Snow Need Opinions on Rear Mount Snow Blowers

[COR8RFAN]

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/...-snowblower-3.html?highlight=AgroTrend+C48PBH

My understanding was that these reverse units were fairly expensive. No? Also, with the large drifts I get, how difficult is it driving through the snow first before blowing it? Interesting option....

 

[StrangeRanger]

Cor,
Reverse 3pth units are nice b/c you can drive forwards, but like you said they make it difficult to get into tight places.
General rules:
- Kubota stuff will always be more $$$. And in my mind no better quality
- Front mount will always cost more
- The blower should be wider than your tires. If it's not the tractor will "ride up" on the snow which will reduce the effectiveness of the blower.

I like others have a rmsb and like to have the FEL on for moving/pushing/dumping big drifts and piles out of the way etc. I don't mind driving backwards and my drive is 2,200' long and twisty turny up and down hills. You just gotta keep switching sides or you get a crick in yer neck

And if you can wait till spring you will probably save money. But don't wait too long b/c folks snap them up.
j

 

[ChuckinNH]

The price you quoted for the Kubota blower seems high. Are you sure they quoted the right one? I was under the impression that msrp on that blower was around $2700.00, and you should be able to do better than that. It is still expensive, but a little easier to swallow.

 

[COR8RFAN]

Thanks, all for the feedback. I think I will go with the rear mount drive backward option and non-Kubota brand. The Puma looks good. Anyone else have a preference on brands and why? Sure wish that that Provonost PXPL came in a size for my compact BX. That sure looks impressive to be able to go forward and backward.

 

[fish6942]

Take a look at the Buhler/Snow King/Allied brands. All three brands are made by the same corporation and as far as I can tell are identical except for the name and the color. All the local dealers around here sell the Allied brand.

For size, consider that the Kubota brand rear and front mounted units are about 50" wide. However, you also have to take into account the diameter of the fan (the device that sends the snow out the chute).

This fall I looked all over for a used 50" and ended up buying a used 60" Farm King. My BX2350 doesn't provide the recommended PTO HP for it but with HST I'm fairly certain I can manage. The most snow I've cleared with it so far has been 4" and that was no problem. I may change my tune if we EVER get a good 12"-18" dumping. The 3PH has no problems lifting this blower.

I have a gravel drive with some some pretty good drop offs along sides in areas. The one advantage to a wider blower is that I don't need to get the tires so close to the edge.

I don't have a cab so reaching back to crank the chute rotation is not a problem. Although I am considering putting an actuator on the chute up/down.

I only get the blower out for snowfalls of 4" or more. Anything less and the ATV with the plow gets the call.

 

[WayneB]

I have a woods SS-60 that has worked great for me over the past few years. I elected to go with the rear mounted blower for a couple reasons, cost of the front mounted Kubota unit was too much money and secondly I wanted to keep my FEL.

I have had no problems with the rear mounted blower. It is slower than the frontend blowers or using a plow, but one nice thing is I still have banks but they are 30 feet away now.

Backing up can be a pain in the neck, but after awhile you will get use to the method of doing it and adjust. I added a Weather break and top this year and it really has made a difference when the temperatures are down there.

 

[Tig]

I just bought a 50" Buhler Allied blower on a B7100. I'm very happy with it. My drive has some "issues". The Skids shoes can be adjusted in about 30 seconds with no tools. Helps me avoid tossing rocks in the bad spots. Hydraulics were easy to add for chute rotation and deflection.

 

[lp333]

My understanding was that these reverse units were fairly expensive. No? Also, with the large drifts I get, how difficult is it driving through the snow first before blowing it? Interesting option....

I bought my used reversed blower from a dealer for approx. $1,000, two years ago. Before that, I operated a conventional 3PH blower for several years, but it became too much of a pain in the neck for me.

The reversed model is more pleasant to operate than the conventional 3PH model for obvious reasons; suffice it to say that I would never go back to the earlier 3PH design. Further, a 3PH blower used in combination with a FEL is much more versatile than a front blower, and certainly much cheaper.

The reversed blower is marvellous in tight places because you can drag the snow away as you would if you were using a back blade; if needed, small amounts of remaining snow can be scooped up with the FEL.

The highest drifts that I have seen in 25 years occurred this past December; by engaging the 4WD to maximize traction, and lowering the FEL to cut through the drifts, the reversed 3PH blower did an impressive job.

 

[COR8RFAN]

I can definitely see the advantage of being able to plow going forward, but i have areas in my drive where i dont have room for the tractor going forward far enough to allow me to reach all the snow with the blower. Luckily, I paved my entire drive, so i dont have to worry about throwing stones or eating gravel. Now I just have to find one. Is there any special attaching bracket needed for the BX2350? I saw on the Kubota site that one is required with their model. I assume I would need something if I wanted to get the hydraulic controlled chute. Anyone know?

 

[AceDeuce]

My understanding was that these reverse units were fairly expensive. No? Also, with the large drifts I get, how difficult is it driving through the snow first before blowing it? Interesting option....

You could add a "wing" to one side which would allow you to cut into a drift or a bank without driving over it. I also think replacing the rigid lifting rods with flexible chains would help allow the blower to follow the contour of the ground no matter what side angle the tractor is at.