Front or rear snowblower

[magnatic]

I originally wanted a rear snowblower and FEL on my BX2350. After researching, however, I've learned that by the time I install the rear blower with hydraulic chute rotation and a hydraulic chute discharge control, the cost would be the same as a front blower. Therefore, the dealer is suggesting that the front blower might be the way to go, but then again, I wouldn't have the FEL. Based on your experience, which is the best way to go?

 

[lowboy]

I have a front snowblower on a BX24 Ilive in lake affect country a front end loader is no good for snow falls every few days of 12 to 24 " you can only push it so far , the front end snowblower will throw it up to 80 ft away We have about 220 inches a year I paid 2400 for a quich hitch ,snowblower , hyd chute rotater , and electric chute deflector

 

[magnatic]

The electric chute deflector is $200 less expensive than the hydraulic. How has it worked out for you?
What city are you in?

 

[MarkLeininger]

Unless you can make your head swivel around like the little girl in the exorcist, or you have free access to a chiropractor, put the blower on the front. The only thing more fun than trying to look over your shoulder when you operate equipment is doing it in the cold with a ski mask frozen to your face.

 

[Killer_B]

I've had both. They both work just fine.

KB

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I had both also, the front blower is the way to go. See photos below "Kubota Ready For Winter"

Also I use an electric chute rotator and chute deflector I made using power window motors for less the $150 for both. Here is a link to the project http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/91306-bx2750-snowblower.html#post1027037

The only problem with a snowblower, front or rear, is you are going to want a cab after the 1st few times you blow snow and it comes back onto you. I take the cab off for the summer here is a link as to how I do that.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/91339-getting-bx-ready-winter.html


Until you have $2500 for a cab here is what I did for a few years using a golf cart cover. These photos are with the rear blower on the tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/19837-bx-2200-cheap-cab.html

 

[irvingj]

I've never used a rear blower, but due to the length of my driveway I opted for a front-mounted one-- haven't been sorry. The blower is a far more efficient way to remove snow- no scoop, back up, turn, drive, dump, back up, turn, drive, scoop, etc....

Never even considered using the FEL for a plow- leaves banks too high & too close. After a few times, switching from blower to FEL when necessary becomes no big deal, takes me about 10-12 minutes, and I'm slow!

 

[irvingj]

Yankees fan-- Ever have any issues with your golf cart cover steaming up on the inside? I'm a bit behind you-- currently don't have a cover (been using a walk-behind for 18 years....) but it sure looks like a great addition! Golf cart idea sounds like a nice first step.

 

[jaybrad]

As expected, the opinions vary by user and application (no surprises there).

I've used both, but only owned a rear mount model. I liked different things about both styles and never found the rear mounted ones to be painful at all. In fact, I like the idea of having the bucket option for clearing out around the mailbox and working on the snowbanks that the road plows create.

For my tractor and my driveway, that's the combination that works best for me.

Then again, I'm a proud member of Red Sox Nation.

Jay

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Yankees fan-- Ever have any issues with your golf cart cover steaming up on the inside? I'm a bit behind you-- currently don't have a cover (been using a walk-behind for 18 years....) but it sure looks like a great addition! Golf cart idea sounds like a nice first step.

Nope not a problem at all. I had no heat inside of the cover, also the BX draws air into the engine at your feet, so a lot of air is moving. I have heat in my Sims cab and a fan inside blowing on the windows is needed because it does fog.