Inverted Snow Blower

[Musdalen]

I find this an incredibly interesting thread. We have just purchased 50 acres that will require a 1/4 mile driveway, just south of Duluth, MN. I'm getting ahead of myself, perhaps, but snow removal will be required once we have a road laid down. It will be gravel, and pretty straight and flat with two short but somewhat steep hills. It looks like a pull-behind "inverted" blower would be the way to go. I've been dreading the rear mount, reverse-drive set up, and I don't want to give up my loader bucket and grapple for a front mount.

The only pull behind that I have seen before was an off-set operation that cut on the left side like a sickle mower. Back in the day when I had a Ford 8N, they were interesting, but we don't get the snow at our present location (Iowa) that justified something like that.

The big concern after reading these posts is whether my JD 3039R can handle one an inverted that is 70+" wide, and if so, how wide can I go? From the posts here, they seem to be heavier than I would have guessed. Is a 39hp, 4wd tractor going to handle it?

If so, I may start shopping around for a used one here in Iowa.

Thanks for a super informative thread.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I find this an incredibly interesting thread. We have just purchased 50 acres that will require a 1/4 mile driveway, just south of Duluth, MN. I'm getting ahead of myself, perhaps, but snow removal will be required once we have a road laid down. It will be gravel, and pretty straight and flat with two short but somewhat steep hills. It looks like a pull-behind "inverted" blower would be the way to go. I've been dreading the rear mount, reverse-drive set up, and I don't want to give up my loader bucket and grapple for a front mount.

The only pull behind that I have seen before was an off-set operation that cut on the left side like a sickle mower. Back in the day when I had a Ford 8N, they were interesting, but we don't get the snow at our present location (Iowa) that justified something like that.

The big concern after reading these posts is whether my JD 3039R can handle one an inverted that is 70+" wide, and if so, how wide can I go? From the posts here, they seem to be heavier than I would have guessed. Is a 39hp, 4wd tractor going to handle it?

If so, I may start shopping around for a used one here in Iowa.

Thanks for a super informative thread.

68-72'' should still be fine for yours sized tractor.

 

[screamin400]

As with any blower try to have a level driveway. I mean no tracks with a higher center. The center will be gone in the spring but can raise heck with the blower. Before first snow walk the driveway and toss large stones off to the side. You will be fine.

 

[airbiscuit]

I live 75 miles south of Duluth. Here is my 40hp New Holland and a 68" MK Matin rear pull snowblower. I bought mine from Iowa Farm Equipment.

 

[Avenger]

I have a 45HP and pull a 72" MK Martin. It is heavy at 685 pounds, and that weight is out a ways from the tractor. But nothing my tractor cannot handle. Last week, we got dumped on, and I spent 7 hours in the seat doing driveways, pulling cars out of the ditch, and blowing snow off the county road. Its slow, but not horrible. When we get a few inches, I can run pretty quick. The big thing for your smaller tractor with an inverted, is the ground clearance. If you get dumped on, having something to push the snow with is better than driving over it, IMO.

Here is a video I did last winter about my new blower.

 

[screamin400]

In your video you mention using a box blade. You will attest to an inverted being nothing more than a box blade that blowes snow. It really is that simple. I think you would agree.

 

[Avenger]

In your video you mention using a box blade. You will attest to an inverted being nothing more than a box blade that blowes snow. It really is that simple. I think you would agree.

Yep! That's what it is! A box blade with an auger and blower. I used to use my box blade because I didn't have anything else. Having this blower, it doenst load up (unless I'm going to fast and plug it up), and I can keep going. No need to have a pile! Its a wonderful thing.

 

[Avenger]

We received a few inches in the last few days. Just slight on/off flurries. I decided to go out and blow the driveway. With only a few inches, I can run pretty quick. Grabbed the toddler (who LOVES to ride in the tractor) and we headed out. I do my driveway, and my neighbors driveway up the hill. Kid fell asleep within minutes.

As I'm gong along, kinda hard to drive with a toddler sitting next to me, going kinda fast, I heard it before I saw it... a bungie cord.

My neighbor chains up his pickup with cheap-o-chains only on the front. He does this at the bottom of our driveway and heads up the hill. Probably wouldnt need the chains if he had better tires, but thats his decision. His tracks indicate that he still has a hard time, even with these cable chains, as he was digging ruts and throwing snow and rocks all the way up to his house.

He apparently was using bungie cords to keep the chains tight. You know the kind, from Harbor Freight with with wire hooks, all colorful. Apparently, they cannot hold on to tire cable chains when they spin in snow and gravel. He spit them everywhere, and they were buried just below the surface! I sucked up the first one and it wrapped around the auger, started making a ticking noise. I stopped, got off and untangled it. The kid woke up.

