Berco vs Kioti

[nards444]

Looking at getting a Kioti 2510, I want the front blower but Kioti wants 6600 for it, kind of crazy. Anyway I found Berco makes one that fits, price is 4600.

I dont know anything about Berco and Id bet Kioti doesnt make theirs so have no idea on that one.

Spec wise the Berco is 2in wider but is 200lbs lighters, which tells me the Kioti is probably heavier duty. With that all said I will be doing about 250ft of driveway in a non commercial use.

I don't want to skimp now, but also dont want over pay. Looking back I used to use a craftsman belt driven blower on this same driveway for 5 years with no issue in terms of it breaking, now belt driven wasnt as strong

Any comments or reviews of either piece of equipment.

 

[leonz]

How far are you from the Canadian border????

Would you consider a Yamaha 1332 track drive snow blower? It would let you buy a disposable lawn tractor every few years.

Belt drive for snow front mount blowers is a royal pain just as the mid mount drive system for a 2 stage snow thrower is as you need an underbelly mounting frame and you need a reverser gearbox or a reversing roller chain drive for the snow.

A rear mount snow blower like a pronovost TRC 800 with the kioti would work well for anyone in the snow belt and would be usable on a new mule if and when you want a bigger mule.

Many of the members have much larger and longer driveways than yours and use the smallest Kubota sub compact and a rear mount snow thrower and use mirrors and drive in reverse or sit side saddle in the seat while clearing snow.

Having a track driven 2 stage like the Yamaha 1332 or the honda 1332 will provide you with many years of dependable snow removal and plenty of power for the job.

You have to keep in mind that you need adhesion to clear snow and a track drive snow blower with steering brakes is a wise investment for any size driveway.


Sadly, you have to look at the wallet and a separate track drive snow blower will always be a good investment as you could buy a big box lawn mower every couple of years and you will be money ahead having a large track drive snow blower as it will cost you less to own.

 

[RickB]

How far are you from the Canadian border????

Would you consider a Yamaha 1332 track drive snow blower? It would let you buy a disposable lawn tractor every few years.

Belt drive for snow front mount blowers is a royal pain just as the mid mount drive system for a 2 stage snow thrower is as you need an underbelly mounting frame and you need a reverser gearbox or a reversing roller chain drive for the snow.

A rear mount snow blower like a pronovost TRC 800 with the kioti would work well for anyone in the snow belt and would be usable on a new mule if and when you want a bigger mule.

Many of the members have much larger and longer driveways than yours and use the smallest Kubota sub compact and a rear mount snow thrower and use mirrors and drive in reverse or sit side saddle in the seat while clearing snow.

Having a track driven 2 stage like the Yamaha 1332 or the honda 1332 will provide you with many years of dependable snow removal and plenty of power for the job.

You have to keep in mind that you need adhesion to clear snow and a track drive snow blower with steering brakes is a wise investment for any size driveway.


Sadly, you have to look at the wallet and a separate track drive snow blower will always be a good investment as you could buy a big box lawn mower every couple of years and you will be money ahead having a large track drive snow blower as it will cost you less to own.

As if following a walk behind blower for 1/4 mile every time it snows would not be a ‘royal pain’.
Gotta be one of the worst suggestions I ever read here.

 

[Citydude]

For a 250 foot driveway, a rear mount blower would be my choice. I have a 1600 foot driveway and have a rear mount. The concern of looking backwards is overblown (no pun intended) in my opinion. You just have to glance back, not stare at the blower during the snow clearing.

 

[leonz]

I agree with you citydude,



About a track drive walk behind snow blower; you should see how a powerful track drive snow blower is easy to use and to see how well they clear snow I would not say its a bad suggestion.

You should see how many brands of medium and large water cooled walk behind track drive snow blowers like Yanmar, Yamaha and others that are used for much longer distances and deeper snows on the northern end of the main Island of Honshu and Hokkaido Island in Japan. The same goes for the 2 models of Zaugg track drive snow blowers sold in Europe being the smaller snow bulldog or larger dual cross auger snow beast.

