Front or Rear Blower for GC

[WilliamBos]

Paystar (nice truck!)-- Mine came with the electric controls (dealer-mounted), and they mounted the switches on the dash.... The 2310's dash is a bit cluttered to begin with and that made it even more so; if you're getting a 2410 or a 2610, they've improved that a lot. If you did it yourself, you could probably put the switches wherever you wanted. (The switches are hard to see, but one's just to the left of the fuel gauge, and the other's to the right of the RPM/hour meter. They're good quality-- rubber-coated weatherproof double-throw momentary toggles.)

Don't know how the cranks work on these things, but on my walk-behind, vibration from the engine tends to allow the chute to wiggle on its own, so I frequently have to re-aim the thing. With the electric controls, the chute stays where it's put, a nice bonus.

Yes, the grille guard has to be removed to attach the front quick-hitch subframe (4 bolts, nuts & locks); again, on the newer models that's different, as they have a hinged grille guard-- but I suspect it still needs to come off.

The only other thing I do if I need the FEL is to remove the front stub-shaft coming out of the quick-hitch subframe; it's not "advertised" in the manuals as being possible, but there actually is a quick release for that, way back in. It prevents driving snow into the open end of the coupling. (Sorry for the sideways pic!)

WBB in NH (irvingj)

Are those aftermarket gauges on your 2300?? We are looking to put a water temp guage on our 1523. What gauge did you use? What part numbers for the pieces?? Our engine is the same as yours.

 

[jaybrad]

Front vs. rear snow blowers....wow, it's like deja vu all over again.

Looks like I'm one of the odd ones, which is OK with me (I also have the only red tractor in what is an otherwise very orange neighborhood).

I have, and *really* like, my rear mounted 54" Pronovost Puma. I haven't found it the least bit uncomfortable to sit side saddle on the seat to blow snow in reverse, and have used the FEL a lot at the end of the driveway and other areas around the yard.

The biggest challenge for me is that I have to remember when I'm turning that there is still a bucket that swings around in front and could to a pretty good job on the siding, or a car. But so far, no such problems.

I had a rear blower on a JD for about 10 years with a much longer driveway, and never found that to be a problem, which is why when I got my 2310, I was very comfortable going with the same setup again.

...and the difference in cost can be reinvested in other implements....like a wood chipper, a sawzall...oh, the endless possibilities....

I'm sure you will like whichever you decide - either way it actually makes snow removal fun!

Jay

 

[Paystar]

Another point I missed Irvingj....I've had numerous walk behinds, and garden tractors with blowers, and your right, the chute always rotates on it's own. So I guess the big tractors are no different? I just thought I would save the $600.00 they quoted me for the electric rotator, and just get something to tilt the chute up and down, without having to get off the machine. But now I think I will get both. (thanks for the compliment on my truck).
Will, doesn't the 1523 have a temp gage?

 

[WilliamBos]

Another point I missed Irvingj....I've had numerous walk behinds, and garden tractors with blowers, and your right, the chute always rotates on it's own. So I guess the big tractors are no different? I just thought I would save the $600.00 they quoted me for the electric rotator, and just get something to tilt the chute up and down, without having to get off the machine. But now I think I will get both. (thanks for the compliment on my truck).
Will, doesn't the 1523 have a temp gage?

No, it does not have a temp guage. We want to add one, and since his engine is the same as ours, it will make it easier with his parts list.

So is the GC2300 the tractor you are going with??

 

[Paystar]

No, still planning on GC2610tlb. We have a local Bobcat dealer that is pretty big, lots of sales, but I priced the smallest chassis (CT122). For the tractor, BH, FEL, MM mower, and a rear blower it worked out to $35,559.00. Would have been good because they are local, but that is too rich for me. Plus I really don't need anything that big. I don't know how they compare, but on paper the GC has more pto horsepower, and more hydraulic flow. Of course the Bobcat has higher lift capacities due to it's larger size. But like it's been said before, I don't want to oversize, or else it will take away from it's mowing abilities. I will be back to still using my lawn tractor for the tight spots. Both GC's I priced, one in Canada and one in the States both came in $6000.00 cheaper than the Bobcat. I can do lots with 6 grand in my pocket.
I still don't know when I'll do it. I wanted it for summer but may have to put it off again. Trucking, (along with every other job around here) has gone for a crap. The good thing though is if it don't happen till next fall, I'll get all the good 0% deals again

 

[irvingj]

William-- no, those are the gauges it came with, except for the temp. They do look a bit hokey, don't they? That's my --so far-- biggest annoyance with the 2310; glad they improved that on the newer models.

If you go to this thread, you can get the details: "2400 temp gauge" by DEWFPO, started 5/16/08. (Sorry, I'm not sure how to post a link.)

I don't know about the 1500 tractors, but the 2300s have a 2" hole already there in the center of the dash, it's just covered up by the stick-on plastic layer on top, so any 2" gauge would work, I suppose. Mine now has a rather permanent fog on the inside of the glass-- if I had it to do over (which I may anyway!), I'd probably look at a marine gauge-- something that can take being exposed to the elements. It still works and is readable, but....

Paystar- As I said, I'm not sure how the crank models work on the front-mount blowers-- perhaps they hold their positions better than my walk-behind... anyone care to comment on that? The electric option is expensive, however, and there are numerous threads about how people have "electrified" their chute controls very inexpensively using window or wiper motors from cars. I agree $600 is kinda hard to understand, but that's the way mine came, so....

 

[jaybrad]

Irvingj - how long ago did you take those pictures? I just noticed that you had < 25 hours on the meter? You gotta get out more.

Mine has been pretty quiet lately since we haven't had any new snow in a couple weeks. I did go out and open up the end of my driveway a lot more last weekend. Those who just don't understand might think that it was completely unnecessary, but I submit that getting a couple hours of seat time is great therapy any time of year - and I only got it stuck a couple of times.

Jay

 

[LBrown59]

I got the front blower for my GC --yes, it's expensive-- but never looked back. .

Guess not with a front blower.==
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[irvingj]

I figured, LBrown, you'd catch that!... (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

Jaybrad-- yes, that was a while ago, last May, I think. Tractor now has almost 80 hrs.... Removed the blower & installed the bucket Saturday for some serious icy snow-pile hunting on neighbors' driveways.... had a blast. Chilly & windy, but brilliant sunshine in a cloudless, bright blue sky. Nice!

Guess I'll fiddle around in my own driveway today- doesn't really need it, but I like the practice!

On an aside, my little parking spot has worked out quite well; I'm thinking it may become more permanent....

 

[jaybrad]

Tractor now has almost 80 hrs....

And I see you added a cool redneck suicide knob, too. You guys in the south crack me up.

Looks like our next opportunity to use the snow blower is coming at the end of the week.

Jay