OK -- as Dick Chaney said ... it is time for the decider.
Backblade approach was eliminated earlier -- due to massive advice in this thread that it just won't work in my situation. (Anything involving fabrication or patients were eliminated earlier because I don't have those skills.)
(Situation is: deep snowfalls in most years and 130' dirt/ grass drive rising 10' and turning to get up from the barn to the driveway. (Driveway = 'dooryard' here in VT --FYI.) Driveway is 90' and flat.
BX25 sleeps in the barn, rear tires are loaded with RimGaurd and w/ 2-link chains.)
Front, frame mounted blade approach also eliminated in my thinking beacause high snow banks can't be pushed back and really deep snow can be too much to handle (and the FEL would be off and have to be remounted, etc. Too much of a pain in *** for me.)
Front loader mounted blades (such as ANBRO and Curtis) or FEL mounted blades (BXpander) are, according to y'all, all good equpment in the right situation. And, because of loader-arm hydrolics, they can knock back banks.
BXpander is also very cost efective at about $1K, but has the 'cons' of elongating the tractor (less handy in tight spaces, possibly needing aditional rear balast) and the angle must be set by hand. Loader mounted blades with quick hitches and hydrolic power angle cost more -- around $2k. All of these blades are quick to use, but struggle with snows over 1 foot.
Throwers seem to be liked by most who have them. The con is they cost more ($2.4K to $2.9K) and have slower ground speed -- particularly relevant in cleaning up after a small storm. They also have a number of moving parts that need to be lubricated on a fairly regular basis. The pro is they can handle deep snow on all sufaces, on hills and around turns. Since this is what happens here, I (actually Dick) have got to go with a thrower.
Now, front or back? My conclusion is that either would work for me. But Dick has to pick just one.
The 50" Ber-Vac Blizzard is the front mount thrower that Kubota paints orange and offers. Everyone on this blog who has one, likes it -- maybe even loves it. It is the price that hurts. In part this set-up is expensive because the mid-PTO kit and front Quick Hitch is required and, in part, because it is well made. (I won'tl need these other pieces of hardware -- so they offer me no real 'flexibility value' -- unless someone invents a rocket launcher attachament that I just have to get. Better yet, how about a reasonably priced stump grinder -- utilizing high RPMs of the mid-PTO?)
A back thrower keeps the FEL in place (good functionality and tractor balance) and costs less. The 'con' is that you are working backwards and a significant number of you have said that is less than great -- especailly if you have long distances, clear snow at night or during storms. (I have the last two.) To compare equal quality, my Orange dealer quoted the 48" and 54" Ber-Vac, PTO mounted throwers. They are as much of a beast as the front mounted Ber-Vac and the 54" is 4" wider. It costs about $2.4K and needs the 3PH ($170) that is optional on the
BX25.
The front thrower costs more, $300 (@$2.7K with mechanical controls), you can't have the FEL on at the same time and you loose 4" of width. (50" is still 6" wider than the
BX25.) But you work facing forward, mid-PTO has high 2500 RPM (vs. 540 RPM for rear PTO), your head lights may be good enough and because it is somewhat more popular, it may have higher resale value. With loaded tires and chains, traction should be good -- and eventually that back blade or box scaper in my future would be a good compliment (quick removal of light snow and balance).
Bring in Dich Chaney -- toss the coin -- its ... the front thrower (The $300 savings just didn't seem worth it -- projecting to the first time I'm out in a blizzard, in the dark, with no cab and auxilliary lights not yet installed.) Just shows you, the human mind can justify anything. I promiss, if this thing isn't a dream, I will report any anguish back to y'all.
Many thanks to Bob @ Giddings Equipment the Kubota dealer in Pittsford, VT for his insights and to all of you who have chipped in.
...), in light snow --either not too deep or light & fluffy-- I can go with my blower just as fast as the tractor can go, no problem. High range, pedal to the metal. It's definitely not slow in those circumstances.