Some folks up in the great white north use a roll up kiddee sled tied to a track drive snow blower to stand on while they clear their long driveways so there is more than one way to clear snow and get rid of the END OF DRIVEWAY MONSTER.

 

[RickB]

I suppose you have one.

 

[Citydude]

I agree with you citydude,



About a track drive walk behind snow blower; you should see how a powerful track drive snow blower is easy to use and to see how well they clear snow I would not say its a bad suggestion.

You should see how many brands of medium and large water cooled walk behind track drive snow blowers like Yanmar, Yamaha and others that are used for much longer distances and deeper snows on the northern end of the main Island of Honshu and Hokkaido Island in Japan. The same goes for the 2 models of Zaugg track drive snow blowers sold in Europe being the smaller snow bulldog or larger dual cross auger snow beast.

Some folks up in the great white north use a roll up kiddee sled tied to a track drive snow blower to stand on while they clear their long driveways so there is more than one way to clear snow and get rid of the END OF DRIVEWAY MONSTER.

Well, I have no experience with a track drive walk behind, only a wheel drive. With the OP getting a tractor, buying another motorized piece of machinery seems a bit on the non-cost effective side.

 

[paulfun9]

More cost, more fuel, more maintenance.
Owning a tractor and then purchasing a walk behind snow blower sounds like a waste unless you have lots of places the tractor won’t be able to go.

 

[Oldoak]

More cost, more fuel, more maintenance.
Owning a tractor and then purchasing a walk behind snow blower sounds like a waste unless you have lots of places the tractor won’t be able to go.

Yep, depends on the circumstances. No different than owning a lawnmower and having a weed wacker/trimmer to get around the edges and other obstacles to finish the job.

But I think less motorized machinery with more attachments is the best way to go. Less maintenance, less upkeep costs, and more free time.

 

[jaydee325]

I don't have direct experience with the Kioti, but I do recall looking at a Berco snowblower for my John Deere garden tractor. I ended up going with the Deere blower because the Berco required a separate bracket that had to be bolted on to mount the blower. This bracket could not remain installed with the mower deck. The Deere blower quick attach setup did not interfere with other attachments (in addition to the blower, and mower deck, I also have the rear tiller). It only takes me a few minutes to swap between attachments.

So, just make sure the mounting system for the Berco is something you can live with if you are swapping attachments.

Looking at getting a Kioti 2510, I want the front blower but Kioti wants 6600 for it, kind of crazy. Anyway I found Berco makes one that fits, price is 4600.

I dont know anything about Berco and Id bet Kioti doesnt make theirs so have no idea on that one.

Spec wise the Berco is 2in wider but is 200lbs lighters, which tells me the Kioti is probably heavier duty. With that all said I will be doing about 250ft of driveway in a non commercial use.

I don't want to skimp now, but also dont want over pay. Looking back I used to use a craftsman belt driven blower on this same driveway for 5 years with no issue in terms of it breaking, now belt driven wasnt as strong

Any comments or reviews of either piece of equipment.

 

[nards444]

Thanks for the information thus far. Let me clarify. I have a Simplicity Pro Series 32 right now walk behind, that I will get rid of to get the tractor blower. Getting a tractor with heated cab as well specifically for this purpose of snow removal. So not getting another walk behind blower or basically trading apples to apples, and definnitely not adding more machines.

As for the front blower. Whats funny is the Deere and Kubota front blowers are like 3800-4k, theyre back blowers are about 1500 cheaper, so its odd that Kiotis front blowers are so pricey. Think their rear blowers are still in the 4k range, which any rear blower would I guess.

Its not a long driveway I know, but here we get feet of snow and straight at your face snow, Im done walking or being outside doing it. Another issue with a rear mount and cab is the chute movement. Another consideration is a front mount berco isnt much more than a brand new rear mount of any brand at 4800.

After all said and done Im looking for a front mount, just trying to purchase the most cost effective machine to do it.

