Options for a rear mount Blower

[Stomper]

I have a 50" rear mount PTO blower for my Kubota L2501 that I have a few questions about. It is one that my father inlaw gave to me when i got my tractor. I have had it for about 4 years now and it works awesome, but I don't use it much simply because driving backwards is not at all user freindly. I am a DIY fabricator and modifyer so I was throwing around the idea of adapting it to mount to the SSQA and use an engine to run the actual blower. I see engine drive blowers on the internet designed like this with Honda GX 390 engines driving them but just curious if anyone has tried this with a rear mount before. Not quite sure if I would have to build a reverse gear box to have it turn in the proper orientation.
If this turns out to be to much work, I have also tossed around the idea figuring out how i can make it a self powered pull behind blower.

 

[Keweenaw County Yooper]

I have a 50" rear mount PTO blower for my Kubota L2501 that I have a few questions about. It is one that my father inlaw gave to me when i got my tractor. I have had it for about 4 years now and it works awesome, but I don't use it much simply because driving backwards is not at all user freindly. I am a DIY fabricator and modifyer so I was throwing around the idea of adapting it to mount to the SSQA and use an engine to run the actual blower. Would this work or would the engine have to be to big to make this feasible

I have a BercoMac 66 inch blower that is powered by a 27 H.P. Kohler and it blows snow fantastic.

 

[leonz]

Do not waste your time or money. For the work and machining involved and needed to convert it you
will be money and aggravation ahead by simply investing in a couple of rear mounted cameras from
CABCAM as you will be able to side side saddle in the seat and the snow blower will act like an anchor
with you pushing down on the reverser.

 

[Stomper]

Do not waste your time or money. For the work and machining involved and needed to convert it you
will be money and aggravation ahead by simply investing in a couple of rear mounted cameras from
CABCAM as you will be able to side side saddle in the seat and the snow blower will act like an anchor
with you pushing down on the reverser.

Yeah I hear you 100% on the time, money and agrivation thing, I've had it on other projects. I should actually know that by now but the modifyer inside me keeps rearing its ugly head. Would probably be best to leave things the way they are or sell what I have and buy the proper tool for the job.

 

[PILOON]

I actually did that some years back.
Blower was a 4 ft conventional unit.
I fabricated 4 pieces to replicate FEL attachments so that I could simply mount like the bucket.
Found a nice 16 hp kohler at affordable price.
I used chain and sprockets to drive the blower and rigged a fuel supply tank.
Lucky in that the engine had a starter/generator installed.

Operationally it was very satisfactory up and until I got carried away and the blower refused to digest a hidden discarded old starter.
What I did not know was that the augers were rust welded to the shaft so that the shaft, one auger and gearbox were destroyed beyond repair.
Lesson learned! -----Clean up your yard!

So, my present blower has the auger shafts well greased (zerks installed) and I keep shear bolts handy.

Operationally it was handy to be able to blow mounds of snow from the top down and not sit 'side saddle'.
Otherwise I don't miss it as my present setup is rear (wider) blower and a back up camera installation.
Also maneuverability in tight spots is much better.
Travel speed was also a problem since 1st low forward was a bit too fast (geared tranny).

It was however a fun project and lessons were learned.

 

[metalbender]

I did up a loader mounted rear powered blower last year. Lots of work is involved. Cost was minimal. It worked well till the end of the season when it tossed a bearing. The self powered blower might be a tad heavy for your tractor

 

[jwmorris]

I see engine drive blowers on the internet designed like this with Honda GX 390 engines driving them but just curious if anyone has tried this with a rear mount before. Not quite sure if I would have to build a reverse gear box to have it turn in the proper orientation.

You might want the version with a 6:1 gear reduction on it to get you the correct shaft RPM. Have no idea what blower you have but 600 rpm should be closer to its intended speed than 3600 and you might need all the power you can get from the little engine.

The Honda engine is CC shaft rotation viewed from shaft side.

If you are using belt or chain it doesn’t really matter very much. Just turn the engine the right direction before you fabricate your mount.

Kind of like the circled duct adjuster here.

