new to me Loftness snowblower

[alltherage]

found it on craigslist and jumped on it. it's a model 721C TS and have no idea what year it is. it's 72" wide and I think it will work good on our ex2900 yanmar based on the research I've done. The tractor is a hydro and is 60" wide with pto hp of 22 and change. the bottom cutting edge is corroded as is part of the bottom of the area where the fan sits. our driveway is gravel and stone so i think this will help a bit with keeping stones out. I can adjust the shoes as need be as well. It could use some paint and lube but, other than that, seems rock solid and heavy duty. plenty of 1/4" steel on this blower. From what I've read, Loftness has a good reputation.

 

[alltherage]

we get drifted in alot with blowing lake effect snow. I wanted to have the ability to move the drifts quickly before they settled during a freeze/thaw which we tend to get more and more of. I thought 375 was a good price as I didn't want to have too much invested if it didn't work well with the gravel driveway. It appears this was made for John Deere as it's green and has a tag on it from the local JD dealer.

 

[alltherage]

Anyone have any experience with these or feedback?

 

[ruffdog]

Wow, it sure has seen better days.

 

[motownbrowne]

Looks pretty good for $375!

I've been looking for something like that for under $1000, but haven't found the right one yet.

 

[alltherage]

Looks rough but functions wonderfully. Looks like it was used in salty parking lots and not washed. Called loftness today and they were an awesome help. It was manufactured in 1995. Their site has PDF manuals etc. I would buy new from them any day.

 

[alltherage]

Finally got this welded and tightened up!! It works like a champ and I'm really impressed with the power of this tractor running it. It is definitely a bit big for the tractor but it works. Weighs 925 lbs according to the loftness site. Will try to post pics. Happy to have the hydro to control the speed as this is key

 

[alltherage]

Here she is...

 

[Jim in ICT]

Wow! That's a monster!

 

[alltherage]

i know right!! it's rated for 40-80hp but really is great with the little hst. it's amazing. I will try to get better pics, i think these make it look a tad bigger than it is, but it's definitely a big ol' girl. I keep asking myself what tractors are at/below 72' wide at the rear tire edges but have that kind of horsepower?? seems like blowers for that hp range would be at 84" at least. Anyway, I keep hoping for heavy snow and heavy drifting whereas before I would stress!

 

[alltherage]

Here are photos of it in action! Tried to upload a vid but no dice

 

[tcreeley]

Very nice - great setup!

 

[alltherage]

Thanks buddy. He did all the welding/brasing(spelling??) to get her back to new. I was glad that he climbed aboard to try her out. We are getting pummeled w snow lately and he really saved the day!

 

[tcreeley]

I am using a bucket- blower looks good!

 

[mangus580]

Where on the Loftness site are the manuals? I have my hands on a 661 that I borrowed and I cant find them...

 

[mangus580]

Nevermind, found it finally!

 

[alltherage]

http://www.loftness.com/Literature/...rs/661 DTS Series.pdf&name=661 DTS Series.pdf

 

[mangus580]

You would happen to know how much of what oil goes in the gear box would you?

 

[alltherage]

I dont sorry. Doesnt look like much, half quart roughly

 

[alltherage]

I encourage you to call loftness. They were great with me. I ended up talking to one of the big wigs. Great company