Front Mount Snowblowers - 3pt

Coldcanuk · Nov 11, 2014

I just finished a conversion of a 3pt snowblower to mount on the front of my Mitsubishi 160D tractor. It had a front pto, so I figured......why not. After construction of a front frame, rigging up a winch to lift the blower....everything seemed to line up. So finishing it off today, I realized when I go to start the tractor, the front pto turns when the tractor turns over.....WHAT????

The rear pto is engaged with a shift lever, but the front apparently runs full time making it harder to start the tractor. I feel foolish assuming that the front clicked in when the shift lever......I guess not. Not sure if I am missing something!

This tractor did have a belly mount mower prior to my purchase, but there was no mower when I got it. According to the manual the mower was run by the front pto, but I cannot find out how it engaged and disengaged. :confused3:

Any ideas or help will be appreciated.

George2615 · Nov 11, 2014

If the belly mower was run by the front PTO there should be a lever to disengage the PTO. The operation of the PTO should be in the owners manual (not sure if this is the manual you have). Here's a site that has them for around $25. If the front PTO has a disconnect the linkage should be easy enough to trace back to the lever that engages it.

http://www.repairmanual.com/product/mitsubishi-mt160-mt180-factory-owners-operators-manual-
js-mit-o-mt160/

Or you can ask a Mitsu tractor tech where the lever is by logging in here.
Ask a Mitsubishi Support Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

leonz · Nov 11, 2014

OWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel your pain!!!!!

are you sure its not an electric midPTO????????????????????????

UMMM???? is the mid PTO rotatiing in the rigth direction to operate the snow caster?????????????????

The two Biggies are whether it is operating in the right direction when the impeller is rotating AND
dont forget the mid PTO will rotate more than three times as fast as the rear 540 PTO unless its a multi speed rear PTO>

I feel your pain, I just hope you saved all the parts as you may need a reversing gearbox to mount the thing on the rear.
We have talked about them (reversing gearboxes)here on the forum too.

Coldcanuk · Nov 11, 2014

It is rotating the right direction, I checked that before starting. The tractor has a 3 speed PTO. Still checking a few things out. Here's hoping! :thumbsup:

PILOON · Nov 11, 2014

Ouch.
From experience front blowers that run from front drives run in the opposite direction from rear units unless there is a reverser box.
Also they are designed for different RPM's.
Rear are always designed for 500 RPM and fronts generally for 2000-2500 (engine RPM) as they usually get driven from the crankshaft PTO.
Mind you I have seen the odd blower that has a built in reverser but then RPM's is another issue.
Mind you some tractors have a mid PTO but again I believe they also run at high RPM's.
Your 3 speed rear PTO has nothing to do with the front RPM's, only rear. The 3 speed is for some accessories that we don't usually find in north america as everything here is based on the 500 RPM standard.
I feel for you.
As I suggested in a PM, Mitsubishi did have an electric clutch that was part of the front PTO installation.
Reverser and speed reduction (plus clutch) can always be accomplished using gears but that becomes pricier than purchasing a proper front blower.

Another thing that you need to consider is the tractor speed. Even in 1st, low range your Mitsu will travel too fast to digest the snow that you want to blow away. ( unless you are hydrostatic drive.)

I'd resign myself and return that blower to rear mount and simply add a backup camera system if saving your neck and a back ache is your goal.
I just this winter have done just that and am very pleased with the results for a mere $55. investment.