JD Front mount 59" blower

Rockgod · Oct 20, 2012

Are there many guys here running this model? Thinking real hard of buying one in the near future. Are you happy with its build quality, performance and such.

It's getting to be about that time of year again.

Thanks!

devildog1 · Oct 20, 2012

Quick question here? The 59" Front Blower is narrower then your back wheel width correct?
DevilDog

devildog1 · Oct 20, 2012

The Front Snow Blowers are quite nice,and the do work great as your driving forword instead of reverse but. They cost around three times that of a three point one and you loose the FEL option if or when you need it while blower is on. Second item is Snow Blower needs to be wider then your rear wheels, same as an attachment on three point hitch. I have had both and for me it seemed like when I had front blower on I'd have a task for the FEL, yes you can remove it and install FEL but cold winter days it's never easy. What I run now is rear three point LA2674 snow blower and FEL, for me it's the best of both as my driveway is only about 200' to clear. Best of luck on your choise.
DevilDog

Rockgod · Oct 20, 2012

devildog1 said:
Quick question here? The 59" Front Blower is narrower then your back wheel width correct?
DevilDog

Not if you change tractors

I'm going down in size to a 3720.

Pipestone Kid · Oct 20, 2012

I don't have the 59 inch, but I do have the 47 inch blower (I have a smaller tractor-4110) I wouldn't trade it for a dozen rear mounted. As you get on in years, it gets more and more difficult to drive backwards. Add to that I have a long drive with two curves in it and it is up hill both ways! ( that's the truth--I have to go over a hill in and out) As far as the FEL is concerned I can switch from blower to FEL in less than 15 minutes--NO TOOLS!

Rockgod · Oct 20, 2012

devildog1 said:
The Front Snow Blowers are quite nice,and the do work great as your driving forword instead of reverse but. They cost around three times that of a three point oneand you loose the FEL option if or when you need it while blower is on. Second item is Snow Blower needs to be wider then your rear wheels, same as an attachment on three point hitch. I have had both and for me it seemed like when I had front blower on I'd have a task for the FEL, yes you can remove it and install FEL but cold winter days it's never easy. What I run now is rear three point LA2674 snow blower and FEL, for me it's the best of both as my driveway is only about 200' to clear. Best of luck on your choise.

DevilDog

Yep, I thought about that combo too but couldn't see spending the $4300 on a rear mt. The 59" front mt is around $5500 out the door.

The good thing about this blower is that it only takes 30 seconds to take it off. As I get older I just know that looking backward would take a toll on the neck. Trying to think long term.

Rockgod · Oct 20, 2012

Pipestone Kid said:
I don't have the 59 inch, but I do have the 47 inch blower (I have a smaller tractor-4110) I wouldn't trade it for a dozen rear mounted. As you get on in years, it gets more and more difficult to drive backwards. Add to that I have a long drive with two curves in it and it is up hill both ways! ( that's the truth--I have to go over a hill in and out) As far as the FEL is concerned I can switch from blower to FEL in less than 15 minutes--NO TOOLS!

PipK, it sounds like you're the perfect candidate for a nice warm cab.

Rob-D · Oct 20, 2012

I remember getting my 59" front blower for the 3320. I did tons of research and tormented myself about the extra bucks for the front blower but now that I've had it a couple of years the extra bucks don't seem to matter much especially when you do a 600 foot plus driveway! I was just watching a promo video here on a three point blower... I'll take my front blower thanks.

Rob

Pipestone Kid · Oct 20, 2012

Rockgod said:
PipK, it sounds like you're the perfect candidate for a nice warm cab.

I have a soft cab--no heat, tho. Been trying to figure out how to mount some type of heater, but haven't come up with an answer yet. Open to any ideas.....

WilliamBos · Oct 20, 2012

Are they made by RAD Technologies too?

Wyobuckaroo · Oct 20, 2012

I have a JD 59" front blower on an older JD855.
Works VERY well. If the snow is very wet and heavy it struggles. But then most any blower would.
Combine blower with a back blade and I can get away with only having to shovel the front steps.
Do wish I had a cab some days.
Good luck

rideit · Oct 24, 2012

I have a 3720 with the 59" front blower and a back blade. I've only had it for one winter and it was a very mild and low snow winter. That said, the few times I got to exercise it I was very impressed. It works great and didn't struggle much at all even with a foot of very wet, very heavy snow. Having used it now a few times I would not hesitate one bit to buy it again.

