Berco blower

[Harry]

There is a Berco blower for sale locally at an excellent price. I was thinking about trying to put it on a 400 series GT. Are these set up for a certain rotation of the engine? This one is advertised that it was on a Husqvarna.

[Spike188]

Harry, I modified a burco and power it with Case tiller motor.

[MattA]

Harry I believe the MTD style and probably this berco have the correct rotation for the 400 series tractors. Before I found my Berco I was looking to adapt one to my 4016. The MTD setups normally have a belt reduction system that mounts under the tractor and then a second belt running to the blower. Basically two stages of belt reduction.

My Berco uses a chain for gear reduction on the input, 90 degree gearbox to the impeller and a shaft plus a much larger chain reduction to drive the augger.
I had this picture on put phone. I can take pictures of whatever you want.

AFAIK the Berco blower I have is designed for 18-27HP. My 16HP Vanguard engine certainly struggles to run it. It does ok in powder but in heavier snow I've got to go real easy on it. The electric joystick I have us fun but for most of the heavy wet snow I get here, I normally just use my snow caster.

[MattA]

Harry here are some pictures of a craftsman snowblower mounted to a Case 446 tractor. These were from a craigslist add a few years back.

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[MattA]

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[MattA]

I've got more pictures of the MTD style snowblowers not mounted to tractors. I quit researching how to do this when I found my Berco. I've also got pictures of a 48" snowcaster on a 7020 run by hydraulics.

[Harry]

Thanks to all who replied so far. Matt you seem to have a lot if experience converting to Case GT’s. I think I’ll have to look at the blower to see what the condition is. The seller has not returned my message.

[Harry]

I planned a trip to pick up the Berco and then attend a welding society meeting in the same area. Stuffed the 48” blower and all the parts in my Jeep then attended the meeting. Seller bought a Husqvarna GT from their neighbor to mow acres of land and never used the blower. It had set outside for awhile which is evident of the surface rust. Bearings and parts seemed in workable condition. It came with a soft cab and all the framework to install. Will make a nice project for a rainy day. Probably install on a 444 that has no current use other than pulling a trailer. Do you members think the K321 has enough power for a 48” 2 stage blower, or should I repower with a newer 2 cylinder OHV engine?

[MattA]

Harry I remember reading somewhere that the Berco blowers were designed for 18-27HP. My Berco is a 44" with a 3 blade impeller and my 16HP Vanguard will run it ok at best. I can very easily overload the engine. It takes more power than a snow caster to run which requires lower ground speed to keep the RPMs up. It does well in powder and throws a good 30' or more.

The snow in these pictures is granular and at times the snow being thrown in the air blocked out the sun.