Snow Attachments Pull-type inverted vs front snowblower on compact

[chim]

We don't live in a heavy snow belt. Sometimes we get a fair amount and others almost none. I had a rear blower for about 6 years. Facing backwards wasn't too challenging. That tractor had a backup camera, but it wasn't useful for anything other than checking for a clear path to back up. The blower was fun, and worked well for driveways, but very poor for parking lots. Over the years I've used front and rear blades, the loader and rear blower.

If I didn't do parking lots and someone wanted to buy me a gift, I'd choose a front blower. It would be handy for those who often chime in saying they have no place to push the snow. I mention parking lots because I do a couple of them. The first pass with a blower is fine. Re-blowing the snow is where it becomes a problem. Each time snow is blown it becomes denser. It got to the point where the blower didn't want to work well at all.

I've been using a converted 8' Fisher on an SSQA plate for the last two years. The third function provides power angling. For the first Winter, I also had the rear blower mounted at the same time. Early in the season the only function of the blower was to become a counterweight. After messing around with different attachments since 1990, the front blade is my snow weapon of choice.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

I have both. A Pronovost Puma 72" front mounted (quick attach) with a hydro pump and tank off the PTO on a NH4835 in MA and a Normand N82-260 INV in ME on a JD4720. Both machines are in the same HP class and have full factory cabs.
I've been plowing snow for almost 40 years and always plowed with the storm. I snow blow with the same mentality and it's how I'm wired. I can't help it and I'm too old to change now. LOL

The front blower puts you in all the snow dust forcing you to stop and wait for it to clear in order to see again. It also eliminates being able to use the bucket at the same time to scrape snow away from the garage doors or steps. In my case it is not even close to throwing wet snow or slush.

The rear inverted blower has none of these traits. The fan is considerably larger thus being able to move a lot more snow be it dry or slush. In fact I did blow 6-8" of pure slush about 10-15 feet that formed in a low lying area. I added the factory hydro scraper blade onto the rear. I took the 5/8 steel cutting edge and scalloped it on my milling machine with a 3/4 end mill and use it for cutting traction groves after ice storms. This could also be used to pull snow away from the doors but I have the bucket for that so I'm able to use both ends of the machine at the same time. I can also move at a faster ground speed with a wider unit

In short the rear inverted blower is not a gimmick and it out performs the front mounted in every aspect the way I use a machine. I wish I had a rear unit in MA every time I get in the machine.

I would never think about a rear facing unit.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Airbiscuit, nice Meteor SB68, My MK Martin SB68 is here in another week or so. I'm actually looking forward to winter with this kind of equipment.

 

[fishhead]

TYM
how much are you clearing? Paved or dirt?

 

[oosik]

I clear a mile long gravel driveway, mailbox area and large yard. I had a rear mounted 3-point blower. I only used it to clear driveway berms and berms in the yard. With the larger tractor & HD rear blade - I no longer get driveway or yard berms. It was always fun for the first 30 minuets. Then after 3 to 4 hours it was a LITERAL pain in the neck.

One of the main reasons I upgraded to the Kubota M6040 - ditch the blower.

 

[mikester]

Shopping for new Kubota B2301 or Kioti CK2510 for my 4 acre forested property and 1000 mostly flat gravel driveway. I clearly want to face forward clearing snow. For some reason the Kioti front blower is insanely expensive. I can save a ton by opting for a pull blower on the rear. Nice that I can keep the FEL on too. Wondering if there are any drawbacks I知 missing here.

You dont say where you live so a lot depends on your climate. Im on the edge of the snow belt in Ontario so for here my recommendation would be to spend the money on a bigger HP tractor with a cab and get a rear 3PH blower. If you have to drive through deep drifts the inverted rear blower makes no sense...to me at least. If I was doing commercial work and a lot of cleaning I would go front mounted AND get a cab. If your climate is mild enough that you can get away with a plow then the inverted blower would work. The inverted blower assumes you can always drive through the snow you are clearing. If you cant then you are SOA.

 

[TractorTYMe]

fishhead. I have about 30 acres with 6 houses on property I do the snow removal on. All gravel.

 

[shooterdon]

No one answer.

Depends on snow fall per year, maximum expected snow event, space to pile snow, type of snow you deal with, drifts, maybe other issues.

Most people are better off buying a beater truck with a plow. I used one for a few years but got tired of 8 ft. piles of snow. I have the best of both options for my area and needs. Pull blower on the back and blade on the front.

 

[fishhead]

make sure you pack a bit of an ice base early so you don't end up with an expensive inaccurate shotgun
if you have a back blade it can be pulled reversed to pack the first small snow or 2 also you can lengthen the top of the 3pt to help prevent the blower from digging in

fishhead. I have about 30 acres with 6 houses on property I do the snow removal on. All gravel.

 

[TractorTYMe]

fishhead, yes I do have a 7 foot back blade. Thanks for the advice.