 

[CobyRupert]

I have a Berco 44" (700211-2), two stage snowblower for the front of my garden tractor, a Deere LX280.
That's a little different category of what your looking at, but have found the Berco to be a well made, THOUGHT OUT, product.

When I purchased it, Deere was only offering a single stage, and I wanted no part of it having a Cub Cadet single stage previously. This blower throws snow 15x farther.
Two independent, easily accessible sheer bolts. One for auger, one for fan.
The subframe attachment is a breeze.
Then you literally drive up to the snowblower and it slides right on into it's connection, back away, connect belt, done.
The hardest part is making sure you connect the belt so that snowblower doesn't turn backwards (-If you did, would it pull the snow out of the air and put a layer on your driveway if you're driving backwards? ) Anyways...
It even has a handle, so you put the belt on tractor loosely, pull handle to tension, done.
IMHO, a good company, good products.
:2cents:

p.s. I think Berco (Bercomac) are Canadian made. I wonder how (or if) tariffs on them , or tariffs on others, are effecting the pricing you're getting.

 

[leonz]

I did not see your posting earlier.

All the front mounts are expensive due to the underframe mounting system, midpoint to front PTO Shaft and the reverser-being gear driven or a chain drive.

It may be well worth your while to look at a kubota 1870 or an older 1860 with a new front mount snow blower and a non factory cab.
My fathers next door neighbor had an older 1860 with a high output alternator with a Curtis cabin and front and rear work lights and
a kubota front mount 2 stage snow blower.
She had a kubota heater/defroster in it that was piped into the cooling system on the left side and it had a high velocity fan to defrost the
cabin windows and to provide heat. It was not air tight but she loved using it in the winter as she did not need a heavy coat while clearing snow.
The cabin also had a front window wiper as well to keep the snow off. In the summer months she removed the doors and left the main
part of the cabin in place to mow.

Any front mount snow blower will need a hydraulic lift system in the subframe and a loader valve to operate the chute and spout with
a cabin.

A rear mount will also need hydraulic chute and spout control as a rear window that can be opened and closed may interfere with a
rotary crank and possibly break the window when its elevated UNLESS the crank is shortened and if it is shortened you may not be
able to reach it if the rear window cannot be opened very far.

I believe the simplicity galaxy line of lawn tractors have a four wheel drive option with a loader but I am not sure what type or brand of of cabin they can have on them.

I have not looked at them for along time but the smaller Massey Ferguson(Isekie) sub compacts may be something to look at as well.

The people that make the cabs for these things make a lot of models for many tractors and a factory mounted cab will cost more to purchase and may not be air tight.

 

[nards444]

I did not see your posting earlier.

All the front mounts are expensive due to the underframe mounting system, midpoint to front PTO Shaft and the reverser-being gear driven or a chain drive.

It may be well worth your while to look at a kubota 1870 or an older 1860 with a new front mount snow blower and a non factory cab.
My fathers next door neighbor had an older 1860 with a high output alternator with a Curtis cabin and front and rear work lights and
a kubota front mount 2 stage snow blower.
She had a kubota heater/defroster in it that was piped into the cooling system on the left side and it had a high velocity fan to defrost the
cabin windows and to provide heat. It was not air tight but she loved using it in the winter as she did not need a heavy coat while clearing snow.
The cabin also had a front window wiper as well to keep the snow off. In the summer months she removed the doors and left the main
part of the cabin in place to mow.

Any front mount snow blower will need a hydraulic lift system in the subframe and a loader valve to operate the chute and spout with
a cabin.

A rear mount will also need hydraulic chute and spout control as a rear window that can be opened and closed may interfere with a
rotary crank and possibly break the window when its elevated UNLESS the crank is shortened and if it is shortened you may not be
able to reach it if the rear window cannot be opened very far.

I believe the simplicity galaxy line of lawn tractors have a four wheel drive option with a loader but I am not sure what type or brand of of cabin they can have on them.

I have not looked at them for along time but the smaller Massey Ferguson(Isekie) sub compacts may be something to look at as well.

