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.

 

[jaybrad]

Where did you find the golf cart cover? Do you remember the approximate cost - and how did you secure it to the ROPS?

 

[PILOON]

I have done it both ways, front and rear and both with cab.

IMHO front blade with rear blower is best combination 'specially with a long drive.
Blade gathers the light snows rapidly and blower gets rid of it with one pass.
Blower only is very slow.
My blade is lifted using FEL arms as I remouve the bucket for the winter and install my blade.
Front blower is not good for 'in close' situations due to angles and manouverability while with rear blower you have real good viewing angles as you are close and looking down.
Besides, sitting sideways driving backwards is no big deal.

Rear blower is much more 'affordable'.

Be sure that blower is wider than wheel width.

Good luck!

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Jay,

See link

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

Northen Tool has one for $85

Classic Accessories Golf Cart Rain Cover | Golf Car Covers | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[jaybrad]

This is great info - thanks very much.

I hadn't seen a green Puma snowblower before it's nice that they changed it to red, which matches my tractor.

Jay
(only pinstripes here are on an old suit...)

 

[smfcpacfp]

We get a lot of snow where I live and if you have a long driveway as I do, I suspect it is a lot easier on your neck to not have to keep looking over your shoulder. The bottom is that I have never seen anyone with a rear blower up here. I didn't even know they made them until I joined this forum. Given my own case (about 30 hours blowing last year), I wouldn't even consider a rear blower. I would have absolutely no use for a FEL in the winter. Our ground is frozen and covered with many feet of snow all winter, so I wouldn't have an winter FEL projects.

People here either have plow trucks or snowblowers, or hire guys with plows. Plow trucks are faster but seem more prone to breaking and require big runoff areas.

 

[lp333]

I originally wanted a rear snowblower and FEL on my BX2350... 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?

I like to have both a blower AND a loader working in tandem when I am moving snow. Presently, I am using a reversed snowblower mounted on the 3PH of my BX24. Reversed or Inverted blowers are not common. However, I find them easier and more pleasant to operate than the conventional 3 point units that require you to back-up while blowing. The inversed design also has the advantage of doubling as a type of boxblade to scrape the driveway or to pull snow away in tight areas.

At the link below, you will find a couple of photos of my AgroTrend 3PH snowblower (posted by STEF). The photos were taken when I still had my BX23. The chains provide unbelievable traction under severe winter conditions, and especially on those icy slopes around my home. This particular reversed unit is model # C48PBH. Although this is the smallest model at 48" wide, larger models are also available.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/84242-rear-pull-snowblower-3.html

 

[WayneB]

I have a rear snowblower and at the time I purchased it I went through the same things and decided I wanted to keep the FEL so went with a rear snowblower.

I haven't had any major problems with it, but think it might be slower than a front mounted blower, you will have a slight pain in your neck, that will go away around April first.

If you go with a rear blower you will also find you hardly, if ever use the FEL, and the bottom line is if I could afford to I would buy a front mount blower and enjoy driving normal again.

I have purchased a front snow blade to use this year and hope to be able to push the center and then must blow the sides out of the way. Will see how that works. Our drive way is about 1,000 feet down a hill with a couple of little curves so backing down takes a bit of time.

If you can afford it go with the front mounted and the electric chute rotator will work just fine. It won't be as fast, but you will find you don't need speed. But, as soon as you buy it you will be looking forward to that first snow storm so you can impress the wife with how clean the driveway is and justify the money spent on the new tool!

 

[jaybrad]

I have a rear snowblower and at the time I purchased it I went through the same things and decided I wanted to keep the FEL so went with a rear snowblower.

I haven't had any major problems with it, but think it might be slower than a front mounted blower, you will have a slight pain in your neck, that will go away around April first.

If you go with a rear blower you will also find you hardly, if ever use the FEL,

I used a rear mount snow blower for 10 years and never had a pain in my neck (at least not a tractor-related one). If folks are using as a reference point what it's like to back up a car, I can understand their concern. But using a rear mount snow blower is nothing like that.

I just sit sidesaddle on the seat and use my left foot to push the HST pedal. I never found it the least bit uncomfortable.

Contrary to Wayne's experience, I do use my FEL frequently around the end of the driveway where the town snow plows seem to dump a massive pile of snow with each storm. I suppose I could use the snow blower, but there is so much sand and rocks that get picked up and pushed that I prefer to use the FEL.

I suspect I'll never be able to convince those that have a front mounted blower, nor will they convince me.

So there you have it. I guess what this really means is that having a snow blower is better than not having snow blower. Beyond that, you're on your own.

Good luck!

Jay

 

[WayneB]

I used a rear mount snow blower for 10 years and never had a pain in my neck (at least not a tractor-related one). If folks are using as a reference point what it's like to back up a car, I can understand their concern. But using a rear mount snow blower is nothing like that.

I just sit sidesaddle on the seat and use my left foot to push the HST pedal. I never found it the least bit uncomfortable.

Hi Jay guess I was making a little fun out of rear snow blowing. Like you I sit side saddle on my trator and blow snow. It has worked for me for a number of years and prior to getting the snowblower I did it with a rear blade and used the FEL to move the banks back. Our mail box is at the end of the driveway, but it is a rather large area and easy for me to just back along and blow the snow.


Jay

Won't be too long and we will be out there playing (working) in the snow again.

Wayne

 

[escavader]

I used a rear mount snow blower for 10 years and never had a pain in my neck (at least not a tractor-related one). If folks are using as a reference point what it's like to back up a car, I can understand their concern. But using a rear mount snow blower is nothing like that.

I just sit sidesaddle on the seat and use my left foot to push the HST pedal. I never found it the least bit uncomfortable.



Jay

EXACTLY what ive been saying all along.Icouldnt imagine cranking my head all the way around,it would be a pain.However mabey on some models peddle positioning,or cab space might prevent you from sitting sidesaddle.
As you know i work at the mill down the street from you,and for a few hours a day ,im hauling 2 stacks of lumber around on a jcb cabbed forklift,hauling it long distances from up back to the kiln staging area.All the time sidesaddle running the throttle with my left foot ,and very comfortable i might add.UNLESS THE HILLS ARE ICY then seat pucker takes effect
ALAN