Snowblower Frankenblower! (self powered snowblower attachment)

bostonrats · Jan 7, 2009

Behold all that is FRANKENBLOWER!

What began as a Kubota L322 snowblower attachment has been modified for, oohhh, agggh, agghh, agggh, MORE POWER. That and there is NO WAY I was going to pull off the FEL and subframe every November and put it back every May.

The engine is a Kohler 16 HP twin cam. I've used the original clutch..but have a new one on the way from Ronnie at TractorSmart.com

There were a few issues along the way, but at this point it's 99% fun.

Here are the videos.

Frankenblower Apple Test

Frankenblower New Year's Eve 2009!

Frankenblower Storm 2!

Frankenblower Test Run January 2, 2009

Frankenblower vs Amputation Snow

Best to all!!

PBinWA · Jan 7, 2009

Nice work!

JB4310 · Jan 7, 2009

I like it, why not, many of those landscapers mowing machines have separate engines for their bagging systems.
Show some pics of how it's put together.

bostonrats · Jan 7, 2009

Thanks PBin WA! Hello JB4310, here are some photos from the build. If I were to do it again I would have used heavier steel for the engine overbridge. I had to add more during the trials. The gearing is almost 1:1 to the original input shaft.

Previous Post with Imagesl

ray66v · Jan 7, 2009

Yes, but why would you want to blow snow without a cab?

I have a little lawn tractor with a 32" blower, and its so unbearable, I bought a cab.

Have fun, I would put the plow back on.

bostonrats · Jan 8, 2009

ray66v said:
Yes, but why would you want to blow snow without a cab?

I have a little lawn tractor with a 32" blower, and its so unbearable, I bought a cab.

Have fun, I would put the plow back on.

Hi Ray,

It had a cab on it when I got it, it had no doors and was pretty rough...I didn't like being inside, couldn't see around. It's cold sometimes, the New Year's storm was powder and I had to blow the snow north, where the wind was coming from...white out for a while. I put the chute down after the video.

Honestly, I don't mind it 99% of the time. I like being outside and dress for it.

Thanks for the note and best to you!

smfcpacfp · Jan 8, 2009

Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

bostonrats · Jan 8, 2009

smfcpacfp said:
Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

Hi smfcpacfp!

Good eyes. The issue was the Kohler engine...I picked it up used for $100 bucks, it was on a leaf blower or chipper...not sure what. The shaft was 1/2 eroded but I was able to use the inner portion for a pinned sprocket.

It was running rich, started fine but after mid throttle the governor would push the carburetor wide open...but it wouldn't rev. I cleaned the carb 3 times, and did a dip in Hydroseal. Checked ignition, still messed up. Finally I pulled off the front cover and checked the cam timing. With the crank at 12 o'clock the #2 cam was at 12, but the #1 cam was at 7 o'clock! The #1 cylinder was about 130 degrees retarded. I fixed the timing and now it runs pretty good.

Your property and 'Bota both look awesome!

smfcpacfp · Jan 8, 2009

Glad to hear that it running better.

One advantage of the FEL attached blower is that you can lift it quite high. There are times when I wish I could lift mine higher, like when I got it stuck in the snow and had to dig out under the blower

bostonrats · Jan 8, 2009

smfcpacfp said:
Glad to hear that it running better.

One advantage of the FEL attached blower is that you can lift it quite high. There are times when I wish I could lift mine higher, like when I got it stuck in the snow and had to dig out under the blower

You're right, let's swap!

Actually, I have used it to top snow banks...it's a pretty scary sight. The real issue is knowing what's inside the snow. I'm playing it a bit more conservative now...just trying to get through the storms.

I didn't see chains on your 'Bota...maybe soon? They really help.

wedge40 · Jan 8, 2009

smfcpacfp said:
Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

I was going to mention the same thing. Once I got the bugs worked out, I'd be temped to pick up a better/bigger engine. I have an old snow blower for my cub that I could do the same with. If could only weld. It's been sitting under a tarp for the last 7 years. It worked great when I used it.

Wedge

bostonrats · Jan 8, 2009

wedge40 said:
I was going to mention the same thing. Once I got the bugs worked out, I'd be temped to pick up a better/bigger engine. I have an old snow blower for my cub that I could do the same with. If could only weld. It's been sitting under a tarp for the last 7 years. It worked great when I used it.

