Kubota L4479 vs L4474 (front utility vs front commercial snow blower)

[johnsayen]

Hi all,

I've been searching around but not minding much info on the differences between the L4479 and L4474 besides price.

Anyone have additional info to share? When you select L4474 (commercial) the hydraulic up/down deflector option disappears so I suspect it's got built-in rotation and up/down deflection?

Is it just heavier duty for 24/7 snow removal or?

Thank you

 

[johnsayen]

Bumping this back up - anybody?

 

[finn1]

Don’t know anything about Kubota, but competitors appear to be switching from hydraulic actuators to electric actuators. Snow blower chute controls are an example. My Kioti has a hydraulic cylinder on the chute, and long hoses to the rear of the tractor.. New models that I have seen have a simple electric actuator.

Not just compact tractors and snow removal equipment, but across the board in Ag and construction/industrial equipment.

Electronics are the wave of the future: cheaper, easier to install, more reliable, etc.

 

[johnsayen]

Bumping it back up

 

[Jchonline]

Don’t know anything about Kubota, but competitors appear to be switching from hydraulic actuators to electric actuators. Snow blower chute controls are an example. My Kioti has a hydraulic cylinder on the chute, and long hoses to the rear of the tractor.. New models that I have seen have a simple electric actuator.

Not just compact tractors and snow removal equipment, but across the board in Ag and construction/industrial equipment.

Electronics are the wave of the future: cheaper, easier to install, more reliable, etc.

I dont agree with regards to electronics For snow blowers. It’s a wet nasty business, just about the worst situation for electronic components. Ill stick with hydraulic as long as I can. I think the issue you have is the way your tractor is plumbed. With 3rd function and mid-PTO on say a Grand L Kubota its an easy short hose.

 

[Jchonline]

I’m also in the market for one, would like some feedback as well.

 

[johnsayen]

I ended up with the L4479 due to the weight savings (300lbs)

 

[HorsPower]

A little off topic, but related to the L4479/ L4474 Blowers -

I just picked up a used L4479 blower for my L5740. While searching for a pre-owned front mount blower, I came across a photo of this blower that someone had installed poly rollers on.

For the guys using these blowers on asphalt, do you run the blower without the skid shoes such that the blower scrapes with the cutting edge? Any issues, or is there any need for rollers like these to prevent from damaging the asphalt?

 

[fishhead]

I don't have a kubota blower (have a pronovost) but i don't worry at all about it dragging on the pavement or the back blade i use. our driveway and shared private road is just that a road and everyone here scrapes with metal- otherwise you are wasting your time. I also run chains on all 4 and occasionally they eave a small mark- but it's NW Montana where ice can stay on roads and drives for months. Also commercial trucks often chain up and will occasionally spin and mark a drive- it's just the way it is

 

[HorsPower]

Hi all,

I've been searching around but not minding much info on the differences between the L4479 and L4474 besides price.

Anyone have additional info to share? When you select L4474 (commercial) the hydraulic up/down deflector option disappears so I suspect it's got built-in rotation and up/down deflection?

Is it just heavier duty for 24/7 snow removal or?

Thank you

For anyone else wondering these same questions (like I was). I recently purchased a L4479 blower and also had the chance to look over a L4474 blower at Messicks. I can tell you a few of the observable differences.

The L4474 in general looks like it is built sturdier. No surprise why it weighs more. I would call the L4479 better than "homeowner" grade (so "utility" is appropriate), whereas the L4474 is definitely full "Commercial" grade.

I didn't measure the fans specifically, but the L4474 fan is larger. It is deeper, and may also be slightly larger in diameter.

The L4474 skid shoes are sliding and adjustable with a pin, whereas the L4479 are bolt-on / bolt off.

L4474 comes standard with hydraulic rotation and deflector. L4479 comes with hydraulic rotation only, but hydraulic deflector kit can be added as an option (for about $1k).