Please help my neck....

[cdaigle430]

i love my Woodmaxx SB 60 and loader combination but my neck is hating it. Anyone have any ideas on how to snowblow with a rear mount without killing your neck?

 

[John_Mc]

The last big storm meant a couple of trips to the Chirpractor for me to get straightened out after all that use of a rear mounted snow blower. I was trying to make a point of spending some time turned around the other way to balance things out, and to turn my body, not just my neck, but it was not enough. I'm thinking of mounting a mirror up on my FOPS (falling object protection system). It won't eliminate the problem, but if it reduces it a bit, it may help

 

[wheelbuilder]

i love my Woodmaxx SB 60 and loader combination but my neck is hating it. Anyone have any ideas on how to snowblow with a rear mount without killing your neck?

Maybe a couple good mirrors or a backup camera ? I see more of that on cabbed tractors, but mirrors should work anywhere and might be helpful for other tasks.

 

[oldnslo]

Sit more side saddle and if HST learn to run the go pedals with your left foot. Also practice turning your head more while sitting in the house, etc. to exercise your neck muscles. Mirrors and back up cameras help IF they don't get covered in snow.

 

[KennyG]

I have mirrors and a backup camera and they do help. However, my best solution was to put a snowplow on the tractor and only use the blower if we have a foot or so of snow.

 

[MossRoad]

Anyone try a boat seat swivel base on their tractor? Would swiveling the seat cause the seat to hit any of the controls?

 

[oldnslo]

Anyone try a boat seat swivel base on their tractor? Would swiveling the seat cause the seat to hit any of the controls?

On my Branson the controls would be a problem but that is a very good suggestion.

 

[atsah]

Anyone try a boat seat swivel base on their tractor? Would swiveling the seat cause the seat to hit any of the controls?

Yes it would hit on his GC. I don't have a problem, I turn in the seat some and it's not a big deal for me. I tried the rear camera thing and didn't care for that, it wasn't an up close view, maybe they make a better camera, mirrors are tough on a GC there is no place to mount them high enough and if you install a tall bracket they shake to much.

 

[LouNY]

At times I will sit on the front half of my seat and turn about a quarter of the way around then my whole upper body can turn the rest of the needed way.
But I have spent several years looking to the right rear with pull type implements, when I try to look to the left rear I have difficulties.

 

[BoylermanCT]

My tractor has enough room for me to sit sideways so I am only looking 90 degrees to go forward or reverse. That said...

I was at Harbor Freight yesterday and was looking at their 22hp twin cylinder horizontal shaft mower engine. Hook up the engine to the blower with sprockets and chain or pulleys and belt and mount a quick attack plate behind the engine so you have a self powered blower that mounts on your front end loader. It would cost less than $1,000.

22 HP (67�cc) V-Twin Horizontal Shaft Gas Engine EPA

 

[oosik]

Fortunately, my mile long gravel driveway is straight as an arrow. However - after 3+ hours of blowing with the 3-point blower - HOT shower and JD. After 20+ years it was one of the MAJOR reasons I upgraded to my current Kubota M6040. Now, with my very heavy Rhino rear blade I clear the driveway going forward. Lordy - what a relief.

Once I got going with the 3-point blower - only the steering wheel need any attention. I would sit side saddle - I would kneel on the seat, looking backwards, I tried mirrors. It always ended with a sore neck and shoulders. Fortunately, those memories have faded and been replaced with the joys of blading while going forward. And, no matter the direction of the wind - there will be those times when it drifts back, all over you.

 

[John_Mc]

Anyone try a boat seat swivel base on their tractor? Would swiveling the seat cause the seat to hit any of the controls?

My tractor has a swiveling seat, but it only turns about 25 or 30˚ from straight ahead. I use that, then further turn my butt a bit sideways in the seat. It's still not enough to avoid neck issues (probably because of a college wrestling neck injury - I've never been the same since.)

 

[HillStreet]

My yard and driveway are such that only a few passes need to be made with precision looking backward. After that, I more or less can see out of the periphery to blow snow. It is a relief and it works fine for me. No neck discomfort at all, and it takes about an hour including trimming with the bucket.

