Pull type Hybrid snowblowers ?

[bigtiller]

Not sure where I posted my location, but that's alright. Just a few miles from Wrenshall. Anyway, you prefer the front end blower. I have thought about that. I have the midpoint PTO for it, but from what I have heard mounting and dismounting is not particularly quick and easy and I will want to use my bucket and grapple throughout the winter so tying up the FEL with a blower all winter is not high on my list.

On the other hand, that is why I'm watching this thread. Trying to learn.

PS Weatherunderground is currently listing a total of 14.9 inches before Wednesday morning.

I the info from your avatar on the left side of the screen.

Here is a screen shot.

Musdalen​

Gold Member​

Joined Jan 1, 2017
Messages 275
Location STORY CITY, IA
TractorFord 8N

 

[Musdalen]

I the info from your avatar on the left side of the screen.

Here is a screen shot.

Musdalen​

Gold Member​

Joined Jan 1, 2017
Messages 275
Location STORY CITY, IA
TractorFord 8N

Ha, you are saved. Maybe. I'm interested in blowers for my driveway up north near Duluth. Weather here will just be ultra-miserable with relatively little snow build up. You must be getting the same rain on snow/slush that I have now. Nothing for a blower to mess with.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I personally want to thank all those who bought snow blowers last fall. I'm certain it's the reason we got no snow here at all this winter!

 

[TractorTYMe]

I bought a Ducati two weeks ago, and we've gotten more snow than ever since then, might go get another one here soon.

 

[Jrob730]

Well the Normand inverted blew every bit of the snow away! No issues, just used a lower gear!

 

[Jrob730]

I had my blower raised up to not dig into the gravel. It did not leave any tractor tracks left behind. My tractor weights in at 12,800 with fuel and me. People always worry the blower will not remove the tracks, it’s total BS. You can lean back or come forward with the top link to get mor or less aggressive writhing the cut.

 

[steve tym]

Jrob, what speed do you run the PTO at? That thing is really throwing snow. My MK Martin at a shaft speed of 540 doesn't throw the snow nearly that far.

 

[Jrob730]

My John Deere 5105m has regular PTO 540 at 2100 rpm’s and Economy PTO 540 at 1750 rpm’s. I always run it in economy and the computer will only let the rpm’s go slightly over to like 1850-1900. When it’s under load the computer lets me give it more juice to keep it at 540 or slightly more.

When I was out about noon, the snow was starting to melt and get heavy. I of course waited until the storm was over and accumulated the whole 18”. My ground speed was about 1.5-2 mph. Typically when there is less I go around 4-5 mph. My tractor also has a hi/lo in it giving me 32 speeds forward and 16 reverse. It seams I’m always able to find the right speed up hill, down hill, slower or faster.

 

[screamin400]

Jrob, what speed do you run the PTO at? That thing is really throwing snow. My MK Martin at a shaft speed of 540 doesn't throw the snow nearly that far.

Many differences here. The main one is probably the diameter of the blower. I expect his is a 27" giving a higher tip speed. Snow density is always a factor. HP when you can really load the snow into the blower makes it throw further. He has a beautiful setup there. Not a typical homeowner. Truthfully blowing distance is usually a bragging rite. If your does not blow well check the tolerance on the fan wall. The side going up to the discharge. Too much distance and you cannot blow slush. Back in the day of silage blowing they always told us for good performance to pick up a nickel and leave a dime. That is the proper clearance.

 

[steve tym]

That thing really seems to launch the snow, but at 1,900 rpm, I bet you're up close to 600 rpm. My TYM has a 3 speed PTO (540, 750, 1,000). I suspect my 750 is close to your 540E. I'm a 4 speed, 3 speed, 2 speed, giving me 24. Ain't it great to always have the gear you need?
I be nervous to tackle all 18" at once. More worried about my tractor pushing through 18" than the blower being able to handle it. And of course once you can't handle it, you're screwed.

 

[steve tym]

Many differences here. The main one is probably the diameter of the blower. I expect his is a 27" giving a higher tip speed. Snow density is always a factor. HP when you can really load the snow into the blower makes it throw further. He has a beautiful setup there. Not a typical homeowner. Truthfully blowing distance is usually a bragging rite. If your does not blow well check the tolerance on the fan wall. The side going up to the discharge. Too much distance and you cannot blow slush. Back in the day of silage blowing they always told us for good performance to pick up a nickel and leave a dime. That is the proper clearance.

