Rear versus Front mounted snowblower

[check]

You nailed it right there.

THE most beautiful sight in the world....Evergreens loaded with snow. I call them "sugar coated."

Beautiful.:thumbsup:

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory! As well, the dealer is the same one where I originally bought my BX25, and he has been good to me. I also spoke to another supplier (toplinetrailers.com) who sells both, and he says he prefers the Kubota over the Pronovost hands down. Because he sells both, I saw his credibility as high, and so at the end of the day that decided it for me (although I was leaning towards the Kubota anyway).

As to the issue of front-mounted versus rear-mounted, I am even more confident of that decision, since (a) I want to use my FEL (with my new bxpanded.com bucket expander) for moving snow, (b) the rear-mount costs about 1/3 of what the front-mount costs, (c) the rear mount is HUGELY sturdier, (d) the front-mount puts too much stress on the front end relative to the rear-mount's effect on the rear of the tractor, and (e) it is apparently easier to turn with the rear-mount. And, since I am not going to be spending a huge amount of time using it, I don't mind looking backwards or getting a mirror or a rear camera when I blow snow.

Now, I just need some snow!

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory! As well, the dealer is the same one where I originally bought my BX25, and he has been good to me. I also spoke to another supplier (toplinetrailers.com) who sells both, and he says he prefers the Kubota over the Pronovost hands down. Because he sells both, I saw his credibility as high, and so at the end of the day that decided it for me (although I was leaning towards the Kubota anyway).

As to the issue of front-mounted versus rear-mounted, I am even more confident of that decision, since (a) I want to use my FEL (with my new bxpanded.com bucket expander) for moving snow, (b) the rear-mount costs about 1/3 of what the front-mount costs, (c) the rear mount is HUGELY sturdier, (d) the front-mount puts too much stress on the front end relative to the rear-mount's effect on the rear of the tractor, and (e) it is apparently easier to turn with the rear-mount. And, since I am not going to be spending a huge amount of time using it, I don't mind looking backwards or getting a mirror or a rear camera when I blow snow.

Now, I just need some snow!

Good for you.!!

Sounds like you did your homework and figured out that your decision is reflected by many others.

Good choice and best wishes with it's operation.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, too.

 

[crazyal]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I have no idea why they don't make a rear blower that can easily be converted to a front blower. There's not much difference yet so many people have to make the hard choice of "it's a 1/3 cheaper but I'll have to always look over my shouldner to use it".

I think you made the right choice for the reasons you talked about. It sounds like for the BX front end they had to lighten up the blower, not really a good thing. If you are not planning to blow snow on a regular basis then looking over your shoulder isn't as much of a problem. Then of course there's the extra cost, you really need to be able to justify the extra money or have plenty of extra money laying around.

 

[crazyal]

Or sitting in the hot tub catching big, fluffy snowflakes as they come down. And seeing all the evergreens loaded with snow....

I just can't get over the extra cost of the electricity for a hot tub. I did see a woodfired hot tub forsale but it was sold before I got a chance to get back when I had time to look at it. Wood fired made me think of a Lobster pot, lol.

 

[Rob-D]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I have no idea why they don't make a rear blower that can easily be converted to a front blower. There's not much difference yet so many people have to make the hard choice of "it's a 1/3 cheaper but I'll have to always look over my shouldner to use it".

I think you made the right choice for the reasons you talked about. It sounds like for the BX front end they had to lighten up the blower, not really a good thing. If you are not planning to blow snow on a regular basis then looking over your shoulder isn't as much of a problem. Then of course there's the extra cost, you really need to be able to justify the extra money or have plenty of extra money laying around.

Al,
The trouble is that the front blower runs off the mid PTO on most tractors that it's dedicated for like the 47 and 59" Deere's. Companies make front blowers that run off the rear PTO but they're expensive because you have drive shafts and gearing in the back to get front power. Worse you don't have the options of any other attachments when you use it.

Mid PTOs usually run around 2,000 or so rpms, much faster than rear ones at 540.

I've toyed with the idea of adapting a rear blower to a front one, for the difference in price it's almost worth it. I'd have to regear the system to run at the higher rpms. Don't know why no one has done it yet, I'm sure one of the talented guys around here will someday.

Rob

 

[leonz]

Hello Rob,

The Pronovost folks have a front P.T.O. three point hitch and gear box for the rear mounted PTO attachments with their Hardy Equipment brand.

 

[Rob-D]

Hello Rob,

The Pronovost folks have a front P.T.O. three point hitch and gear box for the rear mounted PTO attachments with their Hardy Equipment brand.

Thanks for the info Leon, I'll look into it.

Rob

 

[check]

I just can't get over the extra cost of the electricity for a hot tub. I did see a woodfired hot tub forsale but it was sold before I got a chance to get back when I had time to look at it. Wood fired made me think of a Lobster pot, lol.

No kidding - our hydro bill went up by $1,000 per year!:ashamed:

 

[Rob-D]

No kidding - our hydro bill went up by $1,000 per year!:ashamed:

Heat consumes trmendous amounts of energy.

 

[hawkeye08]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I was thinking about a sander and blower (don't need one right now, just thinking on it) and decided that it would be cheaper and easier to mount the sander on the front (if its not too big) using a hydraulic motor instead of pto. It should not take too much... anyone use rear snowblower and front mounted sander?