Old homebuilt snowblower adapted to new JD3720

[jimgerken]

A few years ago I built a snowblower for a JD 4100. You may remember the thread I wrote as I built it:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/17523-snowblower-plans.html
Since then, it has been adapted to a JD 2520, by getting the correct brackets for the quick hitch to mount to the tractor frame, and then building a longer driveshaft.
Now, it is time to adapt it to the new tractor, a JD 3720. Again, brackets to mount the quick hitch to the tractor frame were needed. JD does not provide these because the optional front hitch for the 3720 is quite a bit more elaborate. I wanted to continue to use the original quick hitch (from the 4100) so I designed and cut brackets. Pic attached...

 

[jimgerken]

Next was driveshaft extension again. I was able to cut apart what I had added a couple years ago, and I still had the remaining scrap from the tubing that I extended it with. So it sounds easier than it was, but I cut it apart, pressed out all the u-joint parts, cut a new tube section, TIG welded it back together, and pressed in new u-joint parts, primed and painted. Pics tell more...

 

[jimgerken]

More shaft process pics... the aluminum tape was in there to get a tight fit inside the extension tube, so when it was welded up it would be straight. The idea worked well so I did it again this time. There is a missing strip of tape because inside the tube there is a seam to avoid. the last pic shows it weld-ready.

 

[jimgerken]

Last night I finished the shaft, primed and painted it. Then I extended the chute-rotation hydraulic hoses so they will route all the way to the back of the tractor where I have aux hydraulics controls.
Testing Saturday morning!

 

[kennyd]

Nice job Jim! I hadn't seen that old thread before!

 

[Low Bucket]

Jim That's a great job on the blower!

Hope to see some new pics in the snow.

Great work!

 

[srs]

I too agree, very impressive!

 

[Scotty370]

Ditto to KennyD's comment! Glad you resurected that thread for us! Great work!!! ~Scotty

 

[jimgerken]

Testing Sat noon was a big success! Its amazing how throwing a few more Hp at the blower made it work even better. It will blow 18" deep snow 35 feet when the engine is at 2000 rpm. And it eats up that re-blown stuff without hesitation. Of course as soon as I had it working I remembered why I needed to add a simple golf cart rag top cab to the last tractor. So I spent the afternoon adapting the brackets from that to the new 3720 too. Now I want more snow, MUCH more snow!
I will try to get some pics when we get snow again. Maybe even a video.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Jim;
Read the thread where you built the snowblower last evening. Great reading. I really get into projects like this... esp if they involve a bandsaw and mig.
I too believe JD makes great power units.. but their attachments are very expensive. I'm on the lookout for a couple used engine snowblowers to combine the parts to make a 55" or so for my 4110. The hulks seem pretty reasonable.. just want two of the same so they would be easier to mate.
Nice new JD. I like the 4110 for lawn work esp with the loader addition. I have a TC 55DA NH for the backhoe and heavy jobs.
Keep the projects coming... your such a perfectionist !

Jim, did you get a cab tractor... or are you going to build one? Build one for practice so we can read about the fine points.