Snowblower CUT Snowblower: Front, 3pt, or FEL mount?

[Tractorganic]

I'd be greatfull for comparisons and personal experiences w/ different type mounts of snowblowers suited to a 40 hp tractor (TC40D). I wonder if there is a FEL mount unit available? It seems it would be easier to drive a cleared path (and not have to twist my neck watching behind) and easier to maneuver and clear up to obstacles w/ front mount. What drives a front mount, a mid-pto? What would drive a FEL mount, hydraulics? When are additional hydraulics to the front required. I don't want to struggle w/ manual cranks etc. while driving (been there w/ BCS 2 wheeler). Thanks all.

 

[PineRidge]

Well I can't tell you how the high end blowers work (front mounted), as I have a 6' Woods mounted to the back of my TC-40D. The custom seat on the D series lets me put the seat at a comfortable angle so its really not as bad on the neck as it sounds. I engage the blower and set the cruise in reverse and the blower does the rest. I do have to get off my duff to readjust the chute when needed but I'm not putting a remote on just to rotate the chute. Maybe you get a bit more snow than we do here in the Ohio Valley. If thats the case then you might want to consider that option on whichever blower you purchase.

Watch that wind, make it help you. Don't try to push snow into it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[dylan]

Consider an inverse blower. It mounts on your 3ph and blows as you drive forward so you don't have to crane your neck. I have a 72" one on my TC33D. I wanted it wider than the wheels but wasn't sure if the tractor had enough power to run that big of a bower but so no problem. I never let it get really deep anyway because the tractor has too drive over it first. So far the deepest snow I have been though is 12" but this is Ottawa so ... I'm sure I'll see it deeper.
Mine is a smyth but pronovost and normandin also make them. I got mine with urethane edges and an extra scraper out back so I can back right up to garage doors and not miss anything. i'll post some pics when I get them developed.

 

[rambler]

I don't know of a useable FEL mounted snow blower for a cut. That would require more oil flow than you have available, by far! Snow blowers take a lot of power, you wouldn't like the enery losses of a hyd motor anyhow. If you had a skid steer, which is just an engine with a huge hyd pump then it's the best way to go as it's the only option, but not on a tractor.

Front mount is ok if you have a mid-pto to use and 4wd for traction with all that weight up front. You have to take your loader off tho, negative. Some are made that work off the rear pto, run a dropped driveline to the front - yuk to all that extra contraption, expense, & clumbsy stuff.

Best bet is a rear 3pt blower with your fel up front. You can handle all kinds of snow, blowing, pushing, scraping, lifting. I find that the best setup by far. I live in Minnesota, get snow that stays & blows all winter, get 5' drifts on the driveway.

You can use a hyd cylinder to move many of the chutes, if your tractor has a port. A crank isn't that bad either. I believe electric is an option on some blowers, don't know how strong they are.

--->Paul

 

[Wildman1]

I'm partial to a front mounted blower. I use my 3ph for a broadcast spreader which I keep full of course sand for ice. So far I've blown 6 times in 10 days and am happy as a clam. The front mount also lets me run the chute direction with the joystick which is very nice. I've got a cab so trying to control a manual chute with a 3ph blower would be a pain.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I have a front mount 48" snowblower on my Cub Cadet garden tractor and a 3pt 60" Farm King rear facing unit for my larger tractors. I don't know of any front mount blowers that will work with New Holland tractors larger than their TC24D. NH has a special front hitch unit for their front mount blowers, it is designed for the TC18/21/24 tractors and powers the blower off of the mid-pto. I don't think there is any way to adapt it to your TC40D.

 

[Golfgar4]

One of the big drawbacks of a front mount blower is the cost. They are a lot more expensive than a 3 pt blower.

Where does the inverse blower fit in, cost wise?

 

[kensfarm]

New Holland Snow Blowers

A New Holland snow blower turns your tractor or commercial mower into a powerful snow removal machine. Choose from three models: the 716B, the 716C and the new quick-attach, two stage 716D.




Model 716B

Model 716B front-mounted snow blower has a cutting width of 72 inches and fits:

New Holland Boomer compact tractor models TC35D - TC40D and compact tractor models 1720 - 3415.
Operates from the mid-mount 2000 rpm PTO.

