Snowblower - snowplow

[rbertalotto]

I live up here on the Atlantic coast in New England. We get a lot of 2-4" heavy wet snow storms. This kind of stuff just clogs up a snow blower.

I recently bought a sett of tire chains for my 9.5HP / 28" snow blower and was impressed on how much more "push" it had with the chains.

I thought a small snow plow for the wet stuff might work out great. So last night I rummaged around in the junk pile and whipped up this snow plow that attaches to the front of the snow blower. It pivots right or left, and totally upright and stores out of the way of the blower. The extra weight on the blower might help its performance also. The blade is 36"w X 11"h





Now I can't wait for the next snowfall...........Although it worked great in the back-yard in about 6" of old snow.............

[MTBob]

Good job, looks professional. We get a bunch of snow here (MT) and I plow with a blade and a blower on an old Massey tractor. My blade is effectively the same design as yours. On occasion, when the snow is deep or too wet, the snow will cake up on the front of the blade and fall over the back. You may find you need panels on the top of the blade to stop the slop from coming over the top, but that can really add a load of weight to the blade & machine. If you can kick the blade at an angle, it may allow the snow to discharge to the side. But that puts side pressure on your wheels and can move the whole machine at an angle. Just try it, see what works & doesn't, and adjust accordingly.
Or... adopt my philosophy... eventually it will quit snowing and melt... it's just a matter of time.

[metalmeltr]

Great plow, be aware that ice and gravel will take a toll n the blade as far as paint is concerned. Coud you post a picture of it mounted on the snow blower? How bjg is your driveway?

[rbertalotto]

Thanks,

I'll post pictures on the snowblower at the next storm.

My driveway is only 70' x 30'. A very easy driveway to plow.

[fjk]

I live up here on the Atlantic coast in New England. We get a lot of 2-4" heavy wet snow storms. This kind of stuff just clogs up a snow blower.
...

I thought a small snow plow for the wet stuff might work out great.

Great minds think alike... Or something like that...
After last weekend's storms, and after the shear bolt sheared and
jammed in the shaft and i couldn't get it out and then when i did get
it out, found I didn't have a replacement... I've been thinking
along the same lines...

It looks pretty good.

How do you attach it to the blower?

Frank

[MTBob]

Just a thought - could you fill your wheels with fluid to gain more weight on the driving wheels? Perhaps a tractor implement dealer would do that, like they do for larger tractors. Or, you may be able to add wheel weights. Anything you can do to grab more traction will help move that wet snow.

[rbertalotto]

These wheels are a bit to small for calcium chloride to make much of a weight difference. But I have a few hundred pounds of lead wheel balancing weights. I'm going to make a form and cast some lead weights that fit into the recess of the hubs. Should add about 50 pounds per wheel.

[DrBob]

Great Job RA!

Could you post a quick pic showing how the plow is mounted to the Snowblower?
For newbies like me could you comment on how you formed the blade and what sheet/plate you started with? I would love to add something like that to my 28" Ariens snowblower. Thanks, DrBob

[rbertalotto]

I sure will. I'll do a little "how to" tonight with a picture of it mounted on the blower

[DrBob]

Thanks Roy! Here I was thinking your name was "Robert Alotto" (a very handsome name, Robert, don't you think
It turns out you're Ray Bertalotto. Another theory down in flames!
DrBob (LOL)