We Built The ULTIMATE SNOW BLOWER | First Drive

Army Truck + Snow Blower + Pontiac Sunfire = 😳
We're a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we turn a pole barn into our dream shop with an upstairs apartment!
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00:00 Part 4
04:10 Blower mounts
08:23 Hydraulic ram
11:38 Reservoir and controller
14:25 Out of the shop
16:14 Snow chains
19:04 Blowing snow

[@SB-pz3xg]

The crazy part for me is this is all off grid! All the cutting, welding with solar and batteries. Awesome.

[@free_electron]

That’s actually really smart to have used the power steering pump as a repurposed hydraulic pump for the floating ram and solenoids. I’m an engineer by day and I have to give credit where credit is due - that’s ingenious!

[@robertthomas5906]

When he said it I was thinking - that's a great idea! No messing with the truck. I really like that.

[@jakeford7688]

I use my powering steering pump to run my detach instead of a PTO wet kit

[@kyleantonowich4335]

I mean power steering is literally a hydraulic circuit so it makes sense lol

[@jimdavison4077]

That's how plow trucks have been doing it since the 70's or before. You can change the pulley size to get more pressure and change pumps with larger reservoirs too.

[@saltwaterrook4638]

Guess you're not familiar with hydraulic systems.

[@tkwhitehead8578]

So awesome!! Engineer, electrical, mechanical, and fabricator all rolled into Riley. So enjoyable to see the smiles on your faces each week!

[@nena4215]

That has got to be one of the most “ambitious” off grid builds I have ever seen! Forget the off grid, who cares, that thing is a beast and I can’t believe you engineered the whole thing, Riley you’re a genius!

[@HighTechLab]

You made the massive amount of work attaching this to the truck look really easy. That is impressive.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Thanks Dexter! There's a reason this video took an extra week! Ha. All the little things are so time consuming.

[@HighTechLab]

@@AmbitionStrikes keep it up!!!

[@fuhrermk92]

@@AmbitionStrikes 1:38 i think u need another snow blower here too 🙈 but we need full episode just for plasma cutter please 🙏🙏🙏🫶

[@rudyrivera7426]

What cad! Application are you using to make parts?? 😊

[@chaz337]

👍👍👍

[@ScottJ5860]

There needs to be an awards ceremony for KZbin content creators. This would definitely take the "Most Inventive project done from an off grid channel" award.

[@johnwudarcki9315]

I watch farming and excavating channels that are as good if not better

[@archangel729]

Obviously you have never seen Donny dyi he built his own atv a log splitter a trailer with a grapple to pick up logs now he's building a sawmill.

[@MadHatter764]

I think their many years of experience with vehicle fabrication and the fact they own a $20000 plasma table disqualified them from contention. Their experience is OP.

[@shaneweber4481]

Awesome Job guys, you are a very talented . Love seeing your guys videos.

[@DanielDuffySan]

You HAVE seen the guy that slapped 3 RC jet fans to his Tesla, then drove it on the freeway in Chicago, with flames coming out, right? That guy and Riley are cut from the same cloth. :) Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIS8hWOrpc-Bl8U

[@ahorseman4ever1]

Riley this is absolutely brilliant! Beautiful welds too! What i think is amazing is that both of you are equally talented. You guys are a beautiful team together.

[@Captainfab406]

This is awesome to see this plan come together and work so well. If I might make a suggestion. Before next winter, put about 1 or 2 tons of gravel in the back. That will help offset some of the extra weight on the front axle and give you better traction on the rear. If you want to take it a step further, get yourself a sander unit to put in the bed. Then you can also sand the road after you blow the snow off of it. Usually in the spring ITD has a surplus equipment auction, down here in CDA.

[@arnegerhardsen3755]

I agree, the truck will go better in snoeblowing and you wont go stuck then you are backing with the lifted snowblower.

[@McBuggs.]

Another suggestion is to lower the snowblower to a couple of inches off the ground when in use. It was much too high and it was only skimming the top surface, left too much snow under the wheels. Don't be afraid to get it down in the snow, it will handle it. Then if you have to back up, you shouldn't get stuck.

