Snowblower Front-Mount Snowblower and MMM

Neophyte · Jul 17, 2003

I have a question about the mounting of a front-mount snowblower and MMM as it pertains to any of the following tractors: Kubota B2910, NH TC29D or JD 4210 Series.

When it comes time for the snowblower, can you leave part of the MMM mounting hardware in place or does everything have to come off? And inversely, when it comes time for the MMM, can you leave part of the snowblower mounting hardware in place or does everything have to come off? Obviously, the MMM unit would come off in the winter but I'm talking about the brackets, etc. I'm curious to see how this works out.

I'm also torn over the attachments.
* MMM or RFM? The RFM is easier to attach/detach and less expensive. How difficult is it to attach/detach the MMM?
* FM or RM Blower? The RM Blower is easier to attach/detach, less expensive and would allow me to keep my loader attached but it seems much more awkward to use.

Any wisdom would be appreciated.

Thank You

Dooze · Jul 17, 2003

I'm not certain about the B2910, I have a BX1800 with a mid-mount mower and a front mount Snow Blower. I did look on the Kubota website and they look almost identical. I can remove or install my mower in about 6 minutes. The snow blower uses a quick attach subframe that requires the removal of the mower. The subframe attaches where the front brackets from the mmm attach and a driveshaft is attached to the center PTO. The snow blower then attaches to the subframe. On mine, there is a guard over where the drive shaft for the snow blower runs that I leave on all year. The only time that I have to remove it is when I change the motor oil. When I install the snow blower in the fall, the whole process takes about 15 minutes. Removal and installation of the mmm in the spring takes about the same amount of time. The front mount snow blower does an excellant job as does the mmm. I also have a King Kutter brush cutter and after using it, and having to keep watching what is going on behind me, I wouldn't consider a rear mount mower if a mmm is available.

hazmat · Jul 17, 2003

I wouldn't let the seasonal bracket change (if required) keep you from getting a MMM or Front snowblower. At most you are looking at a dozen bolts.

The MMM vs. RFM is the second most hotly debated subject here on tbn (the first being Hydro vs. gear - but we won't go there). I've tried both MMM & RFM and much prefer the MMM.

Pros of MMM

Easier manuverability, bagging options if so desired. Resale?

Cons of MMM

Cost, slightly more difficult to remove than RFM (10-15 minutes vs. 5) Only New Holland offers rear discharge MMM. Kubota & Deere offer mulching options. Sometimes not compatible with Backhoe sub-frame (New Holland) Others?

Pros of RFM
Cost, Slightly easier to remove, rear discharge available. Can back it under low trees.

Cons of RFM
manuverability - Overall tractor length substantially increased, "tailswing effect"

I think most here would agree with my pro's & con's, but everybody will give each different weight. Some like me, hardly ever remove their mower in the summer and don't mind the extra 10 minutes it takes. Others are trading implements all the time & want the mower off fast. Or are doing tough dirt work or pasture mowing in between lawn mowing that they don't want to leave a MMM on to get bounced over rocks, stumps etc. So, you need to think about what your other uses of the tractor will be during the cutting season.

If you get real snow & you can afford it, get the front blower. I've got a rear blade on my tractor, we got 8 feet last year. My neck gets sore just thinking about it - and I've got a small driveway compared to most here. Once you get the bracket on in the fall, the front mount blower should be easy to attach - You could get it off & your loader on in <15 min.

Henro · Jul 17, 2003

Hi,

 I'm also torn over the attachments.
* MMM or RFM? The RFM is easier to attach/detach and less expensive. How difficult is it to attach/detach the MMM? 

I've posted this elsewhere, but if you do get the RFM make sure you get the widest one, probably 72" for a B2910 size tractor. My mistake was getting a 60" and not being able to easily cut close to things.

If you got a lot of curves to cut around it is harder to cut close with a rfm than it is with a MMM. The RFM moves away from the edge as the front tires follow it around. I never did figure out how to easily cut close around trees with my RFM...

The RFM would be fine for large areas free from obsticals. No need to keep looking back, just go straight and enjoy.

In the end I decided to trade my RFM back to the dealer on a MMM...but not for my B2910. The MMM is coming attached to a bX2200...IF MY DEALER EVER FINDS ONE!

I know the Kubota MMM guide wheels turn 90 degrees to make pulling the MMM out from under the tractor easier.

I really did like the RFM and it did [does] do a good job in open spaces. The quality of the cut was much better than my MTD garden tractor. I just have too many things to cut around and not enough of those nice open spaces.

I think the bottom line is that it is easier to look down or forward, than it is back all the time. I think I would rather just bite the bullet once in a while when taking off/installing the MMM. Rather than continuously bending the neck, which is a chore too.

Bending the neck around all the time may have one advantage though...keeps you flexable! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you're like me, the body turns a bit too, not just the neck... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

ikline · Jul 17, 2003

Henro,

Drove by a dealer (Dohlinger's, I think) in State College last weekend, they had 4 BX2200. Your Dealer might be able to snag one of them.

Golfgar4 · Jul 17, 2003

( The MMM is coming attached to a bX2200...IF MY DEALER EVER FINDS ONE!
)

Maybe I shouldn't tell you that my local dealer had 6 of them sitting in front of his shop last night! (Noticed them while I was looking at a L5030!/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

I wonder what the shipping charges would be from Wisconsin to Pittsburgh?? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Seems odd that your dealer can't get any, and here's two examples of dealers having more than 1 sitting around. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Neophyte · Jul 17, 2003

Dooze, Hazmat and Henro,

Thanks for your input. Extremely helpful. Ease of use is important since my wife may be using it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I think I might have found me a used JD 4210 with a 72" MMM and 59" FM Blower, which seems to be inline with your recommendations.