New to this site and as a JD 332 owner. Have a Craftsman DGT 6000 w/ the Agri-Fab snow thrower and would like to convert the thrower to the 332. Is there a drive shaft I can use off the front of the transmission rather than using the mule drive off the PTO? Would prefer shaft vs belts if possible. Also can someone tell me what parts / part #'s would help facilitate this project - quick hitch for instance? I understand that I'll be fabricating some parts but any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!
Attaching Agri-Fab 46" 2 stage snow thrower to JD 332?
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Welcome to WFM Chuck K.
I have no information that you need for your conversion but only advice. I suggest you find a decent john deere #49 model snowthrower for your 332 and skip the conversion. Check the classifieds here, there alot of good buys there.
I have no information that you need for your conversion but only advice. I suggest you find a decent john deere #49 model snowthrower for your 332 and skip the conversion. Check the classifieds here, there alot of good buys there.
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I have thought about something like this from time to time, as well. A great many of these snowblowers have been sold by Sears, and AgriFab has probably sold them to others. Actually, the snowblowers that JD sells for its Home Depot -class tractors, might well be made by Agri-Fab.
The newer 445 and later tractors have a front PTO on their transmissions. But the 300 series tractors don't have any such convenient PTO. I suppose it is conceivable that one could rig a connection to the REAR 2000 rpm PTO, but that would involve a drive shaft longer than the tractor.
It MIGHT be easier to imagine powering the snowblower via a hydraulic motor, fed by a hydraulic pump, much the same way as the hydraulic tillers are powered. Then the only mechanical challenge is cobbling up a mount from the blower to the front tractor frame. I'm no hydraulic expert, but such a hydraulic link would probably need to be able to transmit (say) 12 HP or more.
The newer 445 and later tractors have a front PTO on their transmissions. But the 300 series tractors don't have any such convenient PTO. I suppose it is conceivable that one could rig a connection to the REAR 2000 rpm PTO, but that would involve a drive shaft longer than the tractor.
It MIGHT be easier to imagine powering the snowblower via a hydraulic motor, fed by a hydraulic pump, much the same way as the hydraulic tillers are powered. Then the only mechanical challenge is cobbling up a mount from the blower to the front tractor frame. I'm no hydraulic expert, but such a hydraulic link would probably need to be able to transmit (say) 12 HP or more.
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JDF is correct that using a #49 is far and away the easier route. But contributors to this forum fabricate all sorts of amazing hardware.
Thanks gentlemen for your input. I have seen Bercomac snow throwers converted to JD 300 series and that got me thinking. I didn't realize the tractor is not equipped w/ a front transmission PTO - insert egg on face here. So, is it possible to run the Agri-Fab off a mule drive similar to what the Craftsman set up is? I understand using a JD model 49 snow thrower is the much easier route but since I have the 2-stage Agri-Fab - and it has less than 5 hours on it - I'm hoping there is a way. If I'm looking at a fabrication process similar to building a space shuttle please enlighten me and I'll start on the classifieds. Thanks again!
Chuck, Berco made snowblowers for direct fit on the 300 series, they did not require any modifications that I am aware of.
I am with you that 2 stage is much better suited for coastal new england snow. I had a 2-stage for a Sabre that I debated making fit. I personally would not be snowblowing with a JD if I didn't find a model 47. I also get water run off from the road, so my situation is a little worse then most.
I don't think a conversion would be all that bad, I would design it similar to what cub cadet did for their belt drive snowblowers for hydrostatics, with horizontal shaft engines. very similar to a 300 series mower mule drive. it uses a couple pulleys below the pto to route the belt. you can see two small pulleys in the attached picture of an ariens. it is a vertical shaft engine, so the pulleys are a little further forward then they would be on your 300.
the other option I see, is to use a mower mule drive to send the belt back to where it would normally go on you snowblower, you would have to get creative to get everything hung underneath though
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the trick is the pulleys need to be in a stationary position in relation to the pto, but also at least one of them will serve as a tensioner, so it needs a spring to pull it vertically downward. hinge the blower right in front of that, and use a push rod from the rockshaft on you tractor to push the blower to the up position.
the other option is to use a mower mule drive to direct the belt back, to the standard drive pulley on your snowblower, but you might run into clearance issues.
I am with you that 2 stage is much better suited for coastal new england snow. I had a 2-stage for a Sabre that I debated making fit. I personally would not be snowblowing with a JD if I didn't find a model 47. I also get water run off from the road, so my situation is a little worse then most.
I don't think a conversion would be all that bad, I would design it similar to what cub cadet did for their belt drive snowblowers for hydrostatics, with horizontal shaft engines. very similar to a 300 series mower mule drive. it uses a couple pulleys below the pto to route the belt. you can see two small pulleys in the attached picture of an ariens. it is a vertical shaft engine, so the pulleys are a little further forward then they would be on your 300.
the other option I see, is to use a mower mule drive to send the belt back to where it would normally go on you snowblower, you would have to get creative to get everything hung underneath though
the trick is the pulleys need to be in a stationary position in relation to the pto, but also at least one of them will serve as a tensioner, so it needs a spring to pull it vertically downward. hinge the blower right in front of that, and use a push rod from the rockshaft on you tractor to push the blower to the up position.
the other option is to use a mower mule drive to direct the belt back, to the standard drive pulley on your snowblower, but you might run into clearance issues.
