Ready for Winter!

[lungdoc]

So after several years using an open station rear mounted blower I am very excited to have a cab and a front blower! MK Martin Meteor 86" front blower with a rear power pack to drive the hydraulics. Mounted the chains after these pics...at least they fit with the tractor change. Now all I need is some snow. Kubota 6060HST

 

[Citydude]

Wow! Way nice. Congrats!

 

[Rustyiron]

Well if it doesn't snow this year, it will be your fault!!:laughing:
Sweet rig!

 

[lungdoc]

Thanks. There is hydraulic deflection on the chute too but they forgot to install it so sending by courier.

 

[smfcpacfp]

Snowblowing with an open station tractor with a rear facing blower - a job I would dread

Snowblowing with a cabbed front facing blower- my favorite winter activity. You will think you died and went to heaven. I usually snow blow in pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt and no hat as I wear headphones with a built in radio.

The nastier it is outside, the more I like to snow blow. I also love to snow blowing at night in a storm.

The open station guys would say you are getting kind of wimpy. I would say to them, "You are kind of wimpy too when you prefer to take a s$$t in an indoor toilet vs going outside and using an outhouse." :laughing:

 

[Balerguy2]

lungdoc

You have a beautiful loader mt'd snow blower/ tractor! Question.... Does your Hydraulic Motor drive the shaft on the blowers secondary (high speed) directly (co-axially) or is it parallel offset powering through HD chain?

TIA

 

[lungdoc]

Thanks. Not sure if I can answer this fully - the auger and fan have separate hydraulic motors, the auger motor you can see on left corner of the second photo. It drives a chain (visible in first photo) that turns the auger. It directly drives the chain sprocket. The fan motor I think drives it direct but I didn't inspect super closely. Specs are here MK Martin | Loader Mount and there's a video here

of a pre-production model. Blower is at our cottage/my in-laws property so not available to look closer for a few weeks when I am back there.

 

[devildog1]

Nice tractor and neat snow blower set up, your almost making me jealous but I have my Carhartt Arctic one piece suit with hood, it's what real men wear when snow blowing with open station tractors, Lol,lol.
DevilDog

 

[Balerguy2]

lungdoc

Got it. Thanks so much!

Balerguy2

 

[GPintheMitten]

That's awesome. Where are your hydraulic controls for the blower functions located? Where are the hoses routed from the pto pump? Do you use your tractor for other chores in the winter? If so how difficult is it to drop it and switch over?

Sorry for blasting you with questions but inquiring minds want to know.

 

[lungdoc]

Don't really do much else in the winter but to drop the front blower is as easy as quick detaching two hoses and dropping the skid-steer quick connects (which on this machine is actually done from the cab). Can easily grab forks or bucket and just leave power pack on for ballast. To remove rear power pack also just disconnect two hoses. Middle large section of hose can stay on machine (will remove for any off-road use to avoid branches or roots hitting hoses under machine or along loader). The hoses are routed along frame, then up loader and along as seen (with a loop). The controller cable power clips onto battery terminals, and has a hand unit with two switches (for rotation and deflection). I routed that into cab and have it sitting in a little slot next to the FEL control lever.

We looked at the Kubota mid-PTO driven units but they require installation of a frame and removal of the FEL, plus are large for storage with a tractor-length frame. They do leave the rear available for blade or other PTO implements though. The ease of mounting and storage made this a better choice for us.

 

[Rustyiron]

For the sake of us open station guy's, please don't update your avatar:laughing:

 

[GPintheMitten]

Thanks for the explanations. That is some great setup.

 

[CJONE]

Very nice set up. When I purchased my tractor I had a mid mount PTO installed just for a front mount blower. After doing some research I found out the drivelines are less than reliable for commercial use, so I went with a pusher and a rear mount blower. 2 seasons of blowing banks back in 2 bad winters with no issues. The next step for me will be to mount the blower on the front and hydraulic drive it. Even with the hydraulics loosing 20%+ I believe it is the way to go for a front mount. CJ

 

[Rustyiron]

The next step for me will be to mount the blower on the front and hydraulic drive it. Even with the hydraulics loosing 20%+ I believe it is the way to go for a front mount. CJ

If I remember right CJ, you helped me with a hyd question and know your stuff. Please be sure to do a post of your components & build!

 

[CJONE]

If I remember right CJ, you helped me with a hyd question and know your stuff. Please be sure to do a post of your components & build!

Thanks, I'll help when I can. To be honest if I convert the blower I will go with a Hydrostat just for the efficiency and smaller plumbing. I will build a gear style powerpack just because I have the parts, when I get healed up from the auto accident a few weeks ago. CJ

 

[Paystar]

More Pics!!!

So after several years using an open station rear mounted blower I am very excited to have a cab and a front blower! MK Martin Meteor 86" front blower with a rear power pack to drive the hydraulics. Mounted the chains after these pics...at least they fit with the tractor change. Now all I need is some snow. Kubota 6060HST

 

[HillStreet]

Just bought a Kubota B2650 and plan to plow with the bucket this year. Building a house with a 300 foot driveway with slight rise from the street. I asked the dealer to hold the tractor until I can park it inside the garage, awaiting the concrete pour now.

If the bucket does not do the job, I'll get a plow that attaches to the loader arms. I think plowing will be fine because I have lots of room for snow banks.

 

[Thomas]

I am ready for winter as I could be,but old man winter yet to show signs of visiting which doesn't hurt my feeling.

 

[check]

I am ready for winter as I could be,but old man winter yet to show signs of visiting which doesn't hurt my feeling.

Yup. Still above freezing in the daytime up at the cottage, 2 1/2 hours north of Toronto. We have skated during Christmas on the lake in front of the cottage for the past 13 years that we have had the cottage. This year, however the lake will not even be frozen at Christmas!