Winter Prep: Fixing And Converting A Snowblower For My Wheel Loader

[@TopperMachineLLC]

What’s your go-to equipment for snow removal? Share your winter prep tips in the comments below!

[@johnplump3760]

Josh: Boy! You are multitalanted!! Your mother did not bring up a stupid kid. ATTABOY!! This I only give to my favorite people. You are one!!

[@GuardianFilmworks]

Dont you just love it when manufactures put access ports in areas that are very difficult to get to. It makes finishing the job so satisfying 😜

[@carlcarlamos9055]

There is a Little Giant company that builds cranes. Maybe they build snow blowers too. Thanks for the videos. Take care.

[@missamo80]

That punch is both amazing and terrifying at the same time 😆

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Nothing scary about it. Just a great tool.

[@carlthor91]

It's a Waldon spec'd machine, Fairview OK. Best of the season.

[@jackdawg4579]

If you get bored in winter, that bad boy would make a great amateur horror movie!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I'm excited for the zombie apocalypse!

[@erikl1886]

Great find! You just single-handedly warded off Wisconsin winter this year!!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

It's working so far. Only a few dustings of snow and temps in the 40s.

[@erikl1886]

@@TopperMachineLLC I know, I'm by Fond du Lac, we had 51° yesterday. I'm not complaining!

[@davidhopple-ff2fq]

Great video. One thing I would consider adding is an engine kill switch on a long wire that you could keep in the cab with you just in case something happens.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Already considered that. May add something more like a clutch disengage control.

[@ChuckNorriz1122]

Great video Josh! The variety of content is fantastic and the editing is top notch.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thank you

[@desoto3749]

Lucky You!! Great machine a real quality piece of equipment. It sure looks to be built with good old fabrication skills. Those V4 Wisconsin engines have been used to power lots of equipment and are strong and dependable engines. I really enjoy watching you use hand wrench's and air tools. We are so dependent on battery operated everything today. Nice to see it still being done how it has been for a long time and the way this old man still does it.

[@miningsimple1924]

Wow that's a beast of a machine!!! Now I see why you said hardly any snow. Because you have a monster for a snow machine!!! That makes my corded snow blower look like a minature

[@riliwi]

Hi Josh ,I had a walk behind single stage , I put a piece of belting on the thrower part of the flighting so they just cleared the discharge schutte and you would not believe how far it threw snow . Give it a try your neighbors will hate you. Ha Ha

[@BrucePierson]

That was a great find. For such an old machine, it's in pretty good condition. I saw snow once when I was in secondary school. I never want to see snow ever again, because I hate the cold. At the moment, we have a heat wave here in Queensland Australia, so it's gone too far the other way. At least we've had a bit of rain during this drought, but it will come up really humid when the sun comes out again.

[@bcbloc02]

I have seen in wet snow that likes to pack that without that positive feed fin between the flights you mentioned it can plug up rather than feeding back into the blower.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Those without the center scoop are generally 2 stage and are really not that reliable. These old single stage blowers(thrower) are really impressive.

[@derekcomer4858]

Great video Josh, thank you. The hole punch is something else, wouldn’t have thought that was possible 💪

[@kooldoozer]

Dad used to have a 120 ton Scotchman iron worker. I have punched 1000s of holes. Tip... Get a dish sponge and punch it, keep it above the stripper plate, saturated with oil. That will always keep the punch wet with lube. --Doozer

[@anthonycash4609]

Wow Josh that will make short work at cleaning your side walks 😂😂😂😂 its a beast no doubt. The neighbors is going to become your friends real quick now that you have a new toy.

[@wilsonhardy2100]

Just love Wisconsin engines! Lots of good memories. Back in the 90’s we had a shop made dump cart with a Wisconsin for power. It always started and ran like a top.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

They were great motors. Roller bearing mains are what make them last forever.

[@warrenjones744]

You sound confident Josh. However I am not sure who will kick who's ass, Mother Nature has a way of seeing that we stay aggravated! But then again....maybe having the blower ready to go will talk the old girl into a mild winter. We will see come spring! Good luck, Merry Christmas, Happy new year and all that stuff. Cheers.

[@robertcrossley9803]

great video, perhaps we'll get to see it used in anger. Thanks for the video content this year. Wishing you and family a merry Christmas

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks. Same to your family as well.

