Front facing 3pt snowthrower

[MarkLeininger]

Anyone know anything about this front facing snow thrower:
http://cgi.ebay.com/TMI-3-POINT-SNOW-BLOWER-NEW-W-WARRANTY-LOW-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ250373353551QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250373353551&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A10|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting


Any general comments on forward facing snowthrowers? Obviously the tires pack down the snow, not sure that would matter with with a unit that heavy.

Also, is there a way to insert a long URL so only a title shows? I tried using the URL tool in the WYSIWYG editor but it pastes the whole link.

 

[kennyd]

Also, is there a way to insert a long URL so only a title shows? I tried using the URL tool in the WYSIWYG editor but it pastes the whole link.

Here how:

After you have your link copied (right click-then copy),Write the word or words you want to display, Like BLOWER, Then highlight the word by dragging your mouse over it, then click the "insert link" button up top of the text window(it's the globe picture). In the box that pops up past your link and click OK...

 

[MarkLeininger]

Thanks kennyd,
here's the friendly version of the Snowblower link.

 

[rbargeron]

.......Any general comments on forward facing snowthrowers? Obviously the tires pack down the snow, not sure that would matter with with a unit that heavy.........

Pull-forward units have been around for years. There have been several manufacturers. Snowmachines, Inc. made the one in the picture below in the '70s.

I've owned two of these - rugged and very simple, with one turning part - the auger/impeller. It worked fine on 8" of fluffy snow, or 5" of heavier wetter stuff.There is some packing down from the wheels, but the plow edges get under it pretty well on a paved surface. If the snow is too deep it will over flow. It worked best on tractors with a higher-speed pto option on the rear, like the 540/750 or 540/1000 2-speed ptos.

Erskine also made a model of this general layout, but with sliding side wings to extend its width. They've replaced it with a forward-facing 2-stage unit today. At the end of the old model run, Erskine's price was over $3k so the TMI unit on eBay is cheap by comparison - (maybe not made here?) The TMI looks like it has a taller flow path - should handle deeper snow. More discussion with links to Pronovost's high-end pull-forward units here.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Thanks, that's good info, I've been watching for older used equipment. I will use this to clean in the paddocks and around the barn, so I'm trying to decide if the rear facing blower adds enough advantage as far as getting into tight places to justify getting a sore neck. It would be nice to just drive forward and clean everything, but that will leave a fair bit of cleanup with the bucket. This year I ran out of places to put all the snow. Can't find any info on TMI even though they seem to make other attachments like PHD. I assumed they were made offshore, isn't everything...

 

[rbargeron]

The rear push type is easier to feed into tight spots - the front push is easiest on your neck but hardest on the checkbook. I do eight places in my neighborhood. I've had rear pull, rear push, and front push. The front push wins - but the margin isn't huge. Each has it's advantages. Take care, Dick B