450 Blower - How Much HP Preferred
 

First post...been lurking for a little while and now looking for feedback from those who use a 450 blower. My current long term project/build is an 1811 frame, with an iron rear end (782), hard side cab, and a 450 blower. I have no engine for it and would really prefer not to spend the $$ for a new 23hp Vanny. This would be a dedicated snowblowing machine and I live in north IA where 10+ inch dumpings of snow and wind are not uncommon.

My question is what available used engines would handle the 450 blower effectively without overdoing the $$ and hp?? So far I have been trying to find a used low hrs 20hp Mag or Command, or larger Command. I think an 18hp could struggle with this but let me know what you have experienced. I do have a rebuilt 18 Mag I could pull out of my other 1811, or a 20hp Mag I could pull out of my 2072, but I would still be looking for a motor to replace what I pulled it out of. Thanks for your help! DT

An 18hp handles a 450 just fine. The machines they were designed for went as low as 10hp. Lower HP just means slower speeds.

A little more info:

I will be blowing a 300 ft driveway so reasonable speed will be an issue.

I should mention I am surrounded by neighbors with the green ones....two 445's and a 1026R, all with blowers so I don't want to embarrass myself!!

I guess I could rephrase the question - What size engine would you prefer to have powering your 450 blower?

Your neighbors have you out gunned. Suck it up. :biggrin2:

As far as HP, some is good, more is better, too much is just right. :beerchug:

I agree completely with Sam. :ThumbsUp:

Again.... 18 HP rus one just fine. If you want more ponies, pony up!!

18hp mag is plenty

You want to get right down to it I have a 16hp 1641 Cub with a 451 on it which is the same thing and the 16hp never let me down yet. Plugged it a few times with wet heavy snow. I live just south of Syracuse NY in the snow belt so I see good amounts of snow as well. :beerchug:

As the others stated. No replacement for discplacement.

For a few years I had a 450 snowblower on my 1712. That old ser. 2 17hp never had a problem with that blower. The performance of the blower seem to depend on the snow. Some times I could only throw the snow a few feet. Other time 15 to 20 feet. All I know is it beat shoving it. LOL

Thanks for your input guys. If anyone else wants to jump in please do.

I am not in a real hurry to get this one together so time is on my side, plus my other cubs seem to keep me busy for now. I am just trying to get some ideas for when a good used motor becomes available.

Glad to hear some have thought the 18 Mags could get errr done! Always good to have options. Thanks again.:beerchug:

Sam - the green 445's MIGHT have me slightly out gunned (we will see) but I will be cozy in my cab!

You said you have a 2072, why not put the blower on that?

Sam good question.

The cab was on a 782 when I bought it, and I have not tried it yet but I don't think it will fit on a Super without major modifications. I eyeballed it and it did not look like an option. I would be dang happy if I am wrong!!...and I am wrong a lot!

Snowmobile suit and a helmet, no need for a cab. :biggrin2:

Who cares what the neighbors have? I am surrounded by Craftsman and some JD mowers but it doesn't bother me. My neighbor with the JD mower is always asking me how my IH cadet does with snow, and how hard it is to get a front blade attachment for his JD. :biggrin2: He seems to enjoy it when he is hand shoveling his driveway and I drive over and have it done in a 1/3 of the time with the 147. To his credit, he went to a local Cub Cadet dealer and tried to buy a new one, but the dealer wouldn't give him a decent deal on it so he passed.

He's better off....

I agree with what's already been said. I've run a 450 on a 1811 and a 451 on a 1864. Both handled the blowers with ease. If you get a command 18 you can remove the throttle limiting screw and have a 20 HP. I defiantly noticed those 2 extra ponies last winter. I also learned last year to keep an extra blower belt the hard way! :bash2:

When you think about the larger walk behinds in the 30" range and above, the biggest engine is usually a 12 hp. I remember when growing up, we had a 33" MTD with a 11hp Briggs. It was a beast. That 11 hp had to blow the snow and drive the wheels. Now running in a faster gear in thick heavy snow got her governor kicking in, but still had plenty to go. This was canada in the 70's. Lots and lots of snow.

So, having said that, an 18 hp would be plenty. Driving the rear wheels do not take much hp at all leaving a considerable amount for the blower.

2072 and the 450 were a match made in heaven. I used that set up for 3 winters. Should have never sold it. :BlahBlah::Boohoo::BlahBlah::BlahBlah::Unknown:

Hey Shotgun that was a similar approach I tried in my head. I have a 10hp 29 inch walk behind that does a good job but 2 ft drifts are slow going and real common.

I figured the 450 alone is heavier than the walk behind, the cab is 100lbs, loaded wheels and weights close to 200lbs., I weigh 190, the additional 16 inches of blown snow, plus the drag of moving all of this.

It sounds like the 18's have worked well for guys but I am leaning towards a 20. I have had guys tell me the 20's have a lot of bottom to them, but if the right 18 shows up the search could be over.

Thanks again guys!!