Converting front mount to 3 pt snowblower

[mc84721]

Hi all, found a good deal on a brand new front mount 60" Kubota snowblower. Mounts and PTO have been robbed off of it. Price is very reasonable. Questions are..

would this rotate the correct direction if moved to the back of the tractor?

Would this originally have been 1000 rpm if it ran off the mid PTO?

I can weld, machine and have a well equipped shop so it shouldntbe a huge deal for me to do. I could be into everything for under $500. Tractor is a L2350.

 

[RCW]

Betting the PTO had a smaller sprocket, and the larger sprocket used to be for reducing RPM from whatever the mating tractor mid-PTO was (some are 2,000 RPM?), down to something more 540-compatible.

My blower has a similar system, but shafts are vertical to each other as opposed to horizontal.

So, 2 sprockets of the same size should work, I think. I also think rotation direction should be okay.

 

[kubotasam]

That looks like a Kubota B222 Snowblower. Made by a company from Canada called McKee if I recall correctly. They were sold as either front mount with the sprocket gear reduction or as rear mount with direct drive from the pto shaft to the impeller shaft. The interesting thing is the open bevel gears (no gear box) that drive the impeller. Look up under the back to see the gears. If they are not in good shape you have a hard time finding replacements. I have a pdf copy of the manual if you need it. Very poor quality but better than nothing.

 

[mc84721]

That looks like a Kubota B222 Snowblower. Made by a company from Canada called McKee if I recall correctly. They were sold as either front mount with the sprocket gear reduction or as rear mount with direct drive from the pto shaft to the impeller shaft. The interesting thing is the open bevel gears (no gear box) that drive the impeller. Look up under the back to see the gears. If they are not in good shape you have a hard time finding replacements. I have a pdf copy of the manual if you need it. Very poor quality but better than nothing.

Ah I used to have an old McKee with those open bevel gears. They were fine and everything worked, but they always made worry how long they would last without lubrication. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[kubotasam]

I also worried about it. However I used one for years and it never failed.

 

[Dave_eng]

A current manufacturer of snow blowers still uses the open gears.

Farm King.

The open gears will last forever. My friend who had a B7100 since the 1980's ran his open gear McKee/kubota orange at a higher rear pto speed than 540, perhaps close to 800 rpm

Dave

 

[D245T]

That looks like a Kubota B222 Snowblower. Made by a company from Canada called McKee if I recall correctly. They were sold as either front mount with the sprocket gear reduction or as rear mount with direct drive from the pto shaft to the impeller shaft. The interesting thing is the open bevel gears (no gear box) that drive the impeller. Look up under the back to see the gears. If they are not in good shape you have a hard time finding replacements. I have a pdf copy of the manual if you need it. Very poor quality but better than nothing.

Hi Sam, would you still have a copy of this manual? If so would I be able to have a copy?
Thanks
Shawn
(MOD EDIT no open emails on forum, PM for contact)

 

[Thunder Fish]

Hope this helps.

 

[D245T]

Hope this helps.

That’s fantastic, thanks. I am trying to see how much free play is supposed to be on “drive chain” that is on left side of blower while sitting on tractor front mount. If this makes sense? Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That’s fantastic, thanks. I am trying to see how much free play is supposed to be on “drive chain” that is on left side of blower while sitting on tractor front mount. If this makes sense? Thanks

I have a very similar designed snow blower, the side chain ( that runs the augers) is tensioned with the idle sprocket, you should be able to move the chain up and down about an inch, I've had mine much looser and it has never come off.

 

[D245T]

I have a very similar designed snow blower, the side chain ( that runs the augers) is tensioned with the idle sprocket, you should be able to move the chain up and down about an inch, I've had mine much looser and it has never come off.

View attachment 143768

Thanks, I have been running the blower for years very loose as well. I was just curious what is proper. My older sprocket is worn. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to look like !

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks, I have been running the blower for years very loose as well. I was just curious what is proper. My older sprocket is worn. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to look like !

If the tips of the sprockets are pointed or hook shaped then they are worn.
But it is amazing how worn a sprocket can be before it's really an issue.

 

[kubotasam]

Hi Sam, would you still have a copy of this manual? If so would I be able to have a copy?
Thanks
Shawn
(MOD EDIT no open emails on forum, PM for contact)

 

[D245T]

Thank you!