Snowblower Questions

[djsch]

I'm thinking of buying a new Cub Cadet 3204 with a snowblower. I live in South Dakota and we get some wet slushy crud here at least once a year. The 3204 has a dual belt drive from the engine down to the front PTO like my old BOLENS HT23 tractor does. On the BOLENS, I've always had trouble with belt slippage in wet and slushy conditions. This has caused the chute to plug frequently in slush. Has anyone had any problem with belt slippage or chute clogging on the 3204?

Also, my old Bolens would let me apply a little down pressure if the blower started riding over the packed stuff. Does the Cub allow downpressure or do you have to depend completely on the weight of the blower?

Last, to save my concrete, I'd like to plow without chains. Any luck working with just weights? Is a differential lock available?

Thanks for any feedback anyone can give...

 

[ducati996]

djsch,

A few post down I asked some similair application questions regarding a 3204 & Blower. I have a 3204 & Blower but I just got everything attached for this year (havent used it yet) I cant wait actually !! CGS had replied with pictures and detailed actual operation responses. The weight of the unit
most definately would apply down force. Its 250 Lbs and I can move it myself but prefer a dollie. Its Hydrolic lifted so it appears you can apply some down force as well...I really dont think you would have any belt slippage issue with the way the PTO belt is set up...I suggest chains however and wheel weights even though I havent used this machine for snow yet, I can tell and from experience from my older Cub 125, chains and wheel weights just make it a unstopable machine in the snow. The 3204 weighs close to 800 lbs, but you will still need chains & weights...The 3235 has the differential option only (not offered on 3204) and a bigger engine (25 HP). It also has a much bigger price tag, and based on just those options I cant justify such a price gap with such few differences. Thats just my opinion of course, but if it was water cooled or diesel than it would be worth it...
In general I asked this question before I purchased the Blower, on a few forums besides this one and got 100 % feedback all positive....If this price tag doesnt upset you, you will be very happy...
Keep us posted either way...

Ducati996

 

[djsch]

On my old tractor (BOLENS HT 23) the snowblower weighs 500 lb. and it doesn't hesitate to ride up over the snow at times. I live in SD and the snow gets pretty hard after a good blizzard. The old tractor also has a very similar PTO setup with 3 matched belts instead of 2 and I had a lot of trouble with belt slippage - mostly when the snow is very wet or its actually slush. And when the belts slip, the chute plugs, and you might as well just use it as a dozer. Cub has done things a little different though. My old tractor used the belts as the clutch and a spring provided the tension. On the CC the tension is adjusted by an idler (right?) and the clutch is electronic? Also on the old rig the PTO pulley was only slightly larger than the engine pulley. I think the CC uses a bit bigger pulley on the PTO shaft? So it may work better ... but I'm still a skeptic until I hear from someone who's actually used one in wet snow.

I just discovered that the 25 HP has the differential lock. I think that it may be worth while in my situation. My driveway is a bit steep!

Thanks for the info.

 

[ducati996]

djsch,

You can find comments and feedback right under your nose..
There is another post that I started under "snow thrower on a 3000" you cant miss the post..

CJS provide pictures, as well as details, if that dosent sell you, nothing will...there is 2 other forums that have feedback from my posts- all positive, none negative

My older 125 w/ a 42 inch handled slush decently, and never climbed over the snow, and only slipped when a newspaper jammed the auger.. The 45" thrower is almost 50% heavier, so i'm confident climbing is not an issue..
Yes it has not seen snow yet, but I'll be happy to blow the horn when it does...read some of the posts I specifically started regarding the 3204

Good luck