Snow blower performance

[bigdeano]

Usually the higher horsepower tractors, using 1,000 rpm pto's, use implements which slow the pto speed down to around 540 rpm once the power is at the implement.

The higher pto speed is just to allow more power transfer without using a larger diameter pto shaft.

This chart from Normand Commercial product line for tractors up to 350 Hp shows all blower fans are running at 540 rpm.
A speed reducer is recommended on the blower to reduce the pto speed from 1,000 to 540.

Dave M7040

This is an interesting chart. I see the impellers run at 540, but they're about twice the diameter of the OP's. That would make a large difference in how far they throw. I wonder what the RPM of the impellers is on walk behind blowers with 20" impellers like the OP's, if there are any.

 

[Dave M7040]

This is an interesting chart. I see the impellers run at 540, but they're about twice the diameter of the OP's. That would make a large difference in how far they throw. I wonder what the RPM of the impellers is on walk behind blowers with 20" impellers like the OP's, if there are any.

Notice the other element of design as the tractor power goes up.

All the ones in the chart are 5 blades.

I looked on consumer reports web site for walk behind snow blower ratings and I hope some spec's.

Cub Cadet 3X30 HD Pro was the best but no where are there any spec's dealing with Fan parameters.

I never saw one that looked like it had a 20" dia fan.

I continue to maintain focusing on throwing distance is to have your attention on the wrong aspect of the blower's performance.

The designers of these machines spend serious engineering and performance testing time. Do you not think if they felt they would gain an edge on the competition by decreasing fan to drum clearance or by providing heavy rubber wipers on each fan blade they would to do.

The designers know how to make a blower throw a long distance and it is by discharging from the side of the drum.

If you can get your blower to throw further but the trade off is slower blowing speed because all your power is going to achieving distance, at the end of the work day you have not moved as much snow.

I don't know why but I suspect the owner with poor blower performance will find a chain and sprocket between his pto and the blower gear box.

Dave M7040

 

[Dave M7040]

could this be a similar brand blower? if so, maybe it helps us narrow down what brand the blower is,
notice the spout rotation in this Loftness (pic stolen from another BB)
View attachment 539824

I sent one of the owner's photos to Loftness to see if they can identify the blower.

Dave m7040

 

[dnw64]

I continue to maintain focusing on throwing distance is to have your attention on the wrong aspect of the blower's performance.

Depends what your needs are.

If you can get your blower to throw further but the trade off is slower blowing speed because all your power is going to achieving distance, at the end of the work day you have not moved as much snow.

Have you ever had to blow snow on a place where you have already cleared, only to have to blow it again? Or blow it on top of a place where you haven't yet cleared, and have to blow it twice?

Distance is relative, and "far enough" is going to be different for different people.

I agree that distance for distance sake is pointless

 

[Phil48]

Phil,

How big is your blower?
Looks like your fan is pretty decent size diameter! It should throw snow nice.
How many hp is your Kioti?

Hello Dan,

It's a 54'' MK Martin with a 20hp Kioti CK20, still in late february the pile is cumulating quite hight, sometime I have to get the Yamaha snowblower to extend to 30 feet...

Phil

 

[Dan33Klein]

Notice the other element of design as the tractor power goes up.

All the ones in the chart are 5 blades.

I looked on consumer reports web site for walk behind snow blower ratings and I hope some spec's.

Cub Cadet 3X30 HD Pro was the best but no where are there any spec's dealing with Fan parameters.

I never saw one that looked like it had a 20" dia fan.

I continue to maintain focusing on throwing distance is to have your attention on the wrong aspect of the blower's performance.

The designers of these machines spend serious engineering and performance testing time. Do you not think if they felt they would gain an edge on the competition by decreasing fan to drum clearance or by providing heavy rubber wipers on each fan blade they would to do.

The designers know how to make a blower throw a long distance and it is by discharging from the side of the drum.

If you can get your blower to throw further but the trade off is slower blowing speed because all your power is going to achieving distance, at the end of the work day you have not moved as much snow.

I don't know why but I suspect the owner with poor blower performance will find a chain and sprocket between his pto and the blower gear box.

Dave M7040

Thanks for the reply, maybe they can identity the blower
the impeller is is connected directly to the to the pto shaft via a straight through shaft in the gear box. It turns at a 1:1 ratio with the pto shaft. Therefore is spinning at 540 rpm with the pto.
There is no chain/sprockets.

 

[oosik]

Things to consider - -

- condition of the snow heavy snow requires more power

- your tractor is short on power for this blower ("blower bogs down when pushed into a pile") tractor should be able to maintain 540 pto rpm in all situations. Extreme situations - rock, stick, ice chunk - will shear a pin or spin the slip clutch.

- even without a "blade fix kit" this unit should "blow" the snow

IMHO - its a combination of the condition of the snow and the power of your tractor

Put a "blade kit" on the impeller and take smaller cuts with the unit. Try to maintain 540 pto rpm at all times.

 

[Dave M7040]

Dan

I contacted Loftness and provided a photo of your blower.

See if you can find the serial number where they suggest.

If you find it, I have a pdf parts manual they sent to me

Here is their reply.

Dave M7040


David
This is the closest book I could fine. your machine would have been built late 70ç—´ early 80ç—´. there should be a serial number wrote in welding on top of the gearbox plate.
If you need something for the blower contact us and we will see if we can come up with a updated part that would work on yours. then you will have to order it through one of our dealers.


Dave Fischer / Parts
Loftness Manufacturing
320-848-6266 ext. 121
Loftness | Loftness


A second response was received from another person at Loftness:

This is one of our Snow blower. It would have been built back in the late 70’s or 80’s. We have some parts books on our web site Loftness | Loftness go to the literature and manuals section. At the top you will see archived manuals go into that section and look at 30-H-24 model that will be the closest manual we have for your blower.

 

[Dan33Klein]

Dan

I contacted Loftness and provided a photo of your blower.

See if you can find the serial number where they suggest.

If you find it, I have a pdf parts manual they sent to me

Here is their reply.

Dave M7040


David
This is the closest book I could fine. your machine would have been built late 70ç—´ early 80ç—´. there should be a serial number wrote in welding on top of the gearbox plate.
If you need something for the blower contact us and we will see if we can come up with a updated part that would work on yours. then you will have to order it through one of our dealers.


Dave Fischer / Parts
Loftness Manufacturing
320-848-6266 ext. 121
Loftness | Loftness

Dave,
There are numbers welded on top of a plate. So That confirm it is a loftness blower.
I will get a picture/read the numbers after work.

 

[Dan33Klein]

Things to consider - -

- condition of the snow heavy snow requires more power

- your tractor is short on power for this blower ("blower bogs down when pushed into a pile") tractor should be able to maintain 540 pto rpm in all situations. Extreme situations - rock, stick, ice chunk - will shear a pin or spin the slip clutch.

- even without a "blade fix kit" this unit should "blow" the snow

IMHO - its a combination of the condition of the snow and the power of your tractor

Put a "blade kit" on the impeller and take smaller cuts with the unit. Try to maintain 540 pto rpm at all times.

Thanks for the reply,
I’m aware I’m short of power. But I was only feeding 5” of snow in the blower and could maintain 540 rpm at all times. Actually 582 rpm at full throttle. The tractor only bogged when I would shove it into a pile. If we were to get a 20” snow fall then I would take 1/2 to 3/4 swipe. Which it should handle no problem. That’s what is nice about pto rpm displaying in the dash. I can make sure I am maintaining at least 540 rpm.