 

[radios1]

Fortunately, my mile long gravel driveway is straight as an arrow. However - after 3+ hours of blowing with the 3-point blower - HOT shower and JD. After 20+ years it was one of the MAJOR reasons I upgraded to my current Kubota M6040. Now, with my very heavy Rhino rear blade I clear the driveway going forward. Lordy - what a relief.

Once I got going with the 3-point blower - only the steering wheel need any attention. I would sit side saddle - I would kneel on the seat, looking backwards, I tried mirrors. It always ended with a sore neck and shoulders. Fortunately, those memories have faded and been replaced with the joys of blading while going forward. And, no matter the direction of the wind - there will be those times when it drifts back, all over you.

how is snow getting into your heated cab??..

 

[wawajake]

I am sitting in my Lazy Boy right now with heating pad on my neck .....because it has been 4 days of using Bx tractor rear snowblower because 5 or 6 inches each day is too much for the plow on my Kubota Rtv . So I feel your pain !!! Last winter most of plowing was with the RTV because it was a season of many small dumps ....not this year ..I am going to try a mirror or two on the Bx tractor maybe. Or find a masseuse

 

[k0ua]

My tractor has a swiveling seat, but it only turns about 25 or 30˚ from straight ahead. I use that, then further turn my butt a bit sideways in the seat. It's still not enough to avoid neck issues (probably because of a college wrestling neck injury - I've never been the same since.)

I had one of those in the past, and I thought it was a big help. Not perfect, but certainly a help.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Regular yoga. Do as I say, not as I do. :laughing:

 

[DHD]

The amount of room you have to spin your butt in the seat makes a big difference on neck strain.
In 2005 when I was tractor shopping, I already knew a 3 pt. snowblower was going to be one of the most used implements.
The Kubota B7800 had more room to spin in the seat than the other tractors on my list.
The toe/heel Hydro floor pedal was another key feature that helped in this easy twist position.

 

[Dave M7040]

72 and my neck is surgically fused. Little turning possible. I changed from traditional style 3 pt to inverted

You drive forward through the snow and the blower follows behind. In drifts, it is slow. You back into the drift and pull the snow forward.

I have a 90" on a M7040.

I was surprised to see ERSKINE making inverted blowers for tractors as small as 20 HP.
3-Point PTO Rear Pull Snowblower | Snow Equipment | Snowblowers | Tractor Attachments | Erskine Attachments LLC

Dave M7040

 

[toukow]

The amount of room you have to spin your butt in the seat makes a big difference on neck strain.
...........
The toe/heel Hydro floor pedal was another key feature that helped in this easy twist position.

Really glad I read this thread because of your and a previous poster's point of using the treadle pedal when sitting sideways. I'm getting ready to buy the last tractor I'll ever buy, pretty much based on ergonomics and power steering- neither of which my 1979 Ford 1700 has (see photo comparing it to the Kioti CK2610HST I'm ordering). Getting in and out of the Ford for me I describe as using a men's gymnastic pommel horse, supporting my upper body while maneuvering my size 14 boots. I want his tractor for use into my 70's should I have the good fortune to live that long.

Unfortunately, I never had the benefit of hanging around with farmers, so am self-taught. I find that I look back a lot using a back blade, or brush hog. Not sure it's needed, but what I do. My neck is getting more and more restrictive in movement, so I'm ordering with side view mirrors, and will attempt to make something to attach to the ROP's for a rear-view mirror if needed.

I had ruled out the Kubota because of the treadle pedal operation. Again, more for getting in and out-it's takes up quite a bit of deck space in my mind. Also, reviewing TBN it seemed most preferred the two pedal configuration. But I now can see the advantage of such a pedal when sitting sideways, vs the two-pedal operation. That said, I guess I'll adapt, and will try it on the Kioti in the parking lot at the dealer this week. I will go look at the Kubota L2501HST to check that box again as well.

I may still start a thread based on entering and exiting ergonomics for input of tractor models the veterans feel excel at this. Such attributes do not show up on the spec sheets. Thanks, Toukow