Snowblower Conversion

[3238dpw]

Well all of this being said it does make me wonder how the snow blower from Power Trac works. I think the one for the 425 is 48". Does anyone out there have one and what are your thoughts? Does the 425 have enough power to run blower?

KentT, do you think that with a 2 stage it would be easier to adjust your speed rather than the width of each pass to avoid clogging?

 

[KentT]

Well all of this being said it does make me wonder how the snow blower from Power Trac works. I think the one for the 425 is 48". Does anyone out there have one and what are your thoughts? Does the 425 have enough power to run blower?

KentT, do you think that with a 2 stage it would be easier to adjust your speed rather than the width of each pass to avoid clogging?

The Power Trac snowblower for the T-8 class is a 48" two-stage...

http://www.power-trac.com/images/Attachments/snowblower1.jpg
http://www.power-trac.com/t8attachments.htm

Since it is a two-stage, the PT will likely handle it OK. My comment about 45" being the upper limit was regarding a single-stage...

Two-stages are not nearly as prone to clog in wet, heavy snow as discussed in likely too much detail... You could likely take a full cut, listen to the engine, and slow down when/if the engine starts to bog down... You're still limited to less than 10 PTO horsepower...

My concerns with this PT design would be:

1. The exposed drive chain leaves it exposed to grit, ice, salt, et.... not sure why they didn't put it outside the "hopper" and put a cover over it the way other manufacturers do...

2. The use of caster wheels instead of skid shoes. IMO, adjustable skid shoes would likely be much more reliable and hassle-free, especially if being used on gravel driveways. I can understand the need to be able to move side to side on an articulating maching, but unless these casters are FAR better quality than what's used on the mowers and other attachments, I'd still have some concerns...

3. Price -- at $3000, it should be a refined, well-constructed piece of equipment. Too steep for me...

 

[3238dpw]

I agree with everything you said KentT, especially the cost. That is why I was thinking more along the lines of finding a used (cheap) blower and adapting that.

 

[ponytug]

KentT- Great how to on using a snowblower. By the sound of it, you should dine out on BBQ all summer long!

You make a good point about friction. One item to consider is a liner of UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight poly-ethylene). It has a coefficient of friction that rivals teflon, and is especially good on wet sticky materials. I've seen on plow blades, manure spread boxes, and feed dump trailers. I can imagine that the chute geometry might be a little awkward to line, but once you get good at plastic welding, it isn't that hard.

All the best,

Peter

 

[marrun37]

I have a question regarding a conversion of another type:
I have a Cub Cadet 826 4x4 which came with an electric motor for directing the chute. I am not sure if the motor is dead or if there is another issue with wiring, etc. However, I was wondering if anyone knows of a conversion kit for installing a crank to move the chute.