snow blower saga begins;
I am interested in purchasing a front end mount snowblower
for a Grand L5740.
I am being told by the dealer that I may not be happy since my driveway is not paved,
it is a hardpacked surface and about 500' long.
I am looking for feedback from others who use a front blower on similar surfaces
and points to consider.
The use of a front mounted snow blower for the Grand L 5740
like any other large tractor with a front mounted implement has many
sides or problematic issues depending upon many variables and a greater purchase cost.
plusses and minuses:
All weather cab-plus
High end seating and suspension- plus
The grand L 5740 will require a high output alternator to aid in night vision when snow blowing using the front or rear mount-plus
greater purchase cost -minus
added requirements for hydraulic or electric controls for front mount operation-minus
You have dual remotes installed and can use them with no modifications for a rear blower-plus
a. poor line of sight vision with front mounted snowblower implement-minus
(you are unable to see what is directly in front of you other than the nose of the tractor and the snow blower body)
a1. the open cross auger can be flooded more easily with a front or rear mount blower
if driven too fast= plus-minus
b. adding a remote camera will improve this only if it is boxed and mounted to avoid snow build up +-
c. the front mounted blower requires an underbody mounting frame which will reduce ground clearance and it will get stuck(been there done that) minus
d. the midpoint power take off is 2000 rpm which is reduced and reversed for the use of a front mounted implement through the snow blower gear box-minus
e. power loss through multiple gear reduction-minus
e1. no limited slip PTO friction disc clutch for the front mount snow blower( shear pins)
(much less of an issue with a rear mount blower as it is using 540 rpm only to power the impeller and auger chain drive gearbox)
f. adding pneumatic caster wheels to aid in steering and to avoid digging in the driveway for the front or rear mount-plus
g. having tires loaded with windsheild washer fluid and buying tire chains(which is something you should do for either mounting anyway) plus
Rear mount blower installation:
a. the operator is directly above and behind the snowblower - plus.
b. dual remotes make the use of a hydraulic spout and chute control a plus(other wise you would need to open and close the rear window to chage thge chute direction (I do not know if the rear window can be opened on this model).
c. the suspension seat makes it much easier and less stressfull to operate in reverse as you are only traveling at 1-3 miles per hour
which is 88 to 254 feet per minute(dependent upon snow load and visibility-+.
d. the rear mount only requires the use of the 540 rpm rear P.T.O. and three point hitch for attachment (plus the PTO shaft).
You can add casters to the rear mount to make it easier to turn when in float, and follow the driveway contour with out doing a lot of digging,
and by adding pneumatic casters you can limit the blowers ability to dig in by mounting them slightly below the scraper of the rear blower and setting the needle valve under the seat closed(if it has the needle valve to lock implements in place).
adding a rear view camera will be easier as you can simply place the monitor almost anywhere to the right side of the seat to reduce the neck strain (I am unsure if the seat swivels or you can get a seat that swivels).
The thing is you are traveling at a very slow pace and the rear view camera will aid in snow clearing and visibilty.
The purchase of a rear mount blower:
Purchasing a rear mount snow blower has more advantages than disadvantages due to its inherent design efficiencies.
a. 540 R.P.M. directly from the tractor to the snow blowers gear box which also provides reduced speed for the cross auger.
b. high ground clearance by lifting the implement.
c. easier removal of snow drifts when the rear mount snow blower is raised with little if any spillage.
d. a rear mount snow blower no wider than the tractor tread width uses the machines horse power to its ultimate advantage with a rear blower
as it can be operated at full power engine power for the 540 R.P.M setting load to remove snow. A rear mount blower will be easier to remove snow
banks and melted packed snow and ice.
e. the rear PTO creates less of an engine load as well versus the mid point P.T.O. system
f. the initial purchase cost is less than a front mount blower set up.
g. The rear mounted snow blower will outlast your tractor and can be moved from machine to machine.
My personal preference for a snow blower are the Pronovost line of snow blowers as they are built for canadian winters
and I can personally say they are a better snow blower in my opinion as I have spent a lot of time examining them,
and how well they are built as they are built for canadain winters.
for the end user.
Here's my old rear blower and the new front blower..... Really no difference in the 2.
