Snowblower speed???

[theoshin]

Hi,
We got our first dumping of the year - 8 inches of heavy snow.

I have a sb240 72 inch snowblower run by my model c high flow turbo.

How fast should I be able to go down my straight drive way? Anything
over 2.5-3mph and my rpms would start to drop way off and the blower would
no longer blow the snow out the shoot. running high flow at full throttle.

Thx
Theodore

 

[JJT]

I have a 7' rear snow blower and run in low range if the snow is deep or wet. If I start to plow snow I slow down. A little experience and you'll be fine. If we get less than 12"'s of dry snow mid range works for me, (easily 5mph). You can only drive as fast as the blower can process the snow, if it's piling up in front of your blower you're going to fast.

I plowed with a tractor and a truck for 12 years, I've had the blower on the tractor for the past 7, I'll never go back to a plow.

 

[timm9]

Theodore,

Can you elaborate on your comment...

"Anything over 2.5-3mph and my rpms would start to drop way off and the blower would no longer blow the snow out the shoot. running high flow at full throttle."

Is the snow plugging in the shute? Have you confirmed that the the blower is truely running in "high flow"? Both the high flow switch on the console, and the high flow indicator light on the dash are on?

The only time I experience a noticable loss of RPMs is when I cut into a large burm (3 feet or so and larger) too fast. Even if the snow is wet, 8 inches should not cause it to bog down.

If the blower was purchased (and matched for pressure and flow) for you specific unit, it's a great combination for snow removal. My first two blowers had the incorrect motor for my flow and pressure and was a real PIA until the motors were changed out for the correct ones. The previous poster is correct when he says you want to avoid "plowing" the snow but the blower should not plug. After my motors were changed out I intentionally tried to plug them to confirm the problem had been fixed. I had to try really hard to get them to plug and even then they virtually unplug themselves.

 

[theoshin]

thx for the replies,
I run full throttle. the high flow switch is engaged.

The shoot is definately not plugging. If I went over 2.5-3mph the rpms would continue to drop. the blower would blow the snow less and less far as they dropped until it no longer would clear the blower itself. the engine would continue to lose rpms. if i slowed down to 2-2.5 the engine and hydro pump could then overcome the snow and it would work fine. it was like i needed an extra 25hp to go any faster.

both the toolcat and the blower are new from bobcat from the local dealer. i expected a $45,000 snow blower to be able to go faster than that? the snow was very wet/heavy, but the snowblower is 3 ft tall so 8inches should not be such a big problem???

Thx
Theodore

 

[dylan]

Here is a pic of mine cutting through sticky wet snow from the hockey rink. It is low flow but just seems to chew away at the pile and blows it pretty good.

It does not move as much volume as my John Deere blowers but the fan is only 4" on the toolcat and 12" on the JD.

Good luck
dylan

 

[theoshin]

Talked with my local dealer today - he has many yrs with
bobcat.

our snow was very heavy and the ground not frozen - dealer states that is the reason for slow going.

will see how the toolcat does once things freeze. it was a very
wet/heavy snowfall.

ts

 

[theoshin]

I am wondering if something is not right with my machine.

I took the blower out tonight - the snow is no longer "wet" and i consider it average in density now. i ran the blower in 8-9inches of snow. flat surface. with the high flow turned off i could go 4.5-5mph before the engine/rpms would drop off. with high flow i can only go 1.5-1.8mph before i loose power/rpms. the high flow throws the snow much farther but really slows me down. it seems as though a 56hp kubota should be able to keep the snowblower operating in 8-9 inches of snow at speads greater than 2mph??? i also notice with high flow on with my 84" broom i also have to slow down vs with it off.

I need some advice. i will also contact my dealer for more advice.

TS

 

[timm9]

TS,

Unless something has changed with the flow and pressure of a "C" series versus a "B" series your unit is identical to both of mine. My unit flow rate is approx. 26 1/2 GPM, and the pressure (if I remember correctly) is 3000 PSI.

I might suggest that you detach the blower and get the motor model number off the actual motor at the rear of the motor housing. Let me know what the number is and I will see if it matches (which it should) to my blowers. If the numbers match, then the problem may be in the flow and pressure.

Tim

 

[timm9]

TS,

I also sent you a PM.

Tim

 

[theoshin]

Tim - i sent you a pm with the numbers

thx
ts

 

[timm9]

TS,

Just sent you a PM...

Tim