A big part of my tractor use will be for snow removal using a 3-pt hitch snowblower. It looks like most of the 48" snowblowers are calling for 16 to 24 PTO HP. I have been looking at 23 HP tractors but they usually only have about 17 HP for the PTO. Is that cutting it too close? Would I better suited to look for a tractor that offers more PTO HP? I don't want to buy a tractor and then find out later that it's underpowered for snow removal.
3-pt Snowblower PTO Requirement
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oldnslo
Super Member
Part of this depends on the type of snow and how much you normally get. Wet heavy slushy snow takes lots of power while light and fluffy moves fairly easily. Also what type of transmission will this tractor have? One of the benefits of a hydrostatic is the infinite speed capability. This allows you to match the speed of travel snow depth and type.
CT snow is tricky. It can be 3" of powder in one storm and 20" of heavy snow the week after. The tractor I buy will definitely have a hydrostatic transmission. I can see where the weight of the snow is going to make a big difference. It seems that a 17 HP PTO might be struggling in some storms.
doxford jim
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I think a good rule of thumb would be the same used for rotary cutters.
About 5hp per foot of width for the blower. So a 48" blower a 20 hp pto would be more than enough for use in most conditions.
About 5hp per foot of width for the blower. So a 48" blower a 20 hp pto would be more than enough for use in most conditions.
bumperm
Veteran Member
The rule of thumb, "5 hp for each foot of blower width" is just a suggestion. With HST, worst case is you will slow down a bit with the heavy wet stuff. I used to have a BX2230 with 4 foot front blower and it did an amazing job, just not as fast as what I'm using now. Major issue with the wet heavy stuff was the tendency to clog, especially when first taking the "warm blower" out of the garage until all the working parts get cold enough so they don't make matters worse.
I lined my blower chute with 1/8" thick UHMW polyethylene sheet
which, besides all but preventing any chute clogs, also increased throw distance by 10-20%.
bumper
I lined my blower chute with 1/8" thick UHMW polyethylene sheet
which, besides all but preventing any chute clogs, also increased throw distance by 10-20%.
bumper
herringchoker
Platinum Member
I run a 74" rear blower with 22 PTO HP and a hydrostatic transmission. We can get lots of snow here, both dry and heavy. It handles it with no problem...just vary ground speed to control the blower feed. I think 17 PTO HP with a hydrostatic tranny would handle a 48" blower with ease.
RoyJackson
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I agree with herringchoker's post, but I'd still suggest a bit more PTO HP.
Tig
Veteran Member
We get lots of drifting and lake effect snow on my 600m lane. I clear it with a 50" blower and 13 PTO HP. Not ideal, but the hydrostatic trans makes things work fine. Big drifts do slow me down considerably. Some are even hard enough to drive over, but they can be cleared once you get a bite.
The only issue I do have is because I picked a blower rather close to my TPH lift limit. When it gets loaded down with wet snow, lifting is a struggle at times.
The only issue I do have is because I picked a blower rather close to my TPH lift limit. When it gets loaded down with wet snow, lifting is a struggle at times.
skyhook
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Get a bigger pto horse power, or you'll regret it down the line.
