Snowblower sizing

[johnsayen]

Hello

if you have a 62hp tractor (L6060) with 53hp at the pto would you rather operate a utility snowblower rated for 20-60hp at the PTO or a larger, heavier commercial snowblower rated for 35-80p at the PTO?

cut widths are the same but the commercial has a bigger fan and auger and several hundred more pounds.

 

[LittleBill21]

larger, your only 7 short of the max HP, the commercial puts you in the middle and far enough from the bottom where you should be ok, just make sure the weight is not going to push you around.

 

[CH4Ohio]

You mean they're both the same price? Same features regarding hydraulics? In a blower that size I'd think 24" fan is pretty standard -- not sure what you're looking at.

Also not sure where you're located, but snowblowers usually don't get used for a lot of hours per year.

Took me a while to finally find the right snow rig and blower. A lot of my decision was based on price / value. Changes in tractor led me to sell a 64" snowblower and move to an 84" blower.

You must be looking at a 7' snowblower, right? You need something that will at least cover your rear tire track.

I wonder what they consider a "commercial" blower? Do you plan to use it "commercially" -- like run it 15 hours per day when it snows?

So I agree that all things being equal, I'd rather have the heavier unit. But price would actually figure heavily into my decision on a snowblower. I don't think I could ever wear either one of them out as long as it's maintained reasonably.

 

[CH4Ohio]

PS . . . .

The other thing about snowblowers . . . they're the one piece of equipment that you can often find "used" that are nearly new. That is, a lot of people buy a snowblower after a terrible winter and then don't see any snow again for years. They get used for a few hours every year or so. With the 3-point version especially, where there's no engine issues, it's the same as a new machine. If it's been stored inside, so much the better.

It's common to see like new units for sale on CL or similar local sites.

Same goes for walk-behind snowblowers. You can buy like new units cheap if you just watch for bargains. Just can't wait till it snows to pick them up, so your timing is right!

 

[airbiscuit]

A bigger fan clears/blows more snow.

 

[RjCorazza]

The cutting widths may be the same, but it's very likely the commercial blower will process snow faster with a larger fan and number of blades.
I have a heavy duty commercial blower for my L4060 and it works when I need it.

 

[oosik]

I recommend the commercial blower. It should work better in deeper snow and last longer with fewer repairs.

 

[johnsayen]

Here are the two model specs side by side:

 

[Working on Rust]

I think Kubota snowblowers are made by RAD in Quebec. They are good blowers from what I have seen.
The L4474 blower has the heavier duty gearbox and a bigger auger.
I am not sure what your winters are like but if there is much snow I would defenatly go for the heaver built one.

 

[CH4Ohio]

I'm confused. Didn't your question revolve around your PTO limitations?

Aren't these two snowblowers front-end-loader mounted front units? (I'm not sure . . . )

I thought you were looking for rear-mounted PTO driven units.

 

[PILOON]

Rule 1---wider than your tracks.
Rule 2---bigger the fan, better the performance.

As to HP @ PTO, techniques can compensate for miss matching at the sacrifice of speed.

 

[johnsayen]

I'm confused. Didn't your question revolve around your PTO limitations?

Aren't these two snowblowers front-end-loader mounted front units? (I'm not sure . . . )

I thought you were looking for rear-mounted PTO driven units.

Yes. Mid-PTO driven front blowers.

 

[johnsayen]

Rule 1---wider than your tracks.
Rule 2---bigger the fan, better the performance.

As to HP @ PTO, techniques can compensate for miss matching at the sacrifice of speed.

That last part is the crux of the dilemma. If you have to slow down with a larger unit are you really better off? Especially since the fan is only 2” bigger.

 

[airbiscuit]

The fan is also 50% deeper.

1. What is the cost differential?
2. Are you ordering a tractor blower combo? (your profile lists tractor as none)
3. What kind of snowfalls are you preparing for?
4. How long is your drive/road?
5. Are you getting a loader (that you will remove)?

 

[johnsayen]

The fan is also 50% deeper.

1. What is the cost differential?
2. Are you ordering a tractor blower combo? (your profile lists tractor as none)
3. What kind of snowfalls are you preparing for?
4. How long is your drive/road?
5. Are you getting a loader (that you will remove)?