[@zodzod9378]

Yes good job josh there be no flies on you ! bing it on snow !Little john from the UK

[@MrRichinil]

Hey Josh . You will love that machine . It is so nice to throw the snow away instead of pushing into a pile that will later be in your way .

[@kooldoozer]

Only chumps short arc. Spray all day ! ! ! --Doozer

[@jmumbauer]

You certainly are ready this year Josh. Great job, look forward to the action shots!

[@randydobson1863]

hello Josh & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool thanks Josh friends Randy

[@e.scottdaugherty8291]

That is a scary beastie when shes running.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I know. I like it. Can't wait for the zombie apocalypse

[@jimpritz4169]

Looks like a great addition to your winter woes. Maybe now that you have that maybe it won't snow at all. MC&HNY.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

That's the hope. So far so good.

[@ellieprice363]

I enjoyed watching you getting this big blower ready for the first big snow. Rent it out to your snowed-in neighbors for a little extra winter income.

[@kristyskirt9015]

Great buy and super fabrication. Interesting The Mouse Nest, this and bird nests in general aviation aircraft do about a million dollars a year damage. Your lucky no wire insulation eaten thru. Your spray arc wow Merry Christmas Mr. Topper Cheers Kristy

[@aaronhayden1780]

I was prepping plow trucks at work 2 months ago 😂 Maybe winter will start soon here. I’m just south of ya in clear lake.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I'm hoping I scared winter away this year. With any luck we won't need any of this equipment.

[@alanmitchell7322]

Be waiting to see it working. It should be a good thing to keep your roads open.

[@nschelling6420]

It’ll be interesting to see if that Wisconsin packs enough punch to really make that blower rock and roll. Blowers tend to be power hogs. My personal nuclear option for dealing with snow is an old ex DOT Heinke V plow adapted to fit on a tractor front 3 point.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Since it's just a single stage, it should handle it just fine. You'd be surprised how much torque a V4 actually has.

[@glennclarkson4075]

I suggest that you make and weld on some serious skis or skids on the front sides to avoid throwing gravel or grass when you get to a dip and she digs in. One in the middle somewhere too if you have crowns or ditches to contend with.

[@rexmyers991]

Merry Christmas Josh 😊

[@ypaulbrown]

Awesome Video.....Jealous of your new Tool...cheers from Sunny Florida....Paul

[@mattym8]

Yeah that’ll move some snow!

[@jackjohnson6074]

VERY NICE MR TOPPLER, GLAD TO SEE VIDEOS FROM YOU AGAIN. CAN'T WATCH TO WATCH YOU BLOW BIG LOADS WITH THAT. IT'S A HOSS FOR SURE. DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE LITTLE GIANT THOUGH EXCEPT THATS WHAT I USED TO CALL MY EX WIFE'S MOTHER. DONT RECOMMEND THAT, ALWAYS MADE HER MAD. GOD BLESS BORTHER.

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Nice blower Josh, my coolant pump for the lathe is a little giant.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have one of those too.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

I was hoping to see the snowblower in action last winter

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Me too .Never got any snow. I guess it worked extremely well.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

@@TopperMachineLLC I guess the presence of the snow blower was a counter force 😄 Hopefully lack of snow didn't freeze your water pipes.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@@Frank-Thoresen it never got cold enough to worry. I built the whole place with extreme temps in mind. Water lines are 8+ feet deep, septic lines are insulated to the 8' level. I planned ahead to never have problems

[@donteeple6124]

Josh, That is one heck of a find......I could use one here for sure......8 inches on the ground as I speak.....ground isnt frozen well and plow shoes carving ruts....ughhhhhhh...Love Love Love that attachment.....excellent vid on the fab work...another Top notch from the Topper.....Happy Holidays to you and the family from mine, Don

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I need to hard pack the driveway before I start using this, but we need snow first. None yet. If the snowblower scared away winter, I consider that a sound investment.

[@freightdawg6762]

Damn i cant wait to see that Beast in Action Josh, great vid

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I can't wait either.

[@edswider9309]

Now we know what josh does in slow time

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Hasn't been any slow time lately. Just skip some sleep to get things done.

[@bunnyrabbit4972]

Little Giant is the name of a company that used to make aquarium air pumps, and submersible water pumps, I believe.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Different little giant. Turns out there were way more than I would have thought. So much for brand originality.