The people that make the cabs for these things make a lot of models for many tractors and a factory mounted cab will cost more to purchase and may not be air tight.

Ive ran all the traps. By the time I found a used tractor and added a cab or an implement that I wanted I was basically in brand new pricing territory unless I wanted something older as in 10 years or more even then by the time I found one with cab, FEL and front blower or added one of those components, again the price just isnt cost effective.

End of the day I know I am getting a Kioti, question is the smartest blower to buy. Kioti wants 6600, Berco Wants 4800, I open to any ideas just on the blower that is cheaper than a Kioti branded one.

 

[paulfun9]

Thanks for the information thus far. Let me clarify. I have a Simplicity Pro Series 32 right now walk behind, that I will get rid of to get the tractor blower. Getting a tractor with heated cab as well specifically for this purpose of snow removal. So not getting another walk behind blower or basically trading apples to apples, and definnitely not adding more machines.

As for the front blower. Whats funny is the Deere and Kubota front blowers are like 3800-4k, theyre back blowers are about 1500 cheaper, so its odd that Kiotis front blowers are so pricey. Think their rear blowers are still in the 4k range, which any rear blower would I guess.

Its not a long driveway I know, but here we get feet of snow and straight at your face snow, Im done walking or being outside doing it. Another issue with a rear mount and cab is the chute movement. Another consideration is a front mount berco isnt much more than a brand new rear mount of any brand at 4800.

After all said and done Im looking for a front mount, just trying to purchase the most cost effective machine to do it.[/QUOTE

I haven’t shopped rear blowers for a few years but think the prices you are stating are way high!
Might want to shop around a bit

 

[RickB]

Kioti builds tractors. Last I knew they outsourced implements without regard to building long term relationships with OEMs that lead to affordable one stop shopping for parts and service at the Kioti dealership. If I were going to buy a Kioti tractor the attachments I chose would be brands that build machines and have their own dealer support networks.

 

[murphy1244]

Kioti builds tractors. Last I knew they outsourced implements without regard to building long term relationships with OEMs that lead to affordable one stop shopping for parts and service at the Kioti dealership. If I were going to buy a Kioti tractor the attachments I chose would be brands that build machines and have their own dealer support networks.

Kioti partners with woods now

 

[RickB]

Kioti partners with woods now

True. And when that ends whoever has Kioti branded Woods implements better know what Woods model crosses to his model and where a Woods dealer is. I left a Kioti dealer just as the Woods deal started. The so called support Kioti offered for their prior model finish mowers and even to a degree backhoes was nothing short of pathetic.

 

[nards444]

Thanks for the information thus far. Let me clarify. I have a Simplicity Pro Series 32 right now walk behind, that I will get rid of to get the tractor blower. Getting a tractor with heated cab as well specifically for this purpose of snow removal. So not getting another walk behind blower or basically trading apples to apples, and definnitely not adding more machines.

As for the front blower. Whats funny is the Deere and Kubota front blowers are like 3800-4k, theyre back blowers are about 1500 cheaper, so its odd that Kiotis front blowers are so pricey. Think their rear blowers are still in the 4k range, which any rear blower would I guess.

Its not a long driveway I know, but here we get feet of snow and straight at your face snow, Im done walking or being outside doing it. Another issue with a rear mount and cab is the chute movement. Another consideration is a front mount berco isnt much more than a brand new rear mount of any brand at 4800.

After all said and done Im looking for a front mount, just trying to purchase the most cost effective machine to do it.[/QUOTE

I haven’t shopped rear blowers for a few years but think the prices you are stating are way high!
Might want to shop around a bit

rear blowers are all of 2500 or more from everything I have seen.

 

[murphy1244]

True. And when that ends whoever has Kioti branded Woods implements better know what Woods model crosses to his model and where a Woods dealer is. I left a Kioti dealer just as the Woods deal started. The so called support Kioti offered for their prior model finish mowers and even to a degree backhoes was nothing short of pathetic.

A little pissed about being dropped by Kioti??