I've heard of people bolting rubber mud flaps to the fan to really close up the tolerance. I've never checked mine. For me, all that really matters is to get he snow off the driveway.
My driveway is 3,000'.
Snow blower is a MK Martin 72" inverted.
Tractor is a TYM T754 gear drive.
Two big hills that sometimes give me trouble getting up. I'm working on rerouting one of those.

 

[screamin400]

I've heard of people bolting rubber mud flaps to the fan to really close up the tolerance. I've never checked mine. For me, all that really matters is to get he snow off the driveway.
My driveway is 3,000'.
Snow blower is a MK Martin 72" inverted.
Tractor is a TYM T754 gear drive.
Two big hills that sometimes give me trouble getting up. I'm working on rerouting one of those.

I did exactly that to a land pride blower I had years ago and it made an amazing diff. Very noticeable in the slush that is almost water.

 

[Jrob730]

Many differences here. The main one is probably the diameter of the blower. I expect his is a 27" giving a higher tip speed. Snow density is always a factor. HP when you can really load the snow into the blower makes it throw further. He has a beautiful setup there. Not a typical homeowner. Truthfully blowing distance is usually a bragging rite. If your does not blow well check the tolerance on the fan wall. The side going up to the discharge. Too much distance and you cannot blow slush. Back in the day of silage blowing they always told us for good performance to pick up a nickel and leave a dime. That is the proper clearance.

I believe the fan is 28” and I can not off the top of my head say how deep. It seams to throw the snow far weather wet or powder. I know one time when it was pretty wet, it came out in like sheets of snow if that makes any sense?

 

[Jrob730]

I've heard of people bolting rubber mud flaps to the fan to really close up the tolerance. I've never checked mine. For me, all that really matters is to get he snow off the driveway.
My driveway is 3,000'.
Snow blower is a MK Martin 72" inverted.
Tractor is a TYM T754 gear drive.
Two big hills that sometimes give me trouble getting up. I'm working on rerouting one of those.

If my tractor starts to struggle( hop or bounce some) I will pick up the blower which adds 1800# to the rear, drive up through the snow and blow back down hill. I would do this only to not break anything in the driveline. Most times I go down doing a full 92” and on the way back up the hill I’m only doing like 72-84”.

 

[Jrob730]

That thing really seems to launch the snow, but at 1,900 rpm, I bet you're up close to 600 rpm. My TYM has a 3 speed PTO (540, 750, 1,000). I suspect my 750 is close to your 540E. I'm a 4 speed, 3 speed, 2 speed, giving me 24. Ain't it great to always have the gear you need?
I be nervous to tackle all 18" at once. More worried about my tractor pushing through 18" than the blower being able to handle it. And of course once you can't handle it, you're screwed.

I mainly for the most part try to run right at 540 rpm so I don’t over speed the unit.

 

[screamin400]

Pretty much the same as my 92 Cyclone. I am generally running about 450 rpm but hardly ever in the deep stuff. Lower rpm means higher gear meaning less range changes when I get to the road.

 

[Jrob730]

Pretty much the same as my 92 Cyclone. I am generally running about 450 rpm but hardly ever in the deep stuff. Lower rpm means higher gear meaning less range changes when I get to the road.

I have heard very good things on the Cyclones. I have also watched many YouTube videos on them as well.

 

[screamin400]

I cannot speak on any other brand of hybrid as this is all I have run. Most would say this is the best as that is what I have. I will not say that as I have never compared.

 

[steve tym]

If my tractor starts to struggle( hop or bounce some) I will pick up the blower which adds 1800# to the rear, drive up through the snow and blow back down hill. I would do this only to not break anything in the driveline. Most times I go down doing a full 92” and on the way back up the hill I’m only doing like 72-84”.

If I'm losing traction, yup, I normally take most of the weight of the blower on the lift arms. Weight is a wonderful thing.

 

[Jrob730]

A friend of mine hast a Pronovost 92” inverted blower, my Normand and his are almost identical. His was beat up and he totally rebuilt it as well as blasted and painted it JD colors. My blower is a 2018 model, given there’s 10 or more differences they are basically the same.

I know Normand also makes a hybrid as well. It YouTube videos the only complaints I saw was the Pronovost uses a bolt together hitch. Some broke the upper link that hitches to the top link. I guess the replacements were better according to the users.

I own a Pronovost dump wagon and it’s a great piece of equipment. I would definitely by a Cyclone if I were to go the hybrid style. For my use on my long drive it works great and saved my a bunch of money. I bought it in 2019 with only 4 hours on it for under $7k. It’s a sweet set up for me but I can see where someone like you doing driveways for a business, the hybrids rule for many reasons. I’d like to get one but the $$$ keeps me in check!