Standalone vs SCUT front snowblower

[rbaevergreen]

I recently paved my driveway (two cars wide at entrance becoming 3-3.5 cars wide near the garage, and probably 50-70 ft long). I bought a used Kubota BX1850 in the spring and recently added a rear blade to it. I'd rather not use the FEL for snow because I don't want to damage the driveway. My neighbor has been plowing, but then I wind up with a lot of snow at the end of the driveway, possibly blocking one side of the garage doors. I'm told the previous owners would break it up and snowblow it, but if it freezes that might be hard.

Options:

• Kubota front-mount snowblower ($3000+)
• Standalone snowblower (perhaps mid-grade and $900-$1000)
• Used rear blower (TBD)

My neighbor also plows the private road which is 500 feet or so long. He once used a snowblower on it and burned out a belt. If he is not around (usually there) being able to deal with it myself might be nice. It's dirt, but once the first bed of snow/ice forms and I raise a snowblower, I could probably blow snow into the woods.

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd be more concerned about that rear blade damaging the asphalt...more so then the loader bucket (I've used both, but on gravel).
Your BX 1850 has about 14 PTO HP. That will limit you to a smaller PTO driven blower (48") which aren't too common used...but watch Craigslist for upstate NY, Vermont, New Hampshire...better yet, use Search Tempest (SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All of craigslist, eBay & more in one search.).
Personally, I'd go for the 3PH blower and maybe add a Bxpanded plow (Snowplows). The snow blower on the 3PH would provide adequate ballast for the plow...and you will need ballast using a plow.
I assume you have turf tires. They're pretty good in the snow (especially with rear ballast). Some guys are going to suggest chains. I have them, but I haven't used them in some pretty substantial snows here in Vermont. They can damage (scuff) your asphalt if you're not carefull. If you feel you must have chains, go for the two or four link ladder type....they're the easiest on pavement.

 

[Wolfy]

I removed the steel edge on my bucket and bolted on a 2x8. On my rear grader blade, I sandwiched a piece of rubber stalling between the steel edge and the blade. Both of these adaptions have worked very well so far. (the first year I tried them)

 

[rbaevergreen]

Front vs rear snowblowers are an interesting debate - use of FEL vs working backwards. I think I prefer going forwards. Forgot to mention that I put a rubber edge on the rear blade instead of metal.

Thanks for that site. Any thoughts on standalone when I already have the tractor due to area size? Standalone is 1/3 of the cost of new front blower.

I drove a friend's BX25D with the front-mount BX2750D so I know that I like the setup, just not the cost if the standalone can be justified even if I get 12" of snow.

 

[nybirdman]

Depending where in the "North Country"you are.If you are north of Watertown a front blade may be your best bet.If you are between Watertown and Syracuse a blower is the way to go.A lot around here plow with a four wheeler,your tractor has more weight and power than an atv.

 

[rbaevergreen]

Lake George area

 

[aczlan]

I have used a walk behind blower (sidewalks at a hotel, a 7/24 and a 11/30), a plow on a BX, a plow on a GT3000 series Cub Cadet and a blower on the same Cub Cadet.

With a walk behind, you come back looking like the abominable snowman. Tractor and a cab lets you go out in a sweatshirt (or your work clothes) and not have to change before you go to work...

Aaron Z

 

[RoyJackson]

Thanks for that site. Any thoughts on standalone when I already have the tractor due to area size? Standalone is 1/3 of the cost of new front blower.

I drove a friend's BX25D with the front-mount BX2750D so I know that I like the setup, just not the cost if the standalone can be justified even if I get 12" of snow.

The cost of the front blower is why I didn't suggest it...the cost and the size of the driveway/parking area. IMHO, you don't have enough driveway to justify a $3K front blower (your money, so spend it how you want to).
For $1K, I reckon you're looking at a 24" wide walk behind blower. I think you can find a used 48" 3PH blower for not much more then that.
Here's a couple:
3 Point Hitch Kubota Snow Blower
48" PTO Snowblower

 

[aczlan]

The cost of the front blower is why I didn't suggest it...the cost and the size of the driveway/parking area. IMHO, you don't have enough driveway to justify a $3K front blower (your money, so spend it how you want to).
For $1K, I reckon you're looking at a 24" wide walk behind blower. I think you can find a used 48" 3PH blower for not much more then that.
Here's a couple:
3 Point Hitch Kubota Snow Blower
48" PTO Snowblower

We paid $700 for a used 11/30 (Craftsman with a Tecumseh Snow King engine) and its worked well.
Where I dont like a plow/blade is where we have a sidehill driveway area that we keep cleared and the 60" blade on the BX isn't wide enough to keep from getting stuck on the ice when we go to push back the banks.
The bucket on the B7500 isnt much better.
The 72" rear blade on the L3830 does well, but its a little big to get around the driveway.

Aaron Z

 

[farmeratheart]

Hi rb...,

I have a 5' rear blade on my JD2305 with a horse stall mat rubber edge installed (do a search on my username to find the thread). We have a paved driveway and I can honestly say that I have not harmed the pavement one bit in more than 3 years of plowing (using the same edge). Admittedly, I don't plow nearly as often as you will in Lake George region. I lived in Guilderland for 35 years so know what you are up against each year.

Good Luck!

Frank