Homemade Single stage Snowblower

[JDeerekid]

I don't think it is a pull type blower, but there are ones like that one that are pull type. I have seen them around for well over a thousand dollars looking in the same condition. If it works i think it would be worth it, you cant really find a new one for under $2,000.

 

[xkbal]

I've been following this thread with interest. I've been looking for a pull type snowblower for a while and have considered making my own. While doing some searching I found this unit in Ontario.

Unfortunately I'm on the other end of the country but thought some others on here might be looking for one too. Seems like a good price.

Tractor Snow Blower 6 Ft pull behind - Guelph Cars & Vehicles For Sale - Kijiji Guelph

Al

 

[David Devuono]

It figures, I'm 30 minutes from this place. I don't even know if mine will work in deep snow, but if it does, surely it won't be easy to pull something through deep snow. From my experience, I would say these single stage blowers are perfect for long driveways that get smaller snow falls. You can operate these at quite fast speeds.

 

[deputyrpa]

Hmmm...but it looks like a push type to me. I'd prefer a pull type though.....I pull snow with my 6' box blade, and then push the pile out of the way.

 

[deputyrpa]

Most of our snowfalls here in upstate NY have been 1' or less, with the occassional 2-footer. The Adirondacks to the west save me from huge storms. I have about 700 feet of driveway, including the circle at the house. I also saw a 7' twin-auger Inland Steel and Forgings unit for $850, in pretty nice shape. That interested me more, given both are 3pt push types. It seems the Inland would move more snow, but i am unfamiliar with the capabilities of the design you built, Dave. Am I mistaken??

 

[David Devuono]

The best way to remove powdered or hard-packed snow.

From Frangards web site. I suspect that this type of blower is better suited for colder climates and for scraping down hard pack. Time will tell for me. I should be able to fab up an auger to my blower if it does not work out. It was all a timing issue and money issue.

 

[David Devuono]

Found this Utube video of a commercial singlestage in action on a JD

YouTube - Kubota 245DT & Leppa 175

 

[David Devuono]

opps, make that a green Kubota?

 

[David Devuono]

Finally had a chance to use the blower with 12" plus snow as its been three weeks since getting up to the camp. I am very pleased with how it worked. One mishap- as I needed to install a better hood to keep from getting a snow shower, I brought a cordless drill and some bits. When getting the bits out of the truck I did not realise the lid was broken and I spilled at least one drill bit in the snow. I searched around in the snow and found a drill bit, but who has a complete set? so I had no way of knowing how many I lost. Couple of hours later after defrosting the tractor and starting to blow snow, I found a 3/8 ' drill bit with the snowblower. It stalled the tractor jaming in the impeller blade but not before snapping the drill bit in half. Since I only have a 12HP 2 cyl Kubota, not sure if a shear bolt would prevent the stall- but I was hoping I did not break any tractor internals. All went well for the rest of the job, two passes gave me a 7' wide driveway but I had to play with the old massey too, so I managed to scrap another pile for a second pass with the blower. Will post video tonight.

 

[David Devuono]

Another Video posted on Utube, this time I had lots of snow to work with.

YouTube - homemade single stage snowblower 5

 

[CrazyCanadian]

That is an awesome build. I wonder if a flighting similar to a grain auger would work. I bet you could put a flat bar across the "mouth" of the blower for a bearing support and tree/post gaurd and it would feed the fan all the snow it could handle.
There are many of the large single fan blowers in use in our are clearing oilwell leases. They were built heavy enough to use as a "blade" to push clear areas with debris and stand up to the occasional whoops of something going through it without busting it up to bad. I saw one in use today that was on a 7240 CaseIH FWA which is 195 HP!!
I will try to get a pic of the fan design on one of the large Schulte blowers.
Here is a pic of an older model. Note the simple chute system to switch sides for the discharge.
http://http://saskatoon.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=98403435&img=http%3A%2F%2Fimg1.classistatic.com%2Fcps%2Fl%2Fkj%2F09%2F1%2F17%2F300%2Fr5%2F78526ja_18.jpeg

 

[David Devuono]

Page 4 of this spread shows the arrangement I have for feeding the blower. I get very little snow coming over the top (2ft high). Unlike a conventional Auger which spins very slowly, this setup spins at PTO speed so would require a full cover if the auger was extended to the front. All doable but I am very happy with its performance now and its great that I don't have to spend 2.5 hours hauling in my camping gear. I have gone from a 2 times in the winter visit, to every three weeks now.

 

[foggy1111]

Nice fix Dave. You can see the added feeder doing its job in the latest video...way to git 'er done.

 

[David Devuono]

Sadly, as some of you pointed out, this design does not work in wet snow. Had a chance to try it out this past weekend with 8 inches of wet snow and I would just push the snow until the tractor could not push anymore. Anyway the good news is that with this blower I was able to drive into the camp all winter on account as it is usually very cold and the snow powdery!

 

[studor]

Dave -- don't feel too bad -- the best thing in wet snow is a plow or letting it melt while in the comfort of indoors
My blower will throw it just beyond the edge of the blower but not much further

 

[PILOON]

For sure, wet snow = lots of sheered pins and clogged shutes.

Always select neutral on PTO or shut down tractor B4 clearing clogged snow!

 

[Snowball44]

I have purchased an older Erskine 60" Rear pull single stage.
Snow season just ahead here in IDAHO and was reading all the threads. Dave, you did an awesome job on your unit. I just completed a pretty long PM to foggy1111. His picture of the unit his dad built was particularly interesting and I asked him about the 'egg beater' pictured. Since I have not used my unit yet, was wondering if that add-on might help. It looks as
though the unit I bought will work great in powdery snow and clogg if it's too wet.
Snowball44

 

[foggy1111]

As soon as I can fix my printer/scanner I will post a picture of another possible solution to snow "pushing" on these type of blowers. As stated earlier....the major problem with these blowers is getting the wet snow to feed into the blower as it tends to bridge in front and push (thus why you typically find augers in front of the blowers today).

One solution to aid in snow pushing was to add "knives" which were welded to the heavy-duty rotors....as found on the machines produced back in the 50's (I think the rotors on my dad's machines were from about 1/4" to possibly 3/8" (?) thick material. These "knives" were about a foot long and 2' wide (likely 3/8" thick) and were attached by about a 4" weld with the 8" balance protruding in front of the spinning rotor. They did break up clods pretty well. This may be a low cost aid / solution for those with these blower types.

I believe I would give it a shot.

Sorry for the poor description....I will try to post a pic very soon.

 

[slugg]

Hi
I would like to know the diameter of the hole where the snow goes into the propeller. And if you are able to post some more pictures of the snow thrower from slightly different views.

I will try to building a snow blower to my little Jinma tractor. I'll try to post some pictures of my project and hoping for tips during the project.

Best Reards
Slugg