I made it another 10 feet or so, when I saw the next one, before I ran it over. At this point, I decided to walk the road, looking for more. I found 2 more. I started the blower back up, and saw one launch from the chute after a minute or two. "Screw it!" I thought. If I get one wrapped up, I'll stop and cut it out. Need to have a conversation with my neighbor. But I didn't see anymore.

But I did find a bag of traction sand directly in the middle of the road! I did hit that! The plastic woven bag shredded and I blew sand out the shoot. Not sure how, but I didn't get anything wrapped up... least that I can see. I got it back to the shop after completing the driveway. I melted the snow away from the bearings and chain. Lubed everything while I checked it over for bungie cords or parts of traction sand bag. I didn't find anything, so called it a night.

Just thought I'd share.

 

[TractorTYMe]

We received a few inches in the last few days. Just slight on/off flurries. I decided to go out and blow the driveway. With only a few inches, I can run pretty quick. Grabbed the toddler (who LOVES to ride in the tractor) and we headed out. I do my driveway, and my neighbors driveway up the hill. Kid fell asleep within minutes.

As I'm gong along, kinda hard to drive with a toddler sitting next to me, going kinda fast, I heard it before I saw it... a bungie cord.

My neighbor chains up his pickup with cheap-o-chains only on the front. He does this at the bottom of our driveway and heads up the hill. Probably wouldnt need the chains if he had better tires, but thats his decision. His tracks indicate that he still has a hard time, even with these cable chains, as he was digging ruts and throwing snow and rocks all the way up to his house.

He apparently was using bungie cords to keep the chains tight. You know the kind, from Harbor Freight with with wire hooks, all colorful. Apparently, they cannot hold on to tire cable chains when they spin in snow and gravel. He spit them everywhere, and they were buried just below the surface! I sucked up the first one and it wrapped around the auger, started making a ticking noise. I stopped, got off and untangled it. The kid woke up.

I made it another 10 feet or so, when I saw the next one, before I ran it over. At this point, I decided to walk the road, looking for more. I found 2 more. I started the blower back up, and saw one launch from the chute after a minute or two. "Screw it!" I thought. If I get one wrapped up, I'll stop and cut it out. Need to have a conversation with my neighbor. But I didn't see anymore.

But I did find a bag of traction sand directly in the middle of the road! I did hit that! The plastic woven bag shredded and I blew sand out the shoot. Not sure how, but I didn't get anything wrapped up... least that I can see. I got it back to the shop after completing the driveway. I melted the snow away from the bearings and chain. Lubed everything while I checked it over for bungie cords or parts of traction sand bag. I didn't find anything, so called it a night.

Just thought I'd share.

Yes, other people have no worries other peoples equipment for the crap they fling on driveways, people's foresight goes about to their own nose.

 

[Jrob730]

I have to blow out class four road. It’s roughly a half mile or more and has granite rock in it as well as gravel. I keep the feet all the way down but it still picks up rocks in early season. The rocks were beating up my three point and more importantly bouncing off the glass. I decided before busting out a $500 window I should do something.

I had on old bed mat kicking around. I cut it up and have it held in place with cable ties. No more rocks beating up the rear of my tractor or bouncing them off the window.

Once I have a good base down, I cut the ties and remove the mat. I’m usually good all the way to spring.

I hope this might help someone out?

John

 

[screamin400]

Few years ago I was on a cruise. My guys had a very hard storm. Main guy hits a door laying in the driveway and sucked it it. No idea what a door would be doing in a driveway. 5 driveways later a guy had purchased wood to burn and left a good size piece in the driveway. My guy had to come home and thaw out to get that out and check for damage. I was getting phone calls on a cruise ship. It was my last cruise and I now work by myself. I could write a book about what I have hit and clients always say they thought it was clear. Contract now says damage to my blower in on the client.

 

[Avenger]

I have to blow out class four road. It’s roughly a half mile or more and has granite rock in it as well as gravel. I keep the feet all the way down but it still picks up rocks in early season. The rocks were beating up my three point and more importantly bouncing off the glass. I decided before busting out a $500 window I should do something.

I had on old bed mat kicking around. I cut it up and have it held in place with cable ties. No more rocks beating up the rear of my tractor or bouncing them off the window.

Once I have a good base down, I cut the ties and remove the mat. I’m usually good all the way to spring.

I hope this might help someone out?

JohnView attachment 773441View attachment 773441

Yeah. Love this idea. I considered using old conveyer belt strips, as I could get 6" conveyer belt for cheap.

