Grading Could really use advise re: snowblower vs. front blade

[bxowner]

I've read nearly every thread in the archives and it's not helpful - maybe too much information?!

I have a 2320 and a small driveway. About 40' by 30'. It takes me a while to clear using a loader and rear blade combo.

But, I also then tend to 'clean up' after the plow guy has done our private road that currently only two houses share. The road is about 150-200 yards. He does a lousy job. The other neighbor will pay me to plow this season ($50 each time) to do the entire road.

So, if I buy the snowblower, I suppose I could also buy the blade for several hundred more and do the whole road much quicker during light storms. But, of course, we do get 18" snowfalls every year and sometimes 24" of somewhat heavy, dense snow.

Can anyone tell me the final price they paid for their snowblower complete? Is it a negotiable price, since I bought the tractor itself a year ago?

What would you do?!

 

[JDeerekid]

I would go with the front blade and 3pt snowblower myself. It is alot easier and faster to plow snow the blow the piles away when the snow is not very deep. Then for the big snow falls use the blower.
I have a larger tractor with loader and 3pt. snow blower and am pondering the idea of taking the loader off and putting a blade on the front. I plow/blow 6 driveways now and sometime plow my dead end road that is around 3/4 of a mile long when the town does not do it for a day or so.

You will get many opinions here and that is all I can give you from my own personal experience.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Anything is easier than pushing large amounts of snow with just the loader.

 

[Tig]

I got a 50" allied Buhler rear snowblower for just under two grand. I could not find anyone who would negotiate on price.
I like the blower because it keeps the banks down. We get a lot of drifting here. The only time I used a blade on snow last year was when I just needed to push the snow back from the road edge during the spring melt.

 

[Wayne_H]

We don't get near as much snow down here in Maryland where I live, but I do have the JD front plow for my 4400. It works great, and it is fast. The only time I think a blower could have been better was when we had two back to back storms (6 years ago) that dumped like 30 inches on us. With the plow, I quickly ran out of room to put the snow, where the blower would have moved it way out of the way. And the last two years I have had no snow to plow... Maybe this global warming is not so bad, anyone want a like new plow for a 4400?

Wayne

 

[Nuru]

In 2004, i plowed 24 inches of wet snow out of my driveway at my last house and I did that with a 54" blade on my former 4100. No chains and it was just fun! Now i have a larger unit and a blade that is 66", down from my former 4310 which had a 72" blade. We will see how the Cab and the 66" handles things at my current location.

I prefer the front plow, but I can see how a 3PT hitch snow blower probably is a good addition for a combo.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

There is really just no substitute for a blower....I've got the FEL Blade and 3pt Blower setup in progress... I just finished the fabrication work and the Blade is off to Sand Blasting & Powder coating and my Blower is on order with an ETA of "First week or so of Sept"

Even on a light fluffy snow you'll end up using the blower...just mash down on the "Go Fast Pedal" and when its 24" of wet heavy stuff just take er easy...Ends up being faster cause you dont need to mess with pushing/piling/hiding the snow out of the way...

I use the FEL Blade for backdragging the snow away from the buildings and such to the point when I can easily grab it with the blower.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

If your tractor has a mid or front PTO and you want a front mounted blower I think that you will be limited to JD. Try the JD web site, find your model tractor build it with the front blower as an accessory. It will list all the mounts & stuff you need with the list prices. Some JD dealers seem willing will sell accessories for 10 to 15 percent off of list.

If you are looking for a rear mounted blower then there are many brands to choose from & there might even be a used one around, don't forget the pto shaft. You could even have a front blade with a rear blower?

 

[Pipestone Kid]

I live in Northern Minnesota and we get lots of snow! I use a front mounted blower--it's nice to drive forward and see where you are going. I use the back blade when the snow amount is up to four inches to windrow the snow and then I hit it with the blower. Fast, clean, and no hassle. No worries about where to pile it, either. JD 4110 and a 46" blower.
Jim

 

[JCB]

bx,

I looked for a while and never really had any luck regarding blower prices. Price seems to be pretty firm, but it may come down to you negotiating skill.

I've got the rear blade, front blower setup, and agree with pipestone. It's still quick for small snow, and make no mistake a front blower is the tool for big snow.

Joe

 

[ragkar]

I was in your situation last fall in deciding blower or plow for my 2320. The big question that you have to ask yourself is, "Where are you going to put the snow?"

Suppose you have a 12 incher and your driveway is 30ft wide. You can handle that with a plow and it will make a good size pile on the side of the driveway. But suppose before it melts you have another 12 incher. The old snow is a barricade preventing you from moving the new snow off the driveway. The best that you can do will narrow the driveway five or six feet. Then there's another snow!! Or maybe you have a bunch of 4-6" falls with cold weather keeping the snow from melting.

If that's the case in your area, maybe a snow thrower is preferable.

In my situation the driveway though long, is only twelve feet so I don't have that much to throw to the side. Besides, I can expect less snowfall than you in Vermont. Anyhow, I have a walk-behind snow thrower That I'll use if I get into a snow disposal problem.

I opted for the plow.