Wheels instead of Skids - WoodMaxx SB-84 Snowblower

[TractorNH]

I have a crushed gravel driveway and a snowblower. Anyone in a similar situation knows the driveway isn't usually frozen for the first couple of storms of the season. The problem I found was even though the snowblower has skid shoes that are fairly large they would still just dig in. The snowblower is heavy, over 800 lbs so I thought wheels would be a much better option.

I've seen very few designs where wheels were added to a PTO snowblower. I didn't want to weld directly on the snowblower just out of preference so I designed the wheel brackets to be a bolt-on attachment. There are U-bolts that clamp it to the square tube frame from the 3 point hitch on one side and it bolts on the outboard side where the skid shoe bracket is attached. I installed the skid shoes but set them high both in case I damage a wheel and also so I don't lose them.

The wheels I used are sold as universal replacement front wheels for a zero turn mower. They're flat free with a capacity of 400 lbs each. I opted for the greaseable bushings rather than bearings after reading so many reviews about the ball bearings being the weak point. I also figured the smooth wheels would skid across any snow or ice with less resistance than wheels with tread if making a turn with it on the ground. The axle shaft is a 3/4" piece of round bar that runs the full length of the wheel assembly and is held in place on the outboard end with a clip. The shaft runs inside a 3/4" pipe at the support locations and the pipe also acts as a spacer to keep the wheels in position.

The wheel height is not adjustable but this isn't an issue for me since I adjust the cutting edge height by simply tilting the snowblower slightly forward or slightly back and it gives a range of motion of couple inches of height difference at the cutting edge.

Hope this is helpful to someone in the future looking to do a similar modification to their snowblower.

 

[The Fred]

Now get rid of the dangerous R4s and you'll have a nice snow removal machine.

 

[Reb954]

TractorNH, I like the way you added the wheels. Good job.

BTW, as far as I am concerned there is nothing wrong with R4's. I run them.

 

[airbiscuit]

Nice job. It would be nice if you had a shot or two from a little farther away.

 

[bridge4]

Looks nice! If I run into issues with mine I will have to give this a try for the next year. Let us know how it goes throughout the season.

 

[TractorNH]

Now get rid of the dangerous R4s and you'll have a nice snow removal machine.

I run chains on all 4 tires. Once my driveway is frozen and snow covered for the season they are pretty much required.

 

[shooterdon]

An excellent idea.

I have a 74" pull blower and have thought about rigging up a pair of skis from a trashed snowmobile that could be attached to the current skid shoes. I suspect they would still dig in on loose unfrozen gravel so I like your concept.

Thanks for posting

 

[Reb954]

I was thinking on this a bit more, it will be interesting to see how long the tires hold up. The tires are pretty close to the tractor so any turning of the tractor is going to slide the wheels sideways quite a bit. I have seen others attach tires to the blowers but they always used casters.

Time will tell.

 

[airbiscuit]

The tires have rounded edges, and I would think the snow covered ground will be somewhat slippery.

 

[PILOON]

Well I blew more gravel and grass than snow today.
Ground was not yet frozen and we had 12 inches of snow. (not wet sticky stuff so no clogs.)

Fortunately not a shear pin quit on me but my better half, LOL, won't be happy come spring.
OK, I have some grass seed on hand to cover that.
But what a mess!
Not fun!