Anyone using a PTO snowblower on a 2520?

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I have a chance to pick up either a 54 or 64" Puma rear PTO blower at a reasonable price for mid winter. I was going to wait till the springtime to get a better deal on either a Deere front mount or a rear PTO but with all the snow we have had I've run out of places to put it and with the sub-0 degree snap we had this week, all my piles O'snow are now icebergs and refuse to budge.

Puma lists the 54 for 16-25HP and the 64 for 18-25. The dealer is suggesting the 54 but I feel the extra width of the 64 may be better because of the extra tire clearance. The fan is the same diameter on both so I don't see a major issue with the extra width if I go a tad slower in the heavy stuff.

If you have either on a 2520 please let me know what you have and how it works in the real world.

After thought: The primary use of the blower will be a 500 foot winding paved sloped driveway, the loader plow will be the primary snow weapon for the gravel road around back.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Mike5252]

Tom, I picked up a Frontier 3pt snow blower for my 2520 this summer, but haven't tried it out yet. I'm in the process of a move and the snowblower is blocked in behind a wall of boxes, so have been forced to continue using the FEL.

As for size, I got comfortable I could use a 72" size (I can't remember if its a 72" or a 74" and far too lazy to go out side and check right now). I know that's a little big for a 2520, but I couldn't pass up the deal I got. I would be interested in knowing how your like yours once you get it up and running.

For what it's worth, I've heard people say its a really good idea to have rear facing work lights when using a 3pt snow blower. This certainly made a lot of sense, but I haven't managed to get it done yet.

Best Regards,

Mike

 

[hydrovane218]

I bought a 3203 with a rear mount blower and realized they, like your 2520, dont have rear mount lights standard on the ROPS. Does anyone have rear mount lights standard? I don't know how you can blow snow with a 3 PTH blower without rear lights unless you're blowing an area always flooded by spot lights?!@#$ I imagine anyone in a snow belt area in North America likely doesn't have alot of natural light when they are blowing snow unless they work a midnight shift. Needless to say, I quickly added a set of white car driving lights to my ROPS even before snow came and am thankful. I would say this is a must.....just some fat to chew on.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I would think bending around to look backwards while blowing snow would be a pain. I don't know why it couldn't be converted to be utilized on the front of the tractor with the assistance of a little engineering. The mid pto faces to the front and weight certainly would not be an issue.
Guess it all comes down to what kind of cost savings are involved. One of the first 314s I had a IHC blower was adapted to it with very little modification.

 

[GordNovo]

I would think bending around to look backwards while blowing snow would be a pain. I don't know why it couldn't be converted to be utilized on the front of the tractor with the assistance of a little engineering. The mid pto faces to the front and weight certainly would not be an issue.
Guess it all comes down to what kind of cost savings are involved. One of the first 314s I had a IHC blower was adapted to it with very little modification.

Yo Joe.. IMHO I would view a rear-mount blower as a feature as I often use the blower and front end combination together. It's about the same as a blower on the front and a blade on the back but with the added bonus of being able to lift and pile snow, not just push/pull it.

The FEL/blower combo is especially effective when clearning hard packed snow areas, when you need to dig/scrape to get back down to gravel/dirt, then blow the scrapings away.

.. and yes my rear mount blower was $1500 less than a front mount. I found this difference hard to justify when I bought the whole setup.

GN

 

[Rara Avis]

Hiya,

I have a chance to pick up either a 54 or 64" Puma rear PTO blower at a reasonable price for mid winter. I was going to wait till the springtime to get a better deal on either a Deere front mount or a rear PTO but with all the snow we have had I've run out of places to put it and with the sub-0 degree snap we had this week, all my piles O'snow are now icebergs and refuse to budge.

Puma lists the 54 for 16-25HP and the 64 for 18-25. The dealer is suggesting the 54 but I feel the extra width of the 64 may be better because of the extra tire clearance. The fan is the same diameter on both so I don't see a major issue with the extra width if I go a tad slower in the heavy stuff.

If you have either on a 2520 please let me know what you have and how it works in the real world.

After thought: The primary use of the blower will be a 500 foot winding paved sloped driveway, the loader plow will be the primary snow weapon for the gravel road around back.

Thanks,

Tom

Get the 54...because you have to do at least two passes for your driveway...this way you will have a little more umph left in the engine when you need it...

Just out of curiosity, who still has Pumas for sale this season?
And are they full hydraulics or is it the mechanical crank option?

 

[UpstateNYMarine]

I have a 2320 with a rear mount snow blower. I went with this combination because I still need the FEL for certain chores during the winter. Almost every time that I snowblow I use the fell for little "clean-up" work close to the house and garage. My driveway is a little over a 1/4 mile and I just sit almost sideways in the seat and I have no problems. Two passes clears the driveway and the best part is that i don't run our of places to put the snow like my neighbor who uses a plow truck. Its all personal opinion and what you like but I highly suggest the rear mount.

Now if someone could explain to me how we had a snow storm last week and I had to use the snowblower twice and today its 68 degrees is beyond me. Should I put the mower back on already? HAHA. At least if the ice caps melt due to global warming I'll own ocean front property in Upstate NY.

have a great winter guys!

 

[Killer_B]

I would think bending around to look backwards while blowing snow would be a pain. .

I've done it both ways. On a roomy tractor, the rear mount is 80% as easy to use as a front mount. And 25% the cost of a front mount. Personally, I like having a plow on the front and a blower on the back (at the same time, of course).

KB

 

[Foots]

I have a 54" rear pto snowblower.....picked it up for $1250.00 hardly used. Its kinda a pain to twist and look back but it does the job and its better and quicker than a normal snowblower....Keeping the FEL on the front is helpfull also..

 

[unit40]

I think the rear blower is a better option. You still can use the FEL, plus it is cheaper and easier to install. add the hydraulic rotation and a hydro or electric deflector and you'll have an awesome set-up.