Forums Archive Index > Outdoor Power Equipment > Should I upgrade my 28" Track blower for a 32"?
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:03 am
Bought a used 10hp/28" Track blower. Fixed it up, working good. A 32" cut, 10hp Track blower came up in the local bargain paper and I got to thinking. Get the 32" cut blower, put a 13hp OHV Snowking with impeller kit on it, thus got more power and a bigger machine, = less time at EOD. I got a sale for my blower. These are my thoughts. The bigger track machine probably has a 14" impeller housing vs my 12” impeller, thus with the 13hp Snowking and a impeller kit, move more snow. Then again, is it that much of a difference going from 28" cut to 32"? The machine will be heavier, as my machine is easy to handle. Any replies appreciated.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 9:12 am
:D Drums,
What make is the 32??
It might not have a bigger impeller.
Think you should take a look at the 32!!
Fred 8)
Date: 21 Dec 2005 10:36 am
Age and make of the machine as Fred mentioned are important. I am a bigger fan of a Murray made machine but if the MTD is in good shape and you know how to work on it you are looking good. It is always nice to have a back up machine for the unfortunate time your primary goes down.
How much they are asking for it is a factor too.
C
Date: 21 Dec 2005 12:15 pm
I'll make the wild assumption both are MTD. Condition is key with used stuff. You are not concerned with the engine, or are you? These Briggs engines you are thinking about using, do they have the auxiliary cam output shaft? Do the blowers you are planning on putting the Briggs on use a auxiliary output? Is there anything you can do to convert a machine that uses a cam driven output to use a single output engine?
Don't forget to be familiar with Sears manufacturer ID numbers before you go. Just so you can see who made it if you care.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 12:24 pm
Also, all things being equal, I'd rather have a 28in machine over a 32in machine. It is easier to fit places. If you make 4 passes on your drive it is 9 feet wide. Do you need to be wider? The 32 gets you to 10feet. My drive is 8, what am I going to do with 10? The 28 is easier to fit and store, also has more HP per inch.
Just goes to show how a persons needs affect what decision they make.
What are you trying to accomplish?
Date: 21 Dec 2005 1:02 pm
You guys brought some good points. The 32" unit is a Craftsman and I am going to get the model number and track down the year and hopefully find out who made it. I know my old unused broke 32" 10hp blower has a 14" impeller housing. My thoughts drift (no pun intended) from the 14" impeller housing with 32" auger vs the 12" impeller 28"; 14" should move more snow. At my EOD, I have a 15' opening that is partially filled by Mr. City Plow guy. Using the 28" blower took me quite a bit of time to plow. Almost as much time as the driveway itself. Hoping to reduce the time spent at EOD. Robmints, you are correct the HP of the 28" vs the 10 hp of the 32" = 32" underpowered. If the 32" blower has a 12" impeller housing I will not consider it at all.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 3:41 pm
Drums,
:D
If you put a 13 HP engine on it and the Impeller kit, it would be a snow
eating EOD machine!!!
Fred :roll:
Date: 21 Dec 2005 8:15 pm
We are not the only group with blower fever. I called about the 10/32, SOLD! The machine had 7 calls the first day in the Bargain Hunter. The machine was sold over the phone sight unseen for $750.00 Canadian. Well so much for that deal. This guy sells used blowers for a hobby and takes trade in's. He is into it and had a great discussion about blowers. I told him about the impeller kit but the response was, the rubbers will freeze in the housing after blowing. I told him i do a snow removal plus Fluis Film spray job after using the blower. Time for my back up plan to go into action. Going to get my 1987, 32" wheel blower in action. Putting the impeller kit on it and try it out next snow storm. If it out performs my 10/28, I then will decide, wheels vs track. If I like the 10/32 with wheels, will get a quality unit that's steerable. The steerable feature was a bit of a moot point until I used it for the last storm. What I enjoyed about the steerable feature was the small course corrections while blowing the driveway. The fun is mataining the blower as much as using it.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 10:02 pm
Freeze to the housing? I do park mine in an attached garage, so maybe that is why I have not noticed.
One thing I have been doing though. I used to spray the inside of the housings with WD or Pam or anything that I thought might be slippery. But once I put the rubber parts in I got concerned about the petroleum attacking the rubber, so now I spray the inside with any cheap Armour All type stuff I can find. Nothing like supple rubber.
I can't remember, do you have a steep hill? If not you may not "need" tracks.
Date: 21 Dec 2005 10:47 pm
My hill is not too steep. I think I got Honda Fever and it translates to liking tracks. To have a balanced view of what works best, got to get my old wheeled 32" beast into action to make a comparison. With the new snow hog tires, maybe tracks are over rated though I am impressed with the "traction" of tracks. Like a small tank with a chute in front of it. A small engine service center in Sackville does not like tracks, he states "wheels were first". Then he mentioned Snow hogs as being a very good snow tire for blowers.