Farmall 350 using a Snow Blower Attachment

[Tractor No Clue Guy]

I am new to tractors (which should be evident). I have a small hobby farm in Northern Minnesota and needed a small utility tractor to move haybales and muck out areas. We just got a Farmall 350 (my wife named her Buella). Having a bucket for basic snow removal is nice as well (bucket is wider than the tactor wheels). I have been trying to figure out if the PTO can handle a snow blower attachment (it is a live PTO). I know I would have to get a 3-point hitch conversion kit.

So far, from conversation and baseline research, I think i have deduced that the tractor does not have power in reverse to run a snow blower without having to ride the clutch and potentially stripping it out quickly. The Torque Amplifier runs a similar risk if run too long, so I have heard (i know there is debate about this). Please keep in mind we have some intense snow situations (ice layer between snow layers, etc.).

Is my perspective correct that my Farmall 350 should not use a rear-mounted snowblower attachment?

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

I don't know why the concern for the TA.... it still turns the same direction no matter what gear is selected.... reverse is pretty close to 1st, ratio-wise, so it would be pretty much the lightest load imposed on it.

 

[Tractor No Clue Guy]

My bad, should not have mentioned the TA. Let us ignore that statement. Thank you for the information.

Is my perspective correct that my Farmall 350 should not use a rear-mounted snowblower attachment?

 

[Mark EC.IN]

My bad, should not have mentioned the TA. Let us ignore that statement. Thank you for the information.

Is my perspective correct that my Farmall 350 should not use a rear-mounted snowblower attachment?

You weren't totally wrong about the TA "possibly" being a problem. What you have to remember or know about a TA on a 350 is that the tractor can not freewheel while in the low side of the TA. If you have inclines or hills that you need to clear, it could be a problem.

 

[AlinMO]

Actually a TA would be very helpful as it slows you down about 1/3. A 350 has about 40HP so that may limit you in blower size.

 

[used red MN]

My bad, should not have mentioned the TA. Let us ignore that statement. Thank you for the information.

Is my perspective correct that my Farmall 350 should not use a rear-mounted snowblower attachment?

Hello Tractor NC guy, welcome to YT! Reverse with the TA engaged or as I call it in the low side is 2.1 mph. Talk to the blower mfg. and see how deep of snow of average wetness they claim the blower will move at that speed and horsepower.

 

[rustred]

I am new to tractors (which should be evident). I have a small hobby farm in Northern Minnesota and needed a small utility tractor to move haybales and muck out areas. We just got a Farmall 350 (my wife named her Buella). Having a bucket for basic snow removal is nice as well (bucket is wider than the tactor wheels). I have been trying to figure out if the PTO can handle a snow blower attachment (it is a live PTO). I know I would have to get a 3-point hitch conversion kit.

So far, from conversation and baseline research, I think i have deduced that the tractor does not have power in reverse to run a snow blower without having to ride the clutch and potentially stripping it out quickly. The Torque Amplifier runs a similar risk if run too long, so I have heard (i know there is debate about this). Please keep in mind we have some intense snow situations (ice layer between snow layers, etc.).

Is my perspective correct that my Farmall 350 should not use a rear-mounted snowblower attachment?

Thanks for any insights.

I don’t think this is the tractor for a snowblower. First of all reverse would be way too fast. And also using the TA. You need a creeper gear. But of course depends on how deep the snow is and how hard it is. And on the flip side if u don’t have deep snow u don’t need a blower. And the other thing you should have a newer bigger front wheel assist tractor. But sure people have snowblowers on lawn tractors but they are blowing 2-3 inches of snow around yards and driveways. As a farm implement nothing like an angled blade.

 

[Tractor No Clue Guy]

I don’t think this is the tractor for a snowblower. First of all reverse would be way too fast. And also using the TA. You need a creeper gear. But of course depends on how deep the snow is and how hard it is. And on the flip side if u don’t have deep snow u don’t need a blower. And the other thing you should have a newer bigger front wheel assist tractor. But sure people have snowblowers on lawn tractors but they are blowing 2-3 inches of snow around yards and driveways. As a farm implement nothing like an angled blade.

I had not thought about attaching a blade. I wonder how much a Farmall 350 could push? I know this would depend on the type of snow. Could it do a foot of heavy snow? Thanks!

 

[rustred]

I had not thought about attaching a blade. I wonder how much a Farmall 350 could push? I know this would depend on the type of snow. Could it do a foot of heavy snow? Thanks!

That all depends on the weight of the snow. And your traction. You would need calcium tires plus weights. Or use chains on the rear tires. I know what my 560 pushes and it’s not a lot. So a 350 is good for light snow before it drifts and gets hard. Plus pushing on grass or a dirt field is two totally different deals. No traction at all on grass. I know here you will not push a foot of this heavy snow. I had to hire the county grader to plow out 2 ft of snow to the grain bins. And his first pass was not ya ok no problem. He struggled.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

I had not thought about attaching a blade. I wonder how much a Farmall 350 could push? I know this would depend on the type of snow. Could it do a foot of heavy snow? Thanks!

I've moved more than that with my H & a 7' blade.

And we get lots of heavy, wet lake effect.

Mike

 

[rustred]

I've moved more than that with my H & a 7' blade.

And we get lots of heavy, wet lake effect.

Mike

And wet heavy is different than frozen heavy.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Having a bucket on the front means you could rip through the snow for a first pass , then you wouldn't need to take a full pass with the blower.... surely a 350 can handle that.

 

[rustred]

That’s what I do , but a bucket don’t do much. Once u hit the harder snow you spun out. Bucket is pretty useless but that’s all I got. Blade on an angle would be best so the snow slides to the side. Same as a grader.

 

[Mark EC.IN]

I had not thought about attaching a blade. I wonder how much a Farmall 350 could push? I know this would depend on the type of snow. Could it do a foot of heavy snow? Thanks!

A 350 will move a lot of snow with a blade. What could become a problem is ice under the snow. If that happens, you need tire chains. Years ago, I moved snow with an MF35 with chains (a smaller tractor than a 350), it was like a little bulldozer with the chains on.

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

And wet heavy is different than frozen heavy.

Frozen heavy is when you call for dynamite & the rotary plow.

Mike

 

[Powered By IH]

A 350 with rear and front weights, ballasted tires, and tire chains, will push anything you throw at it.

Have used one on the property for 10 years now, never had a problem yet.

 

[rustred]

Frozen heavy is when you call for dynamite & the rotary plow.

Mike

View attachment 144934

Dang it , that’s what I needed here this winter !

 

[TractorDad3]

I’ve pushed a lot of snow in MN with a chained up Ford 8N (much less tractor than an IH 350) and an Oliver 550/Ford 4000 in CO with ballast only. As stated, chains with ice under the snow where you’re at will be critical to your success. A little ballast and you can move deep snow surprisingly well. Consider a hydraulically angled blade if you’ve got an additional remote on your 350 to control it, it has made me quite precise and quick with the job. Starting to look for a 300/350 myself fo this very mission. Have fun!

 

[rustred]

I know right at this moment there’s no rear wheel drive tractor that will cross my 2’ of hard snow in the field. Been fighting this snow all winter. I will set a Texas micky at the other end of the field and if you make it across 1/2 mile it’s yours.

 

[Tractor No Clue Guy]

Thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts. I am now on a mission to get a snow blade!