Help Needed for Snow Blower Use

[dfurn]

Good day, I have an L3600 with an LA680 loader. There was a 3 point hitch snow blower that I found in some long grass beside the barn, shortly after we moved into our farm. There are no markings that I can find on it, and the paint was pretty much not to be found. I cleaned it up and it all moves and functions fine. The problem I have now, is that I'm not really sure how to operate it once I have it hooked up to the L3600.

Could someone please provide me with some step by step instructions on how to operate the tractor when the blower is attached?

 

[gssixgun]

I have the same Tractor,,, and have a 60" blower for the back

Pics of your Blower ??? Size ??? PTO shaft is there ????

The L3600 makes short work of the Snow I get up here, if you do some searching on my user name here you will find some pics of the mine all hooked up...

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Short and simple if you have it all hooked up right:
Lower RPM's, Engage PTO, raise RPM's to level for 540 (look at the gage on dash) set it down, and back into the snow lift it up on any forward movement, you really don't need to lift it high and you don't need to disengage the PTO unless you want it stopped.

Things to never do!
Run into any solid objects (DUH), learn your sides and depth, Never blow snow towards people, animals, cars, houses, or anything that can get damaged or broken by the Ice, Rocks or other things that it might throw out of it.
Never get off the tractor with it running, Or at least be very, very careful if you need to check it for operation.
Don't blow into the wind...again(DUH)
Learn how to stop it in a big hurry (IE Emergency stop, either buy killing the tractor or stopping the PTO) I've had situations where things either come running at me or falling / rolling at me (dogs, kids, cars... The car one was fun...NOT)!

I love my snow blower it's a blast! Yep even when the blown snow is blowing back in my face it's so exhilarating...Ok maybe not that much!

 

[olthumpa]

NEVER NEVER put your hand in the discharge chute or auger with the tractor running. If it jams up, shut the tractor off and use a piece of wood to clean it out, do not put your hand inside it. I have a friend who is missing his left arm just below the elbow who can tell you in great detail why you never put your hand in side.

Assuming you have a large driveway:
Blow the snow "with" the prevailing wind not necessarily the direction the wind is coming from when you are blowing the snow unless the wind is too strong and you have to get out. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for drifting problems.

If one side of your driveway is lower than the other, blow the snow to the lower side. When it melts it will not be draining across your driveway.

 

[dfurn]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. I think I'll give it a try the next time it snows here.

 

[dfurn]

Wolfman, ok. Now for the really stupid question. I have it I engage the pto, increase the rpms, then do i just use the forward and reverse lever and the gear selector for the speed to start to move the tractor? I don't use the clutch, right?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Since you have a GST yes just use the shuttle lever and you'll be golden, that keeps the PTO at the right speed and you can still maneuver.
You will slam the PTO on and off if you use the clutch, Unless you have a 2 stage clutch and most newer GST's don't have 2 stage clutches, even my older one doesn't have one.
To check if you have a 2 stage clutch, engage the PTO, put trans in a low gear, engage the shuttle, (tractor is now moving and PTO spinning) push the pedal down 1/2 to 3/4 the tractor should stop moving and the PTO stay moving at full speed and not slowing down.

 

[dfurn]

Thanks for the help wolfman. I really appreciate it. Happy New Year.