Thoughts/Opinions on a Used Blower

[avc8130]

I'm looking to get a blower for my L45. I found this one a few hours from home. Anything stick out to anyone before I make the trek?

Thanks!

 

[rbargeron]

The pics show a little oil seepage at the shaft. Check that level is decent. If the shaft is wet it's possible its been run too low (unusual). Overall the machine looks like it's had an easy life. Little wear showing on impeller and auger. The chain is rusty but they are cheap and easy to replace. Hyd chute turner and deflector are nice to have - deflector is great when the snow needs to go somewhere specific.
Can the L45's swing circuit power another valve when BH is removed (like the L48)?

 

[droptop]

I used to have an AgroTrend a lot like that one (without the nice hydraulic chute). It was a great blower. The only thing that concerns me is the shaft for the auger drive is sticking out past the bearing quite a bit, it may be nothing but a loose coupling, but I'd want to check that out before spending $$. Other than that it looks like its in great shape.

How much were they asking for it?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Buy in the heat of the summer and buy something nice but used. Buy privately. A dealer knows what stuff goes for new and will always adjust nice stuff accordingly. By contrast, the private seller generally just goes by what he paid maybe years ago, maybe used. You can still get a lot of nice private $1000.00 cdn 6' blowers here in the summer. Smaller ones are going a bit faster. Have car warmed up and cash in hand. They never last long.

 

[PILOON]

All in all that looks to be in decent condition.
Nothing that routine maintenance won't bring up to snuff.
Chains, bearings and hose are minimal compared to buying a new blower.

That unit has 4 blade fan = good, wide fan = good and no fan damage.
Auger is in nice shape.
That blower had a nice life.

 

[JJT]

I have a 22 year old AgroTrend, 78" wide. It still performs as new. I use it at least 10 times a year on an 800' driveway. It's been problem free, in 22 years I've broken only 1 sheer bolt. The unit is built like a tank.

 

[avc8130]

The pics show a little oil seepage at the shaft. Check that level is decent. If the shaft is wet it's possible its been run too low (unusual). Overall the machine looks like it's had an easy life. Little wear showing on impeller and auger. The chain is rusty but they are cheap and easy to replace. Hyd chute turner and deflector are nice to have - deflector is great when the snow needs to go somewhere specific.
Can the L45's swing circuit power another valve when BH is removed (like the L48)?

Thanks for the tips. I'll take a really good look at that area. Are parts available for this thing? I can't find anything when I Google Agro Trend?

My plan is to try to use the Swing circuit to quick plumb in 2 valves. There is a pump and a return line. Is that enough? It must be as it works for the Backhoe, right?

 

[avc8130]

I used to have an AgroTrend a lot like that one (without the nice hydraulic chute). It was a great blower. The only thing that concerns me is the shaft for the auger drive is sticking out past the bearing quite a bit, it may be nothing but a loose coupling, but I'd want to check that out before spending $$. Other than that it looks like its in great shape.

How much were they asking for it?

Can you tell me which picture you are referencing?

$1500

 

[droptop]

I'm referring to the shaft in picture 3 that is sticking out about an inch past the bearing that holds the end of the shaft that goes from the gearbox to the drive gear for the auger chain, normally they are flush with the end of the bearing. This is probably the coupling being improperly seated on the gearbox and the drive sprocket also being offset. Shouldn't be an issue for the dealer to fix before you pick it up.

With the hydraulic chute, $1500 seems like a fair price.

You can also run both the cylinders off a single remote from the tractor if you add a electric diverter valve.https://www.amazon.com/HSV6-C-Hydraulic-Diverter-Selector-1-Spool/dp/B088JWFW93/ref=sr_1_47?crid=35T4E42NJ4RV9&dchild=1&keywords=diverter+valve+hydraulic&qid=1612832152&sprefix=diverter+valve+hy%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-47

 

[Industrial Toys]

Make sure the fan has nice tight clearance to the fan housing.

That shaft sticking out is probably just a concentric locking bearing or two bearings on the shaft that require repositioning. I once took a blower apart not knowing what those things were and totally destroyed the bearings.

On another point. Does anyone know why some blowers have such a deep housing and some are so shallow (like this one). Seems if the shallow ones work as good, why would you want the extra weight and size?

 

[avc8130]

Make sure the fan has nice tight clearance to the fan housing.

That shaft sticking out is probably just a concentric locking bearing or two bearings on the shaft that require repositioning. I once took a blower apart not knowing what those things were and totally destroyed the bearings.

On another point. Does anyone know why some blowers have such a deep housing and some are so shallow (like this one). Seems if the shallow ones work as good, why would you want the extra weight and size?

I guess I need to find a parts diagram to figure out how that is adjusted. I don't think the dealer will be fixing anything. It's an auction house. I'll be using it as negotiating.

Diverters seem to cost just as much as adding a second valve to the order and they all the complication of bringing in wiring and a switch. I'll likely just install 2 remotes off the backhoe swing pump circuit that isn't used with the hoe removed.

 

[crazyal]

Somewhere on that shaft should be a sheer bolt. I doubt it connects directly to the gearbox. Otherwise if the auger gets a rock stuck in it the gearbox would be destroyed. It looks like that's how the factory made it due to the amount of rust on it. Chances are the part that mounts onto the shaft coming out of the gearbox may not be slid on as far as it can. I would check the gearbox oil. Other than that if you're ok with the price then I would say I would go get it. Over all blowers aren't too complicated and can be repaired with common parts.

 

[CalG]

Make sure the fan has nice tight clearance to the fan housing.

Now that "advice" is just about worthless. WHAT is fellow going to do about "fan clearance"? Are you suggesting that wear had reduced the impeller fan diameter, or worn the housing walls? The pictures do not show a "worn out" piece of equipment.

Or are you just suspect of the manufacturers engineering without knowing anything about the blower's real world performance?

The things people think of. Do better... Lots of people read these topics.

 

[Industrial Toys]

NO, It's a from the factory issue and represents the difference between an efficient well working, far throwing blower and a mediocre one.

A thousand threads on here of people trying to correct a poor fan to housing tolerance. Best buy a good one fromt he start. Ability to blow far is often a valuable assett.

If that is "WORTHLESS" so be it.

 

[droptop]

. Are parts available for this thing? I can't find anything when I Google Agro Trend?

My local MF dealer had 15-20 new one's this fall. I know that the snowblower product line was sold off separate from the rest of AgroTrend after ArtsWay purchased AgroTrend about 8 years ago (apparently to get their other product lines).

I was able to find some current manuals and brochures on line at :
SNOWBLOWERS | Gingrich Reps

 

[avc8130]

My local MF dealer had 15-20 new one's this fall. I know that the snowblower product line was sold off separate from the rest of AgroTrend after ArtsWay purchased AgroTrend about 8 years ago (apparently to get their other product lines).

I was able to find some current manuals and brochures on line at :
SNOWBLOWERS | Gingrich Reps

Thank you!

 

[avc8130]

One question I do have is whether the chute rotator looks installed properly. I've never seen a setup like this with cables, but from the parts diagrams I can find it looks like the hydraulic cylinder maybe should have been along the back side instead of out front by the auger?

 

[devildog1]

Geez maybe I can't see but where are the 3 point pins for picking up snow blower?
DevilDog

 

[rbargeron]

Geez maybe I can't see but where are the 3 point pins for picking up snow blower?
DevilDog

Good eye ! pins appear to have been "borrowed". Common $7 part - example here.

 

[avc8130]

Good eye ! pins appear to have been "borrowed". Common $7 part - example here.

View attachment 685919

Yeah, that wasn't really a big deal to me. Local Tractor Supply will have them in stock.