Today was my first chance to test out my tractor and snowblower on this Holliday storm. It was 70 deg here a few days ago so the ground isn't frozen yet making the first few inches straight slush. When I broke the tractor out I had a fresh 8" of heavy wet snow so I figured it would be a good test. Ohhh it was.... and to be quite honest I was disappointed.
My main reason I bought the tractor was to clear my driveway of snow. I got it for a hell of a deal considering how great of shape it was in, still has all of the original stickers everywhere and never stored outside. My father wanted me to get a BX but I couldn't justify spending that kind of money for something just to move snow. I'm second guessing myself now but I know I can get this old girl to chuck some snow, I hope!
Anyways here are my problems that most focus around my snowblower....
I could not get that Loftness snowblower to even throw a snow ball! In 2 seconds the chute would clog up tighter than a snow cone. I know it's heavy and sticky but I was at least hoping for a slight lob! The inside of the chute needs a good sanding and some sort of lube to smooth it out, I'll try a few things around the house. I may install some rubber blades on the edge of the fan blade, there is a 3/8 gap there and it hardens right up. Would that improve the fan's performance? Now I would think this tractor could power this blower enough to throw slush. My 36" Aireins will throw it, not too far but it throws it.
Not only does it not throw a snow flake, when it gets packed with slush the 3 point can't lift it. When it first happened I thought I blew something, but I think it's too heavy for the little tractor. When it happened I stopped, climed off, worked the handle (nothing), worked it again and gave it one finger strength pull on the link, it worked.
Seeing I couldn't get the blower to work for me I had to use the dozer blade. This old scag could push that heavy snow well as long as I had traction. I like it but the hydraulic movement is wayyyyy too slow. Now I'm thinking I have a hydraulic problem but remember I'm still a green horn with this thing. I changed the filter and hydro fluid when I bought it. Old stuff was still clean with a little milky residue.
My questions are.... Should the hydraulics move this slow, so slow it's almost useless in my book? Is the hydraulic pump on its way out? Could that cause loss of power to the 3 pt lift (it weighs 500lbs dry)? Will replacing pump with larger b8200 pump speed things up and give me some more lift power in the rear? Should I just sell it and go bigger?
Another reason that makes me think the pump is shot because of my chute rotator. When built it, I calculated everything for a 9 second 180 deg turn. It takes about 20 seconds. I checked my math 100 times over and can't find any mistakes. This is why I don't think it's flowing 3gpm.....
My main reason I bought the tractor was to clear my driveway of snow. I got it for a hell of a deal considering how great of shape it was in, still has all of the original stickers everywhere and never stored outside. My father wanted me to get a BX but I couldn't justify spending that kind of money for something just to move snow. I'm second guessing myself now but I know I can get this old girl to chuck some snow, I hope!
Anyways here are my problems that most focus around my snowblower....
I could not get that Loftness snowblower to even throw a snow ball! In 2 seconds the chute would clog up tighter than a snow cone. I know it's heavy and sticky but I was at least hoping for a slight lob! The inside of the chute needs a good sanding and some sort of lube to smooth it out, I'll try a few things around the house. I may install some rubber blades on the edge of the fan blade, there is a 3/8 gap there and it hardens right up. Would that improve the fan's performance? Now I would think this tractor could power this blower enough to throw slush. My 36" Aireins will throw it, not too far but it throws it.
Not only does it not throw a snow flake, when it gets packed with slush the 3 point can't lift it. When it first happened I thought I blew something, but I think it's too heavy for the little tractor. When it happened I stopped, climed off, worked the handle (nothing), worked it again and gave it one finger strength pull on the link, it worked.
Seeing I couldn't get the blower to work for me I had to use the dozer blade. This old scag could push that heavy snow well as long as I had traction. I like it but the hydraulic movement is wayyyyy too slow. Now I'm thinking I have a hydraulic problem but remember I'm still a green horn with this thing. I changed the filter and hydro fluid when I bought it. Old stuff was still clean with a little milky residue.
My questions are.... Should the hydraulics move this slow, so slow it's almost useless in my book? Is the hydraulic pump on its way out? Could that cause loss of power to the 3 pt lift (it weighs 500lbs dry)? Will replacing pump with larger b8200 pump speed things up and give me some more lift power in the rear? Should I just sell it and go bigger
?Another reason that makes me think the pump is shot because of my chute rotator. When built it, I calculated everything for a 9 second 180 deg turn. It takes about 20 seconds. I checked my math 100 times over and can't find any mistakes. This is why I don't think it's flowing 3gpm.....
