Multiple drive-shaft transmission

[aczlan]

Depending on the transmission, it might also have a plate for mounting a pto.

Most PTO outputs on pickup truck transmission's are not really heavy enough to run much more than an air compressor or hydraulic pump. They are nowhere near big enough to run a snowblower like the original poster is looking to do.

Aaron Z

 

[fitterski]

So you are thinking the new version is going to be too heavy to keep everything together on the blower like you have it now? What if you had large crazy wheels on the blower to help carry the load? They would have to be adjustable for height.

It's one option but i have little confidence in it. I learned some surprises from trying to maneuver the existing rig which is close to limits if not slightly above. There are times when the 4x4 loader/backhoe can no longer push it resting on the ground, the resistance is higher then the traction and my fronts just spin, as I feed some lifting power the wheels get loaded more and traction improves. At times it becomes unsteerable and starts sliding off the convex road, there again I have to lift it a bit. So I would fear that issues like this could plague a rolling rig. Studded and chained tires help but cosdt a lot of dough, the proper way is for the host platform to be able to do whatever the driver wants it to do. I just realized last night for example that even a 150(0) class truck could underperform because it's payload is only about 2,000 lbs. I'd feel much better with a 250(0) and a 3,000 lb payload.

 

[bigdeano]

I don't know how much your blower will weigh, but a one ton pickup usually has a bigger front axle and springs than a 3/4 ton. Dana 60 vs Dana 44. Probably not much price difference on used ones.

 

[fitterski]

I don't know how much your blower will weigh, but a one ton pickup usually has a bigger front axle and springs than a 3/4 ton. Dana 60 vs Dana 44. Probably not much price difference on used ones.

I don't either, around 1500 lbs or less depending on a number of design steps, same for the rear engine + transmission or pump. Using some aluminum can help but I don't see at all how I could get it below 1,000 lbs and still accomodate the basic design imperatives. The small pickups, jimmy's and jeeps and such have a total payload of around 1500 lbs, the 150(0) class pickups and yukons around 2,000 lbs, the 250(0) class pickups around 3,000 lbs. The thing should end up being small but fast and furious, power is the name of the game. Alas there's no way I can hang 3,000 lbs on my retiring Jimmy. I mean I _could_ but maneuvering would be dangerous. The short of the long is that I will carry on with 4 possible scenarios being planned in parallel leading up to an ultimate decision months or a year down the road.

 

[farm boy00]

Been watching and figured time to chime in

I would recommend a ford or dodge. They have straight axle. Unless you go for a really old chevy you will have independent front suspension. My old duramax with a 7.5ft plow had problems at 440,000mi and started to have a front end problems. I know it was high miles but that was only a light duty plow. Not heavy snow blower.

Next thing is ford's have a better reputation for front ends but either way they will need good maintenance.

Next would be the if it is coiled or leaf spring suspension. Pre 2005 ford's have leaf springs unless someone converted them. They can hold some weight but don't have as tight turning.

Also for truck configuration i would do either single cab long box or maybe a ext. Cab for space along with a short box to keep it short.

Depending on design you could even put a salter behind it

 

[fitterski]

Been watching and figured time to chime in

you done right, friend, you done right

I like straight axle fronts, don't know why I just do. Maybe because you can put one in the back and then have a straight axle rear too, hahaha, i.e. 4 wheel steering. My Tundra also has independant fronts, it's smooth and I like the gmc's also but you're right. This rig ain't gonna fly on the aurtoroute but it does have to be able to take it. I didn't know about them front leaf springs, will have to look into it. My dad had a '55 pickup but I don't remember the suspension. I AM thinking mostly extended cab & short box. I'll also truncate the front somewhat, the front blowers like mine don't take the turns too well so being short is good, with or without 4 wheel steering

 

[farm boy00]

Here's a few videos posted on YouTube to see a few ideas

Truck Mounted Snowblower Operations Tutorial - YouTube

TRUCK MOUNTED SNOW BLOWER IN ACTION_1 - YouTube

Snowblower Truck- Stockholm Maine - YouTube

TRUCK MOUNTED SNOW BLOWER IN ACTION_2 - YouTube

 

[farm boy00]

you done right, friend, you done right

I like straight axle fronts, don't know why I just do. Maybe because you can put one in the back and then have a straight axle rear too, hahaha, i.e. 4 wheel steering. My Tundra also has independant fronts, it's smooth and I like the gmc's also but you're right. This rig ain't gonna fly on the aurtoroute but it does have to be able to take it. I didn't know about them front leaf springs, will have to look into it. My dad had a '55 pickup but I don't remember the suspension. I AM thinking mostly extended cab & short box. I'll also truncate the front somewhat, the front blowers like mine don't take the turns too well so being short is good, with or without 4 wheel steering

I actually snow plow and wont put a big plow on anything if it dont have a straight axle.

Current plow rig that im building is a 1999 f550 with 7.3 diesel and a 9.5 ft boss vplow

 

[tjkubota93]

Seems like a pto snow thrower would be something already made?

 

[franklin2]

There are times when the 4x4 loader/backhoe can no longer push it resting on the ground, the resistance is higher then the traction and my fronts just spin, as I feed some lifting power the wheels get loaded more and traction improves. At times it becomes unsteerable and starts sliding off the convex road, there again I have to lift it a bit. So I would fear that issues like this could plague a rolling rig.

The above can be a problem because the backhoe front loader doesn't have a "float" function(Mine doesn't, don't know about others).

And another useful idea is to copy what they did on my front deck kubota. The hydraulics let the front mower deck float over the ground terrain, but they also have some very large adjustable springs on the lift arms. When I go to hook the deck up in the summer, I actually have to push down on the arms to hook them to the deck. I found out this puts some of the weight of the deck back onto the tractor and it's drive tires. The springs are adjustable, so you can put more or less weight on the tractor, until they get too tight and deck starts lifting off the ground(don't think they are strong enough to do this, but haven't tried it either).

If you did get a decent sized pickup, the weight of the engine in the back would help the situation. The heavier the pickup is in relation to the blower will help it have more traction and control.