Standard hydraulic spout rotation and manual deflection control mean quick, easy placement of snow.

Open-auger design offers reliable performance in heavy, wet or frozen snow.

Adjustable skid shoes allow you to vary settings for efficient operation in changing conditions.




Model 716C

Model 716C rear-mounted snow blowers are available in 60-inch, 72-inch, 96-inch and 108-inch cutting widths and fit the following:

60-inch: New Holland Boomer compact tractor models TC18 (below serial # UD33666), TC21/TC21D (below serial # UF33357), and TC25 -TC33D. New Holland compact tractor models TC30 and 1215 -3415.
72-inch: New HollandBoomer compact tractor models TC35 - TC45D. New Holland models 3430 - 5030 and New Holland TN Series.
96-inch: 80 to 200 PTO hp tractors (200 hp - 1000 PTO only)
108-inch: 120 to 200 PTO hp tractors

Attaches directly to the tractor's three-point hitch for easy mounting and removal.

Hydraulic spout rotation allows you to easily change direction of blown snow from the tractor seat. (Optional on 60-inch and 72-inch models.)

Optional hydraulic/electric deflector (96-inch and 108-inch only) varies the discharge height from the tractor seat

Open-spoke, single-auger design (60- and 72-inch only) allows easy plowing through wet or frozen snow.

Double-auger and 48-inch cutting height (96- and 108-inch only) mean you get maximum performance in deep snow banks.

Extra-large opening to the fan allows you to quickly move large volumes or snow up and out of the discharge chute.

Optional truck-loading chute is available when you need to move snow offsite.




Model 716D - New!

Model 716D quick-attach, two-stage snow blowers are available in 51-inch (front- or rear-mounted), 52-inch (front-mounted only) and 63-inch (front- or rear-mounted) cutting widths and fit the following:

51-inch: New Holland Boomer compact tractor models TC18, TC21/TC21D, and TC24D.
52-inch: New Holland commercial models MC22, MC28 and MC35.
63-inch: New Holland Boomercompact tractor models TC21/TC21D, and TC24D.
Quick-attach system makes it easy to attach and detach blade.Quick-attach system also accommodates front blades, rotary broom and other attachments using one, common hitch assembly. There is no need for a separate frame to mount each attachments and there's no need for tools.

Two-stage operation enables you to throw and clear many types of snow, from light and fluffy to hard-packed. In stage one, an auger bites into the snow and breaks it up. In stage two, the impeller picks up the snow and blows it out the chute.

Heavy-duty, adjustable skid shoes allow you to vary settings for efficient operation in changing conditions.

Manual spout control is easy to adjust.

Optional hydraulic chute rotator allows you to change direction of blown snow from the operator's seat.

Optional hydraulic chute deflector varies the discharge height from the operator's seat.

Cutting edges are replaceable and reversible for long life and easy maintenance.

Open-auger design prevents wet snow from building up and helps break up hard-packed snow.

 

[Pks]

Hmmm... That should cover it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[keeney]

I have a 47" front mount two-stage for my JD 4100, but now I wish I had a similar sized 3-pt blower. I generally prefer to use a blade on the front for snow removal since it is much faster for small amounts of snow and the snow doesn't blow in my face (A result of Murphy's law is that the wind will always be coming from the direction where you want to blow the snow, even if you change to the other direction).

Like the other poster with his FEL on the front, I would like to leave a 3-pt blower on the back for drifts, the end of the driveway, and the occasional times when we get more than a foot at a time.

Also, putting the blower in the back would let me leave it on even when switch from blade to FEL.

I have considered adapting the unit for 3-pt mounting, but it would take more than just a frame - the PTO speed would be wrong as well.

Anybody interested in trading a 3-pt blower for a nearly-new JD 47" front-mount? The unit would also fit most JD 400 and 500 series lawn tractors since they use the same front quick hitch connections.

I would think front mount would be great in some situations:
A: with a cab.
B: for long stretches of clearing like city sidewalks that have banks of snow from the road plowing.
C: places where the blade doesn't work due to too much uphill slope (not enough traction, and chains would damage the pavement), lots of drifts, very heavy snowfall, or no place to push the snow.

- Rick