3pt Rear Snow blower

Dave M7040 · Aug 2, 2017

I had a McKee 720 and powered it with a 1960's Nuffield 465 for years before going with a pull style blower.

Even with the optional low reverse gear set, the speed in reverse was too fast for the McKee blower.

The three bladed fan on the McKee could not get rid of the snow fast enough.

Once I put the inverted blower on the Nuffield, now I had a wide range of gears to choose from and could match the speed over the ground to the ability of the blower to move the snow.

It was an amazing improvement.

Dave M7040

shaeff · Aug 2, 2017

Dave M7040 said:
I had a McKee 720 and powered it with a 1960's Nuffield 465 for years before going with a pull style blower. Even with the optional low reverse gear set, the speed in reverse was too fast for the McKee blower. The three bladed fan on the McKee could not get rid of the snow fast enough. Once I put the inverted blower on the Nuffield, now I had a wide range of gears to choose from and could match the speed over the ground to the ability of the blower to move the snow. It was an amazing improvement. Dave M7040

Great that the new blower is working out for you! I hope I don't have that issue with my 520. My MF 35 Utility (industrial version of the Massey 35) has a very, very slow reverse gear in low.

Worst case, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to fabricate a four bladed fan for it. I'll report back this winter!

Ps- the 720 is dual auger isn't it? What a beast!

helpfulbook · Aug 2, 2017

Thank you all for your help.
Earlier post, a question came up about the tractor, if it was hydrostat. No it is a power reverser.
I was just looking at Meteor SB75PTRB Snow Blower (Pull type). Used. In Canada for 2400us. But I found out my tractor is to small. Meteor recommended I go with a SB68PTRB. I have my rear tires mounted wide so I can get enough clearance to get my chains on. I'm at 79" wide. Do you for see a problem with a 69" pull behind following a 79" set of tires??

helpfulbook · Aug 2, 2017

Nybirdman, Thanks I will keep that in mind.

Dave M7040 · Aug 2, 2017

shaeff said:
Great that the new blower is working out for you! I hope I don't have that issue with my 520. My MF 35 Utility (industrial version of the Massey 35) has a very, very slow reverse gear in low.

Worst case, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to fabricate a four bladed fan for it. I'll report back this winter!

Ps- the 720 is dual auger isn't it? What a beast!

Yes the 720 was dual auger.

I continue to recommend the McKee products, which were sold as Kubota blowers and also other tractor manufacturers in place of the frail front mounted ones which are often breaking shear bolts.

The smaller McKee products had non lubricated bevel gears which stand up for decades even when running at much higher than 540 rpm

Dave M7040

atsah · Aug 2, 2017

That pull blower would be great for small storms but looks to be useless in my neck of the woods. The average storm here is 18 inches and unless you keep up with the storm (which I don't) it would be a no go to drive through it pulling a blower, the reverse blower is the answer. 1400ft isn't that far, install a backup camera like I have and it's no problem at all.

If you watch them work you will notice the pull blowers are used on big tractors and small storms. I would think for 4-6 inch storms they would be great otherwise it wouldn't work for me.

shaeff · Aug 2, 2017

Dave M7040 said:
Yes the 720 was dual auger. I continue to recommend the McKee products, which were sold as Kubota blowers and also other tractor manufacturers in place of the frail front mounted ones which are often breaking shear bolts. The smaller McKee products had non lubricated bevel gears which stand up for decades even when running at much higher than 540 rpm Dave M7040

Very cool, thanks for the pics! Mine does not have non-lubricated bevel gears, it goes from the gearbox to a sprocket/chain that drives the auger.

Helpfulbook- I would get a blower that's at least as wide as the rear wheels if possible. If you get a monster storm it'll be a real pain with your tires constantly knocking snow in your cleared path. That is, unless you get a forward facing rear blower, in which case I suppose it won't matter as much.

Here's my blower:

airbiscuit · Aug 2, 2017

atsah said:
That pull blower would be great for small storms but looks to be useless in my neck of the woods. The average storm here is 18 inches and unless you keep up with the storm (which I don't) it would be a no go to drive through it pulling a blower, the reverse blower is the answer. 1400ft isn't that far, install a backup camera like I have and it's no problem at all.

If you watch them work you will notice the pull blowers are used on big tractors and small storms. I would think for 4-6 inch storms they would be great otherwise it wouldn't work for me.

So Dave M7040,
Is your rear pull snowblower only good for 4-6 inch storms?

PILOON · Aug 2, 2017

The standard rear blower is the least costly and probably the most perfected units.
Also usually many used to be had out there.
You need not fear used as all components (other than sheet metal) are off the shelf at most bearing suppliers.

Adding a back up camera system is a very reasonable option and can actually be had under $100.*
I installed a 6" screen on my tractor with the camera mounted up high so it never gets 'snowed' and have used it in -30 colds with no problems.
About the only negative I note is the blown snow reflects my roof mounted flashing beacon making a weird effect. (like flashing yellow blown snow, LOL)
Most units also have guide lines for backing up which makes avoiding obstructions a breeze.

