How good/bad is the Frontier/JD SB1174P inverted blower?

[airbiscuit]

That looks like a $6k option for a UTV.

 

[leonz]

That is why mentioned it as a possibility, as it would allow him
to have a separable mounted single stage belt driven snow thrower
and still be able to use his loader and keep his weight box on the rear.

 

[sd455dan]

I'm running a Wifco Upshot 72" inverted (non-hybrid) blower on my Branson 3520 with a Western plow up front. After 10 years of backing up, the comfort and speed are fantastic. I have major drifting on the driveway, that the v-plow on the super duty can't get through. My strategy for the deep stuff (3 foot, 100 yards long) is to raise the plow 18 inches, and the blower 6 inches for the first pass. With all that weight and some aggressive chains on the back, it's not a problem to bust through. More pto horsepower would be nice, but it'll do it.

Same, one of my first tests was going through 22" of rained on and wind packed from 3 snow falls when the Wifo 84" Inverted was delivered.

As heavy as the Wifo's are, just lifting them a couple inches off the ground with the 3 point will give the tractor quite a bit of traction.

I am still impressed with the large Impeller and close clearance to housing and it's ability to Really throw the snow.

That Rammy is a sweet set up for someone that already owns a side by side, but after watching that video

I still would chose a tractor with an inverted blower. Was surprised on just how easy the side by side was stopped dead in it's tracks.

 

[leonz]

The Gravely side by side had no weight in the back and that is why
it lost traction even with 4 wheel drive dealing with old snow pack.

The major advantage for the RAMMY single stage snow throwers is the
snow throwers simplicity and ease of maintenance versus the 2 stage
units that have more parts.

The original IHC cub cadet, simplicity and wheel horse single stages we
had were as dumb as dirt and only needed single V belts.

 

[sd455dan]

Do I have enough clearance? Good question. Does any tractor? I won't know until I'm in the thick of it I suppose.

One thing I learned more than a half a hundred years ago when cleaned snow off of neighbors' driveways for about $1.50, regardless of how deep it was, is that it is often easier to shovel it 2x or even more than wait until the snow is done falling and deal with the whole 9 yards. I suspect there will be something of this to my new situation.

I've been learning about inverteds for a while now, in anticipation of what is coming. I think it is the way to go for me. Driving backwards 1500' then doing it again and then doing it at least one more time is not something I would enjoy.

I don't think there is a perfect answer to the best type of blower, but I'm fairly set on inverteds, but is this model by Frontier a good one? I know of one that is relatively cheap right now, and I need to make up my mind - with everyone's help.

You might be surprised How well the 3039 does with an Inverted.

I am sure over 2 feet of really wet snow would make extra work . I am a believer R1's are better for blowing snow and maintaining traction unless it is Ice underneath. I stopped to take a pic.
Have only had the inverted 2 years but have not been stuck yet.

What did the influencer not like about the Frontier model you are looking at?

 

[airbiscuit]

If it's the same video I saw, it was a commercial operator. He wanted more weight for his suburban customers who want a pristine scrape, and a replaceable cutting edge (not a welded on one) as he goes through 2 or 3 a year. He said the John Deere inverted was just fine for a homeowner and long drives. It was worth it to him to pay 3x the price for a commercial model.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

You should talk to the folks at Erskine attachments about a front mounted 2 stage snow blower that can be powered with the rear PTO using a gear box and PTO shafts under the tractor before you spend any money.

www.erskineattachments.com

DON’T waste your time. The power loss is amazing comparing PTO HP to HP. NH4835 vs JD4720 are both 56 at the shaft.
I had the same setup from Pronovost at work. They are not setting any speed records.
My personal Normand blower would eat it alive side by side.

 

[fishhead]

DON’T waste your time. The power loss is amazing comparing PTO HP to HP. NH4835 vs JD4720 are both 56 at the shaft.
I had the same setup from Pronovost at work. They are not setting any speed records.
My personal Normand blower would eat it alive side by side.

Agreed, a neighbor had that set-up on a 4066R and my pronovost rear pull on a 3720 would run circles around it.
OP- I've had a rear pull for 1o years now (I'm located near that TYM474 video) and it just plain rocks - I do have one of the pronovost commercial level blowers so i can't speak about the frontier.

 

[five_hole]

I'm considering this Frontier pull type blower and am very interested in the original question. Anyone who has experience with this blower, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TCowner]

I have the 1164P on my 2038R John Deere. With the lack of winter I only used it once when we got about 3 inches of snow so I have very limited experience with it. I liked the ability to back up to the garage and pull foward not leaving the "lump" of snow in front of the door.

I hope this coming winter I get to put it to a real test.