[@GarnettM]

Good Gravy that's a nice Mig sounds great ,Well You made a fantastic setup Let the snow dangle Whoo hoo ,I say the same thing each fall I never wait for winter to fix stuff in Need like others Mines ready to rock too when it comes to need Happy new year Josh .

[@RossMarsden]

Awesome job, Josh. You are my new favorite YT machinist content creator!

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks.

[@jackdawg4579]

I think little giant used to make blacksmiths power hammers as well.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

They still do, but different company

[@michelecrown2426]

Great retro fit. I hope your cab has a heater. Way easier to remove snow when you're not freezing parts of your body off. Looking forward to seeing this in action.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The heater is good. Been enjoying it for years. But it is due for an upgrade. I have. Much larger heater I want to install. I can't wait to use the blower. Now that I'm ready, it won't snow. Lol

[@TopperMachineLLC]

The heater is good. Been enjoying it for years. But it is due for an upgrade. I have. Much larger heater I want to install. I can't wait to use the blower. Now that I'm ready, it won't snow. Lol

[@tjs_welding_and_fabrication]

Great vid. Can't wait to see it in action. Love that Av drill.

[@mfc4591]

What a great find, you hardly have to breathe on the starter switch and she comes to life. That snowblower looks made for the loader. Keep warm and have a great week end

[@Rusty-Metal]

What a beast and it was able to to tame the shrew.

[@robert5]

With that single stage blower get after the snow ASAP. Single stage blowers don't do near as well with wet or compacted snow. You will figure that out. I just bought a mini version of this snow blower but a 2 stage. It was designed for a front PTO on a small tractor but I am instead going to be adding a motor so it will work like this, but 2 stage so no problems with wet snow.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I've ran single stage blowers for over 25 years, just much smaller. I've pushed through some of the wettest and nastiest snow slop you can imagine with absolutely no problems. You just need to know how to feed them.

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

My friends who plow commercially were always complaining when I had my truck ready in October. They are of the opinion that when you are ready for snow, it doesn't snow. Same thing with snowmobiles. They won't look at them until it snows.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I'm hoping I scared away all of the snow.

[@joshuaolsen8844]

Cool video!

[@IAFTreasurer]

Little Giant was a small crane manufacturer in Ankeny IA that went out of business in the 1990's on the death of the owner.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Different little giant. Those cranes are still being built by a new company.

[@ron827]

Sure starts good. That rig is going to put the fun back into winter unless it eats something you forgot to put away. :-) Now that you are ready for lots of snow, we can thank you when we get very little.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I spent a day going through the yard to make sure there was nothing I could hit. If buying the snowblower was all it took to not get any snow, then I call that a sound investment.

[@StuartsShed]

Holy balls that's a big snowblower. It'll pretty much have to be a new ice age to stop you digging out now. Effin mice get into everything.

[@U_ever]

Nice work Mr. Topper ! You have the coolest pile of tools in all the land ! I really enjoy watching you work your magic. Take care and Merry Christmas to you and your family !

[@alanm3438]

I love it. You do have a good size parking lot and driveway; this should work out well. You are so lucky to know how to fix things. I feel like I am in school when I watch you; you would make a great teacher even on a college level. That engine did not hesitate when you went to start it. I think you found a great find. Great job on both the video and the repairs. Good to see you.

[@railroad9000]

That is a beast of a snow thrower!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

That is a very cool snow blower and even better with the Wisconsin engine. It would be great to see it in action

[@TopperMachineLLC]

If we get any snow, I will film it.

[@MrFHLH]

What a very handy machine. Look forward to seeing it in action. Best wishes to you and your family for Christmas and the New Year.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I cant wait to use it.

[@gofastwclass]

Nice retrofit. You have some of the coolest tools and machines.

[@SgtCude59]

Great video , looking forward to see you out using the beast of a snowblower

[@user-oi8tg3dq7t]

You can punch a couple of holes in the filter and it will drain most of the oil out making a smaller mess.

[@richardwalters1803]

Check with Waldon in Fairview, Ok

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I searched some to see if they made any, but no info came up. I will reach out to them at some point. I am very familiar with their loaders.

