Skid steer snow blower on tractor loader?

[bitseeker]

Thanks. I'll go back and double check the compatibility issue. Maybe I misunderstood something along the way....

Sure,

Let me know if you'd like photos or any other details on the loader with the front blower subframe mounted.

 

[JWR]

Switch to a blade.. much faster and less mechanical wear and tear.
Keep the rear mount blower for the few times you need to blow back a snow berm. There will not be many of those times.

Yes, BUT .... I'd not want to have only the blade and a half mile of road to clear. The main disease of blades is sideways creep. If you are doing much snow shoving at all it is going to shove the front of your vehicle (truck, tractor, whatever) to the side based on the angle of the blade. If you use a VERY large front-heavy tractor and a SMALL width blade you can get by doing that. I don't think that describes the OP situation.

 

[hayden]

Yes, BUT .... I'd not want to have only the blade and a half mile of road to clear. The main disease of blades is sideways creep. If you are doing much snow shoving at all it is going to shove the front of your vehicle (truck, tractor, whatever) to the side based on the angle of the blade. If you use a VERY large front-heavy tractor and a SMALL width blade you can get by doing that. I don't think that describes the OP situation.

Correct. The blade issue was discussed a while back. I have a relatively narrow, single lane woods road with limited space to push snow off to the side. My neighbor does plow the road, but the blower is required for further clean up and to throw the snow further into the woods. Without the blower the road chokes in and becomes impassible. There are other areas around buildings and parking areas where a plow just can't get the snow far enough out of the way.

 

[JWR]

Correct. The blade issue was discussed a while back. I have a relatively narrow, single lane woods road with limited space to push snow off to the side. My neighbor does plow the road, but the blower is required for further clean up and to throw the snow further into the woods. Without the blower the road chokes in and becomes impassible. There are other areas around buildings and parking areas where a plow just can't get the snow far enough out of the way.

Well then, you mainly need a pulling forward type snowblower.

 

[shooterdon]

A front mount blower seems ideal if it is easy to put on and take off. The $$$ hurt but that is a one time hurt. If you can keep the subframe on the tractor that is a big plus. The mid PTO might be a bit of a PITA but you only need to do that twice a year.

I want/need the FEL during the winter but not everyone has that need/desire. Frankly, the $$$ were a factor too. So far, the pull blower has worked well for my needs. Being retired, if the forecast is for more than 12" of snow I have time to blow it out twice. At 10" (max I have seen since getting the blower) the pull blower has had no issues. But I do not know any better either. My previous snow weapon was a plow truck and it was fast, until I would get it stuck. I have not got the tractor stuck...yet...LOL

 

[hayden]

Well then, you mainly need a pulling forward type snowblower.

one question on this... if I'm widening the travel path by cutting back the snow banks, I would be driving with one set of wheels in the snow bank, and the other set on the cleared path. That would place the tractor on an angle, and in turn it would place the blower on an angle. Wouldn't that prevent it from really cutting down the expanded width of the roadway? I occationally have this issue with the push-behind. Wouldn't this be worse with a pull-behind?

 

[JWR]

I don't know the geometry of your lane but I see no reason why that is worse with a pull behind. It MIGHT motivate you to buy a wider one that goes out wider than your tire track (?) Also using the pull type you should still have a loader bucket or front blade on the FEL to use assisting with the operation.

Whatever that angle of concern is would be the same angle with a front mounted blower wouldn't it?

 

[hayden]

Whatever that angle of concern is would be the same angle with a front mounted blower wouldn't it?

I think they are different. Pushing a blower, whether forwards or backwards, the cutting enters the material (snow in this case) level because the tractor wheels are level on the cleared roadway. And the cutting edge stays level as long as you fully cut down the material leaving a level roadway behind you for the wheels. It's just like running a dozer. You need to cut the material ahead of you to leave a level surface for the machine.

When pulling a blower the tractor will already be out of level before the blower starts to cut, so it will cut out of level. The only way to get a level cut is with a tilt. So in this respect I think push has an advantage over pull.

 

[JWR]

I don't follow that but my lack of understanding no doubt.

 

[shooterdon]

I think they are different. Pushing a blower, whether forwards or backwards, the cutting enters the material (snow in this case) level because the tractor wheels are level on the cleared roadway. And the cutting edge stays level as long as you fully cut down the material leaving a level roadway behind you for the wheels. It's just like running a dozer. You need to cut the material ahead of you to leave a level surface for the machine.

When pulling a blower the tractor will already be out of level before the blower starts to cut, so it will cut out of level. The only way to get a level cut is with a tilt. So in this respect I think push has an advantage over pull.

I agree with your assessment. But I have never encountered it.

On light snow falls, I use the front blade angled to the middle of the road to windrow the snow so there is enough for the blower to do its thing. One pass in both directions with the blade, then drive down the center with the blower. Keeps wear and tear on the blower down as well.

If over 4" of snow, I run the blower only.

I maintain a consistent "bank" on the edge of the road. The edge does not migrate in like plowing with the blade angled to move snow to the edge. I am either moving snow to the middle with the blade or blowing it out directly

I have a buddy with a plow truck as my back up or if am away on vacation. If he ended up narrowing the road, I would use the front blade to break down the edges and windrow to the center and blow. But i have not had that occur yet.