Whisper35 · Oct 25, 2012

I have a 59" snowblower on my JD3720......Wouldn't trade it for anything! It cost a little more, but it is worth it. I have a 400 foot driveway with a few curves and driving in reverse was not an option. I am away from home often and my wife runs the tractor / snowblower with no difficulty at all. She says it only takes about 20-30 minutes to finish the drive way. I would recommend get the 59" snowblower. You won't be sorry.

Rockgod · Oct 25, 2012

Wow, thanks for all the replies! Looks like quite a few here running this combo. It's good to know everyone seems to be happy with the setup.

Went to the dealership today and everything is almost ready. The only thing left for them to install is the hardlines for the 3rd function.

I guess the next thing to work on would be the deflector chute. For some reason this blower doesn't have that as an option. I'd like to use the 3rd function (hydraulic) as it's already on the tractor. Seems like a waste to go with an electric (linear actuator) when the tractor is plumbed and the control is already right at your thumb. Not sure what to do...

Has anyone else delt with an aftermarket version (hydraulic/electric) of the deflector chute?

Whisper35 · Oct 26, 2012

Rockgod said:
Wow, thanks for all the replies! Looks like quite a few here running this combo. It's good to know everyone seems to be happy with the setup.

Went to the dealership today and everything is almost ready. The only thing left for them to install is the hardlines for the 3rd function.

I guess the next thing to work on would be the deflector chute. For some reason this blower doesn't have that as an option. I'd like to use the 3rd function (hydraulic) as it's already on the tractor. Seems like a waste to go with an electric (linear actuator) when the tractor is plumbed and the control is already right at your thumb. Not sure what to do...

Has anyone else delt with an aftermarket version (hydraulic/electric) of the deflector chute?

I haven't delt with any aftermarket versions but I'd be interested in finding out what you find out about any qptions. I also have the 3rd function option and it would be sweet if I could run the deflector with my thumb instead of getting off the tractor and manually adjusting it.
I am sure that others would be interested in this info as well. Keep us posted. I'll do some research as well and let you know what I come up with,

Rockgod · Oct 26, 2012

Whisper35 said:
I haven't delt with any aftermarket versions but I'd be interested in finding out what you find out about any qptions. I also have the 3rd function option and it would be sweet if I could run the deflector with my thumb instead of getting off the tractor and manually adjusting it.
I am sure that others would be interested in this info as well. Keep us posted. I'll do some research as well and let you know what I come up with,

Thats great!

I talked a little about this today with my dealer and the service guy. Service guy said it's real do-able, just have to make sure we use a valve to restrict the psi as the pressure would be too much for the deflector tip. Also have to find a way to mount the hydraulic cylinder..

Anyway, i'm making this my mission and hope to get it done before the first snowfall. Between the two of use maybe we can figure it out

Anyone else feel free to jump in at anytime!

jjmarotz · Oct 26, 2012

This will be my 3rd winter with my 3720 and 59" blower. WORLDS better than any 3-point setup. No more stiff neck and hurting back. I use a box blade to get the stuff next to the garage door where the blower can't get to. Drag it out in the drive and hit it with the blower and done. As far as the deflector goes... I tried an electric actuator and built the mounts but the heavy snow I get rattled the actuator to death and had to go back to the manual adjuster. Maybe these mount pics gives you an idea how to build yours. Will be following this to see how you do the hyd one.

jjmarotz · Oct 26, 2012

One other thing I have done to the blower is..... I cut a circle out of 1/16" teflon and made a giant "washer" to put between the blower housing and the chute. It turns soo much smoother and tightens up the chute to keep it from rattling around so much. Every year I shoot some grease onto the teflon with a needle adapter on my grease gun to keep things turning smooth.

Rockgod · Oct 27, 2012

Photos at last! Thanks for those jjmarotz :thumbsup:

Rob-D · Oct 27, 2012

jjmarotz said:
One other thing I have done to the blower is..... I cut a circle out of 1/16" teflon and made a giant "washer" to put between the blower housing and the chute. It turns soo much smoother and tightens up the chute to keep it from rattling around so much. Every year I shoot some grease onto the teflon with a needle adapter on my grease gun to keep things turning smooth.

A good idea is to also grease the cables that turn the shoot, they rot out quickly and I've changed them more than once. Grease helps keep them from rotting.
Rob