Snow Attachments Snowblowers vs PTO HP

[Piston]

I've got a 82" normand blower on the back of my kubota l4330, 34.5 pto hp according to the specs. Bogs down some depending on the snow but all in all it works quite well, and I clear 60-70 driveways every snowfall. Having said that though, I have a new M7060 coming this week and with 64hp at the pto I'm sure it will put the old L series to shame.

Toxic,
Is it an inverted or standard rear blower?

Also, I would be VERY interested to hear your thoughts comparing snowblowing efficiency of the HST vs. power shuttle transmission (or anyone elses for that matter). Obviously, you'll be able to blow snow more efficiently just because of the extra power, but I'm really interested in your thoughts between the two transmissions, specifically for snowblowing driveways on a commercial scale.

 

[DarkBlack]

The beauty of blowing with a large blower on a diesel gear tractor is the feed speed is proportionate with the engine RPM's.
If the snow gets too thick it drops the RPM's which lowers the feed speed ( your wheels ), so for small drift sections you don't have to shift gears as long as the drop in RPM's remains in the flat band of the torque curve.
If you're going way too fast, you'll loose enough RPM's to be at a lower torque speed. In that case you'll have to down shift your transmission.

 

[toxic]

Toxic,
Is it an inverted or standard rear blower?

Also, I would be VERY interested to hear your thoughts comparinfutureblowing efficiency of the HST vs. power shuttle transmission (or anyone elses for that matter). Obviously, you'll be able to blow snow more efficiently just because of the extra power, but I'm really interested in your thoughts between the two transmissions, specifically for snowblowing driveways on a commercial scale.

It is a standard rear blower. An inverted wouldn't work in my area because of the extreme drifting we get. During a "normal" 4-6" snowfall it's not unusual to have drifts form that are 3-5 feet in height.

I am also very interested to see how the different transmissions compare, unfortunately there is no snow in the forcast in the forsee able future. But I'll be sure to post my findings when we finally do get a storm.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

I also am curious on a true apples-to-apples but it will be a bit of an unfair comparison with double the power in the new tractor. I can hardley count the different tractors I've used for snow. I've got HST in my B3300, grew up with a AC 4050 with a 9x3 gear, used several different JD 6xxx with shuttle, Case 105U & 120 Maximum with shuttle and a few old Whites, IH and Heston with gear trans. The problem trying to make a comparison is they are all SO different in so many ways its tough to tell.

My gut tells me for the way I do snow, power shuttle with power shift and no less than 12x12 would be the way to go

 

[Piston]

But I'll be sure to post my findings when we finally do get a storm.

Thanks Toxic!

Oh, and, you can't post a picture like that, without telling us about that NH in the background! How bout a pic of that bad boy? What do you use it for that you need those monster tracks on it? Front and rear, or just rear tracks? That looks very impressive.

 

[toxic]

Thanks Toxic!

Oh, and, you can't post a picture like that, without telling us about that NH in the background! How bout a pic of that bad boy? What do you use it you need those monster tracks Front and rear, or just rear tracks? That looks very impressive.

The new holland is a 2013 T7.185 with auto command Transmission. Has a soucy 4 track system and a 10' six way front blade. My snowmobile club bought it last winter to maintain our trail system. It replaced a a 2001 bombardier BR180. The tractor is by far a better machine for grooming trails, more comfortable, better pulling power, compacts the snow more. The only downside would be that its not as manuverable.

 

[Piston]

WOW! That is impressive to say the least.

Your snowmobile club must get a LOT more funding than any of my local snowmobile clubs

 

[toxic]

WOW! That is impressive to say the least.

Your snowmobile club must get a LOT more funding than any of my local snowmobile clubs

No government funding at all. We get a portion of every trail pass sold and we do a couple of fundraisers our self but that's it.

 

[BWSwede]

The beauty of blowing with a large blower on a diesel gear tractor is the feed speed is proportionate with the engine RPM's.
If the snow gets too thick it drops the RPM's which lowers the feed speed ( your wheels ), so for small drift sections you don't have to shift gears as long as the drop in RPM's remains in the flat band of the torque curve.
If you're going way too fast, you'll loose enough RPM's to be at a lower torque speed. In that case you'll have to down shift your transmission.

DB,
I don't get it. When you lower your rpm's to lower your ground speed you are also lowering the fan speed and hence the amount of snow that can be ejected. What have you gained?

Thanks,
BWSwede

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

DB,
I don't get it. When you lower your rpm's to lower your ground speed you are also lowering the fan speed and hence the amount of snow that can be ejected. What have you gained?

Thanks,
BWSwede

Ok, so it wasn't just me that didn't follow that.....