[GaryL]

I have a Kubota BX2370 with diesel engine and the front mounted snowblower. I usually run the RPMs at around 2500 when blowing but if the snow is heavy and wet I crank up to around 2800 and take smaller bites at slower speeds. How high is an acceptable RPM to run this engine at for blowing the heavy stuff? When the blower does clog it is a real PITA to get is unclogged.

 

[BinVa]

PTO driven implements are designed to run at 540 or1000rpm for peak efficiency. Speed can be varied depending on load...but overreving will increase wear on the implement driveline where as under speed could increase wear on tractor driveline. To answer your question...Yes.. you can veri engine RPM speed with the knowledge of the possible long term consequences. B.

 

[GaryL]

Thanks B, I guess I need to know what the output RPM is as opposed to the engine RPM. Asked another way, when my engine is running at 2500 how would I determine what the blower RPM is ?

 

[GaryL]

The specs for my BX2370 claim the middle PTO speed is 2500 RPM, that is the output used for the front mounted snowblower. How does the 2500 PTO speed relate to the engine RPM or does the PTO always just spin at 2500 no matter what the engine RPM is?

 

[pogobill]

From what I've read, to get the 2500 on the mid-mount, the engine needs to be at the 3100-3200 range. also 3100 rpm for the rear PTO to be at 540 rpm.
Here's a copy of the specs out of the WSM for the BX2370
PTO Rear PTO shaft SAE 1-3/8, 6 splines Revolution 1 speed (540 min-1 (rpm) at engine 3142 min-1 (rpm))
Mid PTO shaft USA No. 5 (KUBOTA 10-tooth) involute spline Revolution 1 speed (2500 min-1 (rpm) at engine 3043 min-1 (rpm))

 

[GaryL]

Thanks PogoB, very informative. I have never run my engine up to 3,000 or above RPM. I guess with the very heavy and wet snow I probably should be in the 3,000 range.
Thanks to all for this assistance.

 

[BinVa]

PogoB...offered a lot of valuable information. Your blower should be marked with the designed gearbox input speed. That's what you should consider... a 540rpm gearbox will not hold up to 2500rpm for long!! B.

 

[GaryL]

PogoB...offered a lot of valuable information. Your blower should be marked with the designed gearbox input speed. That's what you should consider... a 540rpm gearbox will not hold up to 2500rpm for long!! B.

Yes Bin, The tractor has 2 PTO outputs. The rear output is the slower 540 while the middle PTO Output is for the mower and blower and that one is rated at 2500 RPM with the engine running at around 3,000-3150 RPM.

 

[pogobill]

Yes Bin, The tractor has 2 PTO outputs. The rear output is the slower 540 while the middle PTO Output is for the mower and blower and that one is rated at 2500 RPM with the engine running at around 3,000-3150 RPM.

As long as your blower is rated for that RPM. There should be a plate or sticker that states the rpm. It probably is fine if the blower came with the tractor, but have a look. As BinVa said.

 

[GaryL]

As long as your blower is rated for that RPM. There should be a plate or sticker that states the rpm. It probably is fine if the blower came with the tractor, but have a look. As BinVa said.

Yes, my blower is pure Kubota BX5450 with the electric shut spiner. I can't find any label giving me specifics on the RPM rating nor can I find much on line for it.

 

[pogobill]

I'm thinking that you have a blower that should be run on the rpm (2500) on the front of your tractor The PTO rpm is directly proportional to the speed of the engine. In the specs on your tractor, the front pto will spin at 2500 rpm if the engine is run at 3043 rpm.
If the snow won't clear as it should due to weight or moisture, either go slower, take a narrower bite or increase the engine rpm slightly to overcome the issue. I've read were some folks that own a similar set up to yours run wide open throttle! I wouldn't, but I have a very limited cash flow! LOL. I run my pto at the rated speed and adjust up or down slightly, as the situation dictates. Run your blower at the rated RPM and adjust your operating procedure and see how it goes.

 

[GaryL]

We have a foot of snow on the ground now and more on the way. I ran the blower at just under 3K engine RPM and all worked fine with no clogging like I experienced at 2500 engine RPM.
This has been a very strange winter here in the NY Catskills. Very little snow for the most part and no ice on the lakes for ice fishing plus the ground frost never happened. When it snows now the first couple inches changes to wet and very heavy slush and the blower does not like that crap at all. Watching the front of the blower and I see about a 6 foot slab being pushed rather than being cut and blown. I just never saw that in the last 4 years with this setup because the ground was always frozen solid in years past. Once I get to the blacktop driveway all is fine but the path from the barn where the tractor lives is just lawn and mud now and that's where I have issues with clogging. I've been running on generator power since 8:40 this morning because of down trees all over.

 

[pogobill]

Sounds like you are getting hit with some bad weather! Hope you are OK. Glad to hear the blower is working out for you!

 

[GaryL]

Thanks Bill, all the weather has passed us and only got a little more than a foot. Looking forward to the white stuff to be finished and switching the tractor to mowing duty. I do love the Kubota BX and it has served me very well with just a few bumps that you all here have helped me through. The addition of the electric shut spinner is the best option I ever added after the soft cab enclosure and makes the blowing a dream.

 

[Fotoguzzi]

Wet heavy snow? I’m familiar.. before you start go into your wife’s kitchen and get her can of PAM, bring it out and spray down your chute, it does help prevent clogging and yes higher speed of the blower helps too. I carry Pam with me when the snow is wet.

 

[unsquidly]

Wet heavy snow? I’m familiar.. before you start go into your wife’s kitchen and get her can of PAM, bring it out and spray down your chute, it does help prevent clogging and yes higher speed of the blower helps too. I carry Pam with me when the snow is wet.

Great idea......Just make sure if your wife's name is Pam you don't get things mixed up......LOL

 

[GaryL]

Great idea......Just make sure if your wife's name is Pam you don't get things mixed up......LOL

If you did mix it up with Pamela and Kamela, Proceed as you were. Sorry folk, I just couldn't resist.

 

[thirdroc17]

I have yet to see a snowblower that didn't perform best at wide open throttle. If you're plugging it, it's a sure sign it's going too slow. Spray wax or silicone helps keep things sliding better as well.

 

[HydroTek]

The throttle stop is there for you to use -- pull it all they way open

 

[Busted Tractor]

Great idea......Just make sure if your wife's name is Pam you don't get things mixed up......LOL

Dog gone it! I was wondering if the wife knew he had Pam on the tractor when blowing snow and if she cleared the snow blower when it plugged. ( Hee Hee)