How exactly you you keep it connected??

 

[hube2]

I don't want to knock the pull blowers, I wouldn't mind having one myself if I could use it. But my little tractor cannot drive through 3 to 6 foot drifts or the 3+ foot banks that the plow leaves at the end of my driveway. Using a pull blower would mean staying up all night to keep up with the snow. If I wanted to do that I could have gotten a beater truck with a plow for a whole lot less than I spent on the tractor. Either I'd have to be up all night during heavy storms or I'd need to have two different blowers to use depending on how much show fell while I was sleeping. Not sure why I keep reading threads like this except for envy of those that don't have to deal with the snow and drifting that I have to deal with.

 

[screamin400]

I understand what you are saying. Paris can get breezy down there. I get the snow you get the wind. I never see 3-6 foot drifts here or at least not in a long time. The banks at the end of the driveway....yup they could be an issue. When they get hard your tractor is certainly going to struggle. I am the guy that is out all night but again my tractor can do the larger banks if need be. Inverted is not the end all of snow blowers. It works great for some and would suck for others. The flip side of that is a back up blower leaves more by the garage door so you probably pull back with your loader I expect? Easier by the door than by the road though. If you ever wanna go for a ride in a larger setup let me know.

 

[Avenger]

I wish we got that much snow! I love the snow! I know, I'm weird. My wife prefers the sandy tropical beach with a pina colada in her hand. I want 6 feet of snow, and cold so it wont melt! I could do without the wind.

If I had deep snow, I'd probably have something different than an inverted. Plows are great, but after a while, the road width starts to narrow. Blowing the snow far and away seems like the best laid plan. If I had to deal with 3-6ft drifts, or regular storms that dropped a foot or more in a day, I'd have to have a front mounted blower or a regular blower and drive in reverse. Since I prefer to go forward, probably be a different tractor (one with a front PTO) and a front mounted blower.

 

[hube2]

I understand what you are saying. Paris can get breezy down there. I get the snow you get the wind. I never see 3-6 foot drifts here or at least not in a long time. The banks at the end of the driveway....yup they could be an issue. When they get hard your tractor is certainly going to struggle. I am the guy that is out all night but again my tractor can do the larger banks if need be. Inverted is not the end all of snow blowers. It works great for some and would suck for others. The flip side of that is a back up blower leaves more by the garage door so you probably pull back with your loader I expect? Easier by the door than by the road though. If you ever wanna go for a ride in a larger setup let me know.

Actually, I don't have a garage. I keep the tractor in a shed parked with the blower pointed out. But I do have to back blade around cars and some other areas. Paris Hill needs to be experienced for most people to believe it. Snow falls horizontally here 90% of the time. It's usually not about how much snow falls, it's how about much snow the wind dumps in your driveway, and it really depends on which what way your property faces, east facing hilly lots like mine generally get it worse than others. I sometimes feel like every flake of snow that falls end up in my driveway.

 

[screamin400]

We had a storm last week where we were predicted 3-5" and we got 22". This happens pretty often. We also have many times we are predicted 3-5 and get none like we were 4 days ago.

 

[screamin400]

In my line of work I do not know which I prefer. The snow I can see. The wind blown drifts I would almost have to drive my route to see who had anything. Some would have none and some would be snowed in.

 

[airbiscuit]

I don't want to knock the pull blowers, I wouldn't mind having one myself if I could use it. But my little tractor cannot drive through 3 to 6 foot drifts or the 3+ foot banks that the plow leaves at the end of my driveway. Using a pull blower would mean staying up all night to keep up with the snow. If I wanted to do that I could have gotten a beater truck with a plow for a whole lot less than I spent on the tractor. Either I'd have to be up all night during heavy storms or I'd need to have two different blowers to use depending on how much show fell while I was sleeping. Not sure why I keep reading threads like this except for envy of those that don't have to deal with the snow and drifting that I have to deal with.

An inverted wouldn't be right for a small CUT, or long deep drifts. The banks that a plow leaves at the end of a driveway can easily be handled by your loader, and then you're back to blowing.

 

[airbiscuit]

Few years ago I was on a cruise. My guys had a very hard storm. Main guy hits a door laying in the driveway and sucked it it. No idea what a door would be doing in a driveway. 5 driveways later a guy had purchased wood to burn and left a good size piece in the driveway. My guy had to come home and thaw out to get that out and check for damage. I was getting phone calls on a cruise ship. It was my last cruise and I now work by myself. I could write a book about what I have hit and clients always say they thought it was clear. Contract now says damage to my blower in on the client.

Famous last words:

Here, hold my beer

There are no obstacles in my drive/yard