Snow Attachments Pro/ cons and issues with front-mounted Snow Blower for Compact Tractor

[shooterdon]

Lots of good advice above. Especially about understanding your snow conditions. One size does not fit all.

I saw the dealer mount the front blower on the same tractor I was buying (much larger than yours) and that killed a front blower for me. But I am 70 and do not want to crawl around on my back in the cold. The other issue was where to store the frame when I was not using it. Cost was a factor as well. Lastly, was ease of mounting pallet forks to move totes of firewood.

Like Hillbilly I use a front blade (my rear blade mounted on a 3PH to SSQA adapter) and an inverted blower. I have no large drifts or mountains of snow to blow so the inverted blower works well.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess the question is? Who likes backing anything up?

 

[shooterdon]

I guess the question is? Who likes backing anything up?

Only an idiot...or cheapskate LOL

The front blower was $7000 for my LS. A pull blower was $4000. The front blower has its own set of deficiencies.

 

[Reb954]

I guess that makes me an idiot due to not minding backing about anything up.

 

[fishhead]

Definitely have to agree with shooterdon,
Front aren't always all they are cracked up to be, cost, efficiency, loss of loader, clouds of powder obscuring view.
I think he has the best combo- Front blade back pull
Of course the rear pull isn't always the best either.
I think i would do a front blade rear push as my second choice.

Only an idiot...or cheapskate LOL

The front blower was $7000 for my LS. A pull blower was $4000. The front blower has its own set of deficiencies.

 

[TimP]

Only an idiot...or cheapskate LOL

The front blower was $7000 for my LS. A pull blower was $4000. The front blower has its own set of deficiencies.

Yep... they surely aren't cheap. The Front Blower for my B3000 was $6K.

But that's only a fraction of what back surgery costs..... :.)

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess you might then ask. How far do you have to back up? A hundred yards or a mile?

Having said that, an old guy having to turn his neck, is not a bad thing. Use it or loose it as they say.

 

[mikester]

Only an idiot...or cheapskate LOL

The front blower was $7000 for my LS. A pull blower was $4000. The front blower has its own set of deficiencies.

I will take driving backwards for 45 minutes in a nice warm cab on a bigger machine vs 3 hours on SCUT driving forwards freezing and wet any day.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have used a hydraulic front blower for 9 years. After 14 years of backing up moving north idaho snow my neck had enough. But i have a 45hp cab tractor. Mine works like a charm unless snow is really wet, which can happen. Then i swap out to the plow. Only takes me a few minutes. My blower is a quick connect after removing bucket, then plug in 2 hoses and 1- 7pin auto style plug. Was not cheap....about 10 grand. Worth every penny. 9 years of use, never failed me. I can move snow pile thats 8 feet high

 

[Looking4new]

When I bought my Kioti I also bought the front mount blower for it. ($8,000.oo)
I found that heavy wet snow and snow blowers do NOT get along. They plug up and I found that I spent more time clearing chute obstructions than actually blowing snow. I haven't used my front mount for three years and have no intentions of using it this year. In fact it is for sale the first 4 grand takes it AND the harness and drive shaft away. A bucket is better IMHO, because IF you get stuck you can pry yourself out with the bucket. You can't do that with the blower on the front.