widening a snow blower

[Stomper]

I wasn't sure if I should put this here or the snow removal section. Being it's an attachment question, I put it here. Throughout the winter I have been using my FEL for plowing and moving snow instead of my PTO blower because I can move more snow faster. Average snows here are usually less than 5" so the FEL works better. Having said that we have gotten a lot of snow this year and now I have huge 6' piles of snow all over that I would like to blow further into the bush before it starts to warm up and melt. I gave the blower a try today for this and it moves a lot of snow and will work great. I was surprised that it cut right through the hard pile with ease. Problem is, my tractor width is 60" and my blower width is only 50". As soon as my tires hit the 5" per side that the blower didn't get, I start to spin. Has anyone tried to add "wings" or something to widen the blower and help direct the snow towards the auger to help solve this problem.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

A lot of three point blowers come with wings, I have them on mine.

Depending on the model they either make a set of factory wings or you could make them yourself.

 

[Stomper]

Looks easy enough to build. Does the widening cause any issues in hard packed snow, being that they are cutting the hard packed snow several inches before the auger.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea they are a little tougher to use with hard pack.
But if they are built heavy enough and you've got enough tractor pushing them they work.

 

[200mph]

Stomper,

I made a set of wings for my 72" blower and documented the build here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/390742-snowblower-wings-homemade.html

To gain 5" per side, the 6" wide piece used in my build would need to be replaced with something wider. Assuming piece is at 45 degrees, 7" = 4.95" additional width and 8" would yield 5.66" per side.

These have been great snow insurance. Since fabricating and installing no meaningful snow fall has occurred, so can't comment on their effectiveness.

 

[Stomper]

Stomper,

I made a set of wings for my 72" blower and documented the build here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/390742-snowblower-wings-homemade.html

To gain 5" per side, the 6" wide piece used in my build would need to be replaced with something wider. Assuming piece is at 45 degrees, 7" = 4.95" additional width and 8" would yield 5.66" per side.

These have been great snow insurance. Since fabricating and installing no meaningful snow fall has occurred, so can't comment on their effectiveness.

Thanks 200mph, Great work. Looks real easy to build. Guess Ill have to get at it.
Thanks again

 

[200mph]

Stomper,

Finally received some snow over the weekend. It was only 6" and very wet, but I'm happy to report the wings worked well with no negative side effects. Even the rubber worked in keeping the road clear.

Granted this wasn't much of a test, but at least it is a data point.

The wings definitely helped in finessing the blower under the mailbox, around garage doors or other obstacles without the rear tires getting in the way.

The wings were made from 1/4" bar, which matched the thickness of the blower housing.

 

[Stomper]

Great to hear. I haven't built mine yet but it's still on my build list. It's a long list

 

[Dave_eng]

Stomper,

Finally received some snow over the weekend. It was only 6" and very wet, but I'm happy to report the wings worked well with no negative side effects. Even the rubber worked in keeping the road clear.

Granted this wasn't much of a test, but at least it is a data point.

The wings definitely helped in finessing the blower under the mailbox, around garage doors or other obstacles without the rear tires getting in the way.

The wings were made from 1/4" bar, which matched the thickness of the blower housing.

Assuming you bolted the wings on, suggest you use lowest grade smallest bolts so when you hook a wing on something, which I have done, the bolts shear and you don't damage whatever you hit.

If you are young with a flexible neck, disregard!

Dave