Simplicity and maintainability attract
many equipment operators to hydraulically driven attachments, but the
extra demand for engine horse power have limited their use to heavy
tractors as the prime movers. With the newest models of single-stage
snow throwers from Reist Industries, however, hydraulic drive is now a
viable choice for operators of skid steers and smaller telehandlers or
tractors.
“Whether you prefer PTO power or
hydraulic, our latest single-stage throwers require 20 per cent less horsepower
than conventional two-stage snow blowers,” says Brian Reist, of Reist Industries. “That 20 per cent power bonus makes it possible for us to offer
hydraulic drive kits that operate efficiently on skid steers as small 35 horsepower."
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With the right power unit, the Reist
hydraulically driven attachments will turn these machines into an ideal
solution for specialized snow-clearing applications such as city
sidewalks, driveways and suburban cul-de-sacs.
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Reist manufactures three model ranges
of single-stage snow throwers covering auger diameters of 16, 24,
and 30 inches and widths from 48 up to 108 inches. All are available with a
choice of PTO or hydraulic drive. Another important feature to note on
the single stage design is that there is no spill- over when operating
at high travel speeds under light loads conditions because of the high-speed rotor drawing the snow towards the chute instead of boiling out
the sides. Reist cautions that, when selecting a snow thrower,
operators must take care in matching the right attachment to both the
application and the prime mover.
For Reist’s hydraulic drive units, it is recommended the prime mover to
be equipped with a hi-flow hydraulic system. Reist notes that only a
small percentage of prime movers are purchased with the high-flow
option, but the operators who own them have shown real interest in new
options for winter work. With the right power unit, the Reist
hydraulically driven attachments will turn these machines into an ideal
solution for specialized snow-clearing applications such as city
sidewalks, driveways and suburban cul-de-sacs. “These are the machines
that operators need for municipalities where heavy equipment can’t fit
in or there’s no room to bank the snow with a plow. Snow throwers let
you cast the snow where you need it, whether it’s the box of a truck or
the centre of a turnabout,” Reist says.
“Right-sizing the snow thrower will also play a part in the
productivity of the machine,” Reist says. It is most important is to
match up the choice of attachment to the prime mover hydraulic system or
PTO horse power available. This ensures that the machine maintains
proper engine speed and torque as it drives the tool. If the snow
thrower is oversized for the prime mover, it won’t achieve the casting
distances that make throwing snow preferable to plowing it. If it is
undersized, the tractor does not operate up to its potential and its
operating costs cut into profitability.
Reist’s smallest units, the 1000 Series, cut a 48-inch-wide swath with a 16-inch
auger and are recommended for power units in the range of 15 to 30 horsepower.
The largest model in the 3000 Series runs up to 108 inches wide with a 30-inch
auger on prime movers with up to 100 horsepower. In between, is the 2000 Series,
featuring a 24-inch auger in 60- and 72-inch widths, which suits prime movers
in the 25 to 55 horsepower range.
While a larger snow thrower should normally move more snow faster, a
smaller thrower may get the job done more efficiently with its added
maneuverability when working in confined or irregularly shaped areas. In
any circumstance, the attachment should always be at least as wide as
the tire tracks to avoid running in the snow banks. However, as Reist says, “Every operator is different; you have to make your choice
to fit the way you work and the work that needs to get done.”
To help operators fit their equipment to the job, Reist also offers its
single-stage models in custom widths. All models can be equipped for
hydraulic rotation of the discharge chute and deflector. The complete
Reist line-up includes a single-stage pull-type snow thrower, using a
PTO drive, for driveway applications. The standard pull-type model is
reflected in the 3000 Series snow throwers, built around a 30-inch auger in a
96-inch width and designed for tractors from 40 to 100 horsepower.
Reist’s larger equipment includes a full range of two-stage models for
heavy-duty snow removal. These are also offered in custom widths as well
as the standard nine-foot and 10-foot models.
Related links
Reist Industries
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