[@bwillan]

Good job on getting the snowblower attached and functional. Looks like you'll need to add a bunch of ballast weight in the truck bed to offset the weight of the snowblower on the front end of the truck. That should help with turning. One tip to snowblowing on gravel is to make sure the ground is good and frozen otherwise you will be peeling up your gravel and launching it through the snowblower.

[@rickallman1318]

Good observation. However they mentioned in the previous vid about this project they wanted to install a spreader and load a bunch of road salt in the back. Question is, would there be enough salt? Maybe make a drop in box made out of lead to hold the salt? Just thinking. Lol

[@gordonbrown6793]

Extra weight in the back will also help traction. Easiest way is one or two 1 ton water containers and fill them however much you need.

[@markmitchell457]

Use snow. It unloads it's self.

[@einarmiger]

Right. You must at least place the same weight over the rear axle as the weight of the entire blower-extension. Then you will definitely no longer have traction problems and the steerability of the truck will definitely improve in use. Good job, you can be proud of it!

[@lloydmondragon4233]

Awesome job, I’ve been working for municipality for a number of winters and the only time our trucks don’t have good traction is when there empty so I’d encourage you to add some dirt in the back of the truck, oh and before I forget congratulations you two on the news of your first baby.

[@hcurtisvr4]

My weekend is not complete without a video from you two!

[@oblioyou]

Just a suggestion, The way a snow plow blade works (which is what you have with a blower) is the hydraulic ram lifts an arm with a chain attached for floating ability, eliminating that float manifold. Also, put skid plates on the sides of the blower to prevent picking up a lot of gravel, which will also break the impeller's roller chain. Skids will slide over bumps instead of trying to shear them off breaking something. Go slow there is no spring mount. Team Ambition is doing Great, wish I was your neighbor.

[@matthewb3640]

I just mentioned the same mount system. And adding weight.

[@ToreDL87]

Wait why are you so calm? This made me miss how CC's used to say a thing just once, they talked calmly, measured and deliberately. Everybody else just goes AUUW AUWW OFOFFFFF AAAUWUW UHUH AAAH. Lots of screaming and hollering, while you're as calm as can be! You even edited down the volume when you got excited for it working! 😊 Subbed!

[@DeanJohnson67]

THAT will be so much fun after a heavy powder snowfall!! possibly add a skid plate with small steel wheels on the back of the snowblower frame so if you are backing up over a hump / unlevel section the sharp angles wont dig in ? In any case you are an awesome Enginner coming up with these things and then DOING them yourselves!

[@eranhoj]

skid plate with up curved tips at each side would work, easier to fabricate. and you can make some counterweight to put in the back of the truck at the tailgate, which should give you better traction,

[@evil17]

Excellent job guy’s, love ur content & genius. ​The skid steer with snow blower in the back would make a good counterweight, for extra traction and have a backup redundancy machine on board for some smaller areas, or in case of a breakdown, you could still finish a job &/or get home for parts, etc.

[@miketerrill5562]

Great job, some others have pointed out some tips to improve your project. Add 8,000lbs in the back and winches front and rear. The weight should keep from getting stuck. The winches if you do. The front winch could be used to lift it rather then the hyd cyl. And give you float. Great job over all.

[@greyfyreshelties260]

Next is a super supremely strong winch to winch out the stuck truck? That was such a cool video!!! But can the next one be longer than 1 minute?? This one flew by...Amazing! Looking forward to seeing it clear the snow from your new road...What an incredible achievement. Seriously, Riley needs a skin tight lycra suit with a cape and a mask. He's a super hero.

[@shirleynoseworthy7615]

The way you guys make your ideas come to life is amazing. The amount of steps that you can look ahead to make sure you cover it all just blows my mind. Great job!

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great job Riley

[@HaroldReece]

What an achievement. Very few would have even thought about building this snow blower, even fewer would have the ability to engineer such a project. You two are truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Congratulations on the coming next generation little engineer.

