HST and Snowblowers (3pt)

[tcartwri]

It's not any worse than having to keep your left foot near the clutch on a gear tractor.

 

[wny770]

A HUGE help, is to have a mirror mounted where you can see behind you. Not to depend on it totally, but you won't have to turn fully around as frequently. You will find yourself "glancing" in the mirror more and more.

 

[jinman]

Are you sure that JD's HST cruise does not work in reverse? Mine does on my New Holland.

 

[RoyJackson]

With a gear tractor you set a throttle position (on my old 670, 790 and current 4400 this is a hand throttle) so you don't really need a foot on the throttle (but there is a foot throttle if you do want to use it. This is also how JDGreenGrass' 770 works.
Not a "cruise ontrol" as most would think of one, but that's basically what it does.

 

[JJZ 109]

With a gear tractor you set a throttle position (on my old 670, 790 and current 4400 this is a hand throttle) so you don't really need a foot on the throttle (but there is a foot throttle if you do want to use it. This is also how JDGreenGrass' 770 works.
Not a "cruise ontrol" as most would think of one, but that's basically what it does.

True. But if you've got the engine wound up to run an implement, finding just the right speed for your situation (heavy or light snow, etc.) will depend on your gear selection if you don't have HST.
I found myself having to hit the clutch pedal to almost try and "coast" sometimes while running snowblower if the going got too heavy. Low range was simply too slow in reverse for snow blowing for my liking. It wasn't as much of an issue in brush hogging in forward, due to having 4 gears to choose from.

 

[Airedale]

Roy is right, with my gear tractor I just set my travel gear at a speed that I am comfortable operating with (slow and steady) and throttle up the revs to get the PTO turning at the right speed, pull the reverser and sit back and let the snow fly using my mirrors for the most part. I will say my drive is long and straight which makes the way I operate easy.

Al

 

[RoyJackson]

True. But if you've got the engine wound up to run an implement, finding just the right speed for your situation (heavy or light snow, etc.) will depend on your gear selection if you don't have HST.
I found myself having to hit the clutch pedal to almost try and "coast" sometimes while running snowblower if the going got too heavy. Low range was simply too slow in reverse for snow blowing for my liking. It wasn't as much of an issue in brush hogging in forward, due to having 4 gears to choose from.

Yeah, there is a trade off. A 770 or 790 is really slow in reverse low range, but reverse high range is too fast (this is at PTO RPM). One of the very few things I didn't care for on the 790 (and the old 670 I had).

 

[rekees4300]

Knowing that HST cruise control doesn't work in reverse, with a 3pt blower you would need to have the foot on the peddle and also be somewhat turned around to inspect the blower in operation.

Is that awkward in any way or would you say it is ergonomically comfortable.??

Hasn't been a problem so far. My senior citizen back can only take so much of being turned in one direction so I just alternate between right and left for more comfort. Either way I can reach the reverse paddle.

Minor hassle has been trying to reach the chute rotate handle while sitting in the seat. On my tractor (and I guess many of the newer tractors?) the engine will stop if you stand up with the PTO engaged. So I have to disengage the PTO before turning the chute.

Even if the cruise control worked in reverse, I wouldn't use it. Prefer to have better variable speed control using the paddle with gravel driveway.

 

[ihuntbear]

3.25 per gallon! try paying 1.17 per liter x 4.5= 5.26 per gallon.FU%%%%%g government tax.I don't understand we have our own oil fields but pay more

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Pretty much the same here. No problem sitting sideways and reaching the pedal on a B3030. Same snow blower as well.
Really like the HST for snow removal with the blower. My previous tractor
(JD 790) was too slow in low reverse and just a tad too fast in high reverse, depending on snow conditions of course. I was on and off the clutch constantly in high range.

I can't imagine snowblowing in high range.

Why would you do that.??