County tractor with front snowblower

[International454]

I am looking at buying a County tractor with front mounted snowblower and rear mounted engine to drive it
First what make of engine was used for this?
I am thinking when the machine was new the complete machine would have been very expensive
Now the snowblower is probably scrap value only
Has anyone here had experience of using one of these machines
Maybe I posted something previously here about this but I don’t remember

 

[International454]

thanks for replies

 

[used red MN]

This previous YT thread from 2023 has a reply that seems to indicate that it may have been a Chrysler 6 cylinder engine, of course no guarantee. YT 2023 Long tractor snow blower
FYI, at the top 2 buttons in from the left of “Contact Us” is a “Find Threads” button clicking that will bring up a listing of your previous threads. In the small chance you use a phone you have to tip it sideways to see this. You also search your threads by using the spy glass at the upper right.

 

[DRussell]

I am looking at buying a County tractor with front mounted snowblower and rear mounted engine to drive it
First what make of engine was used for this?
I am thinking when the machine was new the complete machine would have been very expensive
Now the snowblower is probably scrap value only
Has anyone here had experience of using one of these machines
Maybe I posted something previously here about this but I don’t remember

I'd like to see a picture. I used to run an 1164 Ford County. I've never seen one with a snowblower though.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

I'd like to see one with a snowblower too. Takes an acre to turn it, don't imagine it would be very good in tight quarters...

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Im also wondering why a County couldn't power a snow blower, requiring a separate engine.

 

[Rich'sToys]

Post deleted.

 

[moresmoke]

I'd like to see a picture. I used to run an 1164 Ford County. I've never seen one with a snowblower though.

Not sure who built them, but the Province of Quebec used to have a bunch of them. Used them to blow back the banks along highways to prevent drifting. Would have been the late ‘80s when I last remember them in govt service. Today they hire contractors with reverse station farm tractors and 3pt blowers to do most of this work.

 

[Mule Meat]

Our county used JD tractors with Erskine front mounted snow blowers for a couple of years. They were powered by a gearbox on the three point and a long shaft that ran under the tractors to the front. The men hated operating them. So they got very little use and was sold.

 

[495man]

I am looking at buying a County tractor with front mounted snowblower and rear mounted engine to drive it
First what make of engine was used for this?
I am thinking when the machine was new the complete machine would have been very expensive
Now the snowblower is probably scrap value only
Has anyone here had experience of using one of these machines
Maybe I posted something previously here about this but I don’t remember

I think Vohl was the Quebec company that took a County modified Ford tractor, added a cab and front mount blower.
They aren't real valuable now.

Here is one that sold for $2750 CDN last week.

https://www.rbauction.com/ar/1975-ford-5-ft-4x4-snow-blower/14299359

 

[SkipperII]

Im also wondering why a County couldn't power a snow blower, requiring a separate engine.

Due to the fact that they need to vary the speed of the tractor, depending on snow load and conditions, and keep the snowblower at high rpm.

 

[cjunrau]

I was told that the highways and towns could no longer use front mount blowers because they couldn’t see what was in front of them. A couple children slid of a snow hill into them once. Rear mount wasn’t handy so they never used them. Just payloaders and snow plows.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

Due to the fact that they need to vary the speed of the tractor, depending on snow load and conditions, and keep the snowblower at high rpm.

After seeing it , I didn't realize they were talking about airport-sized units.

 

[MKinON]

After seeing it , I didn't realize they were talking about airport-sized units.

These were never for airports, just roadway edge snowbanks.

 

[Fritz Maurer]

These were never for airports, just roadway edge snowbanks.

Well, .maybe not on a County, but they had high-output units like that on the front of Unimogs.

 

[International454]

I think Vohl was the Quebec company that took a County modified Ford tractor, added a cab and front mount blower.
They aren't real valuable now.

Here is one that sold for $2750 CDN last week.

View attachment 133632

https://www.rbauction.com/ar/1975-ford-5-ft-4x4-snow-blower/14299359

What are the chances of finding another tractor like this?
Then getting it shipped back to uk?

 

[Watthour]

These were never for airports, just roadway edge snowbanks.

You are correct. That unit shown is nowhere near large enough to be practical at an airport. Those in use at airports around here are about the size that would chew that up and spit it out the chute. Swenson Spreader once built blowers that were tested using cinder blocks, successfully.

 

[moresmoke]

I

What are the chances of finding another tractor like this?
Then getting it shipped back to uk?

If you have the time and money, pretty good.

They are not rare by any means.

 

[MKinON]

Well, .maybe not on a County, but they had high-output units like that on the front of Unimogs.

Yes, I’m sure. But the airport units around us were wide and tall, usually Sicard built units on truck chassis, with 6-71’s, or 6V71’s or larger on the back just to power the snowblowers.

 

[495man]

What are the chances of finding another tractor like this?
Then getting it shipped back to uk?

Quite good about them coming up for sale. They are old and dated now, watch the industrial auctions like Richie Brothers. I only saw one County tractor around here that WAS NOT a snowblower. Don't think any issue getting one to fit in a container.