[@vinnyirl6348]

I can assure how satisfying is to get functional things made by our own hands. This could explain why your channel is growing fast all around the world. You know, even we who didn't do anything but watching you, can also get some serotonin shots, it means, you guys are addictive, all FIVE of you! 😁 Greetings from Poland

[@rossmckinnon5442]

Cortneys look was priceless

[@jscanlan22]

Awesome project! A couple of thoughts 1) protect the radiator, it looks vulnerable. 2) extra weight on the back of the truck. -- that will help with traction and balance. 3) provisions for when the hydraulics break -- attachment points for wheels to support the front of the blower. -- physical lock for the up position. -- redundant/parallel hydraulic lift system.

[@marcuswhonea]

You may have some icing issues with the radiator. There is a mesh fabric for snowmobiles that may shed the snow and keep it from icing if it becomes an issue.

[@rmhdsn284]

I like that idea about the mesh, and please think about how to keep blown snow out of your air filter. Perhaps just a little shroud over the top? Love the project overall, and so envious of your fab skills!!

[@greganderson8374]

Riley: I have to give you major Kudos, I have watched your engineer & fab projects in the past, but this snow blower is your best. From mounting an car engine to the snow blower, the mounting frame & hydraulics, your engineering, fabbing and welding skills are top notch!

[@GrantRTanner]

That machine is insane! I hope it works well and you can move some serious snow with it. Also, thanks for always saying oh my gosh. Very refreshing for this devout Christian.

[@DCHOY1]

The best part of your videos is your attitude. Very positive. Mature. Sensible. Keep making stuff! Excellent work!

[@billroberts3864]

You folks are fantastic planners, engineers and fabricators. Your smiles are a signal that your efforts have paid great dividends. Blessings to both of you.

[@mikesandiland2652]

Riley, I have come to expect really professional design and fabrication skills from you. WOW!!

[@machinist5828]

Outstanding! Just make sure to keep the dogs inside when you are using it. Small and large kids too. The snow blowers we had in the Air Force took no prisoners. Cheers Terry

[@rickadema3558]

Awesome! You may want a 3rd hydraulic cylinder for the spout deflector.

[@donwhitehead4587]

There are engineers, there are mechanical engineers, there are technicians. Riley is ALL of them combined. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@BackyardBoogieChannel]

Consider a flow control valve (slowdown) for the “down” function of the blower so you can fine tune how slow/fast it drops (if you haven’t already).

[@leonschmidt7]

Don’t they make an orifice to control the maximum speed for dump boxes and tilt trailers?

[@Beary98]

We do the same box fan trick for pollen and smoke in the summer A thicker filter, 3 or 4 inch will flow WAY better.

[@alberteinstein9176]

You stole my thunder M@. LOL A floater position on the hydraulics is critical. It allows the blower to freely move up and down depending on the terrain. I'm a heavy equipment operator and front end loaders allow you to float the bucket to smooth out surfaces as you drive backwards. Thomas Dutkiewicz

[@TerenceD63]

Phenomenal build ! Getting that blower to float on skids mounted on each side will keep it above the road at a consistent height so you won't get stuck again....

[@NailHead86]

Not really. They are missing the arms of three point system here. It can not oscillate with that mounting system without the whole truck doing so.

[@countrylifetales2700]

I put this video in FULL screen mode because I wanted to see it up close and personal. Great job guys. I'm always in awe of your skills.

[@philippebaudon]

awesome this blower. And, in summer, you can make a lot of big cotton candy ! HI from France

[@Wiscotac]

When that bad boy came out of the shop door all I could think of was the movie 'Maximum Overdrive' plus a really recent green comet in the skies. Excellent work!

[@jonathanlemire2797]

Those kits from AuxBeam are so nice. I used the 8 switch kit on my Kubota and the 6 switch for my quad. It makes the wiring job so much quicker, simpler and cleaner. Well done with the fab work!

[@douglascloud4484]

Riley you float really a great bead on your welding. you guys are awesome. Take it easy Courtney for you baby. Love you guys.