$2k difference - L6060 I’ll try to figure out how to update my profile. 200” of snow annually and yes I have a loader/bucket that I’ll have to remove.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Yes. Mid-PTO driven front blowers.

Got it. Thanks for clarifying. Those are not as easy to find second-hand for a given tractor . . .

I'd go for the best deal between the two. They'll both be heavy and durable. You'll never wear one out. You've got plenty of HP for either and either one should throw snow 30' or more.

I'm running a rear blower, 7', with an L5740. It'll push through anything and I never really bog down. Just have to slow down in deep drifts to give the snow time to make it though the machine.

 

[CH4Ohio]

If you're concerned at all with speed, consider a plow on the front and a snowblower on the rear for those times when the plow won't do it or you need to blast the piles back after repeated plowing. Easy to mount a Meyer snowplow or similar on the front. I can plow my drive in a few minutes. MUCH faster than when I have to slow down to blow it. And even in heavy snowfalls, I usually end up plowing a lot of it and using the blower only where it's drifted deep. Makes for a very flexible setup.

Of course, I can see the attraction of having the blower on the front too.

Just a thought. Good luck with all the new equipment!

 

[PILOON]

That last part is the crux of the dilemma. If you have to slow down with a larger unit are you really better off? Especially since the fan is only 2” bigger.

Depends if commercial or personal usage.
Commercial U want maximum performance as speed is your friend, time = profit.

If personal then some comprising for the occasional big dumping is less critical.
Heck 10-15 more minutes wont be the end of the world, and at that only occasionally.
The drive to work on city plowed (or not) roads will eat up more time than that.

Also I'd consider rear conventional blowers and a good camera installation as that configuration opens up much more blower options being universal in design plus better future resale options.
Front mount is very often very tractor model specific.

 

[PILOON]

If you're concerned at all with speed, consider a plow on the front and a snowblower on the rear for those times when the plow won't do it or you need to blast the piles back after repeated plowing. Easy to mount a Meyer snowplow or similar on the front. I can plow my drive in a few minutes. MUCH faster than when I have to slow down to blow it. And even in heavy snowfalls, I usually end up plowing a lot of it and using the blower only where it's drifted deep. Makes for a very flexible setup.

Of course, I can see the attraction of having the blower on the front too.

Just a thought. Good luck with all the new equipment!

That is my choice also and I have plowed commercially but now only do my drive.
When commercial I used a 4 x 4 plow truck B4 having a blower.
When needed I hired a blower between storms to widen some drives and that was very reasonable.
Even later when I had my CUT/blower I still hired out the blowing when needed.

Presently my CUT is 60 inch blower and 60 inch blade equipped and that on only a 30 HP CUT.
OK, my drive eats up about 2 hours per event but who is counting. A lot is all about techniques.
On a heavy dumping I simply blow off the top layer and come back for the lower layer followed by 1/2 cuts.
The front blade takes care of all the minor events.
Also that blade is equipped with mini skis to keep the gravel where it should be.
Blower also is oversized (modified) skid/ski equipped as I hate raking stones come spring.
Oh, and my back up camera saves me stiff necks.

 

[CH4Ohio]

That is my choice also and I have plowed commercially but now only do my drive.
When commercial I used a 4 x 4 plow truck B4 having a blower.
When needed I hired a blower between storms to widen some drives and that was very reasonable.
Even later when I had my CUT/blower I still hired out the blowing when needed.

Presently my CUT is 60 inch blower and 60 inch blade equipped and that on only a 30 HP CUT.
OK, my drive eats up about 2 hours per event but who is counting. A lot is all about techniques.
On a heavy dumping I simply blow off the top layer and come back for the lower layer followed by 1/2 cuts.
The front blade takes care of all the minor events.
Also that blade is equipped with mini skis to keep the gravel where it should be.
Blower also is oversized (modified) skid/ski equipped as I hate raking stones come spring.
Oh, and my back up camera saves me stiff necks.

I like the camera idea! I usually get twisted around so I'm pretty much sitting sideways and using my left foot on the HST pedal when using the snowblower. It can get to your neck though.

As you say, a plow is way more efficient and the best way to deal with any snow that can be plowed.