Grading Snowblower: 3 or 4 blade fan??

[fish6942]

I'm getting ready to order a new Allied 3PH blower for my BX2350. I'm looking at the 50" which has a 13" fan. It can be had with either a 3 or 4 blade fan.

What are the advantages/disadvantages to 3 blades versus 4 blade?

Also, I'm considering moving up to a 60" which has a 15" fan but it may be a little much for my 17hp at the PTO.

 

[number two]

I believe the 4 blade fan is better for the heavy stuff. The 3 blade fan is throwing one-third of the snow that enters the fan housing,whereas a 4 blade fan is only throwing one-fourth,less likely to plug. Don't be afraid to move up to a 60". I used to have a 60" blower in front of a B1750 with 15.5 PTO HP. If the snow was quite deep and heavy you had to slow down some. But usually in moderate snowfalls it chewed right through it,and time spent was reduced by the extra width. Worth it in my opinion. Front mount would be nice though!

 

[fish6942]

Number Two - Thanks for the info. I'm going to at least get a cost comparison between the 50" and the 60".

I'm still waiting on a response from Allied on the 3 vs 4.

The other thing is the drive is about 1,100' long and gravel. I understand that getting stones wedged between the fan blades and the housing is a real concern. That may be one reason to stick with the 3-blade.

Newb question - When these things plug, where exactly is it plugging, in the fan housing or where the snow enters the chute?

 

[Stoweski]

Want an easy solution? Butcher block wax. One application last year solved my clogging problems in both of my blowers. I gave my father the container and he used it too.
I found that my Kubota snowblower had so much power there wasn't a chance of snow clogging up inside. The wax provided a slippery surface enough to keep most of the snow from sticking to it. Cleanup was much faster too!
Keith

 

[number two]

I have a 1200' long gravel driveway. Stones can be dealt with two ways. With a rear snowblower(hard on the neck) the top link can be shortened a bit to raise the leading edge of the blower off the driveway,clearing the stones until the driveway freezes up. After freeze-up,lengthen the top link to scrape the ground closer. Another method is fabricate a pipe to install over the cutting edge of the blower,allowing the blower to float over the driveway instead of digging in. After the drive freezes,remove the pipe to allow scraping action. Many snowplowers use this method on their heavy snowplows to reduce landscaping when the ground is still soft. Pipes may have to be reinstalled when spring nears and more snow comes,if the drive softens up.

 

[fish6942]

I heard back from Allied regarding the 3-blade vs. 4-blade. They indicated the 4-blade is adventageous mostly in the wet/heavy snow and that their testing showed no noticeable difference in normal snow.

Other that the PTO power requirements and cost, is there any reason to not go with the 60" blower?

 

[number two]

Get the 60",you won't regret it. You'll get done faster almost every time,saving fuel and time. Faster is less cold for the cabless. You'll only go slower when the big one hits-and how often is that,really? The same PTO HP will move the same snow/hr,you'll just be going slower with the wider blower. As far as the 3/4 blade question,it may not matter. Minnesota gets pretty cold,but we all get those wet,transitional snows,but really only a few per season. It may not really matter which one you choose. I used to have a 3 blade on my 60" front blower and only clogged it once,trying to chew up a snowbank that had been there all winter. Usually keep up the RPM and all is well. Good Luck.

 

[SeymourBota]

I would advise against the 60" for a BX.

I own a BX2200 and also a B2410 with a 60" rear blower. I wouldn't even consider mounting that 60" on my BX. It's not a question of PTO hp either- the weight of the 60" blower and the traction needed to push it into the snow can be way beyond the capabilities of the BX.

In a heavy snowstorm, even my B series can be challenged trying to keep the 60" blower moving, especially if you have any uphill grades that you will be clearing.

I have a 50" front mount blower on my BX and it is the perfect size.

 

[art]

I'd go with the smaller blower for the horsepower difference as well as the weight. Chances are anyway you look at it you need to make four passes on your driveway.

I do know and sell there blowers and I have reservations on them if you need to throw much of a distance.

 

[number two]

What Art has to say about that particular brand may be worth some consideration. Straight line driveways,throwing distance is not so important. Large parking areas and throwing distance becomes more important. I blow besides two 40' buildings and have to blow straight ahead. Throwing distance helps reduce re-blowing the snow which gets condensed and blows much harder next time. In the 50/60 " discussion,how much more does the 60"weigh? It wouldn't seem that traction would be a problem as more weight =more traction(usually)-besides,you're clearing the way with the snowblower before driving into it. I can certainly appreciate the 50" size fits a BX better. As Art mentioned,two passes are usually needed for your driveway to make it wide enough. That's where I like the wider blower. There's those times when you're in a real hurry to get out. One pass each way with a 60" and you're out-finish the job later. Lot to consider,eh?