Snow 3 point hitch mount vs front snow blower mount

[ruko]

I have front mount mid PTO snow blower on my HST JDeere small tractor. I'm going to upgrade to a higher HP tractor, not JDeere. I'm considering a rear mount 3 point snow blower because of the cost difference and the hassle of connecting the drive shaft to the mid PTO, etc. Trying to decide between HST and shuttle transmissions. Plowing backward appears to be hard enough besides having to hold an HST pedal down. I would appreciate any ones thoughts/suggestons on this.
Thanks

 

[airbiscuit]

How long is your road/driveway? How big a tractor are you considering?

 

[RSR]

How flexible is your neck, and how long will you have to be looking behind?

I manage it, but I could see how it could become bothersome getting older. The best strategy I've found is to essentially sit cross-saddle in the seat and work the hydrostatic pedals with your left foot.

As nice (and expensive) as a front snowblower is, it also decreases tractor functionality. During the winter I use my loader with pallet forks for bringing in wood each week. That ruled out a front snowblower.

If I was ONLY snowblowing all winter long, I might have thought harder about it.

 

[KennyG]

I had a 3 point blower for a while, and have switched to a front mount plow. If the snow gets over a couple of feet deep, I'll put on the loader and clean up the edges. The blower was OK, but a lot slower and, as has been noted, backing up is not ideal. HST and backing up was never a problem. For heavy wet snow, I would want the HST.

 

[airbiscuit]

For about a thousand dollars more than a 3pt snowblower, you can get a Rear Pull snowblower. I love mine.

 

[RjCorazza]

I'm in the rear blower camp, but I don't run the blower that often. I have never given a second thought to operating an HST and rear blower... Non issue.
Some day I will get an inverted blower with a hydraulic rear blade. Backup to garage, drop blade, and go!

 

[ruko]

How long is your road/driveway? How big a tractor are you considering?

Almost 1/4 mile total. Looking at at least 40 HP which almost doubles what I have now. I want to run a brush hog or maybe a mulcher to cut down acres of buck thorn I have on the property.
Thanks.

 

[oldnslo]

I have run rear blower on both geared and HST transmission tractors and there are pros and cons to both. Gear drive is nice in that you do not have to keep your foot on the go pedal to keep moving which does limit your ability to move in the seat. Our one gear drive tractor also had three speed power shift for each manual gear so could change speed without clutching this was a nice feature. HST is nice since you can now instantly change your speed for drifts, working around buildings etc. I find this useful for lower HP tractors where you are power limited. I have not used a shuttle shift but suspect would be similar to gear drive for maintaining speed.

Limited exposure to rear pull type and would be a little concerned on 40 HP tractor having the power and ground clearance to use one.

 

[airbiscuit]

I love my MK Martin Meteor Rear Pull snowblower. I do my same area in 1/2 the time it used to take me with my 3pt rear blower. Front blowers are great, but expensive. With a Rear Pull blower, I also retain the use of my loader. My 40hp New Holland has all the traction and power I need - no issues. I bought mine from Iowa Farm Equipment. I got a great price and shipping was less than I expected.

Iowa Farm Equipment - 563-946-2121
Iowa Farm Equipment -- Contact Us
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[ruko]

My neck ain't that flexible anymore. Good thought about a front blower decreasing the functionality of the tractor. It would be nice to have the bucket and the grapple available without the hassle. I experimented backing the whole drive way and I guess I could do it although really not very comfortable. I wonder if it's possible to use mirrors which I don't have on my tractor? My new tractor will have a heated cab and big mirrors.

Thanks