Snow Snowblower Conversion

JWR · May 1, 2017

I remember your earlier thread (with the very long driveway, etc.) I still feel doing your first pass downhill using the front mount blade is your best shot. Keeping the blower on the back is great for weight balance AND for many spots where the bower is just the right tool. I agree -- get the FEL mounted blade. Declare victory.

bdhsfz6 · May 2, 2017

JWR said:
I remember your earlier thread (with the very long driveway, etc.) I still feel doing your first pass downhill using the front mount blade is your best shot. Keeping the blower on the back is great for weight balance AND for many spots where the bower is just the right tool. I agree -- get the FEL mounted blade. Declare victory.

The FEL mounted blade also has a longer reach which will help keep me out of the ditch. Might not need the winch for pulling myself out as discussed in an earlier thread.

Orebonder · Feb 19, 2021

bdhsfz6 said:
I just noticed the recent addition to my original post.

I got through the winter, including the 30" March blizzard we had, using my rear mount Woods SS74. It took a while but my stiff neck is finally gone. I appreciate all the advice and info provided in this thread. A PTO hydro powered front blower looks to be too costly to construct but I like the idea of a self powered unit. The only question is, if I fabricate the rig myself, how much HP would be required to spin a 74" blower in deep snow?

BoylermanCT makes a good point about the cost of buying a ready made self powered blower or building one myself. For the same $$ I might be able to get a smaller used tractor with a front mount blower.

I learned something this past winter that actually made me rethink the front blower issue. I mainly use it to blow back the snow piles along the side of the road when they get too high. When that happens, I can't push the snow over them with my pickup plow and the road narrows. During the March blizzard, my friend from across the valley came over with his L3830 to help. He has a 90" FEL mounted front blade which was much more task efficient. I was surprised at how high he was able to pile snow! Working at a 45 degree angle to the road, he pushed back the banks almost twice as fast as the blower moved them. The section he did looked pretty ratty buy hey, it got the road open!

I can get a FEL blade for <2k (I already have a 3rd function kit) and with the 74" blower on the rear, I'd have a pretty good working solution. I may just go that route.

I made my own blade

arto98607 · Feb 19, 2021

We had total of about four inches of snow fall last week and I was watching when a young neighbor was using his brand new tractor to scrape & push the snow off his long private driveway asphalt pavement!
The edge of the bucket was screeching and scratching as he drove away.

Did not say anything but thought he should have left it alone because two days later it would have thawed anyway.

Lot of wear in the bucket & pavement for nothing at all!

JWR · Feb 19, 2021

arto98607 said:
We had total of about four inches of snow fall last week and I was watching when a young neighbor was using his brand new tractor to scrape & push the snow off his long private driveway asphalt pavement!
The edge of the bucket was screeching and scratching as he drove away.

Did not say anything but thought he should have left it alone because two days later it would have thawed anyway.

Lot of wear in the bucket & pavement for nothing at all!

We have state and county road departments doing that all over the country. Almost universally scraping pavement where and when there is NO reason to do so and damaging pavement while needlessly wearing out equipment. Of course it is important (and greatly appreciated) when and where needed. The other behavior is irresponsible, at times infuriating, and an example of careless use of other peoples money. Be nice to see better training and maybe an incentive program for snowplow drivers. It won't ever happen of course.