Snowblower size question

[check]

When I posted 5 pto horsepower per lineal foot of blower width as the rule of thumb. I meant that as being able to remove snow in a timely manner, In reality, you can use any width of blower you want to so long as the 3ph can pick it up. Having said that, I for one don't want to spend a protracted amount of time removing snow, especially with an open station and freezing my tail off (not that I do because I have a cab unit), but snow removal for me isn't something I look forward to. I want to get it handled as quickly as possible and retire to the warm house.

Blowing or plowing snow for me ranks low on my list of 'to do' stuff.

Thanks for that clarification, 5030. I have a 54” blower on the rear of my Kubota BX25 with only 17.7 PTO HP. It runs great, casts the snow far, and I have only gotten the chute plugged once. So I seem to have more than enough PTO horsepower.

 

[CobyRupert]

When I posted 5 pto horsepower per lineal foot of blower width as the rule of thumb. I meant that as being able to remove snow in a timely manner, In reality, you can use any width of blower you want to so long as the 3ph can pick it up. Having said that, I for one don't want to spend a protracted amount of time removing snow, especially with an open station and freezing my tail off (not that I do because I have a cab unit), but snow removal for me isn't something I look forward to. I want to get it handled as quickly as possible and retire to the warm house.

Blowing or plowing snow for me ranks low on my list of 'to do' stuff.

An 8 foot blower in conditions that require you to go 1/2 the speed of a 4’ blower is using the same amount of horsepower and time to clear an area. All other factors being equal, like number of turn around or “dry runs”, etc..
When it’s a smaller storm where the speed isn’t limited by available horsepower, the 8’ will rule.

 

[5030]

Not taking into account fuel usage. The harder the engine works the more fuel consumed and blowers in general are power hungry implements, especially in heavy wet snow.

In heavy snow and drifts, I can make my 85 horse pto Kubota bark fairly easily. Why I prefer using the front plow first and if it gets to be too much, I turn around and blow it off. So long as I maintain a bit of speed, the plow will get 90% of it and consume much less diesel for an equal amount of snow displacement.

Like I said, snow removal for me is not a high priority thing and lately, we might have one big dump and that's it and it's most times in late winter, early spring anyway. No snow cover here now at all which is pretty typical. It's very cold however. Mercury is hovering arounnd 9 degrees (f).

Actually, I'm good with no snow and frigid temps. Kills the overwintering larva in the soil and reduces my need for chemicals during the growing season. My big nemisis here are potato leaf hoppers. They can decimate an alfalfa field in a matter of hours and I have to be very careful what I apply to eradicate them without harming the alfalfa plants. The one specific chemical I use is also very expensive so a good hard freeze eliminates the bulk of the leaf hoppers and lessens my use of the expensive chemical. I'm good with that.

 

[RjCorazza]

Everyone's needs are different ie: 8' Lanes, 20' roadways, large open area yards, etc
For my needs, covering my tractor width is more than wide enough for a blower or plow (when angled). I generally blow or plow in a driveway, do the turnaround, and blow or plow out. Having a larger than 6' blower or 7' plow is not going to increase my efficiency at all on my 8-9' wide driveways.
That's just for my use... I guess I'm just saying that wider is not always better.