Chuck,
Compatibility charts show that both JD Model 49 & Model 47 Snow Throwers will attach to your 332.
The mule drive isn't used for either the Model 49 or the much bigger & heavier, more expensive 2-stage Model 47.
The front PTO is.
If you're adamant about trying to hook up your Agri-Fab:
Look at the Model 47 Snow Thrower on jdparts.com (Front Drive, Front PTO Shaft, Front PTO(318/322/332) & see how they are attached & operate. May give you ideas, may not help a bit.
Bobo
Compatibility charts show that both JD Model 49 & Model 47 Snow Throwers will attach to your 332.
The mule drive isn't used for either the Model 49 or the much bigger & heavier, more expensive 2-stage Model 47.
The front PTO is.
If you're adamant about trying to hook up your Agri-Fab:
Look at the Model 47 Snow Thrower on jdparts.com (Front Drive, Front PTO Shaft, Front PTO(318/322/332) & see how they are attached & operate. May give you ideas, may not help a bit.
Bobo
KB Thanks much for your info. That makes a ton of sense. Do you think I should try to run the belt off a JD mule drive or just modify the back end of the Agri-Fab to mimic? I might be able to use some of the mule drive I have from the Craftsman (even though it is vertical shaft) for alignment purposes.
Chuck,
I think if the JD mower mule drive works clearance wise it might be the best option. they did the complex engineering with the tensioner.
I'm assuming you have a mower and mule drive? if you need one, I have a few and would let one go fairly cheap, but they are not ready to use, they are spare parts in varying condition.
I think if the JD mower mule drive works clearance wise it might be the best option. they did the complex engineering with the tensioner.
I'm assuming you have a mower and mule drive? if you need one, I have a few and would let one go fairly cheap, but they are not ready to use, they are spare parts in varying condition.
KB,
As a matter of fact I don't have a mule driver or a mower. I bought the 332 as a stand alone tractor because I had read up on how efficient, reliable and rugged they were. That, coupled with the fact that nobody seemed like they wanted to part with one was enough to sell me on it. I figured I would invest in a gang reel mower to pull behind it so I'd be cutting 9 feet of lawn instead of 54 inches with every pass, saving time and $. The Craftsman DGT 6000 is a good garden tractor for what it is but not in the same class as the 332. I was spending about $10 every time I mowed the lawn and had issues w/ head gaskets so I made the switch. My 332 needed some TLC but after fluid changes, and a fuel line fix it runs like a champ. Linkage needs to be addressed next as it is still quite jerky no matter how slowly/smoothly I engage the transmission. So I'm just starting the journey on the JD 332 learning curve and just as green as the color of the tractor. I thought this site seemed like a gift from God when I found it.
As a matter of fact I don't have a mule driver or a mower. I bought the 332 as a stand alone tractor because I had read up on how efficient, reliable and rugged they were. That, coupled with the fact that nobody seemed like they wanted to part with one was enough to sell me on it. I figured I would invest in a gang reel mower to pull behind it so I'd be cutting 9 feet of lawn instead of 54 inches with every pass, saving time and $. The Craftsman DGT 6000 is a good garden tractor for what it is but not in the same class as the 332. I was spending about $10 every time I mowed the lawn and had issues w/ head gaskets so I made the switch. My 332 needed some TLC but after fluid changes, and a fuel line fix it runs like a champ. Linkage needs to be addressed next as it is still quite jerky no matter how slowly/smoothly I engage the transmission. So I'm just starting the journey on the JD 332 learning curve and just as green as the color of the tractor. I thought this site seemed like a gift from God when I found it.
For what its worth regarding the snow thrower - I'm not a Agri-Fab fanatic I just happen to have one with almost zero hours on it. I figure if I can fabricate some sort of attachment for around $100+/- to hook it to the 332 I'm way ahead of purchasing a JD model 47 - even though it is probably a much better unit.
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for jerkiness, check to see if axle is mounted to frame tightly, my 430 was like that and even with sloppy linkage its a lot better now.
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Look at the diagrams for the 46 blower. I have a Quick Hitch and blade and thought it would be convenient to either get a 46, or adapt my 49 to use the hitch and driveshaft. That was until I priced out the remaining available driveline parts for it.
Takes the breath away to say the least.
However, Quick Hitches are available for reasonable money and the 46 drive system can give you an idea of how to go with a shaft-drive system.
Takes the breath away to say the least.
However, Quick Hitches are available for reasonable money and the 46 drive system can give you an idea of how to go with a shaft-drive system.
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