[@richardwalters1803]

ome of their add listed a snowblower option for their tractor, good luck, cant wait to see it work @@TopperMachineLLC

[@RobertRidgley]

Now that’s a snow blower! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@funone8716]

I hope I'm wrong but my guess is that Wiscon is about 1/6 to 1/4 the HP that blower really needs. Probably very slow going in snow over 10-12 inches.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

You'd be surprised. Wisconsins don't have high HP, this one is around 34ish. But torque you wouldn't believe.

[@funone8716]

@@TopperMachineLLC Very long stroke. Too bad the rod bearings aren't pressure lubed but they seem to survive.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

They did the mains right with roller bearings, would have been nice to have better lube to the rods. But they do have a piston cooling oil line that sprays oil up the cylinder. That is probably the saving grace on most of them.

[@bostedtap8399]

Useful sized machine, guess it, and your backhoe will have priority parking by your house door 🚪 😀. Nice modifications, done properly. Thanks for sharing.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Unfortunately the wife doesn't want to see my toys by the house. I have my hidden staging area with all my treasures. Lol

[@edsmachine93]

Job well done Josh. Times like this it is handy to have a machine shop and a welding shop to do the modifications. Nice snow blower for sure. The Wisconsin engine runs like a top. Can't wait to see this in operation. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I wouldn't have the toys and hobbies that I do without a full machine shop. Too expensive otherwise.

[@TheDistur]

Love Wisconsin engines.

[@468delray]

see you live in wis too. looks like you will be trying it out Saturday 1-13-24. looking good. I will just be using my John Deere with only a 40" berco unit...lol.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

We still don't have a base yet. Without a good packed base, I won't use it. The way it is looking, I may not even need it this year.

[@468delray]

yes, nice have a hard base.@@TopperMachineLLC

[@hacc220able]

thanks for sharing

[@summerforever6736]

Nice work boss!!

[@paulmorris9477]

It might have been from Little Giant Crane and Shovel co. of Winona MN and Des Moines IA. They made small cranes and Hydraulic shovels both rubber and rail mounted. The Des Moines operation closed in the late 70's, and I hired several of their machinists / welders when they were let go.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have ran a few little giant truck cranes. Still built today. But it's not them.

[@zedostenso3069]

They are located in Nebraska City they make Little Giant trip-hammers small ones. They are still there, making hammers never saw any signs of snow blowers the last time I was there. I think they have a you tube channel. Cheers Zed

[@TopperMachineLLC]

@zedostenso3069 That is not the same company. There are just a lot of little giants out there. Guessing this one has been gone a long time.

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

This winter is going to disappoint you Josh. Thanks for the video take care of yourself and family and friends and be Blessed. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

If buying a snowblower keeps Winter away, I consider that money well spent.

[@dcraft1234]

Way off topic, but I finally got to take a look at a diesel generator engine we have here at work. Its an EMD 645-20. It was really cool seeing it up close and I thought of you.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Good engines. Too bad the govt got involved and is ruining things for everyone

[@ronwilken5219]

Hi Josh, a post script. I looked on eBay Canada for you and there's numerous manuals for the engine of that machine in the US all around the $20 mark plus the usual exorbitant shipping that US sites charge to Canada. Still nothing more about the blower. Maybe a snow blower service company might have a clue or two. Have you tried the original municipality that bought the machine. They might have a manual in some long forgotten filing cabinet if you can get to the right old timer whose prepared to look for you. Good luck.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I have some manuals for the engine now. I didn't even think to try the municipality. Great idea, thanks.

[@wmweekendwarrior1166]

Good stuff

[@johnlee8231]

My dad bought something similar back in the 77 to run on his dodge w250. Was way too heavy for it and got clogged alot if I remember right. Sold it the next year. Hope this works better for you with the much more appropriate piece of equipment to handle it

[@toomdog]

Ya know, after all that buildup, now you need to show us the blower doing some work.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Stay tuned. As of now,we still have no snow. It is doing an excellent job.

[@gusviera3905]

You scored! That's going to make short work of a tedious winter chore! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Josh.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks

[@robertschmidt6383]

Can you turn the chute from inside the cab? You'll be wishing for snow now. Gotta have a video on this monster in action.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

No, but it may become a future improvement

[@tomkeating65]

I wonder if the Alamo Group bought out that line of snowblower. Since you couldn't find any trace of it. 🤔🤔🤔

[@bernardwill7196]

I wish Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. That massive snowblower is the right sword to fight Mother Natures white troops.