[@electricboatal]

I think that it performed Rey well. The “snow” that you were blowing was mostly ice. When you sink it into fresh soft snow it is going to rock. In my opinion you have knocked it out of the park. Bravo. Your Pal Al

[@shawnsasser4001]

Cruzin into town for ice cream in a snowblower truck, classic!

[@makingtechsense126]

Good job! I bet you've never wanted it to snow so bad like you do right now.

[@simms196]

Excellent work! Absolutely amazing what Riley can do. I'm wondering if a counter weight on rear of truck will offset the blower weight resulting in more rear tire traction?

[@roberta4989]

There was nothing "reckless" about this idea and build by Riley. So many examples of top level skills!

[@moreybandel5560]

That snowblower is awesome! Nice to see all your hard work and ingenuity paid off! That should really be handy for those massive snow storms! Thanks for the video!

[@garyrrobinson9068]

The look on Courtney's face was a PRICELESS moment. Congratulations

[@wadebrewer7212]

Try one of the old school cruise controls set ups. They read drive shaft speeds and have an electric motor that modulates the throttle. You might be able to set this up to read pto speed...set the cruise control and it will regulate the engine speed based on pto rpm. Just a thought. Well done guys... this thing is AWESOME!

[@szki272]

He likely could use the factory transmission sensor assuming it is a hall effect? and reads teeth on a wheel. He could put a sprocket or gear on the belt drive somewhere for the sensor to work.

[@clowninartzvp]

Yes! I knew the blower would work. I trust in you.

[@om617yota8]

Really appreciate that you two actually wear safety gear when doing fab work. So many channels, safety glasses and seatbelts are an afterthought, if they're used at all.

[@jbbrown7907]

Those welds look really good.

[@rickh4694]

Another successful project! One of reasons your channel is so much fun.

[@chrisatkinson8740]

As a retired engineer I must give Riley a massive pat on the back for his ingenious use of parts cobbled togeather to make what is a difficult thing to build. So much has to be right for it to work correctly. All I would say is you need atleast 1-2 tonnes of counter weight in the truck bed, over the rear axle, this will make the whole vehicle more balanced and much more driveable.

[@georgefridley606]

And lower tire presser for more traction about 8 PSI

[@johneubank237]

I’m totally amazed in your ability to create and put this together. I also noticed that you do an absolutely amazing welding job.

[@ElijahPerrin80]

That was fun and the engine was more than enough to throw snow, well done and I hope for one more good snow so you can give it a good test with some fresh powder but from what I have seen this is a home run.

[@AmbitionStrikes]

🤞🤞🤞❄️❄️❄️

[@jacquelinedrury2251]

You guys are amazing. This is a genius idea. There's nothing that you can't do. I'm so impressed. Congratulations on the coming birth of your baby Courtney. I pray that all goes well. God bless you both, and stay safe. 🤩🤗

[@peeonthe3rdrail414]

Awesome work guys. The only thing I might add is some counterweight in the bed of the truck, maybe one or two 55 gallon drums full of cement with a lift point?

[@kingrafa3938]

There's no doubt in my mind that this snow blower project of yours will work. Keep grinding guys!

[@DNomer]

This is my favorite episode for this blower. The controls and mounting are the fun part! Plus Courtney is changing her demeanor! She is getting more of a mommy vibe already.

[@buckroger5850]

Behind every successful man stands a woman! You are blessed and fortunate to have Courtney to share all of your endeavors with 😁

[@Jarvis-iu2li]

Great build! I love this channel! You both are so genuine, fearless and your ability to fabricate anything is amazing. Your creations are never backyard either. Welding is impeccable. You could have built the entire blower if you wanted to. I'll be disappointed if you buy the sander to go in the back next winter 🙈lol. Have a great week!

[@jonplante7589]

That was soooo fun to watch! Riley is an engineering and fabricator master! Loved every minute! 👍

[@belight-ws4bb]

wow !!! you amaze me, good job. it works. I've been waiting a whole week for this . Your build videos are so entertaining. thanks for all your effort and hard work.

