Snowblower - too big?

[slowzuki]

I run a 7 ft Lucknow (about 1000 lbs) on an L5030HSTC, it works great with the hydrostatic. The only problem I have is on steep hills I sometimes can't push the blower up. Without the blower my tractor is about 6500 lb and I have a 300 lb blade in the front bucket. I don't have chains on though as I have to drive down paved roads all the time.

 

[fish6942]

Another advantage of the wider blower is less tendancy for the front tires to drive over the unblown snow in a turn.

 

[rbargeron]

...... my driveway is 8-9ft. wide (but 1000' long)......

Well here's a shameless plug - at the moment I have an extra Erskine 6' front-mounted snowblower - the kind that drives from the rear pto. Snowblowing going forward is good for doing long driveways. I take my loader off for the winter - but I've never missed it because the blower will eat any snow pile.
My rear wheels are about 76" wide so I got another Erskine that's wider. PM me if interested - unit is in good shape. Take care, Dick B

 

[Nuru]

Well here's a shameless plug - at the moment I have an extra Erskine 6' front-mounted snowblower - the kind that drives from the rear pto. Snowblowing going forward is good for doing long driveways. I take my loader off for the winter - but I've never missed it because the blower will eat any snow pile.
My rear wheels are about 76" wide so I got another Erskine that's wider. PM me if interested - unit is in good shape. Take care, Dick B

Is that it in the pic?

 

[rbargeron]

Yes the blower is the one in the picture, taken a couple (+) years ago - so it has a few more scratches now. Back then I posted pics and hook-up information for the Erskine front-mount. Here's a link to the discussion. The L5450 in the pics has been replaced by a newer one with a cab like my avatar. Take care, Dick B

 

[The Haymaker]

I ran a 6' rear mount on my TZ25DA, 22hp at the pto. I never did make it bog, it was like nothing was there. BUT, I did have to run front weights because I didn't have a bucket and was using turf tires without chains.

If I'd have had chains, it would've been perfect. the 1300lb tractor just didn't push the best.

With traction, I could've run a bigger blower.

 

[rbargeron]

.......With traction, I could've run a bigger blower.

I agree - traction is often the weak link - power is important provided it can get to the ground.

I'm off for a few days - improving my own traction.

 

[jstrasser]

Don't post here much, but this thread did get my attention.

After spending the '08/'09 winter doing an OK job plowing with a rear grading blade I wanted to get away from snowbanks and blow it into the woods (an unpaved private road about 1/2 mile long)

For this past winter I went with a 68" Meteor PTO blower and it did a great job (for the "winter" we had). The rear tires are just over 60" wide so they run in the cleared road. My 4wd NH is geared and I run reverse in mid-range.
I only have about 23 PTO hp but it ran great- you should have no problem with more muscle at your PTO.

I agree with the poster who mentioned about not being able to go up a moderate hill, even with rear double ring chains on loaded tires. It is marginally better if I can get a front bucket full of wet snow. So I end up blowing that section downhill only.

Good luck,
John

Now if I can just stop throwing rocks......

 

[Nuru]

Yes the blower is the one in the picture, taken a couple (+) years ago - so it has a few more scratches now. Back then I posted pics and hook-up information for the Erskine front-mount. Here's a link to the discussion. The L5450 in the pics has been replaced by a newer one with a cab like my avatar. Take care, Dick B

Looks interesting but it seeems very rigid. Does it have any capability to move up and down over changing terrain?

 

[rbargeron]

Looks interesting but it seems very rigid. Does it have any capability to move up and down over changing terrain?

That was my concern too - about keeping good ground contact. But in fact it is quite flexible. The blower head has hydraulic up and down with float, and can pivot to follow the ground contour - works well I think..