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36" vs 42"


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Simpleton7016
Posted
I have had more "tractor time" this week than usual...hence the rash of posts. Last winter I bought a 42 inch snowthrower that I have running off the front PTO of the 7016H. It works great and I love it. Then, 2 weeks later, I stumbled across a 36" one for $5 and it too works just fine. My driveway is not very large and hardly justifies having either snowthrow, much less both. But I LOVE snowthrowing and the thought occured to me that: Smaller snowthrower = more tractor time Buuuuut, not unlike our female counterparts, my mind won't allow me to get out of the "bigger is better" mind set. Sooooooo I am calling on those of you with 36 inch throwers to let me know the pros and cons. On the one hand, the 42 inch thrower clears enough snow out of the way to clear a path for the rear AGs whereas there may be some problems with the 36" thrower. But (admittedly I am not an engineer) the 36" thrower might have more POWER. But maybe not. Will a 36" thrower toss the snow further? Is there anything else obvious that I am missing?
Ketchamized
Posted
Simpleton, I would say that those factors should be looked into before considering the size: 1) Which one moves more freely by hand? (Freely is good) 2) Which one uses less pulleys? (Less is better) 3) Which one is lighter? (Lighter is better) 4) Which one is of better quality? 5) How does the snow chute move? Smoothly? Does either one of them have cracks? 6) Which one puts more of a stress on your engine? (lesser stress is better) If both of them are 100% equal, then I'd say opt for the smaller one. As you said, more tractor time. Also, easier to move around. But, on those bad days where snow is bad, weather is too cold, too much snow in your face, etc... You might want to opt for the bigger one. At this point, it's probably a matter of asthetics. Which one do you like better? :) Have fun,
Posted
I quess the main concern for me would be driving over snow with the rear wheels with the 36". With a 42" blade angled I drive over a small amount in taller snows. I would have to say try the 36" out come winter and see if the path is wide enough to drive through. As far as throwing snow I think that would have more to do with ground speed and snow conditions than the width. In lighter snows the 42" might throw it farther because it's moving more snow, but in heavier snows the 36" might not clog up as much. Mount one on each tractor, if you can, and try them out yourself this winter.
Posted
I have a 36" Blower on my conquest( just because I couldnt find a used 42 at the time) and it is unstoppable. Works great. Takes more time to blow the lane out with it rather than a 42. The big downside is that with the 42" you can reach out the side and shave off and under taller drifts much better than with a 36. With the 36 you end up getting your tractor and cab up too close into the snow and find yourself continually backing up and readjusting your position on an angle to the drift.
Posted
I used a 36" for 2 years on my driveway and this spring found a 42". I had used my dad's 42" growing up. The one thing Dad and I found is that the blower blows the best when it is full of snow and the governor talking we did this by going as fast as we could on the hydro while listening for the governor at all times. I would go as fast as possible with the 36" and could never get the blower to blow more than 10 feet. I am hoping this winter I can have the extra snow in the blower to get it blower more like 20 ft. Also I will like having the extra width as the 36" doesn't give me any extra width and I tend to drive in the snow while backing up on the first couple of passes as the blower is only the width of the rear tires.
Posted
Distance snow is blown is determined by the weight of the snow, blower speed and ground speed and to an extent the HP of the tractor. The older blowers made for the 3200 series and older Simplicity and B series Allis tractors (FDT's) with the 5" driven pulley used on the newer 3300 series and newer Simplicity and 700 series Allis tractors (RBT's) will blow snow a long ways. Conversely the newer blowers with the 7" driven pulley when used on the older tractors will not blow very far. The largest factor is auger speed in determining the distance the snow is thrown, next would be ground speed. Setup and operated right a 7hp with 32" blower will blow snow just as far as a 7790 with a 42" blower, just not as fast.
Simpleton7016
Posted
Great pro's, con's and explanations guys! I still don't know what my decision will be, but at least when it comes time to make it, I will be well informed! Both units seem to be equal in quality...so these other factors will most certainly come into play! Me thinks it comes down to the devil you know being better than the devil you don't. Thanks again, Erik
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