Change the mount so the shaft points towards the tractor vs away from it and you reverse the rotation relative to what it’s turning.

 

[RoyJackson]

Might want to consider an inverted blower instead...

I'd love a front mounted hydraulic blower, but boy! They're spendy ($11K US).

As far as operating in reverse...that has never bothered me. Up to now, I've always had gear or reverser transmissions. The 4052 is an eHydro and the cruise control doesn't work in reverse. Bit of a bummer, but sitting in a nice warm cab makes up for that minor inconvenience...

 

[Fallon]

Might want to consider an inverted blower instead...

I'd love a front mounted hydraulic blower, but boy! They're spendy ($11K US).

As far as operating in reverse...that has never bothered me. Up to now, I've always had gear or reverser transmissions. The 4052 is an eHydro and the cruise control doesn't work in reverse. Bit of a bummer, but sitting in a nice warm cab makes up for that minor inconvenience...

Not sure what snow is like up in his neck of Canada, but inverted isn't viable here in the Denver area. A M would have issues with one in some places, but it's out the question for an economy L. Lots of stuff I couldn't drive my former L3200 or new L4060 through. 3-6' packed drifts aren't that uncommon. Different equation if you don't get blizzards & big drifts.

I just picked up a Landpride SB1574 blower. Got tired of using my SSQA plow to back drag a bite at a time on big drifts. The plow will still be used 70% of the time though I expect as its much faster. Had a 60" blower for the old L3200 & was in a similar situation. Blower was to small for the new machine.

 

[RoyJackson]

Best of both worlds:

One of these days, I might add hydraulics to the front blade and blower chute deflector (already have hydraulics for rotation). I have one rear remote and want to add two more, or get a diverter.
When I win the Powerball, I'll think about the front hydraulic snow blower.

One thing I've regretted is I had an Eagle Plow manual blade for the Gator. That was actually the fastest way to clear smaller (nuisance) snowfalls off the drive. Sold it for 50 bucks more than I paid for it...sure wished I kept it though.

The rig shown in the picture does my drive, neighbor's drive and the street (a cul-de-sac about and eight of a mile long)

No doubt, I could have (and maybe should have) gone with a smaller tractor...but you know the saying..."difference between men and boys is the price of their toys..."

 

[Farmer495]

I don't use it much simply because driving backwards is not at all user friendly.

I find if you turn yourself in the seat it's much easier to watch what you are doing, i.e. turn your whole body, not just your neck.

I find at least with a rear mount blower you are driving the direction you are working versus something like a baler or plough where you are driving forward but having to watch behind.

Good luck with the project regardless, if you did power it with a separate engine you could certainly travel nice and slow with the tractor at an idle and blower running wide open.

 

[PILOON]

In suburban areas where speed is of essence, the inverted or pull blower is a money maker.
They back up to the garage door,drop the blower and onto the neighbor's drive, 5 mins! (or less).
Usually attached to an 80 hp or more tractor.

In rural areas the front mount is rarer with rear mount on hydro static drive being favored. Highway gearing is, however, a desired feature due to distance between clients.

Insurance is now the big factor as premiums have escalated to the point that many have quit the game.
Plow trucks are getting to be a rare sight other than on big city plows.

 

[PILOON]

A fork lift is very easy to maneuver with precision due to the configuration of steering.
Just like a tractor is with a rear mounted blower.

I've operated both configurations and I sure would not want to clear 50-100 drives with fancy landscaping and expensive shrubs, no wonder insurance rates for snow contractors has escalated.

I did install a camera system, liked it somewhat but still always turn, sidesaddle, when up close to buildings or things I wish to avoid damaging or, LOL, ingesting.

Kubota does make tractor that is ideal.
It is configured very much like a fork lift with the steering wheels being at the back and blower up front.
While pricey it is a fine tool but rather limited in scope to blowing snow and sweeping parking lots.
For sure not your farm tractor for cleaning the stalls or hay duties.

 

[RoyJackson]

I find if you turn yourself in the seat it's much easier to watch what you are doing, i.e. turn your whole body, not just your neck.

That's exactly what I do...about the only difference from driving forward is the position of my foot on the eHydro reverse pedal