Snowblower Snowblower for Front End Loaders?

[rScotty]

It's been a while since I've looked, but my wife was asking if there was any snowblower attachment that will exchange with the quick-change front end bucket and I had to say I didn't know...Are there any?

We looked at lots of snowblowers: rear mount types and frame mount types, and garden tractor types and push types - and rejected them all for one reason or another.. I want to be able to look forward and blow snow off a mile of steep dirt road in the mountains. That's all. It doesn't seem unreasonable. We already have a 59 hp tractor with a skid steer type FEL and decent hydraulics. Now just need to find out what the options are.
Thanks, rScotty

 

[kennyd]

The determining factor is the available hydraulic flow at the front outlets, do you know what yours is rated at?

 

[rScotty]

The determining factor is the available hydraulic flow at the front outlets, do you know what yours is rated at?

There is a aux hydraulic coupler on the front loader arms of the Kubota M59 that is rated in the literature as being 16 GPM at 2800 psi. The sales literature says it is for Skid Steer type attachments like augers and sweepers....but the valve control in the cab seems to be extend/retract and doesn't have a hold down for constant flow. But I've heard people do use the ports for constant flow. Can't see why not.
What brands are you thinking of?
Thanks, rScotty

 

[lungdoc]

Most tractors don't have enough hydraulic flow to power the appropriate sized blower. Deere sells, and I believe a few others make, units with auxiliary PTO-powered hydraulic pumps to generate the needed hydraulic power. These units aren't cheap, the Deere one suitable for a 4x20 series tractor is circa 10 large.

 

[rScotty]

Yes, thank you LD. I had just come to about the same conclusion. That being to try a small size quick attach/front mounted/hydraulic drive snowblower in place of my bucket and see what happens. I am warned that if the 16 GPM @ 2800 psi from the Kubota is either anemic or more likely to be optomistic....as the skidloader attachment saleman keeps telling me it will be....then the answer is to build an oil reservoir to mount on the rear, slip a a PTO-driven hydraulic pump onto the PTO shaft, and use the pto to generate the large hydraulic flow. The PTO pumps made by Prince have an excellent reputation and cost about $600. Add a remote valve and a custom reservoir and I think I can just come in under a grand. And have a huge flow to run any type of gadget.
rScotty

Lets see...rule of thumb is about 1 hp to drive 1 GPM at 1500 psi. So I want to drive 30+ GPM at about 1000psi for a HSLT (high speed low torque) drive. Ok, fine... We've got the HP and to spare.
Now to find a little skid steer type snow blower.
Roger

Most tractors don't have enough hydraulic flow to power the appropriate sized blower. Deere sells, and I believe a few others make, units with auxiliary PTO-powered hydraulic pumps to generate the needed hydraulic power. These units aren't cheap, the Deere one suitable for a 4x20 series tractor is circa 10 large.

 

[JohninCT]

This is similar to what you're talking about with front mounted blower and rear mounted hyd tank and pump. This system preserves the 3 point hitch mount on the blower so it can still be mounted in the rear. You could build or buy a skid steer 3 point adaptor to mount the blower on your loader QA using the 3 point mount but still keeping the hydraulic drive.

Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer

3 point adaptor
Skid Steer Fixed 3-Point Adaptors

or you could go with one of these skid steer blowers. Mount directly to QA plate. The high flow models are pretty pricey though.

Skid Steer Snow Blowers

Snow Blower for Skidsteer / Skid Steer / Loader / Compact Tractor - Quick Snow-Away - fits Bobcat and most other brands - Attachments Direct, Inc.

 

[rScotty]

John, that does make sense. Very clever idea. I hadn't thought of using a 3pt blower mounted on a front loader QA plate. That sure makes sense

You know, I already have a 3pt adapter plate for the loader....should have thought of using it. This adapter is the SH35 unit made by Land Pride. Like the other implements I've bought from Land Pride, it is well made of good material, but needed a day or two welding and drilling before it fit as it was intended to. But I've done that so it's ready to go.
rScotty

This is similar to what you're talking about with front mounted blower and rear mounted hyd tank and pump. This system preserves the 3 point hitch mount on the blower so it can still be mounted in the rear. You could build or buy a skid steer 3 point adaptor to mount the blower on your loader QA using the 3 point mount but still keeping the hydraulic drive.

