Snow B7100 tractor and snowblower

[LHoyer]

Just wondering if anyone has modified and attached a snow blower to the front of a B7100 other than a Kubota product? Looking at an Ariens 831010 or similar. Had a Toro I was going to try but that ended up too complicated and too heavy. For this Ariens I would have to speed up the front PTO (by pulleys) which should be fairly easy. With the Toro I was going to have to slow down which would have been a nightmare. I know a rear blower is the easiest but I am not going to look over my shoulder all winter to blow snow! Too old for that. Thanks

 

[sandyc]

You could probably jury rig something up but make sure you check the rotation of the blower to make sure it would match that from the tractor.

 

[LHoyer]

The project is done! Purchased a very good Ariens 2 stage blower (old Kubota one was a single stage) and had to make a reverser (of course) as the new one runs opposite of what the tractor runs. Here are some pictures in no particular order. Also, here is a link to see it run. New video by Larry Hoyer

 

[TractorTYMe]

Nice fab skills man.

 

[LHoyer]

Thanks, it was a design and build as you go with what you have on hand (mostly).

 

[arto98607]

The project is done! Purchased a very good Ariens 2 stage blower (old Kubota one was a single stage) and had to make a reverser (of course) as the new one runs opposite of what the tractor runs. Here are some pictures in no particular order. Also, here is a link to see it run. New video by Larry Hoyer

It looks very good and I hope it will work well!

Hopefully those idlers will stand up to use.

 

[LHoyer]

I hope so too. Have extras on hand in case.

 

[Dave M7040]

A couple of suggestions for you. I spent a lot of time researching front blowers on B7100 while helping a friend.

The original design by Kubota had solid steel support bars running from the bell housing area of the tractor up to where the blower was attached.

These bars were 1" solid square sections with a bend about mid way along the bar.

I have marked up one photo with a yellow line trying to show you where the bar connected to the tractor. The image is confusing because a loader project was taking place.

If you do not have the majority of the pushing forces applied to the tractor as shown, you can actually break the bell housing.

There are holes in the tractor where the pusher bar is attached. The square bar has a plate welded to the end where it bolts to the tractor.


Dave M7040

 

[LHoyer]

This appears to be a HST, mine is a standard tranny. The mount for my conversion and the original snowcaster pushed off of the main tractor frame.

 

[CalG]

A couple of suggestions for you. I spent a lot of time researching front blowers on B7100 while helping a friend.

The original design by Kubota had solid steel support bars running from the bell housing area of the tractor up to where the blower was attached.

These bars were 1" solid square sections with a bend about mid way along the bar.

I have marked up one photo with a yellow line trying to show you where the bar connected to the tractor. The image is confusing because a loader project was taking place.

If you do not have the majority of the pushing forces applied to the tractor as shown, you can actually break the bell housing.

View attachment 720580

View attachment 720581

There are holes in the tractor where the pusher bar is attached. The square bar has a plate welded to the end where it bolts to the tractor.


Dave M7040

I had a similar investigation prior to mounting a front blower on the B7200. I was even warned about breaking the tractor in half by a fellow that did just that. Not the same tractor, but a little farmall.

So I looked into subframes for blowers and blades. Took the ideas, and built with a frame that goes all the way back to the rear axle.
Of course there is a difference in the mid pto output location on the B7200, and the engine drive of the B7100. But that's in the details.

OH! Buy the way, be sure to lube the splines on that engine extension shaft. They wear down to nothing, and replacements are hard to find.

Pics are here in this post

Sure sign of winter....B7200 content ;-)

I mounted up the front snow blower to the B7200 today. Not much of a task with the quick attach system. But, lube and rust proofing on all the drive line parts. Functional check, Took about 1/2 and hour from pulling up to the unit where it is stored on the woods, 'till the rig was backed...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[LHoyer]

Replacements are almost impossible to find at anything close to a reasonable price. I've been looking. Have always greased with the zerk on the pto drive but this year I removed that to take a look inside. All was good. Shot some grease down the tube, reinstalled and greased with the zerk. Should be good for quite a while. If anything happens to that, the plan is to attach a rear pto pump with an aux tank and go that route. I pretty much only use this tractor for snow removal anymore.

 

[Egon]

Nice work.

 

[kb7981]

I just picked up this same blower (Ariens 831010) used and am looking to attach it as a front mount to my BX2200. I too will have to deal with the pto rotation being in the opposing direction.

Have you used this blower on your B7100 yet, and if so, how did it do?

Is there anything you would do differently if you were to build this up again?

 

[LHoyer]

Have used it several times now. It worked well but because of how I had to mount it, I have to shut blower off when I raise it due to the angle that imposes on the drive shaft. Not a big deal but one thing that I have to remember. Originally as I mounted it, the blower raised too high and the short PTO shaft disconnected, fixed that by limiting the raise height and then fixed it permanently by swapping out the original Kubota hydraulic cylinder. If I was to do it over, I have been thinking that I would eliminate the original PTO clutch arrangement, mount the blower closer to the front frame and run a shaft from back PTO to the front. Would still have to fabricate a reverser but back there it could be done with #40 chain. I am going to video clearing up the next snowfall and post a clip of that.

 

[LHoyer]

The Kubens at work. Next project: linear actuator for chute adjustment!