Snowblowing rules of thumb

[David Devuono]

Interesting reading about the shear pins. The driveway to my camp is 1300 feet and tree lined. All kinds of tree limbs fall on the road every storm. Having built my own snowblower which has no auger (just a beater bar in front of the impeller), I sort of built the impeller strong enough to to act as a wood chipper. Now I am wondering if I am risking my tractor (very small 12HP Kubota) if I bite something too big. I have 2 bolts 5/16" diameter bolting the impeller to the shaft. Perhaps I should remove one? In the video the beater bar did chuck out one stick and I wisely stopped for a large branch at the end. The beater bar has one 5/16 bolt, all grade 5. Problem will be in deeper snow when you can't see the sticks.

YouTube - Homemade Single Stage Snowblower 4

 

[smfcpacfp]

I would like to see a front view of your blower.

 

[David Devuono]

front view

 

[smfcpacfp]

Is that bar across the front some kind of bracing?