Snow BX-24 Front Snow Blower

[billhall]

After my last post I went out just to fool with the loader and blower again and yes the fun factor is way better with the loader, anyways you may not want to go by what I say, I really did not even need a tractor, its just that my wife would not let me buy a Harley, and now I will never go without a tractor.

Bill

BX 25

 

[smfcpacfp]

I bet you will miss having your front end loader, I switched my order from a kubota front blower to a rear 48 inch puma and am very glad I did, the loader comes in very handy for hard packed snow at front of driveway. Just my opinion.

I totally disagree, and I get a lot of snow as you can see from the picture below. A snowblower can move hard packed snow as well as front end loader, because they both cut into the snow, they don't push it.

The disadvantages of the rear blower are well know, primarily having to look over your shoulder for long periods of time. It is hard on the old neck. A cab makes the whole process more pleasant. The rear blower is cheaper because you don't have to buy the undercarriage.

I probably have to go out and snowblow 30 times a year and it takes about 45 minutes each episode (450' by 20' drive and walkway). If we only got a little snow a few times a year, the rear blower would be OK, but if you get serious snow the front bloer is great. I can't think of any situation in the winter where I said to myself, "I wish I had the front end loader on."

Kubota B3030 snowblower in action

 

[billhall]

I like my loader plus it allows me to make forts for my 4 kids, so now you know the real reason.

 

[dwenham]

I bet you will miss having your front end loader, I switched my order from a kubota front blower to a rear 48 inch puma and am very glad I did, the loader comes in very handy for hard packed snow at front of driveway. Just my opinion.

Never yet in 6 years use of my front snowthrower have I encountered a berm I couldn't break through with the blower. Don't forget, with the front blower, you have hydraulic downforce, unlike the gravity-only rear blower you twist your body 180 degrees to observe skipping over the top of the berm left by the plow driver.

One useful tip, if you can use it: The plow comes by our house at a very predictable time on snow days. I always get out before it gets here and clear about 50' of road to the left of our driveway so the plow has no snow to throw into the drive

 

[smfcpacfp]

I like my loader plus it allows me to make forts for my 4 kids, so now you know the real reason.

The front blower would be even better for this job! You have the kids build the fort frame and then you just blow snow on it.

 

[Evil the Weasel]

My blower cuts through banks at the road with ease. I haven't needed the loader yet this Winter. Having said that, I wish I hadn't dropped the loader where I did because it's in my way.

 

[irvingj]

dwenham-- I do precisely the same, and it really works! With that blower, I can truck downhill and throw the snow across the road and up into the bank on the other side; it may look odd (thank goodness for the highly visible --annoyingly so at times-- hazard blinkers, I know I can be seen) driving & blinking down the road, but I take out about 35 yards to the left of my drive, ging out as far as the middle of the road: no snowplow ridges the next morning!

OKGarcia-- here's some shots of the large area I do in front of my garage, after our storm last Wed. Note how high it hits the trees.

Where are you located? Does the phrase "some portions have an 8' retaining wall" mean you're built into a slope? You'll learn to play with the blower, just like you had to with your walk-behind, but you'll have one HUGE advantage: the SCUT blower will be able to handle any pile that you encounter. As others have said, these things will eat into a hard-packed bank --of course, with some finesse-- amazingly well. Like others, I'll add that, although it means more "work," switching back to the FEL is not a huge undertaking, should the need arise. I keep mine handy, and do switch occasionally.