Reversing Snowblower with HST

[aesmith]

Hi,
After a few seasons with our geared tractor I think I'd really like HST fully variable speed. To be able to inch into the bigger drifts, whizz along quicker when it's shallower. At the moment I'm stuck with a fixed 0.89mph. Also to be able back into the drift with blower raised, then shuttle forwards, drop the blower and start reversing again. OK the last is already possible, but means declutching and gear changing and I'm not really happy engaging the clutch at full revs.

My question is really about controls and operating position. Currently I basically don't need to touch the controls, so I stand facing diagonally back so I can see where I'm going and see what the blower's doing without strain. With an HST would I have to keep pressing a pedal, and end up having to sit facing forwards?

 

[RjCorazza]

I rotate 45 degrees toward the pedal side, and use the front of my foot rather than the heel. For creeping long runs I can set the cruise control and stay off the pedal entirely.
My snowblower use is pretty rare in recent years, but I still have to keep it for that one big dump possibility.

 

[Rustyiron]

It sounds like you're disengaging the PTO while repositioning for the next pass. I understand your concern about engaging the pto with high engine rpm's and agree, but why are you disengaging or not simply throttling down?
But I think you really just want a new hst tractor and I don't think there's a better transmission for blowing! You may as well get one with the center pto and a front mounted blower.

 

[aesmith]

It sounds like you're disengaging the PTO while repositioning for the next pass.

Not quite, I leave the PTO engaged all the time, except if I accidentally push the clutch to far when manoeuvring.

The "big bank" drill is .. push into bank with blower raised until wheels start to dig in .. drop revs, shift into forward gear, roll forward until blower's clear .. drop blower shift back into reverse and rev back up.

But yes, I want an HST tractor. Cost and available choice means it's going to be running our existing 72" rear blower.

 

[CH4Ohio]

If you're getting the HST tractor for snowblowing, you're probably looking at a cab tractor. Right???? Like RjCorazza said above . . . I twist around so I'm kinda sitting sideways in the seat, facing toward the right. Sometimes I even use my left foot on the HST pedal instead of my right. I raise the right armrest, lean back on the left armrest, and look over my shoulder to the right so I can see what I'm doing. Cupholder is on the right side too so easy reach for coffee or beverage. It's not a problem for me. I just get comfortable and go for it.

I end up with a stiff neck more from baling hay when I'm constantly looking over my shoulder to watch the baler.

 

[aesmith]

Not totally sold on a cab. I'd have to be dressed for the weather anyway when snow clearing, and for the rest of the year I'm always hopping on and off as I'm using it.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Not totally sold on a cab. I'd have to be dressed for the weather anyway when snow clearing, and for the rest of the year I'm always hopping on and off as I'm using it.

Well, I've done it both ways, and the way I dress for snowblowing in a cab vs. an open station tractor is MUCH different.

 

[oldnslo]

What size tractor you looking at? I find a smaller tractor more cramped and harder to turn in the seat than larger where this is more foot and leg room. Course my size 15 boots could be part of the problem.

If you have options I would suggest sitting on them to see if one fits better than the others.

 

[grsthegreat]

I used to have a jd870 geared tractor and spent 10+ years turned backwards while operating snowblower. Mine was a rear facing blower. I know nowdays that have forward facing blowers so you can drive over the snow forward while blowing snow. That wont work on my typical snowfalls though, much less when shedded snow from barn blocks horses.

I used to do my high drifts the same way. But i always stayed seated while operating while cranking my body to look backwards. I seemed to never have the gearing i needed to blow snow.

I now have an hst tractor, way superior for snow blowing. You still need to keep feet on hst petal though, so you'd still be looking backwards.

Me, i purchased a loader mount hydraulic blower as my neck and back were taking a toll from the snow blowing.

The benefit of my blower…i can lift it up 10’ to clear snow berms.

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[Paystar]

When I use my tractor with rear blower, I can sit swiveled in the seat to look backwards, or I just use the rear view mirrors if they aren't getting covered.
Never used to bother me, but now that I'm getting older and my body is pretty abused, I find my neck is starting to get sore.
So I just made the decision to replace the plow on my cabbed RTV with a blower so I can drive forward in a warm cab.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Not totally sold on a cab. I'd have to be dressed for the weather anyway when snow clearing, and for the rest of the year I'm always hopping on and off as I'm using it.

Not sure about other brands but I find getting on and off is easier with my cabbed Kubota tractor. It has a heavy duty handrail on the door, which swings 3 feet outward and is a convenient place to grab when getting on and off.

 

[DarkBlack]

My MF 1540 is geared, shuttle shift.
I go back and forth snowblowing without having to touch either the clutch or the speed pedal. It allows me to sit 90 degrees in the seat with my rear blower. I just move the forward/reverse lever by the steering wheel.
A hydrostatic that required my foot on the pedal would actually be a hindrance to sitting sideways

 

[RjCorazza]

Not sure about other brands but I find getting on and off is easier with my cabbed Kubota tractor. It has a heavy duty handrail on the door, which swings 3 feet outward and is a convenient place to grab when getting on and off.

I never got the "it's easier getting on and off an open station tractor" thing.

 

[grsthegreat]

I never got the "it's easier getting on and off an open station tractor" thing.

Me neither. Maybe if cab only had 1 door, but i have 2 doors. Takes no more effort than not having a door. Maybe 1 more second to open the door.

 

[CalG]

Me neither. Maybe if cab only had 1 door, but i have 2 doors. Takes no more effort than not having a door. Maybe 1 more second to open the door.

Don't you need a bit of extra time to put your parka back on? ;-)

 

[IndyIan]

If I have to plow a lot backwards with the rear blade because of deep snow, I'll sit sideways and use the pedals with my left foot instead of right. Cruise control is only set up on the forward pedal, it is just an electro magnet that hold the pedal in place until you hit the brake or switch on my tractor, but it probably wouldn't be too hard to move it over for the reverse pedal? Depends on the tractor, but some have a mid mount pto which can run a blower on the front, but that's not cheap to set up usually, or just get a front pull rear blower?

 

[grsthegreat]

Don't you need a bit of extra time to put your parka back on? ;-)

Who gets out. I blow snow in shorts and tshirt with bunny slippers on….well, mayby not really

 

[oldnslo]

I never got the "it's easier getting on and off an open station tractor" thing.

Depends on the tractor and cab style. Some of the tractors like Ford 5600, Deere 2620, etc used to have a hump in the middle of floor pan with shift levers vs flat. With a cab on this style was more difficult to enter and exit.

Not sure if newer models have this style of shifter transmission arrangement

 

[Rustyiron]

I just fed a friend's cattle over a 4 day get away for him and getting in and out of his m7040 cabbed tractor was the first time I've noticed what a pita it was over just hopping off my open M9540
To unwrap silage rounds.

 

[RayIN]

Man did the title throw me; I thought you wanted to put the snow back___.