Mike,
My 52" was listed on the invoice as $1400 if I recall correctly, but they were playing games for financing putting more of the total price of the package toward the tractor. Most that I priced when shopping ran $1600 to $1800. The one I bought is a Woods. The hydraulic chute cost another $580, about half of which was for the rear remote on the tractor itself. I like the Woods setup of using a bidirectional hydraulic motor rather than a hydraulic ram system, just a personal preference. Not much to bind up in the ice.
Hooking up is straight forward. I tried mine yesterday for the first time and I would guess it took me about 3 minutes to be ready to go. I was pleased to see how well tilting the blower back, using the top link, kept the cutting edge off the ground for use on a gravel road. The Woods has large skids, so that probably helps. I did find out that you can't raise the 3PH all the way while running or the drive shaft starts binding into the protective covers, especially on the blower end. But you can raise it plenty high enough, just can't give a full pull on the lift lever - need to pay attention like anything else.
I'll be swapping my blower and back blade on and off throughout the winter. I have liked a blower for the deeper snow, hit it once and it's gone! No need to push it far enough back for the next storm. I'm glad I bought it.
Brad
