Snowblower snowblower advice
- Thread starter rotorod
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Ductape
Elite Member
I've never owned an Econor, but the ones i've looked at on the dealers lot looked well made. I think you are a little shy horsepower-wise for a five footer, but you'll be fine. With your HST trans, you can adjust your speed infinitely to keep your RPMs up. As long as it appears to be in decent shape, i'd consider a grand for that blower a fair deal.
fish6942
Gold Member
gerard
Veteran Member
Ductape hit it. 5 foot's a little big for your tractor, make sure of the weight so you can lift it with your 3 point. You MAY be able to get by because of the HST and ability to creep in deep stuff but you may ALSO want to consider a 52 inch if that will cover your tracks. No sense in getting more than you can use. Just more money and you won't get done any faster. (Smaller unit covers less BUT you go faster. Your limiting factor is your hp.
I also have a B2710 and am looking at buying a 60" Erskine rear pull. Do you know what the unit you're looking at weighs? The Erskine is about 750#, I looked in the manual and it shows 500# as limit of 3pt. But I don't know if that's because it can't lift more than that, or because it makes the front end too light. I keep the FEL on all the time, so that should keep the front end on the ground.
gerard
Veteran Member
Usually the ratings refer to Max lifting capacity at some point in the travel. You may be able to go a little over the rating but not put the implement all the way up. I wouldn't though. 750 vs a 500 rating and you're exceeding the max by 50%.
EquineNetworkCO
Member
As a point of reference, I have a 74" Farm King snow blower that I used in conjunction with a 29hp naturally aspirated shuttle shift tractor. I live at 7300' so my effective HP at the PTO was obviously less. Even so, I had great success last spring against 3-4' (heavy) wet snow with this combo. The secret was to go slow, keep the engine revs up and in the very deep spots, lift the blower up and do two passes. Another thing I learned is to have a strategy for snow placement, since I could only throw the snow 30-40'. I've since upgraded to a 55HP turbocharged eHydro tractor. The extra power is FUN (and makes chores like snow removal much more enjoyable)...
gerard
Veteran Member
Did your 3 point struggle to lift it? I have a 27 hp gear, so maybe 24-25 pto HP with a 5 footer and there are times I have to do as you described. Hold high and make a double pass but that's because I don't have a live pto or hst. (Real pain in the a*$). You were a whole lot more versatile due to the hst but you were still pushing the limits with that size machine. (Course now you could probably use an 8 footer with ease!)
EquineNetworkCO
Member
My old tractor never had a problem lifting it. If memory serves, the Farm King Y740 weighs in around 750#. I'll admit that with the shuttle shift, I couldn't really go slow enough in very deep/wet snow (12F/12R transmission). There were times when I'd have to push in the clutch and let engine revs/impeller speed build back up. I really enjoy the eHydro transmission now!!
gerard
Veteran Member
I know the feeling 
Didn't plan on a snowblower when I bought the tractor so didn't care too much about a live pto. WRONG! Once wife started wanting snow cleared down the pasture aisles and I had no way to windrow the snow a blower became a must. I only have two reverse gears. high is always way too fast. Low is USUALLY too slow but sometimes not slow enough so my only option is to make a high pass, then hit it again. It works but would be a lot sweeter with an hst!! (Next one!!!)
Didn't plan on a snowblower when I bought the tractor so didn't care too much about a live pto. WRONG! Once wife started wanting snow cleared down the pasture aisles and I had no way to windrow the snow a blower became a must. I only have two reverse gears. high is always way too fast. Low is USUALLY too slow but sometimes not slow enough so my only option is to make a high pass, then hit it again. It works but would be a lot sweeter with an hst!! (Next one!!!)