Snowblower snowblower advice please

[hooked up]

Holy cow, you guys are fast! I feel like I'm late for the party

A lot of opinions out there....exactly what I was looking for -thanks guys

So, it seems that if I have a ton of cash I should go with a front mount, if not, get the rear mount, a swivel seat and better rear lights. Well, I think the latter will be for me and not just because of the cash, but also I just remembered I will need the FEL for moving firewood this winter and after some more thought I believe that the FEL is just too useful, I don't think I could live without it.

The used blower I'm looking at does not have hydraulic chute control, just the hand crank. Would I be correct to assume that the hydraulic control is a must have? Anyone have an idea how much $$$ to add one on?

Thanks again fellas

Hooked up

 

[Builder]

Holy cow, you guys are fast! I feel like I'm late for the party

A lot of opinions out there....exactly what I was looking for -thanks guys

So, it seems that if I have a ton of cash I should go with a front mount, if not, get the rear mount, a swivel seat and better rear lights. Well, I think the latter will be for me and not just because of the cash, but also I just remembered I will need the FEL for moving firewood this winter and after some more thought I believe that the FEL is just too useful, I don't think I could live without it.

The used blower I'm looking at does not have hydraulic chute control, just the hand crank. Would I be correct to assume that the hydraulic control is a must have? Anyone have an idea how much $$$ to add one on?

Thanks again fellas

Hooked up

I've seen them with the hand crank rod extended right through the back glass into the cab. You can crank to your heart's delight.

If you have a rear remote, you can use it to power a hydraulic chute. Best way to finf out the cost is to call the blower manufacturer and ask them how much for the optional hydraulic chute parts.

 

[JerryK]

You can also go with the manual swivel for the first winter [if you don't have a cab] and see how that works out for you. My chute is 12" diameter at the swivel and it takes little effort to spin it around unless you are really blasting out heavy snow. It takes about four cranks to spin the chute 180 degrees, and after you get snow in you face a few times [ and everywhere else ] you learn to spin it around REAL FAST, or do a little thinking beforehand and always blow downwind.. !!

 

[studor]

Hand crank works fine -- just thought the price was a little high for a hand crank unless it is in really good shape, good paint etc. Most rear mount blowers in the six foot range seemed to go for around $800 - $900 the past few months.

 

[Bedlam]

Also can make your own electric rotation devices with windshied motors etc. but thats another thread.. Pros and cons. but a cheap possibility.

 

[hooked up]

Well, I think I'll keep looking and/or try to get the price down on this one...

 

[ScottyChip]

I agree, go with the rear blower and hand crank this winter if you are still uncertain. Thats what I've been using the past two years and works fine. The twisting in the seat not as bad as I initially thought, you get use to it. Welcome to the site, you will find that after a little while the amount of information and tips here is overwhelming, but something you can't do without. Its my daily fix, and I find my day is not complete if I don't checkin.

 

[Charles Billings]

Hooked Up, My snow blower has a hand crank, and I have lived quite well with that, not wanting to take on the expense of a rear remote, and the hefty cost of chute hydraulics. But, I have been reading other threads on Tractorbynet, which have taught me how to add the same conveniences with an inexpensive atv winch and low cost linear actuator. You might want to search for those threads. I have purchased everything I need to automate things, but haven’t had a chance to install it. Hopefully, I can take some pictures and add to what others have already done.

 

[Llamaman]

Hi,

I just bought an Agro Trend 5' rear mount snowblower with hydraulic chute rotation. Seems very well built but my NH TC30 does not have rear hydraulic hookups. I just priced out the kit to add the rear hydraulics and it came in around $800. Ouch!!!
Can I run hydraulic hoses from my FEL control to the back to operate the chute? I know I 'll have to remove the FEL but with a blower I won't need to move any big piles anyway.

 

[FxdGrMind]

If you have a Kubota, you may have "Quick" disconects on your FEL. You could have some hoses made with Quick connects and leave your FEL on, select the connections for the Buckett rotation and plug in the Lines there using your FEL Buckett control for the L/R shute rotation.

Just an idea, not saying it's a SAFE solution to have your bucket on and not connected.