Version1.0 - Rotary Plow build attempt

Ver 1.0 Rotary.

First trial: I am pleased with the housing, but am dissattisfied with the rotor itself. Until the rotary system is fine tuned, there is no point in attempting to mount it to a car.

I don’t think this rotor could handle a 4in snow. It did handle this 1 1/4 in snow OK [scale 3ft].

Closer view of housing and rotor. Note wingnut on front of rotor to help break up packed snow.

Definitely need more RPM. Blades aren’t aggressive enough. You want the larger blade area at the tip.

I made the housing out of a furnace duct and ChowMein can. The housing started as a 4in to 10in piece of ductwork.

My sheetmetal skills are sadly lacking.

The rotor is out of a Hoover Vaccumm cleaner.

So what have I learned from the prototype…what am I gonna change?

  1. Actually, I would prefer to make one with an inch larger rotor . This rotor is 3 7/8in. A 5" rotor would be about right. I may try another housing with a larger, more aggressive blade. Proper sized blades are hard to find.

  2. The blades aren’t aggressive enough. You want the larger blade area at the tip.

  3. Housing works well. You want the housing to scoop or funnel the snow into the blades rather than push up against the snow.

  4. RPM:

Another rotor with more squared off ends has been found.

JC