me about $10,000 to add the LS mid-mount PTO + front snowblower. So, I am looking for an alternative set up. I have found skid steer type mount blowers for half that price. My question is does this 47 HP model have the hydraulic capacity for this and is there is there a front-end setup that will work for skid steer attachments? Thanks.

 

[SiteEngineer]

Most LS tractors in that size only put out around 8–12 gpm on the loader hydraulics. Most skid-steer blowers want way more than that to work right, so the performance won’t be great. And the loader on that model isn’t a true skid-steer quick attach unless it was optioned that way. You can make it work with add-on kits, but the cost usually ends up close to a mid-PTO setup anyway.

 

[D&D]

I am buying this 2022 LS tractor w/loader from a private party mostly to blow snow. A dealer has quoted me about $10,000 to add the LS mid-mount PTO + front snowblower. So, I am looking for an alternative set up. I have found skid steer type mount blowers for half that price. My question is does this 47 HP model have the hydraulic capacity for this and is there is there a front-end setup that will work for skid steer attachments? Thanks.

No, adding an aux hyd power unit would. @grsgreat has a just that setup (post 44)

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/how-do-you-plow-snow.624748/page-5

 

[hayden]

No, adding an aux hyd power unit would. @grsgreat has a just that setup (post 44)

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/how-do-you-plow-snow.624748/page-5

I agree. You will need 20-25 gpm to drive a hydraulic snow blower, and the tractor alone can't provide enough. That pushes you to a PTO hydraulic power pack. They work great, but you will likely end up over $10k to make it happen.

For me the decision was really about the need/desire to use the loader over teh winter. Most shaft driven front blowers mount in place of the loader. So if you need the loader, you need to completely remove the snow blower, frame, and drive line, install the loader, then reverse the process when done. In practice it means you don't have a loader for the snow blowing season.

With a PTO power pack and SSQA mounted blower, the loader stays in place and you and just changing between blower and bucket (or forks), so it's quick and easy. The only additional work to swap the blower in or out are the hydraulic and chute control lines, all of which should be set up with quick coupler.

 

[ptsg]

My American friends, you really need to start putting pressure on your dealers to bring front 3 pt hitches + PTO for your tractors. It's 2025 already.

There is no point in going hydraulic when you can simply use most of the HP of the engine by using a front PTO, then you can also get much more affordable 3 pt hitch attachments.

 

[hayden]

My American friends, you really need to start putting pressure on your dealers to bring front 3 pt hitches + PTO for your tractors. It's 2025 already.

There is no point in going hydraulic when you can simply use most of the HP of the engine by using a front PTO, then you can also get much more affordable 3 pt hitch attachments.

I agree that front PTOs are more common in Europe, but they are available on larger tractors in the US and people do use them. Just not as much.

But in this instance we are talking about compact tractors, and I don’t think any of the offer from PTOs, either here or in Europe.

Another consideration is that from PTO seem to be 1000 RPM vs 540, and I have heard that the rotation direction ends up reversed for many implements. The combination forces from PTO attachments to have different gear boxes, so much less common, and consequently more expensive.

All that said, now that I have a tractor where a front PTO is an option, I would consider going that route for a front snow blower should I ever replace my existing hydraulic blower.

 

[ptsg]

I agree that front PTOs are more common in Europe, but they are available on larger tractors in the US and people do use them. Just not as much.

But in this instance we are talking about compact tractors, and I don’t think any of the offer from PTOs, either here or in Europe.

Another consideration is that from PTO seem to be 1000 RPM vs 540, and I have heard that the rotation direction ends up reversed for many implements. The combination forces from PTO attachments to have different gear boxes, so much less common, and consequently more expensive.

All that said, now that I have a tractor where a front PTO is an option, I would consider going that route for a front snow blower should I ever replace my existing hydraulic blower.

They do make them for compact tractors, hence why I mentioned it.


Front 3pt hitch + PTO for the NH Boomer series:

These systems are so well made that they are fully compatible with loaders.

Even make them for some larger sub compact tractors.

 

[oldnslo]

Rear mount blower is significantly less costly than front mount.

Depending on where you live and snowfall type and amount there is also 3 point pull type blowers so still facing forward while blowing.

 

[SnowDuke]

Thanks for the input. I am still studying what to do.