[@phlodel]

I googled the Waldon name and they're an equipment manufacturer in Oklahoma. They build loaders, forklifts and attachments. Their website didn't list snowblowers. Maybe they supplied the power unit.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I plan to reach out to them and see if they had any information.

[@george-b3i-d2d]

mark the oil filter with the date of installation helps

[@TopperMachineLLC]

No need, this will get serviced every fall.

[@johanea]

Ah yes, the habit of dropping bolts and nuts on the floor randomly. Countless are the times I’ve jammed my knee on those suckers doing the same thing:o)

[@garywalters4286]

Are you going to put a cylinder on the exit chute,might be handy.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

We will see how it goes. Maybe eventually

[@johnbewick6357]

Hey Josh, if you punch a hole in top of those upside down oil filters when draining oil the filter will also drain.

[@ChuckNorriz1122]

Does that really work? Never thought of that but can’t wait to try and save myself a mess. Thx!

[@johnbewick6357]

@@ChuckNorriz1122 It really does work. It helps if the oil is hot first, as it is thinner and will run out quicker, but will still work if cold, but will need longer to drain out.Making the hole releases the vacuum above the oil in the filter, allowing the oil to flow out.

[@gregbrown4962]

Little Giant was best known for hay and grain elevators and some other farm equipment. They were located in Bloomington, IL. I do not know if they're still in business

[@TopperMachineLLC]

This is a different little giant. I know of the one you mentioned, but definitely not the same company. I have also worked with Little Giant truck cranes, again different companies.

[@danhoag373]

Don't to forget to put a panel between the blower and the v-4 Spark plugs don't work well under snow!! I have never seen a v 4 start that Ezra! Usually you have to dry the mag first gud job as always 73 dan

[@TopperMachineLLC]

I think it will be fine,as it was designed this way. But I was considering extending the top shroud down to keep the heat in a bit more. I've had a few Wisconsins that start super easy, and others that start horrible. This one surprised me.

[@kevinhillgrenjr2248]

What is the knocking noise in the background?

[@edswider9309]

Josh you can’t say now I can’t go to work to much snow

[@col2lin]

Your stock saying is "Tell me what you want to see" I want to see you fixing a Snow Plow! The last thing I would have thought of asking to see you work on, a Snow Plow. What you do / what you record is what I want to see, Because you are at it every day you forget that I probally haven't seen what you are doing before so will be interested. Thanks, because you want to get it right the first time is why I make a point of watching what you do to see if you did get it right the first time. You menshined that that little critter got into the bees - how are your bees?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks. Bees are good so far. We lost several hives over the years to these shrews.

[@nerdgarage]

Now that you've gone to all that effort we won't get any snow at all here in the great lakes area this year. =P That said, looking forward to seeing multiple videos of this machine taking on multiple feet of snow. Here's hoping. =)

[@TopperMachineLLC]

If we don't get any snow, it was money well spent. Lol.

[@nerdgarage]

@@TopperMachineLLC LOL, Good point. Clean lot and driveway w/o the time, fuel and maintenance cost.

[@funone8716]

@@TopperMachineLLC Thank you for warding off the sno devils!

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Yeah! another great video mate, I am looking forward to see you kick winters ass. I did'nt know "scamazon" yet, thanks for that, I love that back steering loader of yours, it's just like the ones I used to see in my youth in Amsterdam, what brand is it? Punching those holes in that thick steel was spectaculair Thanks for the very interesting video as allways, and keep well to you and your family . Chris.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. The loader is a Hough (pronounced Huff). Division of International Harvester, later became Dresser. Merry Christmas

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

@@TopperMachineLLC Ah thanks Josh, merry xmas and new year to you my friend.

[@GeneCarmel]

Little giant pump co. Up your way may have been the manufacturers as a side line?

[@TopperMachineLLC]

Nope, not them. This place was in Nebraska. Probably long gone.

[@chrisosowski8531]

I’m guessing that was made by little giant as an attachment for waldon mini wheel loaders. I believe Waldon is still around.

[@TopperMachineLLC]

That is my guess, but I haven't been able to confirm it.

[@jerrymoore7669]

Do you keep a bucket over the exhaust when not in use?

[@BobMcNeill-jg7mo]

is it a john boy or a mary ellen