Argo Snowblower

[watpress]

Has anyone ever hooked up a snowblower to an Argo? Has anyone ever made their own snowblower? If so do you have pics? Can a person buy an off the shelf blower?

I have an 83 8x8 - are the front axle mounts strong enough to hold a snowplow/snowblower?

[amphibious drew]

I have thought about building a snow blower several times. I don't like the idea of adding a PTO to a machine though. I do think buying a couple 2 stage blowers in the off season and mounting them side by side in front of the machine would be a good alternative. What would be the big benefits over a plow? Less stress on the machine, works with a lower hp machine, and cleaner paths with less side build up. However, it would probably be a slower process than pushing a plow and now you have the costs of operating and maintaining of 3 engines instead of one.

[watpress]

Drew - my idea was to get two old walk behind blowers, hook them together side by side (small space in between them) with a pully in the middle. I would then mount a small engine behind the blowers running a chain drive on a clutch. That way I would only need one small engine (approx. 15 horse or so?) In the space between the blowers, I would put some sort of V which would cut the snow and move it to either blower. I would put caster type wheels behind the plow for support and for better turning. What does everybody think?

Why do I want to do this? I want to move the snow as far away as possible to prevent buildup. I also believe it would be much easier on the machine. I love my 1983 Argo and certainly don't want to damage it!

[amphibious drew]

Sounds like it would take a little more engineering that just using 2 blowers with their own motors nut not much more as you would have less linkages. I would say go for it just make sure you shield your blower drive system from the elements.

[spookum]

I think you should be able to get away with one snow blower. I would go talk to a sheet metal shop, and see if you can open up one side of the snow blower (or bolth) and use an auger system to help feed it. Good luck!

[steph491]

take a look at the snow Hogg 2. I'm sure you could make some brackets which will make it fit. they are a bit expensive but probably a lot more reliable than putting 2 push snowblower together

[watpress]

Does anyone have pictures of brackets they may have made or bought to attach to an older Argo? How should a person attach something to the front of an older machine (1983)? Any info would be appreciated!

[spookum]

How crazy do you want to get??? The simplest way would be to pull the front most two bolts out of the bearing flange, cut a chunk of 1/4 in flat bar to length, and bolt it on there. The strongest way would be to pull the front four axels out, use a chunk of flat iron, cut it out to match the frame holes (both axle holes and bolt holes) Silicone the snot out of it, and put the four axles, bearings and gaskets back in.

Or you can go nuts like i did