[@ftkinsella]

I love the fact that you have the brains to engineer a project and then grab the tools to drill, Tap, weld and completely put it all together. Love an engineer who gets his or her hands dirty. Cheers guys!!! 😀🍺🍻🥂😛

[@timothymitchell4261]

What a great accomplishment! You may want to add some weight over the back wheels to help your traction and counterbalance the weight of the snowblower on the front! Congrats on the baby. Blessing to you all! Question: How are the solar panels working with melting the snow? Do you have to clean the off much or does the reflecting from the back help?

[@AmbitionStrikes]

We haven’t had to clear the panels off, they always self clear rather quickly!

[@mattsilver8842]

Wow Just awsome as you drove out of the shop for the first time! Not surprised but greatly impressed that it works. You seem to have the thought processes worked out so well. I cannot wait to see how you finish it off, and wish you a lot of snow so you can celebrate Congrats

[@catgynt9148]

Have you named this Frankenstein blower yet? Truly impressed with your tenacity and engineering skills. Congratulations. Wishing you both another blessed week, gentle seasonally appropriate weather and restful evenings. Peace

[@ShaneHarderPhoto]

You are an amazing individual. Absolute brilliance.

[@enriquejrvaldes9718]

Riley is genius 👍👌. I enjoyed watching you guys😊

[@richardnwilson]

Great video thank you! Of all your projects I think this is one of the most amazing ones! Also very entertaining video. Well done!

[@o2boutdoors]

HUGE admiration for the skills involved in visualizing, designing, and building something like this!

[@CP-mj8wd]

It not only works well, but it looks good, and like it was meant to be. Great job you two, thanks for sharing.

[@terrysmith907]

You guys are doing a great job editing these videos. Getting better all the time.

[@jbarvideo12]

Awesome engineering analyses, designing, welding and testing. Suggest considering mounting wheels to the edges of the blower so you don't have to rely on metal skids. So how are you going to get the truck and snowblower unstuck?

[@kamoterorl]

Bull dozer.

[@Truthvector]

Totally awesome dude. You da man Master Kacey. You are a credit to your school. Somebody needs to nominate you for your school's outstanding alumni award.

[@tomsobers6346]

I use a box fan also to clear the air too a carbon filter works even better will reduce smells and since you live up stairs you wont be sleeping with the smells

[@bizzer999]

well done both of you another great build

[@89clavos]

Very impressive must say. Really enjoy watching this 👌

[@bubbamuddigger6252]

Putting 1-2 tons of rock or sand in the bed will not only help with traction for the rear drives but will also help keep the truck level and help keep the blower farther off the ground while traveling. Awesome build

[@joewithrow2345]

Load the truck with some of the stone around the house' it's free and the only expense then is the fuel; and you'll have better traction, yes I realize this was practice and the old road, but as a navy vet the term "CYA" come to mind. Good luck and thankyou all for shareing!!!

[@rallydriver5741]

Really impressive build. I realize this is just the start of fine tuning this great build but I just wanted to add a few observations. Perhaps a bigger reservoir for the hydraulics? They can heat up pretty quickly and your pump won't like that. Just keep an eye on the pump temperatures, you might be fine in the cold. Loading the very back of the bed with weight to distribute tire load as evenly as possible will give the best traction. Something like tote full of water or large bags of dirt that your excavator can easily lift. Great Videos as always and congratulations on your addition to the family.

[@markmitchell457]

Use snow. It unloads it's self. That's what we used in our pick-ups in Oregon for traction. First warm day, it's gone.

[@rallydriver5741]

@@markmitchell457 My thoughts are the ballast should be something you can remove with the excavator as necessary, especially when the truck becomes stuck. Once removed it would be less weight to extract and if the excavator was carrying the removed load whilst pulling the truck out it would have better traction itself. The snow idea is cool (🙄) and free, but if they wanted to use the full utility of the truck and quickly use it for another project then getting possibly frozen snow out of the bed would be a pain. Just my 2 cents....