*I purchased my system from a Chinese web site and it actually landed here at around $60.00.
I went for a wired system vs wireless and opted for a standard toggle switch as I did not trust the tiny one built into the display.
I will be on my 3rd winter with it now.

helpfulbook · Aug 3, 2017

Sheaff - Nice machine.
You guys gave me some good ideas. I'm going with a rear push. Mirrors on my FEL frame.
The best I can do width wise is 72".
So I'm looking at a
Woodmaxx SB72
Snowblower_Specs_Chart.png - Google Drive
OR
MK Martin SB72
MK Martin | Meteor - Single Auger

helpfulbook · Aug 3, 2017

Wow, look at the difference in weight in those 2 machines.
Woodmaxx 755 lbs
MK Martin 540 lbs.

There is a big difference in the cutting edge also.

The price for the Woodmaxx would be. W/USA PTO.....$2700.00
MK Martin.......$3250.00

Dave M7040 · Aug 3, 2017

airbiscuit said:
So Dave M7040,
Is your rear pull snowblower only good for 4-6 inch storms?

I have hiking trails running through my farm and my brothers farms so we can walk our dogs and get exercise at the same time.

In the summer, I cut the trails with a 72" 3 pt finishing mower and in the winter clear them with the inverted blower. I make double wide passes with either the blower or mower so the trail is wide enough to walk and talk.

Although I now have 4WD, for decades I had a 2 WD.

I don't live where the snow comes down in 6" drops!

It is Canada after all and we get snow.

A decent tractor can drive through deep snow. That is a given. Sometimes it compacts the snow and rides on top of the compressed layer. Other times it sinks to the dirt or gravel and goes through.

Think of how you cut grass that has not been cut for a long time. You make different height passes to get it to the level you want.

Blowing snow is not much different. I can take a cut off the top traveling quickly or I can clear to the surface below by going slow. I find going fast and making two cuts ends up being faster.

The weight of the blower will clear snow the tractor tires have compacted.

The blade I made for the inverted blower is 1/2" plate with a 3 x3" x 1/2 stiffener across the back. To hydraulic cylinders put the weight of the blower unto the edge of the rear blade to scrape the surface.

In the spring and fall, I use the same rear blade on my blower to grade my gravel driveway.

I have used the blower like a box blade to spread topsoil and level lawns.

For the Mckee blower shown in an earlier post, angled wings can be added to increase the width of the blower. Having a piece of vertical steel shielding the auger chain drive was a feature on later models and is a good upgrade.

Dave M7040

Dave M7040 · Aug 3, 2017

One aspect of blower selection that gets overlooked is the relative height of the tractor's pto shaft and the center of the blower/ fan where the pto is attached to the blower.

Ideally they are at almost the same height so sometimes it means selecting a blower with a narrower but wider diameter fan and at times a wider but smaller diameter fan.

As the angle the U joints must deal with to power an attachment increases, the limited life of the U joint quickly accelerates which is why trying to match tractor pto height to implement pto height has real benefits.

Dave M7040

helpfulbook · Aug 4, 2017

I just got another price quote for the MK Martin SB72
Total price is $2900.00.
The Woodmaxx is $200.00 cheaper.
I'm still concerned about the weight difference.
Woodmaxx 755 lbs
MK Martin 540 lbs
Why 200lbs?
And the cutting edge is thicker on the Woodmaxx.

leonz · Aug 4, 2017

Thicker steel,

Not to throw gasoline on your snow fire but I would be more worried about the Woodmax units simply because of the recent bearing failures that have been highlighted with their flail mowers.

A Series 1000 single stage unit will have fewer parts and no secondary impeller gearbox and it has a taller chute and spout as we have mentioned before BUT if you have to contend with deep snows a pull behind unit will be a problem UNLESS and ONLY UNLESS you are out blowing off the snow every few hours in a storm or simply deep snow fall period where the silver dollar sized snow flakes come into play.

Are your rear tires loaded and do you have 2 link V bar snow chains or grader tire snow chains??

helpfulbook · Aug 4, 2017

Yes the tires are loaded.
I have regular tire chains on all tires.
I wasn't aware of the bearing failure Woodmaxx has had with their flailmowers.
I like the 5 blade fan the Martin has.
But I like the thicker, replaceable cutting edge Woodmaxx has.

Dave M7040 · Aug 4, 2017

In normal farm use you would never wear out the cutting edge.

Dave M7040

Dave M7040 · Aug 4, 2017

helpfulbook said:
Yes the tires are loaded.
I have regular tire chains on all tires.
I wasn't aware of the bearing failure Woodmaxx has had with their flailmowers.
I like the 5 blade fan the Martin has.
But I like the thicker, replaceable cutting edge Woodmaxx has.