Frontier Snowblowers...

[JDGreenGrass]

I have a JD770 tractor that is 24hp, 20hp@pto.

The local JD dealer has a new Frontier 54" snowblower for $2,000 which I thought was a great price. I haven't looked at the unit, yet. I have about
300ft. of driveway to clear.

Questions....

Is the chain that runs the auger protected with a box.??

Tractor is 54" wide at the tracks....Is a 54" blower a sufficient width.??

Is the Frontier 3pt. hitch snowblower a quality unit.??

Do you like your 3pt. snowblower.?? (whatever brand)

Any comments are welcomed.

 

[leonz]

Look at the Pronovost Puma P620 model snow blower for your use-62 inches wide with a lot of standard equipment-

Its rated for tractors from 20 to 30 horsepower.

The Pronovost family builds a lot of farm machinery and the snow blowers are built very well with full length welds.


Their Hardy equipment division builds front mounted PTO three point hitches with gear boxes for smaller tractors with 20 -50 horse power also.


leonz

 

[ChuckinNH]

The Frontier rear mount snowblowers that I looked at in that size range looke like they are made by the same company that makes the "Blizzard" snowblowers. I bought the Blizzard version for no particular reason except the JD dealer I got it from had the 54" size I wanted in stock. I didn't get the chance to use it a lot last winter, but it seemed to work fine. The manual chute rotation worked very smoothly in all kinds of weather, and that was one of the reasons I chose that brand. Though I did use the loader a couple of times while I had the blower mounted, I'm not sure I'm really happy with the rear mount set up yet.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

The Frontier rear mount snowblowers that I looked at in that size range looke like they are made by the same company that makes the "Blizzard" snowblowers. I bought the Blizzard version for no particular reason except the JD dealer I got it from had the 54" size I wanted in stock. I didn't get the chance to use it a lot last winter, but it seemed to work fine. The manual chute rotation worked very smoothly in all kinds of weather, and that was one of the reasons I chose that brand. Though I did use the loader a couple of times while I had the blower mounted, I'm not sure I'm really happy with the rear mount set up yet.

Chuck, interested to know how wide your tracks are on your tractor.??

I like the idea with the rear blower that the loader stays in place. I also think the 54" would be less bulk off the back as opposed to say a 64" blower.

The Frontier looks to be a rugged build. Hope to look at one soon.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The owner's manual for that exact snowblower should tell you which company made it. It is possible and even likely that JD has had different companies make snowblowers for Frontier within a short period of time, so knowing which company made someone else's Frontier won't necessarily tell you who made that exact one.

My one Frontier implement has been a serious disappointment and was made by a Mexican company that no one seems to have ever heard of (Tecnomec Agricola). I could have bought equal quality for less $$ or a much nicer Woods for very little more money. Frontier, and frankly most other manufacturer's "house lines," are simply a way to get money from people who don't do research or just have to have matching paint.

All that said, if the Frontier snowblower is made by a good company, I would simply comapre its price and availability to that company's own-branded model.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

The owner's manual for that exact snowblower should tell you which company made it. It is possible and even likely that JD has had different companies make snowblowers for Frontier within a short period of time, so knowing which company made someone else's Frontier won't necessarily tell you who made that exact one.

My one Frontier implement has been a serious disappointment and was made by a Mexican company that no one seems to have ever heard of (Tecnomec Agricola). I could have bought equal quality for less $$ or a much nicer Woods for very little more money. Frontier, and frankly most other manufacturer's "house lines," are simply a way to get money from people who don't do research or just have to have matching paint.

All that said, if the Frontier snowblower is made by a good company, I would simply comapre its price and availability to that company's own-branded model.

Good post. Thanks.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I think my overall width is around 50" plus a bit maybe. The 54" worked fine, but of course the front of the tractor would go in the unblown snow on really sharp corners. I think the company that makes the Frontier blowers is RAD out of Canada.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I walked the lot (after hours) of the dealer selling the Frontier 54" blower for $2,000.

I think I saw the unit for sale though it didn't have the Frontier logo, it was decaled John Deere. It was yellow, not green and had a 3 blade impeller, not 4 and the auger is not run by a chain. It appeared that the pto shaft was attached directly to the center of the auger with an enclosed gear box.

If indeed that is the unit I will probably pass. I really want a 4 blade impeller and I am going to try and find a 5' unit as opposed to the 54".

I have found some good reads using the search function here on TBN, though while searching the net I am not having great luck with finding manufacturers or dealers that sell the brands, such as Pronovost.

Thanks for the replies. The search goes on.

 

[leonz]

Call Larry Webb who is the Pronovost representative for The State of Maine @

1-802-472-5035

He will help you quickly

Pronovost Puma 620

62 inch working width
28 inch cutting hieght
22 inch impeller diameter
depth of drum 9"
4 impellers
540 rpm
auger diameter 19 inches


The chute deflector and spout can be orderd with either manual or hydraulic power optional

requires single or dual remotes if ordered with hydraulic(s) for spout and rotation


Oh my, Fluffy will never recover from this!!!!


leonz

 

[JDGreenGrass]

I decided on and purchased the 64" Frontier snowblower. I'll pick it up late next week. Pictures will be added then.

I would say it is the best built blower in it's price range. I paid $2100 out the door.:thumbsup: For example...A Martin Meteor 60" blower was offered to me for $2200.:confused2:....So, I think I got a great deal.

I love the snow....Let it fly.!!

Thanks to Sudland Dave and Roy Jackson for their input.

 

[TGF]

Hey thats a good price, I paid more than that for my SB1164. The biggest thing about snow blowers is get one wider than your tractor. The HP is not a huge issue as you can just drive slower as your blow to offer the proper horsepower to volume.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Hey thats a good price, I paid more than that for my SB1164. The biggest thing about snow blowers is get one wider than your tractor. The HP is not a huge issue as you can just drive slower as your blow to offer the proper horsepower to volume.

I went back and forth in my mind whether to get a 54" or a 64". My tractor is 54" wide. I decided on the 64" for a couple reasons...1)I can take half a swath if the snow is too heavy or deep and 2)I can get a bit closer to buildings without getting my tractor into them.

I'll take delivery late next week but, for now, it's just me and my tape measure at the back of the tractor imagining how big the unit is.

I have a gear tractor. Therefore, I will have limited control over my speed. Word has it that this issue is not a big deal.

And yes, I was very surprised by the price. I knew I wanted a Frontier and was thrilled with the specs and quality for the price. Thanks goes out to Tim at Hammond Tractor right here in central Maine.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Pronovost Puma 620

62 inch working width
28 inch cutting hieght
22 inch impeller diameter
depth of drum 9"
4 impellers
540 rpm
auger diameter 19 inches

Its water under the bridge now, but a few things to mention...

The P-620 blower you list is NOT a Puma, its a Pronovost "Group I" (what I refer to as a real Pronovost)...once you price one out, you wont reccomend it anymore. Its a great blower, dont get me wrong, but bang for the buck is just not there.

The "affordable model" and true Puma is referred to as a Puma-64, while that is a very affordable model, and is built with excellent quality, specs...mainly the Impeller Diameter is severly lackluster.

Long story short, with a Blizzard/Frontier/Kubota 3pt Blower (all built by RAD), you're getting the best performance for the money. The SB1164 has a 24" Fan which will flat out chuck snow....so in that respect, not only is it 1/2 the price of the P-620, its also a better blower.