Blower too big???

[mothgraphics]

The other issue is that my driveway is 250 long and uphill @ 12% grade.

PS I updated my profile...upstate, NY

 

[lungdoc]

It seemed to spin fine, but my testing was limited. I drove backwards a bit, and it seemd to shoot the wet/ heavy snow we got pretty nicely, but being a live PTO, I have concerns about it clogging when I put the clutch in to stop. It does keep spinning nicely in neurtal though.

My understanding of Live means that PTO keeps running with clutch in. http://www.tractorsmart.com/main/Tractor Power Take Off Types.htm . From your description it seems this is a gear tractor as opposed to HST. This may be a problem as may not be able to go slow enough with high engine speed to move snow - with HST if blower load too much can slow down but maintain full RPM's.

That's a steep grade. Chains for sure. Does tractor lift blower weight ok?

 

[Ductape]

Is your tractor manual, or HST ? This will make a difference.

First things first........ add some weight. At least a few hundred pounds on the front. If that doesn't allow you to get going, get some tire chains.

Yes...... that blower is much too big for your tractor. You should run one just slightly wider than the width of your rear tires..... maybe 48".

BUT..... once you are able to get the tractor moving (with weight / chains), you may be able to get away with running that blower if your tractor is hydrostatic. At least until you can sell it and buy an appropriately sized blower. Since, with hydrostatic drive, your ground speed is infinite...... you may be able to get by, creeping very slowly so you are not trying to blow more snow than you have the HP for. If your tractor is gear driven, sell the blower now. You'll never be happy trying to run it on the tractor you have (since you could never go slow enough to feed the blower slow enough).

 

[brandoro]

My first tractor was a B6200 4wd gear tractor, bought it used and it came with a 50" Farm King blower. Most of the time it handled the blower well enough, also had FEL so that helped with the front weight. With your blower you definitely need a bunch of front weight added. You might be able to adjust the blower so it is closer to the tractor, even a couple of inches will make a difference. If yours is a gear tractor you will have trouble taking the first cut in heavy snow, once you have the first cut you can just take a narrower cut to match the amount of snow to your ground speed and tractor power. Only happened to me once but with a very heavy snow I had to make my first pass carrying the blower about 6" off the ground. Once I had it cut down that far i was able to set the blower back down, finish clearing that cut then take narrow cuts. If HST you will do okay with it but still need a bunch of front weight.
If the grade is too much for the tractor to blow snow going uphill you may have to drive up carrying the blower then blow snow going downhill. I usually blow snow in 2WD so that if I catch the blower on something the tractor will lose traction before hurting anything. Works most of the time.

 

[mothgraphics]

Yes, it's a geared tractor. Wish it was Hydrostatic.
Just put it up on Craig's list with an ebay listing maybe tonight.
http://albany.craigslist.org/grd/1503624335.html

Hoping I can do it without the weight on the front and a smaller (48" maybe) blower - don't have a welder, so I'm not sure how much cash I'll have to drop for this expensive endeavor.

Thinking maybe a plow for the truck is a more cost effective solution?

Thanks for the help folks.

 

[lungdoc]

If your truck can handle a plow (4WD) then I'd definitely go that route for heater and cab, maybe look at a FEL for tractor to move banks occasionally. If a truck might get a set of truck tire chains (not big money) for the really slippery times for your hill.

 

[ray66v]

You have a tractor that is at the very bottom of the pto hp scale, and if it has been used, may not even be putting out the 12 full hp that is advertised.

The minimum pto hp for the blower you have, is roughly twice what you have, making it about 30 inches too big.

There is more involved than length.

Yes, you could possibly run a blower as big as 48" with that tractor.

But to work well, that would be a lightweight blower, that is especially made, and geared, for a low pto hp tractor.

And also, "running it" is subject to interpretation. What some consider as acceptable, others may not.

Personally, without a cab, I would not use a snow blower. It can be a lot less than fun, (especially rear mounted).

How about a nice plow?

 

[mothgraphics]

can I get a plow for my tundra for under two grand installed is the question, because that's what the blower's worth. Considering the reduced gas mileage I'll be getting on the truck (not to mention the wear and tear on the transmission), is it really worth it for the dozen times a year I use the snowblower.

It takes me less than an hour to snow blow everything....only 20 minutes to do the basics (at least with my little case I had). Even if it took twice that long, I don't see how that can be considered "unacceptable", but that's just me. I like being outside in the winter.

 

[ray66v]

I believe there are lightweight vehicle plows out there now.

 

[Tig]

I am very happy with my 60" blower and 13 HP PTO. Hydrostatic transmission is the key.
Without live PTO or hydrostat you are correct, it will be suceptible to clogging. I think you will hate it.
My humble opinion is keep the blower, upgrade the tractor.