[@stevegreengrass7727]

That is such an awesome & amazing accomplishment! You guys have come so far in the past year!! So looking forward to all your future builds! One thing tho? The past few videos you have posted, your audio is so low, I have to almost crank the volume, & then when the commercials come on it blasts out of the speakers! Can you please look into this?? Awesome content tho, keep it up!

[@AmbitionStrikes]

Oh no, that’s very strange! We’re putting out videos at the same audio level we always have and don’t seem to have that issue on our end. I’ll have to investigate!

[@ejcastro9518]

@@AmbitionStrikes no volume problem on my playback. I have noticed that some videos from other creators do have this audio problem, but it's not constant.

[@stevegreengrass7727]

I don't know what the cause of it could be, I just notice that when I go to watch your videos I have to crank the volume, and honestly I've never had that problem with any other channels, & I watch alot of KZbin lol.. I'm recovering from knee replacement surgery so I have alot of time on my butt! Lol.

[@sharpshorts]

A really well done project...Completely self contained is a great feature. Here's a couple of possibilities I've come up with (yeah right, just what you need - more projects) : 1) How about a removable counter weight for the back of the truck to improve traction and balance? 2) I know you'd have no problem fabricating a quick-attach plate/mount so that you could also use the blower with your tracked loader (or perhaps a tractor?)

[@kopenhagenkid]

Great video Riley and Courtney

[@jamesdepaul3410]

Riley, I'm very impressed with your skill and tenacity

[@jefflevoir6127]

Simply AMAZING !! 👍😀

[@ericseder7995]

Amazing! I love the old jeep grill hanging on the post, I have the same garage art!

[@obmitno6745]

He had a bit of crazy in his eyes when he started it, and she had a bit of terror in hers. Priceless!

[@michaelknaub6912]

Like cows in a field... outstanding! Can't wait to see what else you have planned.

[@johnlenoir1023]

Dang Skippy seems like it's working marvelous very good job excellent hopefully you'll get a lot of use out of it

[@jamesazahn6842]

Food for thought, during the snowplow season you could make a concrete block to weight down, evenly distributed on the vehicles flatbed, to provide further traction; but to exceed the vehicles gross weight restrictions.

[@headhunter4488]

Great job. One experience comment. We had a 7 foot blower on a three point tractor. One day was blowing snow, it picked up apart brick and threw it through a barn wall. Not a good idea to stand anywhere near or in front of a snow blower. Be safe

[@J.Howard]

She says I don't think so: I'm going to clear the roads all the way to town just to get some ice-cream 🤣

[@tsant6591]

That is sick! Great job guys! Can't wait to see it dig into some fresh deep snow, and do its job! 🌨

[@roxannabloom1540]

THAT WAT FRIGGIN AWESOME!!! I don't know what kind of mind or education you have but you make everything look so easy. Job well done sir!

[@vinceperillo6802]

Your building skills are off the chart. I love watching you two. You guys are like a well oiled machine. Also congrats on the great news you guys shared. Based on your building skills both of you are going to be great parents. Peace

[@ballardchad]

Riley! You are a machine! I was watching this and It just struck me how amazing this is. You took an idea and hit it out of the park. I have been watching this channel for a while now and I am constantly amazed at the content that you and Courtney create! Thank you for making my morning!

[@Rum1981]

As a Snowbloweroperator in austria: you should blow the snow to the right side (drinkerside) so that you can see what you are doing, and mount adjustable wheels on each side of the blower to adjust the height of the blade/the whole blower. the rest looks pretty good

[@bennystaton7477]

He surprised me as always the man is SMART KEEP IT UP

[@ColeMarkusen]

The snow blower is mind blowing! Well done! And look at all that storage now 😍 So neat seeing everything coming together

[@dmsmowry3607]

The snowblower is awesome. PLEASE do one more thing to it. an EMERGENCY kill switch you can activate from the cab and outside. This would be a huge safety feature. You are a great fabricator.

[@moerichard3110]

I built a large garden tractor many years ago and had trouble keeping engine speed constant. I used a Cruze control , that used a magnet to trigger the control. I mounted the magnet to the flywheel. It worked great!