Can anyone identify this model snowblower

[TDean]

I recently picked up this 48" snowblower in working condition with the front PTO assembly and hydraulic piston (for raise and lower) but I can't find any model numbers on it. I'm pretty confident that it's a genuine Kubota (¿Snowcaster?) Due to the idiot labels(warning labels) and the small, vintage kubota stickers that have been painted over. I'd love to get the factory manual for it.

 

[Dave_eng]

I think it is a unit McKee Brothers made for Kubota. I was made to be either 3 pt hitch driven or front mount.

If front mount there was a chain and two sprockets to lower the blower speed from the mid pto rpm's of 2,200 down to 540.

The main gears will be open style running dry. They last forever.
I do not think Kubota kept the unit in their parts inventory.

Almost all parts are readily available.

It looks like the fan is bent.

Forum member Torch has a manual. You will find the part numbers still exist in the Kubota system but have been assigned to completely different stuff so very misleading.

Dave

 

[TDean]

Dave, thanks for bringing that to my attention, I'll have to inspect the impeller blades a little further once I get into repairing the actual blower unit. Right now I'm working on cleaning up the mounts and front PTO. I'm also trying to figure out some type of quicker release for the blower unit, so I can switch back and forth between the plow and blower. Any ideas?

 

[Deuce]

I'm not sure if thats the 2 stage for the b-100 series or the newer b-200 series. Its a snowblower, the snow caster is a single stage which doesn't have the impeller. Do you have a picture of the front pto assembly? That may help identify which series its for.

Also is the framework removed from it in those photos? For the b-100 it would have a small framework to allow it to be bolted to the front of the tractor.

If not your best bet would probably be to fab something up to use the framework from the plow since unfortunately nothing from back then was quick unless it involved the 3 point hitch

 

[TDean]

I'm pretty confident that Dave was on point in that it's a McKee, I will have to get pictures of the mount when I get a chance to loosely assemble the mount, I think it will be easier to see what I'm working with, but in brain storming this morning, I actually think the tractor side mount for the snow blower is more like the older Fischer plow mounts than the current plow setup that I have (off the top of my head I think it's a 2019 model) the only problem I can see is lifting and lowering the plow. The current lift/lower is controlled via a linkage to the 3 or hitch, and it has a hydraulic angle using 1 piston vs. The blower which uses a piston. I'll try and get pictures tomorrow.
I appreciate all the help.

 

[torch]

Forum member Torch has a manual. You will find the part numbers still exist in the Kubota system but have been assigned to completely different stuff so very misleading.

Unfortunately the front mount blower manual I have is for the B2550, which is completely different. It has 2 auger half-axles driven by a gear box mounted after the impeller, like so:

The OP's mystery blower seems to have 1 full length auger axle, driven by a chain on one side. It actually looks more similar to my B2789 (3ph mounted) in design:

Rumour is that the B2789 was made by RAD Industries in Quebec (who specialize in making branded implements for other manufacturers) so maybe the mystery blower was their front-mount version. But I cannot confirm any of that, and Kubota is rumoured to have used other companies as well.

 

[Deuce]

If you look up the B222 snow blower it looks nearly identical to the blower Dean has. Im not terribly familiar with the model but most I've seen on quick lookup come set up to be ran off the 3 point hitch /rear pto. Now I'm not sure if there was an option (or different model#) for the B222 to be front mounted.

Here is a listing to an auction thats over, but has some good photos of the B222 in rear mount form.

Kubota B222 PTO Snow Blower Attachment 4' Wide

Lot 232 at Balmer Bros. Concrete Retirement Auction Day 1 from B.I.C. Auctions, Inc..

www.bidspotter.com

 

[torch]

Interesting -- the tag says "made in Canada". So it was made for Kubota, not by Kubota.

 

[torch]

This link seems to confirm it was made by McKee Brothers:

McKee Brothers Snowblower Information

www.mytractorforum.com

And this link says McKee Brothers snowblower division was purchased by John Deere:

We used to make things in this country. #283: McKee Brothers Ltd., Elmira, Ontario

progress-is-fine.blogspot.com

 

[Dave_eng]

The open style gear design used by McKee on models for Kubota and John Deere continues today in new models made by Farm King.

Dave

 

[RCW]

Like torch - - I read years ago that at least some Kubota Snowblowers were made in Canada by RadTech.

Not saying it's not a McKee, but this new model looks close too.

https://jswoodhouse.com/brochures/BerVac BlizzardSnowBl.pdf

One thing I notice is that impellor housing has the "interrupted" circular radius from 270-360 degrees, same as torch's pics.

Maybe torch's pics are RadTech, and OP's is McKee?

 

[torch]

Kubota Canada does not have a parts listing for the B-222, but does have one for the L-221. According to one of the links I posted earlier, the bulk of the blower is the same, differing only in mount/PTO bits.

 

[kubotasam]

Defiantly a Kubota B-222 made by McKee. I had one on the back of a B7100 for many years. Worked great almost never clogged no matter how wet the snow. I have a PDF copy of the manual. Pictures are very bad but you can read the text.
The manual from Kubota calls it a "Rotary Snowplow".

I recently picked up this 48" snowblower in working condition with the front PTO assembly and hydraulic piston (for raise and lower) but I can't find any model numbers on it. I'm pretty confident that it's a genuine Kubota (¿Snowcaster?) Due to the idiot labels(warning labels) and the small, vintage kubota stickers that have been painted over. I'd love to get the factory manual for it. View attachment 49132 View attachment 49133 View attachment 49134 View attachment 49135 View attachment 49136 View attachment 49137

 

[skeets]

The knowledge in here is mind blowing to say the least !!!