Inverted

[ChesapeakeBoy]

I have been looking at Pronovost and Normand blowers. Is there one blower manufacturer that is better than another (other brands as well)? I will say that I questions concerning the quality of the Normand paint. I see many fairly new ones that have plaint coming off and rusting. I know much of that is based on how it was used/abused and conditions that it was used...

In addition.. I have been comparing the Normand HYD vs the Inverted series... and of course, the Provonost PXPL.

Opinions on these...

 

[airbiscuit]

I got a great deal on a M K Martin Meteor rear pull snowblower from Iowa Farm Equipment in Tipton, IA. They also carry Farm King and Provonost.

 

[ChesapeakeBoy]

I got a quote from them on a PXPL80. How do you find the construction of the Meteor? Paint? How good of deal... what size?

 

[airbiscuit]

I bought a 68" Meteor pull type. I found the build quality and operation to be very good. I have no doubt that the Normand or Provonost are better, but also about twice the cost.

I would recommend that you call Andrew at Iowa Farm Equipment and see what they can do.

Snow Removal Equipment -- Iowa Farm Equipment

 

[fishhead]

I believe that the Normand and pronovost are probably built a bit better but for someone that is not doing commercial work the difference is probably not important. In reading Plowsite it appears the Normand is slightly favored. I have a Pronovost rear pull and i think that it is also possible the big2's blowers might be somewhat more efficient though i don't know why. The Pxpl and the HYB are both more expensive and heavier than the standard models, with the slight benefit of leaving a tiny bit less of a pile when doing commercial work- if this is for yourself i believe that you would find adequate performance from a normal rearpull- all you need to do is wait a second or 2 before lifting the blower.

Too, the greater weight of the HYB and PXPL could get into a territory with increased risk of 3ph breakage- the contractors using rearpulls have often started to use accumulators to lessen damage. The weight on a rear pull is pretty far back and an addl 200+ lbs is a lot. Steering with blower raised is also an issue.

I bought a 68" Meteor pull type. I found the build quality and operation to be very good. I have no doubt that the Normand or Provonost are better, but also about twice the cost.

I would recommend that you call Andrew at Iowa Farm Equipment and see what they can do.

Snow Removal Equipment -- Iowa Farm Equipment

 

[PILOON]

Both are made here in Quebec and both enjoy excellent reputations with contractors.
Kind of a Chevy/Ford debate.
Perhaps weight might be how to select.
Both are easy to maintain as all wear components are 'off the shelf' from most suppliers,

 

[ChesapeakeBoy]

Most of the used ones seem to have paint flaking off and very rusty. That typically is due to paint prep process.. or lack there of... Or do you thin it is just that they have been used hard with salt?

 

[shooterdon]

I have a cheaper 74" Farm King and for $4000 it was a good deal for my needs. I get 120-140"of snow a year with 250 yards of driveway and an open area about 1/4 acre to clear. This was the first year using it and no regrets. It is useless for clearing snow from a garage door etc but I use my back blade mounted on a 3PH SSQA adapter for back blading

 

[Paystar]

Both are made here in Quebec and both enjoy excellent reputations with contractors.
Kind of a Chevy/Ford debate.
Perhaps weight might be how to select.
Both are easy to maintain as all wear components are 'off the shelf' from most suppliers,

What PILOON said. Both Pronovost and Normand are very good. The best blowers on the market come from Quebec. Right up to the big industrial ones.

I just priced an inverted for a friend. My dealer stocks MK Martin and Agro Trend. He says he never sees them come back. Just for comparison a 68 inch MK Martin inverted with hydraulic rotation is $4695 Canadian LIST price here. So a couple hundred cheaper.

 

[fishhead]

i have had mine for 4 years and do not rinse it down after use and have basically no rust- the only paint scars would be where rocks have impacted or on the inside of the top of the chute where grit and stone have abraded. The ones you are seeing probably were used commercially where they might be doing 60-75 drives with a single machine some times multiple times a day and there is salt cinders etc.
I find my Pronovost to be exceptionally well constructed and assume the Normands are the same. I have seen some erskines locally and they do not seem be of the same build level IMHO.
If you are concerned about quality you should read the Plowsite thread "switching to a blowing service" which is probably the biggest single repository of info on rear pulls- it is oriented towards commercial but you can gather some good insights there

What is your drive and snowfall patterns like?

Most of the used ones seem to have paint flaking off and very rusty. That typically is due to paint prep process.. or lack there of... Or do you thin it is just that they have been used hard with salt?