Snow Newby intro and a snowblower retrofit question
- Thread starter Jonohio
- Start date
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Very good point about the shaft rotation; was going to mention it but forgot.
The M-F set-up is designed, as observed from the driver's seat, to rotate counterclockwise, or CCWSE (counterclockwise, shaft end) on the blower. Hope you can make it work!
The M-F set-up is designed, as observed from the driver's seat, to rotate counterclockwise, or CCWSE (counterclockwise, shaft end) on the blower. Hope you can make it work!
AxleHub
Elite Member
Jonohio,
I'd like to suggest an alternative to your idea. I know what its like to plan a mechanical project. Its hard work but its also creative and very mechanical . . and I like to "try" to cost justify it too.
I also know what its like when someone else "rains on your parade" and says it won't work or shouldn't be done.
What I'll do instead us tell you what I did. This year I pulled the "buy" button on Massey GC1715. Like you I have hills to cut and love mechanical things and lots of outdoor projects and snow issues.
But not only did I buy a GC1715 . . . but I bought a very lightly used zero turn tractor (not a ztr). Then I bought on a deal a brand new snowbliwer for that unit.
Why . . because I want my massey fel on in winter for snow purposes and for slush/light snows that don't benefit from blowers.
Then I bought a snowedge unit that clamps on the bucket.
Why . . because the ztt and new snowblower and new snow edge are considerably less money than a snowblower for the massey . . and I have the benefit of more capabilities . . . and I have backup equipment for all seasons too.
True . . I have 2 machines to store . . but one of them the wife can use if I'm out of town too.
In your case you already have a snowblowet that works . . and eithet fits on your Craftsman or other lawn tractors. Snowblow without modifiying this winter . . . Bucket on massey for other winter/snow needs . . and reconsider the priject when its not already snow season.
Who knows . . maybe you'll decide as I did
Thank you for the insights AxleHub. I just checked agri-fab blower and i'm afraid it turns in the opposite direction of the Massey, so for the moment I've decided to sell the RZT and keep the old blower setup. I'll run this winter with the front end loader and existing snowblower and see how it goes.
Our first snow last week was 5 inches heavy with about an inch of slush on the bottom, the snow edge sure worked well. It's definitely going to take me some time to get used to using the loader for snow removal. I noticed right away that it's nearly impossible to replicate the clean lines of the blower with the FEL, so I gave up and let function lead over cosmetics and celebrated the first 10 hours with a beer :drink:
Our first snow last week was 5 inches heavy with about an inch of slush on the bottom, the snow edge sure worked well. It's definitely going to take me some time to get used to using the loader for snow removal. I noticed right away that it's nearly impossible to replicate the clean lines of the blower with the FEL, so I gave up and let function lead over cosmetics and celebrated the first 10 hours with a beer :drink:
AxleHub
Elite Member
Jonohio,
I think your showing some good thinking. Sometimes getting a new tool . . You have to eeeeeeeeease into it
Incidently . . the snow edge I referred to is made by RatchetRake.com. My original intention was to build a plow capability that would attach to my GC1715 fel so I could take it on and off (my fel has a quick attach I bought . . allowing bucket to detach and attach very quickly).
I'd done alot of initial planning but ran out of time because I was developing a rear implement for both ballast and trailer moving. I then discovered the snow edge product. I just finished repainting it to Massey Red in time for a 3/4 inch snowfall so I could do a practice run using the snow edge in tight and tricky areas.
I'm imagining a guy so mechanically ficused since youth will come up with lots of ideas . . . the trick is getting a couple of them completed before working on 6 others lol.
Clipse3GT
Silver Member
See it in person and see how it connects compared to the 1700 subframe.
Fiziksgeek
Platinum Member
I believe the front blower off a Kubota BX will be a direct fit for a Massey GC series tractor. They are both made by the same manufacturer, RAD Tech up in Canada. The differences are paint color and PTO speed. Kubota uses a 2500 rpm mid PTO, Massey is 2000. So although it will fit, you'll be running it slower than designed. I don't think this is necessarily a problem. You won't be able to get full performance, but you may not need it. I just used my GC1720 with front blower for the first time, and I didn't need to run a full RPM at all to power through 10" of snow, I was very impressed.
I have seen at least one thread with an orange Kubota blower on a Massey GC, you might be able to find that thread using the search function.
I have seen at least one thread with an orange Kubota blower on a Massey GC, you might be able to find that thread using the search function.
AxleHub
Elite Member
Fiziksgeek,
Haven't seen you post much since the new unit arrived. Looks like you had at least one nice snow. How is the fit and feel ofbthe new unit dith blower? Did youbget any of the big east coast snow s?
Haven't seen you post much since the new unit arrived. Looks like you had at least one nice snow. How is the fit and feel ofbthe new unit dith blower? Did youbget any of the big east coast snow s?
aczlan
Good Morning
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- Kubota L3830GST, B7500HST, BX2660. Formerly: Case 480F LL, David Brown 880UE
IIRC (from looking at the Deere and NH models made by RAD and comparing them to Kubota ones), the only differences will be the tractor side mounting frame and the PTO shaft.
Aaron Z