My tractor/snowblower idea...

Merlin in Rushford · Feb 5, 2011

Hello, Neighbors!
When I have time to daydream about the best way to blow snow, I have come-up with the following concept:
Front-mount snowblowers are nice...but very expensive. Front-wheel assist tractors are nice...but also expensive. My idea is this...purchase an older four-wheel drive tractor, like a White 4-150, an IHC 2+2, or a Deere 8430, and either turn the cab around, or install a "flip-seat" and a second set of controls by the cab's rear window. This is commonly done in tractor-mounted back-hoes. This way, a farmer could have a heavy-duty, four-wheel-drive, "front" mounted snowblower without any expensive gearboxes or long drivelines. Also, it would have the benefit of the fan and radiator being well-behind the augers and fan (less likely to plug with snow).
What are your thoughts? I'd kind of like to buy me an old 4-150 and tinker with it! (But...I gotta finish the IHC S-100 project first!)
Have a great weekend!
Merlin in Rushofrd, MN

oldironman · Feb 5, 2011

Some guys have already done that.

Bob · Feb 5, 2011

That's EXACTLY what I am going to do with Versatile 300. It's a hydro, making for an even sweeter deal!

<img src = "http://www.dennispolk.com/equipment4sale/versatile300.JPG">

(NOT actual photo.)

Bryan inIowa · Feb 5, 2011

Hmm wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to get an old front end loader and run the blower off hydraulics . City here has two of them , one with a loader chute to load trucks right beside them . But I lik eyour idea

Adirondack case guy · Feb 5, 2011

Versitile/Ford already built a bidirectional. with hydro trans. It wasn't much of a field tractor, but they were pretty handy chore tractors, especially with a blower, or loader. There are several around here. These were much more compact than a 4-150 or a Snozz, so you wouldn'd have to worry about where your tail is all the while. Your cost will probably be less when all said and done, if you do get it done.

JayinNY · Feb 5, 2011

Sounds like something outta the farm show paper.

Bob · Feb 5, 2011

WHY do you speak of the bi-directionals in the past tense?

John M · Feb 5, 2011

Since Essex, anything is "in the past tense", even when brand new!

Anonymous-0 · Feb 5, 2011

A combine chassis might be a cheaper base to start with and the cab would already face the right way. There would be plenty of hydraulic power and maybe even a PTO-type shaft in about the right place.

A poster named Wardner on the IH board has done all sorts of things to those tractors, but one that comes to mind is an IH Fast Hitch on the front of a 400/450.

Having seen that, and knowing that bolt-on three-point hitches are available from a number of sources, a three-point hitch on the front of a tractor or combine chassis and a driveline for a snowthrower shouldn't be that much of a problem to rig up.

Mark - IN. · Feb 5, 2011

I'm not certain that the Case construction series tractors like 580C or 780C have a PTO or not, but with them, they alreay have a seat that spins around and rear controlls for the removable backhoe. I know that there are snowblowers for 3PT hitches. Seems to me like a pretty good start, although I could be wrong. Would not be the first time I've been wrong, nor will it be the last. As a matter of fact, some of my favorite tavern pickup lines are centered around "Hi, I'm Mark, I'm not perfect, I'm not going to lie to you about being perfect, let's dance...if your husband doesn't mind".

Mark

Bob · Feb 5, 2011

Here's what I did with a Deere 55 combine drive axle and LOTS of other parts back in '75-'76. I still have it but it's been out of service for a few years 'cause the Chevy 261 engine that moves it blew up. An IH V-8 runs the blower.

I've come to the point, with the heavy snows we've been having I want something BIGGER and faster and 4 X 4.

<img src = "http://www.gondtc.com/~blweltin/Bob/SnoBlo.JPG">

Anonymous-0 · Feb 5, 2011

Any idea how much it would cost and trouble to flip the cab around? Just having the seat turn around wouldn't help you very much since you still have to drive. Find an old forklift that was converted from a tractor with the steering and controls already reversed and use those controls on a tractor with a PTO. A seperate engine driven or PTO powered blower will have way more power than a hydraulic blower unless you spend big bucks to put in a high pressure, high flow hydraulic system with a big reservoir and a cooler to keep the oil from over heating. Dave

JMS/.MN · Feb 5, 2011

There are lots of reversed AC WD tractors around, used as loader tractors. Mine still has the pto on it, and could be used to power a blower on the loader arms. Would definitely want a cab on that, along with a restrictor on loader arm height.
Blower with its own engine would also work.

IOWA NORTHEAST · Feb 5, 2011

Mark, a majority of them have a automatic transmission that would be just like the Case-O-Matics were on power take off equipment. They are a great machine, just not well adapted to PTO.

IOWA NORTHEAST · Feb 5, 2011

Before you spend alot of money turnig things around, go the the local scrap yard, and watch how many combines come in for scrap with good power trains, hydrolics, tires, and hydrostatic drives. This has been done several times, with good results.

Avoid the older self propeled windrower units that had dolly wheels in the back, as often you are pushing real hard on one corner of the blower, and it is hard to keep it going straight.

BushogPapa · Feb 5, 2011

I can see it now...!!

Header pulling snow into the feeder house, Cylinder shooting snow out the TOP behind the cab, with an adjustable shute to direct the flying snow...!!
Wonder if the reel should remain..might help..
Might work..!!!

Maybe Winter has me falling one too many times..!!!

Ron.

Wardner · Feb 5, 2011

Here's the W-400 that usetobesteve mentioned. PTO comes from the rear. Front Fast Hitch goes hp and down.

<a href="http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r16/Wardner/?action=view&current=W-400086.jpg" target="_blank">

W-400086.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket

</a>

jm. · Feb 5, 2011

Mybe I am thinking all wrong but why not just move south..O forgot they have snow in dallas this weekend. Just kidding glad I do not see many snow blowers here in Tenn.

buickanddeere · Feb 5, 2011

Why reinvent the wheel?
Just put a snowblower on the rear three point hitch and move the snow. Or purchase a tractor with a front pto and front three point hitch.
European versions of North American tractors have had the option for decades.
You will spend more money to have less by cutting up a tractor and trying to reverse engineer it.

Bill(Wis) · Feb 5, 2011

The New Holland TV140 is made to order for you. Friend of mine has one with a big Buhler snowblower on one end and an enormous bucket on the other. Uses it to clear runways, taxiways and ramps at his airport. Used ones go for 45-50k.

billonthefarm · Feb 5, 2011

Hello there merlin! How is everything up your way? Glad to see you are still out and about!
My neck still hurts from this last snow!!!
bill

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