Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Breaking shearbolts

[dbuck]

I have a Kubota BX25D tractor, and a front mounted snowblower. The snowblower breaks a crazy amount of fan shear bolts every time I use it. I am using the proper ones. yesterday I was just clearing about 8 inches of powder snow, and it was breaking them for no reason. No stones rocks debris, and not even pushing it hard. Any ideas?

 

[jix]

Well, most will disagree with me, but I do not use shear bolts per se, I buy cheap grade standard economy bolts, which are made of soft metal. They will break, but not easily. IMO shear bolts are too weak for normal loads. You increase the risk of machine damage, but you do not have to change 'em every half hour, which is a PIA. It is a judgement call.

 

[leonz]

I agree with jix on this completely as the shear bolts break too easily
and changing them while laying on a tarp is *&^%$%^&*
(even with a salamander running flat out to stay warm).
I use the grade five bolts in my JD 42 inch snow caster
for my JDLA115

Many folks simply use a hack saw to cut in the regular bolts
to make them more breakable.

Having shear bolts for a walk behind is another issue as
anything can be in the snow.

 

[Toyboy]

Which fan bolt? I was breaking mine until it was told to me the long bolt that secured the fan to the shaft is grade 8. The short one that connects the flange is the soft one.

 

[dsmiley]

I have a Kubota BX25D tractor, and a front mounted snowblower. The snowblower breaks a crazy amount of fan shear bolts every time I use it. I am using the proper ones. yesterday I was just clearing about 8 inches of powder snow, and it was breaking them for no reason. No stones rocks debris, and not even pushing it hard. Any ideas?

Two questions - Are you idling when you engage the PTO and are you blowing at wide open throttle? If you are using the proper shear bolts and are not picking up anything but snow, these are the two things that come to mind.

 

[dbuck]

Well, most will disagree with me, but I do not use shear bolts per se, I buy cheap grade standard economy bolts, which are made of soft metal. They will break, but not easily. IMO shear bolts are too weak for normal loads. You increase the risk of machine damage, but you do not have to change 'em every half hour, which is a PIA. It is a judgement call.

Thanks Jix, I am going to give them a try.

 

[dbuck]

Two questions - Are you idling when you engage the PTO and are you blowing at wide open throttle? If you are using the proper shear bolts and are not picking up anything but snow, these are the two things that come to mind.

Yes I idle when turning on the PTO, and then run full throttle when blowing. RPM is around 3200 roughly, maybe a little more.

 

[dbuck]

Which fan bolt? I was breaking mine until it was told to me the long bolt that secured the fan to the shaft is grade 8. The short one that connects the flange is the soft one.

The snowblower is the Kubota 2750D, and the fan shearbolts are the proper gold coloured ones, are 5/16, part number 70060-02808. I rarely break the auger shear bolt.

 

[dsmiley]

The snowblower is the Kubota 2750D, and the fan shearbolts are the proper gold coloured ones, are 5/16, part number 70060-02808. I rarely break the auger shear bolt.

I run the same setup on my BX25. The first year I sheared 6 fan bolts but I blow nothing but graveled areas and I was picking up a lot of rocks because of the inadequate skids. I added skid shoes and made them to long enough to reach the cutting edge and now I might shear one a year or none.



Skids mounted -

 

[dbuck]

I run the same setup on my BX25. The first year I sheared 6 fan bolts but I blow nothing but graveled areas and I was picking up a lot of rocks because of the inadequate skids. I added skid shoes and made them to long enough to reach the cutting edge and now I might shear one a year or none.

View attachment 405379

Skids mounted -
View attachment 405380

That looks like a good idea. The stock ones are a bit inadequate now that you mention it. Thanks very much.