Snowblower Snowblower for Front End Loaders?

[rScotty]

It's been a while since I've looked, but my wife was asking if there was any snowblower attachment that will exchange with the quick-change front end bucket and I had to say I didn't know...Are there any?

We looked at lots of snowblowers: rear mount types and frame mount types, and garden tractor types and push types - and rejected them all for one reason or another.. I want to be able to look forward and blow snow off a mile of steep dirt road in the mountains. That's all. It doesn't seem unreasonable. We already have a 59 hp tractor with a skid steer type FEL and decent hydraulics. Now just need to find out what the options are.
Thanks, rScotty

 

[kennyd]

The determining factor is the available hydraulic flow at the front outlets, do you know what yours is rated at?

 

[rScotty]

The determining factor is the available hydraulic flow at the front outlets, do you know what yours is rated at?

There is a aux hydraulic coupler on the front loader arms of the Kubota M59 that is rated in the literature as being 16 GPM at 2800 psi. The sales literature says it is for Skid Steer type attachments like augers and sweepers....but the valve control in the cab seems to be extend/retract and doesn't have a hold down for constant flow. But I've heard people do use the ports for constant flow. Can't see why not.
What brands are you thinking of?
Thanks, rScotty

 

[lungdoc]

Most tractors don't have enough hydraulic flow to power the appropriate sized blower. Deere sells, and I believe a few others make, units with auxiliary PTO-powered hydraulic pumps to generate the needed hydraulic power. These units aren't cheap, the Deere one suitable for a 4x20 series tractor is circa 10 large.

 

[rScotty]

Yes, thank you LD. I had just come to about the same conclusion. That being to try a small size quick attach/front mounted/hydraulic drive snowblower in place of my bucket and see what happens. I am warned that if the 16 GPM @ 2800 psi from the Kubota is either anemic or more likely to be optomistic....as the skidloader attachment saleman keeps telling me it will be....then the answer is to build an oil reservoir to mount on the rear, slip a a PTO-driven hydraulic pump onto the PTO shaft, and use the pto to generate the large hydraulic flow. The PTO pumps made by Prince have an excellent reputation and cost about $600. Add a remote valve and a custom reservoir and I think I can just come in under a grand. And have a huge flow to run any type of gadget.
rScotty

Lets see...rule of thumb is about 1 hp to drive 1 GPM at 1500 psi. So I want to drive 30+ GPM at about 1000psi for a HSLT (high speed low torque) drive. Ok, fine... We've got the HP and to spare.
Now to find a little skid steer type snow blower.
Roger

Most tractors don't have enough hydraulic flow to power the appropriate sized blower. Deere sells, and I believe a few others make, units with auxiliary PTO-powered hydraulic pumps to generate the needed hydraulic power. These units aren't cheap, the Deere one suitable for a 4x20 series tractor is circa 10 large.

 

[JohninCT]

This is similar to what you're talking about with front mounted blower and rear mounted hyd tank and pump. This system preserves the 3 point hitch mount on the blower so it can still be mounted in the rear. You could build or buy a skid steer 3 point adaptor to mount the blower on your loader QA using the 3 point mount but still keeping the hydraulic drive.

Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer

3 point adaptor
Skid Steer Fixed 3-Point Adaptors

or you could go with one of these skid steer blowers. Mount directly to QA plate. The high flow models are pretty pricey though.

Skid Steer Snow Blowers

Snow Blower for Skidsteer / Skid Steer / Loader / Compact Tractor - Quick Snow-Away - fits Bobcat and most other brands - Attachments Direct, Inc.

 

[rScotty]

John, that does make sense. Very clever idea. I hadn't thought of using a 3pt blower mounted on a front loader QA plate. That sure makes sense

You know, I already have a 3pt adapter plate for the loader....should have thought of using it. This adapter is the SH35 unit made by Land Pride. Like the other implements I've bought from Land Pride, it is well made of good material, but needed a day or two welding and drilling before it fit as it was intended to. But I've done that so it's ready to go.
rScotty

This is similar to what you're talking about with front mounted blower and rear mounted hyd tank and pump. This system preserves the 3 point hitch mount on the blower so it can still be mounted in the rear. You could build or buy a skid steer 3 point adaptor to mount the blower on your loader QA using the 3 point mount but still keeping the hydraulic drive.

 

[JohninCT]

Since you've got a 3 point adaptor already, you could get yourself a 3 point blower and rig up a hydraulic drive yourself using one of these

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

with your 16 gpm flow you should get about 600 RPM with this size motor. It already has a PTO spline shaft, so all you would need to do is fabricate a mounting bracket on your 3 point adaptor for the hydraulic motor.

 

[Charlesaf3]

argghhh! my post got lost.

So again shorter. I think you are making it too hard on yourself.

The m59 runs skidsteer motor stuff fine off the front - anything standard flow should work. If I can run ground engaging hydor motors like the harley rake off it, I don't see how a skidsteer blower running fluffy colorado snow would have any problem. Try before you buy if you can, but if I found a used skidsteer snowblower cheap I'd buy it without a thought.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Also, messicks wired up both skidsteer electric power and controls to the front (harley rake angles with electric over hydro) and a toggle alternate to the joystick buttons for long runs. Not a big deal to put in.

One of the big selling points of the m59 to my mind, that doesn't get enough press, is that you can run it like a big, stable comfortable skidsteer. I often do, and its something I don't think any other tractor can do.