 

[JohninCT]

Since you've got a 3 point adaptor already, you could get yourself a 3 point blower and rig up a hydraulic drive yourself using one of these

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

with your 16 gpm flow you should get about 600 RPM with this size motor. It already has a PTO spline shaft, so all you would need to do is fabricate a mounting bracket on your 3 point adaptor for the hydraulic motor.

 

[Charlesaf3]

argghhh! my post got lost.

So again shorter. I think you are making it too hard on yourself.

The m59 runs skidsteer motor stuff fine off the front - anything standard flow should work. If I can run ground engaging hydor motors like the harley rake off it, I don't see how a skidsteer blower running fluffy colorado snow would have any problem. Try before you buy if you can, but if I found a used skidsteer snowblower cheap I'd buy it without a thought.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Also, messicks wired up both skidsteer electric power and controls to the front (harley rake angles with electric over hydro) and a toggle alternate to the joystick buttons for long runs. Not a big deal to put in.

One of the big selling points of the m59 to my mind, that doesn't get enough press, is that you can run it like a big, stable comfortable skidsteer. I often do, and its something I don't think any other tractor can do.

 

[ToadHill]

I made an attachment that I mounted on the bucket of my old Oliver OC3. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures but it was a blower with a small 4 cylinder gas auto engine that drove the blower. With a little experimenting I found the proper speed to run the engine, and just mounted it on a metal plate welded to the blower. It was far from beautiful but it worked well. It went when I sold the Oliver.

 

[rScotty]

Charles, that's just what my number one plan is. As you say, the M59 will probably run a snowblower fine just as it is. I guess I could rent a blower from one of the skidsteer outfits and give it a try, but knowing myself I'll probably just buy a used one when it comes up.

I absolutely agree on the M59 not getting enough press. It continues to amaze me and it also amazes my buddies with their big Case TBLs. But the M59 is in sort of an odd category because Kubota isn't known for their construction equipment...or at least I haven't much. The JD TBL is the only thing close, but it is just a bit smaller and not so many features. Nice machine, though....I like those too.

Another option that someone mentioned is to just buy a snowblower that has an automotive engine mounted right on it for power. Then slide the whole kit into that huge 7' bucket on the M59, chain it down, and off we go to throw some snow. With the load-handling capacity of the M59, that isn't as crazy as it sounds.
rScotty

One of the big selling points of the m59 to my mind, that doesn't get enough press, is that you can run it like a big, stable comfortable skidsteer. I often do, and its something I don't think any other tractor can do.

 

[Charlesaf3]

well, not so much that the m59 doesn't get press in general, but that people don't realize what a useful rough terrain skidsteer substitute it is.

engine in bucket would lift fine, but seems like a lot more hassle. Just saw a 74" snowblower for a skidsteer on craigslist for 2k - that'd just take 30 seconds to hook on with the QA and front remotes and away you go. Renting one would be great - that would show whether it worked. But I'd be shocked if it didn't.

one thing - I find running hydro motors on the front works best if I run full throttle - 2900 or so.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Just use a standard flow skidteer blower. Your 16 gpm at 2800 psi is going to give you @ 25hp to run the blower. Couple switches and a plug by the couplers and your good to go.
A bobcat 773 is 16.9 at 3000 and runs a blower fine.

The only downside to renting or picking up a used one is that we have 5 different fan motors volumes we use for machines with flow rates between 13 and 24 gpm, to tune our blowers within our standard flow blower line. This tuning allow us to keep fan rpm close to ideal.
So if you buy a used blower try to find one that was set up for a machine with simular flow
Erskine now also offers pto driven hydraulic power packs to run skidsteer blowers if your tractor does not have the flow to run a blower in 15 20 and 24gpm.

Ken

 

[Charlesaf3]

Thats interesting on the fans ken, thanks, didn't know that.

If I bought one new I'd play it safe and get it for 13 gpm probably - nice to have a margin.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Thats interesting on the fans ken, thanks, didn't know that.

If I bought one new I'd play it safe and get it for 13 gpm probably - nice to have a margin.

