2340 Blade or Alternatives

[rossn]

Looking for a 2340 Front Blade for my GC1705.

Are there any 4-way hydraulic front-mount alternatives to the 2340 that are cost worthy?

If anyone knows of a used 2340 (or a 2360 blower) for sale or a dealer with competitive prices, please shout out. My local dealer was talking about $3000 for the blade/subframe/hydraulics, which seemed high.

 

[blackd]

There are many, many options for building your own snow plow equivalent. All will require some fabrication. I am in the process of building my own as I write this, and I think my total cost will be in the $600 range for a manual angle change plow with hydraulic lift. To add hydraulic angle change should take some minor fabrication and ~$150-200 in parts.

It may not be common knowledge, but the Kubota, New Holland and Case products are nearly identical. I am in the process of building my own snow plow, a 2335 equivalent. To date I have acquired the Kubota tractor quick attach mount $300, ordered the Kubota female quick attach female mount for the snow blower $133, and a used 54" plow $100. A little cutting and welding to put the female mount on the plow push tubes and ~$75 in hydraulic lines (the nearly identical issue) and I will have my plow.

BTW, there is a used Kubota B2763A plow on that "E" shopping site for $799. I think a new Kubota and MF Tractor mount is priced in the $650-750 range. The MF should come with the correct hoses. That's less than 1/2 price for new MF with some potential worn (or not) hydraulic parts issues.

If you can not find the 60" blade there are rubber side extenders adding ~12" to most any blade you do find. The only thing I am leery about in selecting an ATV blade is getting a heave duty blade. Even these are in the $300-400 range plus a push tube mount in the $150-200 range for modifying to fit your tractor.

An alternative to a standard MF, Kubota, Case mount plow is the FEL blade mounted removable plow in the ~$1000 range. 6 Inch Snowplow

 

[blackd]

Update on the the Kubota tractor quick attach mount $300. It is identical to the MF version for my GC2400. The hydraulic lines reach my valve. Any additional hydraulic lines needed would be for adding hydraulic angle change option. Two single acting cylinders or a single double acting cylinder? Decisions, decisions. ;-)

 

[rossn]

Thanks for the information, blackd! Yeah, I'd like to build up my own, but just moved into a new home that has other projects before winter, which makes it difficult for me to spend time on that type of a project right now. I was trying to find a good deal on a 54" deere plow, but haven't found one yet.

Funny thing is that the dealer said the mounting frame for the massey was backordered for a few months.

I'll check more into the Kubota options.

 

[blackd]

I'll check more into the Kubota options.

To keep shipping costs down I ordered from Messick, as we are each on the East Coast. IIRC the MF mount is painted black as is the "K" model except for the blades. This is the New Holland blade, 2nd photo New Holland 6" Front Dozer Blade 72D 7171526 Snow Plow Comes w Subframe | eBay The tractor mount is different, however, 4th photo.

 

[blackd]

I will do a final update on my build -- the Kubota quick attach is NOT IDENTICAL to the MF version. It appears that there is difference in the placement of the power steering cylinder, and the Kubota version butts against the cylinder. As of this writing I have cut off ~ 3.5 to 4" of the back/under tractor end of the mount. That is where the PTO shaft goes through. There is still a 2nd cross member to support the mount frame at the back of the mount. I still need to grind a little more (1/8 -1/4") off so that there is a little more clearance from the power steering cylinder.

I did mock up the female mount on the plow. It will sit on the original arms to get close to the best height for the male/female fit and still keep the push tube forces at the same place on the plow. I did find that with this configuration I can keep the FEL attached and still plow by just dropping the plow. I would of course have to connect the FEL hydraulic lines, but dropping the plow is a few seconds effort.

I think I will start a build thread in the "Build It Yourself" section.