3PH Snowblowers - pros and cons

[paulfun9]

I use a blower and FEL for snow removal. I have a FEL mounted plow that I don't even use, why bother when the blower is actually faster in the long run.

 

[check]

You can have your cake and eat it to. An inverted 3pt blower allows you to drive forward and keep your FEL bucket in place. It's win-win!

Except when the snow is too deep for the tractor to drive thru.

 

[Farmer495]

I've thought that too...I've waded wide 2 foot deep drifts and that was with the 3pt blower in the air and the tractor did well to go in high range, let alone dragging a blower at creeper speed.

 

[Bswope]

I spent 15 hrs in my tractor with this last snowstorm, im 36yr old and most of my neighbors are elderly couples and i help them as much as i can and you can bet your arse I'll have a blower for next yr. I have a lot to plow but my mother in law's lane is pretty long and a PITA with just a rear blade and loader bucket mainly because I have limited space to put snow so I've finally talked myself into buying a blower for next yr. I'll be keeping a close eye out for one this summer.
I say if you want a blower and it makes sense to you... buy yourself one and enjoy blowing that stuff way outta your way.

 

[5030]

Blowers are great for stuff like the 3' the east coast has with no where to put it.

If that's an issue for you a blower seems like a great option. Otherwise, a plow is fast, inexpensive, and you get to face forward.

If it's open station, no way. I have a huge Lucknow double auger rear mount capable of 8 foot drifts or 3". I'd never have a rear mount without a cab and I'd never run one without a rear facing closed circuit video camera... I use my camera for running farm tools too. saves your neck.

 

[deere3320]

i currently have a rear 3 pt. blower and a FEL blade on my tractor. while I will agree that plowing is more fun, there is no better way to move deep snow then with the blower. Fas.ter and more efficient in the long run. Also, while a cab would be nice, blowing snow with an open cab is not a problem. Just blow it downwind. I just cleared 40 plus inches of snow without any issues. it would have taken twice aslong with a plow or loader due the time spent trying to stack it.

 

[RobA]

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll look for a used blower this summer.

 

[KennyG]

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll look for a used blower this summer.

Areas may be different, but I would advise you to start looking now and just keep your eyes open. Although logic would say you get a great deal on a blower or plow in the summer, in this area you will almost never find one until October or November. People who want to get rid of them know they bring more money in the fall. You will see a few for sale up until April or May and then they will disappear for 6 months.

 

[KennyG]

Thanks for the comments. I think I'll look for a used blower this summer.

Areas may be different, but I would advise you to start looking now and just keep your eyes open. Although logic would say you get a great deal on a blower or plow in the summer, in this area you will almost never find one until October or November. People who want to get rid of them know they bring more money in the fall. You will see a few for sale up until April or May and then they will disappear for 6 months.

 

[fishhead]

Except when the snow is too deep for the tractor to drive thru.

for most people think that isn't very often, and when that occurs you can just back in drop it and drive forward (i have done this up to 4-5 ft of pilled iced snow) , still much faster than using the FEL, all the rest of the time its super easy, quick and you don't get the sore neck you do with a rear push or even a rear blade, and the snow does not blow on you unless its super windy. I am not saying a rear pull is for everyone but if you notice, almost everyone i have seen posting that uses one raves, its the folks that haven't that largely have the issues with them.