Specing a motor for a lower flow would result in running the fan at a higher rpm while running the engine at the rpm it was spec'd 16 gpm at, but with less torque.
So in theory it would throw snow farther but the sytem would go to maximum or relief pressure with a lighter load. Then the fans rpm would drop quickly making it easier to stall out.
It may also shorten the motors life if it is not spec'd for the volume it is actually receiving and you hydraulic pump would see more time at higher pressures.
The only way I would recomend this is if you're certain you don't want to run your engine above a certain rpm and therefore would not be pumping over 13 gpm. As a result you would be giving up potential hp for the blower.

16 gpm at 2800 psi is 31 hp but 13 gpm at 2800 psi is only 25 hp. That is the max draw a pump of those sizes will put on your engine. Now if your tractorcould pump 40 gpm at 2800 psi then you would have up to 77 hp to put to a blower. This is where you here about hyd blowers needing big pumps. Bigger flow and or higher pressure will allow more engine power to go to the blower.
This is also where a pto blower has somewhat of an advantage, it has 100% of the engines power available, where most hydraulic pumps are not designed to draw everything the engine has. But at the same time you don't need all the power unless blowing conditions are tough, (also you need some power left to drive the tires) , and if they are too tough then you need to slow down which is when a hst transmission better lends itself to snow blowing too.
Hope that helps.
Ken

 

[Charlesaf3]

yeah. I was thinking 13 would let you run it at lower rpm, and make up for the qc drag on flow - I have a feeling our 16 is theoretical, and 13 is a "safe" number, and would leave room for power to the wheels (m59 is HST)

Best of all would be if someone actually slapped a hydro flow meter on an m59 in low gear moving along at 2600 rpm or some such. That would be an interesting piece of data.

Tough thing is hydro flow meters cost a lot.

 

[skidsteer.ca]

yeah. I was thinking 13 would let you run it at lower rpm, and make up for the qc drag on flow - I have a feeling our 16 is theoretical, and 13 is a "safe" number, and would leave room for power to the wheels (m59 is HST)

If the 16 gpm is a spec, that machine should not have trouble making that volume, unless the pump is defective.
You still can run the engine slower if you like, it would just shorten the cast distance ofthe blower, (same a pto driven one)

Best of all would be if someone actually slapped a hydro flow meter on an m59 in low gear moving along at 2600 rpm or some such. That would be an interesting piece of data.

Now a flow meter is the best way to prove the pump volume. Most local hydraulic shops have these for testing purposes, plumbing it into your front couplers and testing the volumes at various pressures should not take more then 30 minutes. The expense would be minimal if there is some question.

Tough thing is hydro flow meters cost a lot.

I see some for as little as $400 if mem serves.

We still always set a blower up for the max available flow. Running less flow will only reduce the performance, overflowing it can be expensive. The two hydraulic motors are @ 1600.00 alone.
Ken

 

[Charlesaf3]

We still always set a blower up for the max available flow. Running less flow will only reduce the performance, overflowing it can be expensive. The two hydraulic motors are @ 1600.00 alone.

Now THAT is great info, case closed.

 

[Timbuk2]

Am wondering if you ever put that skid steer snow blower on the front of your M59.
We have an FFC 72" snow blower for 14-21GPM, and are considering purchasing the M59 TLB because it appears to be able to handle that level of blower. Would love to hear your input if you tried it out!
John
c. Massachusetts

Charles, that's just what my number one plan is. As you say, the M59 will probably run a snowblower fine just as it is. I guess I could rent a blower from one of the skidsteer outfits and give it a try, but knowing myself I'll probably just buy a used one when it comes up.

I absolutely agree on the M59 not getting enough press. It continues to amaze me and it also amazes my buddies with their big Case TBLs. But the M59 is in sort of an odd category because Kubota isn't known for their construction equipment...or at least I haven't much. The JD TBL is the only thing close, but it is just a bit smaller and not so many features. Nice machine, though....I like those too.

Another option that someone mentioned is to just buy a snowblower that has an automotive engine mounted right on it for power. Then slide the whole kit into that huge 7' bucket on the M59, chain it down, and off we go to throw some snow. With the load-handling capacity of the M59, that isn't as crazy as it sounds.
rScotty