Wedge

Hi Wedge!

MORE POWER?? Oh yeah! I'd love to get a 20 or 22 hp on that and suck in mailboxes and stone walls... It's doing pretty good right now, the new clutch came today from Ronnie at Tractorsmart. The new bearings come on Firday, and we should have some snow on Saturday. If so, I'll make a custom video for the group.

kebo · Jan 8, 2009

smfcpacfp said:
Looks like you were struggling a bit in storm 2 with that Kohler engine on the big blower.

Yeah, I noticed that myself. It works well in light snow but bogs down when it gets into some deep heavy snow. You may want to think about upgrading the motor at some point. But, I think you did good with it!

bostonrats · Jan 8, 2009

kebo said:
Yeah, I noticed that myself. It works well in light snow but bogs down when it gets into some deep heavy snow. You may want to think about upgrading the motor at some point. But, I think you did good with it!

Hi Kebo!

It's way better now, the cam timing on one cylinder was out 120 degrees...it's a used engine, still can't figure how it was so far off and even running! If we get a good storm on Saturday you'll see it's true colors. This is WAY too much fun!

Tig · Jan 8, 2009

Nice work. I was expecting to hear some Edgar Winter in the videos.

jake98 · Jan 8, 2009

Tig said:
Nice work. I was expecting to hear some Edgar Winter in the videos.

Yea, New music for Sure...

I don't buy the engine problem BS.. Looked like you needed a slower feed speed.

How about some old Jethro Tull next time?

Jake

bostonrats · Jan 9, 2009

jake98 said:
Yea, New music for Sure...

I don't buy the engine problem BS.. Looked like you needed a slower feed speed.

How about some old Jethro Tull next time?

Jake

Hello Jake & All!

We're going to see just what that twin cam BS is made of on Saturday/Sunday's storm here...with some luck. Trust me, one cam was fully 120 degrees retarded in that video! Not kidding! I couldn't believe it when I saw that hack. It's running with almost twice the power of that night...not that I don't want MORE POWER...even so!

As to the music, not sure what to use, Tull is a bit limited, but I was hoping for some suggestions.

To all, what's a great song for the bed on the next video? As to effects, I may put road flares on the blower for this one...and had toyed with the idea of cups of denatured or gasoline in the snow...and a flare on the chute to ignite it. It would be shot at night. Not sure if the fluids would catch with all that air and snow...or if the inside of the blower would flame...but it's on my short list of things to try!

Best to all...and if you have a great song for the "bed" let me know!

wedge40 · Jan 9, 2009

bostonrats said:
Hello Jake & All!

We're going to see just what that twin cam BS is made of on Saturday/Sunday's storm here...with some luck. Trust me, one cam was fully 120 degrees retarded in that video! Not kidding! I couldn't believe it when I saw that hack. It's running with almost twice the power of that night...not that I don't want MORE POWER...even so!

As to the music, not sure what to use, Tull is a bit limited, but I was hoping for some suggestions.

To all, what's a great song for the bed on the next video? As to effects, I may put road flares on the blower for this one...and had toyed with the idea of cups of denatured or gasoline in the snow...and a flare on the chute to ignite it. It would be shot at night. Not sure if the fluids would catch with all that air and snow...or if the inside of the blower would flame...but it's on my short list of things to try!

Best to all...and if you have a great song for the "bed" let me know!

OMG.. I'm sure the safety police will be all over this. But it does sound like something most of would like to see. Where are you located that you're getting all this snow?
I waiting to see Frankenblower with the upgraded engine.

Wedge

Ductape · Jan 9, 2009

I'll go ahead and suggest some George next video. I find him to be great snowblowing music.

Tig · Jan 9, 2009

bostonrats said:
As to the music, not sure what to use, Tull is a bit limited, but I was hoping for some suggestions.

We got home late in storm a few weeks back. Of course our 600m lane was drifted as much as 3' in some places. As I was sizing up the run Locomotive breath came on the radio. I was already in four wheel drive so I just told the family to hang on, turned up the radio and punched the drifts out of my way. ahhh, good times.

Frankentein by the Edgar Winter group would be a good choice. If you want Jethro Tull suggestions then Cross Eyed Mary or Locomotive Breath.