I have the same unit (Erskine) on my Gr L6060. Awesome blower. The only thing I don't like is the way they mounted the hydraulic pump on the rear PTO. The pump is very heavy (my guess is 80LBS). It is very hard to install by hand. I am in the process of building a small lift to help with the process. Once mounted, this is a serious snow removal machine. The places I use to keep the snow blown off just in case I might need to get to them, I don't worry about until I need to go there and then I just blow a path to the building or shed. When I bought mine I didn't get the electric cooling radiator. The MFG said it wouldn't be necessary using it in the winter. The oil in the tank will get very hot even in the winter. I did end up installing the cooler. Keep a eye on the temp of your oil in the tank. If I remember right 180 degrees is getting close to damaging seals. Enjoy your hydraulic blower.
Skid steer snow blower on tractor loader?
- Thread starter hayden
- Start date
- Views: 42624
OP
hayden
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2000
- Messages
- 2,580
- Location
- VT
- Tractor
- Kubota L5740 cab + FEL, KX121, KX080, Deere 6120M
It sure does. Maybe you have a smaller power pack? I can't quite read the model, but maybe HP15? How does it all work for you, and any operational tips? Mine does not include the skid shoes and I'm pretty certain I'll need to add them since my road and parking area is all gravel. Also, do you have the fan cooler on the power pack? I'm expecting I'll need to add that to mine, but will try it out for a while first.
OP
hayden
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2000
- Messages
- 2,580
- Location
- VT
- Tractor
- Kubota L5740 cab + FEL, KX121, KX080, Deere 6120M
Thanks. You answered one of my big questions about the cooler. I'll go ahead and get one ordered. The manual talks about the duty cycle without a cooler, and of course the ambient temp. With a 1/2 mile driveway, I need 100% duty cycle.
I recall your comments earlier about the effort required to get the pump mounted. I think today I'll start with mounting the HPU to see what I've up against.
Any chance of getting some pictures of where/how you set up the hydraulic hose ends on the loader and by the 3PH? I'm assuming you leave the hose run permanently installed, and just connect/disconnect the HPU and blower? That's what I was planning on, but I haven't gotten into it yet to see how practical it is.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
Ive used mine for 10 years without the cooler. I used an ir heat gun first 3 years, never had any issues with heat.
then again our temps are very cold in winter when in use. Ill even get snow buildup on top of tank while using it …. Snow does melt off, but not fast.
then again our temps are very cold in winter when in use. Ill even get snow buildup on top of tank while using it …. Snow does melt off, but not fast.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
And yes, that pump sucks to install. An it vibrates some while in use. I was going to make up some sort of mounting bracket on mine to facilitate install and prevent vibration….. if i ever get some time.
OP
hayden
Elite Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2000
- Messages
- 2,580
- Location
- VT
- Tractor
- Kubota L5740 cab + FEL, KX121, KX080, Deere 6120M
Interesting. The power pack manual says that cooling, and the resulting duty cycle depends greatly on whether you are using the 15, 20, or 24 GPM pump. From 0F to 40F they say the 15 gpm HPU has a 70% duty cycle, where the 24 gpm is only 50%. I ordered the cooler, just in case.
I'll get you some pictures in the next couple of days and post them here. I'm also making a small lift (for lack of better word) out of a trailer jack. To help with the pump install. After it's done (and works) I'll post some pictures.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
duty cycle...whats that...hehe
actually, im probably driving to a place to blow as much as im blowing snow so im probably at the 50-60% duty cycle on average.
but i seriously never pay attention to that. i kept an eye on heat for first few years, than stopped worrying about that. it never got hot.
but pay attention to the 2 hose connection points inside by the auger. they have a tendency to loosen up, and when they do you will leak hydraulic fluid. luckily the fluid i use tends to leave a very bright yellow..almost florescent, drip when that happens. i usually have to re tighten they a few times a season.
seville009
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2007
- Messages
- 2,093
I've got what appears to be that same Erskine model, but on my skidsteer. Have had it for about 13 years. It's a beast; indestructible. The only operating issues I've had are (1) the chute will sometimes slowly clog in wet snow, even at full throttle. I just keep a small pry bar with me to clear the chute. And (2) in very cold conditions (close to zero degrees), if you stop the blower, the moisture created by the compressed snow will instantly freeze the fan. Ice builds up as it is being used. The hydraulics aren't strong enough to break the bond (59 hp skidsteer). I keep a 10lb hammer with me and just tap the fan blades to break the ice bond. These two issues pretty much apply to any snowblower though.
Attachments
I think these hydraulic snow blowers were first designed to be used on skid steers with more hydraulic pressure and flow. Then they came out with the power pack hydro unit to mount on the 3pt hitch and run off the rear PTO, giving the sub compact tractors enough hydraulics to run the blower. Mine is in it's 3rd year and it is quite a snow weapon.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
dennis103. i like your setup ...the way you ran hoses. i had to make a few plates for mine, but i totally remove hoses every spring.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
it takes about 2 hours to totally mount the blower every winter, what with unpacking, routing hoses and controls. but swapping out to plow or bucket only takes minutes.
plus, it move alot of snow fast. tonight my carriage barn shed. i had between 18-24" of snow on building. hard to tell by the pics, but its deep, wet and compacted. from start to finish 14 minutes.
plus, it move alot of snow fast. tonight my carriage barn shed. i had between 18-24" of snow on building. hard to tell by the pics, but its deep, wet and compacted. from start to finish 14 minutes.
JWR
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2011
- Messages
- 4,029
- Location
- So MD / WV
- Tractor
- MF 2660 LP, 3 Kubota B2150, Kubota BX2200, MH Pacer, Gravely 5660, etc.
grsthe great and dennis -- both outstanding job of showing us your snow blowing tools. Rather obviously you are well equipped for handling some serious snow challenges in both Idaho and Maine. Many people would love to have that kind of tools and most of us TBN people know it is more than just spending a chunk of cash, there is a lot of good judgement and ingenuity and persistence in work you put into it. Great to see.
I do have one criticism -- your stuff is way too clean and shiny and purty -- embarrassing actually. You can't really get work done and look like that !!
I do have one criticism -- your stuff is way too clean and shiny and purty -- embarrassing actually. You can't really get work done and look like that !!
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
After i blew out the corrals, my tractor looked pretty shabby.
ill have to pressure wash it tomorrow
ill have to pressure wash it tomorrow
I can't take the credit for the install. I purchased the blower as a package with the tractor, so the dealer installed it. They did a really good job. There are quick disconnects for the hydraulic lines at the rear, front and middle near the quick disconnects for my loader arms. Makes it just 2 extra quick disconnects and back away from the loader. 2 quick disconnects and a electric plug and change from blower to bucket. The biggest snow storm we have had this winter so far is less than 2".
metalbender
Veteran Member
Now this is giving me the urge to convert my rear pto modded blower to hydraulic drive. There was a diy one a member posted using a pressure tank for a reservoir. Mount the assembly on a rear blade. Princess Auto lists a 20 gpm pto pump for $600. I have a good sized hyd motor on an old rock picker, need to check capacity.
The pump has the female spline that mates to the PTO shaft. It has a bracket that hangs down on both sides of the draw bar. That keeps the pump housing from turning and a clamp goes behind that bracket to keep the pump from sliding off the PTO shaft. Not sure what advantage there is to that set up is over a PTO shaft from the pump to the tractor PTO would be. I can tell you the disadvantage is, its a pain in the a$$ to install. I've never weighed the pump but it's heavy (my guess 80lb), plus a large and a small hydraulic hose you have to fight with to install.
