Front or Rear Snow Blower?

[savagesultin]

I use a plow on the front to windrow the snow then on my way back I just use a 84" blower with rotary drum. It sure makes moving snow much quicker, I like rear blowers, I keep mine on all winter and still can use my loader for moving hay or anything else that I may require a bucket or bale spear. But it is true there is a lot of debate on this topic

 

[leonz]

I love your avatar, does he/she go for tractor rides?

 

[savagesultin]

leonz, Yes he jumps up and rides along when ever the tractor starts up he is along for the ride. Even if we are only moving a couple of feet he would like to go for a ride.

 

[smalltown]

I always thought this was an interesting mod. This guys driving a Deere 2520, with an Fontier SB1154 mounted somehow on the front of the tractor.
Looks like it works quite well.

Souffleur frontal Frontier - YouTube

 

[RoyJackson]

I always thought this was an interesting mod. This guys driving a Deere 2520, with an Fontier SB1154 mounted somehow on the front of the tractor.
Looks like it works quite well.

Souffleur frontal Frontier - YouTube

I suspect he's using something similar to the Erskine design that transmits the rear PTO rotation (through a gear box and two long drive shafts) to the front. Erskine's design has been around for a while now. I've read there have been mixed results and it can be unreliable. No personal experience, so that's all off the internet.

 

[rbargeron]

I suspect he's using something similar to the Erskine design that transmits the rear PTO rotation (through a gear box and two long drive shafts) to the front. Erskine's design has been around for a while now. I've read there have been mixed results and it can be unreliable. No personal experience, so that's all off the internet.

Roy - You've commented before about this and I need to say I've also done quite a bit of reading about Erskine's rear-drive front-mount designs on the internet but I can't remember anyone saying they were unreliable. I've seen comments about how ruggedly built they are, and that they are too pricey for latitudes with low snowfall, and that they take up a lot of storage room in the off-season, but nobody says they aren't reliable. My two have been like tanks.

The rear "gearbox" is actually a two-row chain box with idler, running on tapered roller bearings in an oil bath. The main drive shaft is solid round steel bar running in roller-bearing pillow blocks with zerks, with a short telescoping pto shaft up front going to the blower head. Everything about the front gearbox, auger drive and fan is commercial scale. In the years I've used them the only failures I've had is when somebody's dog leaves a frozen Sunday paper or piece of firewood out in the driveway and it breaks a shear bolt. In my experience, and from what I've read, Erskine is well-built and trouble-free.

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy - You've commented before about this and I need to say I've also done quite a bit of reading about Erskine's rear-drive front-mount designs on the internet but I can't remember anyone saying they were unreliable. I've seen comments about how ruggedly built they are, and that they are too pricey for latitudes with low snowfall, and that they take up a lot of storage room in the off-season, but nobody says they aren't reliable. My two have been like tanks.

Just something I've read a few times...IIRC, that drive shaft going forward (under the tractor) is actually two parts...and that's where the alleged problem lies.
Again, like ANYTHING you read on the internet...take it with a grain of salt.
But it is something to consider if purchasing a used one.

 

[Looking4new]

Just something I've read a few times...IIRC, that drive shaft going forward (under the tractor) is actually two parts...and that's where the alleged problem lies.
Again, like ANYTHING you read on the internet...take it with a grain of salt.
But it is something to consider if purchasing a used one.

My front mount has a center hanger bearing and the drive shaft is in two parts with a 'U' joint right after the bearing. Before the shaft goes into the transmission at the front there is another 'U' joint. And there is a 'U' joint right after it comes off the mid PTO.
If memory serves me, the front mount kit and the front blower cost me about $6,000.oo Canadian

 

[ericher69]

Leonz;

Are you kidding me? Seriously?

Front blower hands down!

I would have quoted your 3 page post but thought it was counter productive.

There is down pressure on the front mount blowers

The view/control is awesome

No sore neck

No chance of swinging into a stationary object with your FEL as you are looking back.

If you are doing many drives the front blower is the best

If your own drive/limited use rear blower is ok

Here's a short video of the view

http://youtu.be/iDLefRPS2K4

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[grsthegreat]

Leonz;

Are you kidding me? Seriously?

Front blower hands down!

I would have quoted your 3 page post but thought it was counter productive.

There is down pressure on the front mount blowers

The view/control is awesome

No sore neck

No chance of swinging into a stationary object with your FEL as you are looking back.

If you are doing many drives the front blower is the best

If your own drive/limited use rear blower is ok

Here's a short video of the view

B2920 Kubota POV snow removal - YouTube

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

1+ from my neck

i love my loader mounted blower. But Leonz is correct about the power loss in a hydraulic unit UNLESS it uses the rear 3 point hydraulic system. My unit cost a little over 2x what i was quoted for a WELL built, very heavy duty rear mount standard blower. A pull type blower would be useless for my operation, especially when i have to move roof shedded snow piles 5' tall.

My neck thanks me every time i have to blow snow.

The biggest drawback on my system is the time it takes to install everything at start of season. That does suck.

I also LOVE the maneuverability the front mount gives me. I can lift mine over any obsticle and turn on a dime. Its really great passing thru a gate. I can lift it over a post and begin turn right after front tire meats post. I can get in tighter spots with this tractor and blower than i could ever get with my old JD870