6' Snowblower opinion (Normand - Econor)

[Jay4200]

I found an '05 Econor 72" 3pt snowblower to use with my L4200 (45HP) this weekend. The blower is in decent condition, a little rust on the sharp edges and augers - a couple of little dings here and there - I have to do some touch-up to make it pretty, but overall the paint is still pretty good. I figure that I have to paint it orange eventually, so who cares. The blower had been sitting for 2 years or so, and the chain tensioner bolt is rusted - I'll have to do a cut-n'-weld fix for that. It has dual hydraulic chute controls (chute swing and damper-thingie), although I don't have the remotes for them. My 'power beyond' currently uses the 3pt hydraulics, so I'll have to do some minor re-plumbing and hook up a dual control to use them - maybe I'll even get to that someday. If I don't get it together, I'll either have to rig up a crank, or just swing the chute by hand until I figure out something better. Hand turning will suck, but my driveway is long and thin (~750'), and requires little chute adjustment for most of it, so it actually wouldn't be THAT bad. Other than that, I think it's pretty much ready to go.

At any rate, what is the general opinion on Econor? They're way heavier than the Pumas, which seem roughly equivalent in weight to Meteor (which is supposed to be flimsier than the Econor, but the weight specs don't support that theory), Luck-Now, and even Lorenz (although Lorenz in an apple/orange comparison), but significantly lighter than Woods and Farm King.

I've never had a 3pt blower before - is there anything I should know about these things? What should I make sure to check out / maintain before firing it up?

I also got a Woods 72" 3pt scraping blade in fair condition (paint at 50-70%) thrown in - both implements for $1350. How's that sound?

JayC

 

[rbargeron]

Sounds good. The "money part" of these rigs is the gearbox. If the oil level is ok and there are no leaks, that's a big indicator that everything is fine. Make sure the shear bolt on the auger chain drive is the right part (not replaced with a higher-grade harder bolt). Cheaper to replace shear bolts than the gearbox. That chain tensioner bolt may free up with penetrating oil. Before the season starts, get rid of the surface rocks - then set the skids to keep it off the ground the first couple storms until the ground freezes. Worst thing now is waiting till the first chance to use it. Take care, Dick B

 

[flyingcow]

Not familair with the brand. rbargeron has good advice. See if everything turns freely. Should be able to change directions by hand with out any slop. Quiet no noise when turning. look for any water in gearbox. Low oil and/or water in gearbox is a very bad sign.

I would try to get one remote set up to turn from side to side. It'll make things easier, any amount of wind will raise heck with you being able to see. and it never seems to blow just one way. Been using blowers for about 10yrs on my 650ft driveway. For me, no other way to go.

 

[ihuntbear]

I have a 78".Works great...But you are getting a good price:thumbsup:. a used one around here will cost 3000.00.The only thing I would look at would be the right shear pins and water in the oil.Make sure you grease every use

 

[Jay4200]

I have a 78".Works great...But you are getting a good price:thumbsup:. a used one around here will cost 3000.00.The only thing I would look at would be the right shear pins and water in the oil.Make sure you grease every use

Glad to hear the price is right. I plan on going through the machine before putting it into service and getting everything cleaned up and fully serviced - based on the look of the guy selling, I doubt that it has been maintained. It only has 3 seasons of use on it though, and the seller's driveway is pretty short (at least compared to mine), so I'm counting on things being healthy inside the machine.

The real PITA is that the seller already got rid of his tractor, so I have to figure out a way to drag both the blower and blade out of his back yard and get it onto my trailer w/o a machine to lift it up. I haven't worked out the details of that nightmare yet.

JayC

 

[Quebeker]

Econor stands for ECOnomical NORmand.

Normand actually build heavy duty farm equipments. The Econor brand is intendend for the occasionnal user as many of us are.

They are well built. Parts are probably available at the manufacturer.

Here is the company link:

Company Normand - Snowblowers

 

[rbargeron]

Econor stands for ECOnomical NORmand.

Normand actually build heavy duty farm equipments. The Econor brand is intendend for the occasionnal user as many of us are.

They are well built. Parts are probably available at the manufacturer.

Here is the company link:

Company Normand - Snowblowers

Normand's website shows an optional step-up pto speed increaser - this is exactly what many posters at TBN have been looking for - a higher pto speed for tractors with 540 only. The higher speed can be used to run the blower at 540 while the engine is down around 1700 (less noise & wear, easier on the clutch). Or with full engine rpm the higher speed will give better throwing distance. Hats off to Normand for this thoughtful option.

I've been on the 2-speed pto mission for a long time - converted two tractors to have both 540 and 750 pto speeds.

Snowblowing benefits from higher input speeds. Anybody know if the Normand speed increaser is available as a separate bundle? I've sent an inquiry through the website....and they replied there is a kit available for installation on pre-owned snowblowers. I'll post more details when available.

 

[rkhpapa]

Jay,
I live just up the road from you in Weare and have that exact same machine. I push it with an L4400 with zero issues. Has worked great for me for seven seasons. Since the blower already has the cylinder and chute controls on it, I would recommend spending the money on remote hydraulics. IMHO it makes all the difference in the world.
The maintenance points that everyone else has mentioned are right on the money, and the number one issue is to watch out for launching stones if you're using it before the gravel is frozen solid. After the warm spells we had this winter, my driveway thawed, I didn't adjust the height, and now I've got to go out there and shovel all that gravel back onto the driveway.
Good luck...it looks like you got a great deal...they go for >$4K now with the chute cylinder.

 

[daveinnh]

That sounds pretty good.

But having an L4310HST with a 7' blade is the minimum once it's angled. Maybe resell the rear blade?

 

[red4now]

All good advice about the maintenance. One of the blower manuals I had also suggested using chainsaw oil for the chain since it is stickier I guess and that also seems to work well. It also suggested to do all grease / oil / paint touch up / etc, maintenance before storing for the off season since we all seem to be in a hurry that first snow fall. One thing I have to remind my self to do this fall is to stake out the edge of the decorative boulders before the ground freezes. Got a little to close to one and scratched the side of the new blower. Mind you it could have been worse!! :0

Good deal by the way. Seem to be well built and have a good chute rotation system compared to others. Saw them at the fall fair and they were my first non-orange choice.