Snowblower project: max torque at the impeller blower

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around optimizing the pulley sizes for a custom snowblower project to achieve maximum torque at the impeller blower. Participants share their experiences and specifications related to their snowblower designs, focusing on performance issues when handling heavy snow loads.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their snowblower project, seeking advice on pulley sizes to maximize torque at the impeller.
  • Another participant shares details of their own snowblower, which features an 18 hp engine and a hydrostatic transaxle, successfully handling heavy snow without belt slippage.
  • Questions arise regarding the original specifications of the donor snowblowers, including engine power and impeller RPM, to understand the performance issues faced by the first participant.
  • There is uncertainty about whether the belts are slipping or if the engine is overloaded when encountering heavy snow.
  • One participant suggests that the current 3-inch pulley may be too small and proposes considering an 8-inch pulley for better torque.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the cause of the performance issues, with no consensus on whether the problem lies with the pulley size, belt slippage, or engine overload.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various specifications and configurations of their snowblowers, but there are unresolved details regarding the exact RPMs and power outputs of the original machines, as well as the implications of changing pulley sizes.

jayjay
Messages
14
Reaction score
1
Hi Guy
Hopefully someone can help me.
Here's my project my issues is pulley size for getting the max torque at the impeller blower. I need to found the p2, p3 and p4 pulley size in the picture to get the maximum torque at p5 and p6.
Here a link on YouTube of what I have right now it does work but when there a load of snow it stop throwing
 

Attachments

  • 15505054322124611608108527315088.jpg
    15505054322124611608108527315088.jpg
    29.2 KB · Views: 421
Engineering news on Phys.org
I built a hot rod snowblower. It's a 32" wide walk behind, has an 18 hp engine, and a hydrostatic transaxle. The impeller is 14" diameter, 5" wide, and is geared to run the impeller about 1200 RPM. It has enough power to throw heavy wet snow, and even slush, without bogging down the engine. I have had no trouble with belts slipping. Here's a link to two YouTube videos showing it in action: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmhb9RpdAncCuuy6cP9NfQ.

It's not clear what your problem is. Do the belts slip, or do you overload the engine? It's not clear just what your snowblower is. It sort of looks like you took two snowblowers, welded them together, and are driving them with one engine. Is that correct? If so, what size and power were the donor snowblowers, and how wide is the new snowblower? What was the RPM of the impellers of the donor snowblowers, and what is the RPM of the impellers in your new snowblower?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman
jrmichler said:
I built a hot rod snowblower. It's a 32" wide walk behind, has an 18 hp engine, and a hydrostatic transaxle. The impeller is 14" diameter, 5" wide, and is geared to run the impeller about 1200 RPM. It has enough power to throw heavy wet snow, and even slush, without bogging down the engine. I have had no trouble with belts slipping. Here's a link to two YouTube videos showing it in action: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmhb9RpdAncCuuy6cP9NfQ.

It's not clear what your problem is. Do the belts slip, or do you overload the engine? It's not clear just what your snowblower is. It sort of looks like you took two snowblowers, welded them together, and are driving them with one engine. Is that correct? If so, what size and power were the donor snowblowers, and how wide is the new snowblower? What was the RPM of the impellers of the donor snowblowers, and what is the RPM of the impellers in your new snowblower?
TX for the reply
Yes 2x27 inch together so 54 inch
8hp 10 hp moteur original
14 inch diameter also both of them same impeller and I'm guessing 1100 or 1200 rpm
I don't think the belt is slipping but hoard to say if there not enough torque maybe they are
 
jayjay said:
TX for the reply
Yes 2x27 inch together so 54 inch
8hp 10 hp moteur original
14 inch diameter also both of them same impeller and I'm guessing 1100 or 1200 rpm
I don't think the belt is slipping but hoard to say if there not enough torque maybe they are
Here the last test at the end the belt snap and there's no snow
 
Pulley that I have right now on the shaft is 3 inch from the motor and 3 inch going on both impeller pulley
 

Attachments

  • 15505401355412801250504019313753.jpg
    15505401355412801250504019313753.jpg
    24 KB · Views: 356
jrmichler said:
I built a hot rod snowblower. It's a 32" wide walk behind, has an 18 hp engine, and a hydrostatic transaxle. The impeller is 14" diameter, 5" wide, and is geared to run the impeller about 1200 RPM. It has enough power to throw heavy wet snow, and even slush, without bogging down the engine. I have had no trouble with belts slipping. Here's a link to two YouTube videos showing it in action: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmhb9RpdAncCuuy6cP9NfQ.

It's not clear what your problem is. Do the belts slip, or do you overload the engine? It's not clear just what your snowblower is. It sort of looks like you took two snowblowers, welded them together, and are driving them with one engine. Is that correct? If so, what size and power were the donor snowblowers, and how wide is the new snowblower? What was the RPM of the impellers of the donor snowblowers, and what is the RPM of the impellers in your new snowblower?
Wow now that's is throwing no problem with the speed your going nice job I wish I could. Figured the problem on mine I believe my issue is the 3 inch pulley on the shaft that is to small I should go. With 8 inch
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K