Puma 64 vs. Blizzard??

[rut3556]

Hi Guys,

I'm going through the great debate as to which of these snowblowers to go for. I realize each of them has a decent reputation, but I'd like to know if one of them is better than the other, and if so, why? At present, I have a Ford 715 w/ hydraulic chute that's literally rusting away. I've had it for 25 yrs. now, so it doesn't owe me anything. This time, however, I want to get something with 4 impellars vs. three.

Thanks in advance for any advise that may come forward.

===RUT===

 

[6sunset6]

I have a Puma 64 10 years now No complaints
I did add hydraulic rotate and chute when I got a new tractor with 2 rear remotes.

 

[RickB]

I think it's a wash. I'd probably buy on price and local availability (in fact, that what I did). I have a 72" Puma and no complaints.

 

[Baranx4]

I think it's a wash. I'd probably buy on price and local availability (in fact, that what I did). I have a 72" Puma and no complaints.

Sorry to HJ the thread but


Rick I was checking your iron listed and was wondering how it is starting them in the cold? With how cold it is I guess your easiest way would be to use a gas tractor.

Last week I picked up hay from a farmer who had a old unstyled JD B in the barn, he ended up hand starting it for my 5 yr old. It was in the low teens temp wise and it started up quicker than I thought it would.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Hard to call one better then the other, both are good machines. either one you buy will serve you well.

That being said, I'd reccomend the Blizzard because it has a considerably larger fan...the B64 uses a 24" Fan, the Puma 64 only has a 20". Larger fan = throws the snow further.
Another thing is the Blizzard are built heavier duty....for example, Drivechain on the Blizzard is a #60, chain on the Puma is a #50.....Weight of the B64 = 479 lbs, Puma 64 = 382 lbs

I love my B74.

If you cant find a Blizzard, the Frontier (JD) SB1164 is a Blizzard painted green. Kubota also has the same blower except painted orange....Believe it or not, the JD unit is priced VERY Competitively.....

 

[RickB]

Sorry to HJ the thread but


Rick I was checking your iron listed and was wondering how it is starting them in the cold? With how cold it is I guess your easiest way would be to use a gas tractor.

Last week I picked up hay from a farmer who had a old unstyled JD B in the barn, he ended up hand starting it for my 5 yr old. It was in the low teens temp wise and it started up quicker than I thought it would.

In winter I only use the 4000 (diesel) and 885 (diesel). The Deere and Oliver are toys, and the 841 is "out of service".
The 4000 has thermostart and will start in a pinch down to about 10 deg F if it isn't plugged in.
The 885 has thermostart and a cold start advance on the injector pump and will start unaided to about 0 deg F.
They 4000 has a block heater, the 885 has a lower hose heater and both start immediately at any temperature without thermostart if they have been plugged in for an hour or two. I despise doing 'real' work with gas powered tractors, in fact, I recently repowered the 4000 which left the factory as a gasser. I replace my fuel filters between Halloween and Thanksgiving, and treat my fuel with anti-gel beginning at the same time. It is rare indeed when I have a no start condition, or fuel related issues.

 

[rut3556]

>>Hard to call one better then the other, both are good machines. either one you buy will serve you well.<<

Guess if I were buying a brandy new one I'd probably go for the Blizzard. However, I have a chance to get a slightly used Puma 64 w/ hydraulic chute mechanism (new style) for about $1K less than new price. May have to go for it.

 

[rut3556]

Well, I went for the slightly used Puma 64 after all. It was too good a deal to pass up, and came complete w/ hydraulic chute mechanism. Plus, it matches my Kubota better than the old blue Ford 715 blower I've used for the past 25 years!

 

[Patches]

Well, I went for the slightly used Puma 64 after all. It was too good a deal to pass up, and came complete w/ hydraulic chute mechanism. Plus, it matches my Kubota better than the old blue Ford 715 blower I've used for the past 25 years!

Looks like someone suffered a little interference between the fan and chute baffle; rocks or something left in driveway Nice looking unit, all the same. Should use you well

 

[HSSC]

Well, I went for the slightly used Puma 64 after all. It was too good a deal to pass up, and came complete w/ hydraulic chute mechanism. Plus, it matches my Kubota better than the old blue Ford 715 blower I've used for the past 25 years!

If you don't mind, what did you give for that Puma. They are big bucks out west here in Reno.
Thanks, Ken

 

[Spudland_Dave]

If you don't mind, what did you give for that Puma. They are big bucks out west here in Reno.
Thanks, Ken

You may want to chat with your local Kubota or JD Dealer...both offer RAD/Blizzard rear blowers at very good pricing.

 

[HSSC]

You may want to chat with your local Kubota or JD Dealer...both offer RAD/Blizzard rear blowers at very good pricing.

I picked up a almost new 74" Shulte, with chute rotation, for $2600, about 1 1/2 years ago. So that is out of the way. I liked what people were saying here about the Pumas, and when I priced them out west here........ I don't recall the exact numbers, but for the 74" model it was well over $5000.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I picked up a almost new 74" Shulte, with chute rotation, for $2600, about 1 1/2 years ago. So that is out of the way. I liked what people were saying here about the Pumas, and when I priced them out west here........ I don't recall the exact numbers, but for the 74" model it was well over $5000.

Well.....the 74" Puma is Very different then the 72" Puma...
Was your dealer talking about Puma's? That price is more in line to what a "real" Pronovost goes for... By "Real" I mean the Group I versions... Pronovost Snowblowers

If I woulda gotten a Pronovost blower it would have been between the P-720 or the P-720-74

 

[Malvern]

rut3556,

I picked up a used 715A for my 3120 Deere over the summer, got to use it this week. At the rated 540 PTO speed I'm only throwing snow approx 15-20 feet. Is this what you were getting to and up graded because of it.

Malvern

 

[rut3556]

rut3556,

I picked up a used 715A for my 3120 Deere over the summer, got to use it this week. At the rated 540 PTO speed I'm only throwing snow approx 15-20 feet. Is this what you were getting to and up graded because of it.

Malvern

Mal,

Yes, at 540 RPM the 715 just barely does the job. I ran mine at 1000 RPM for 25 years, and it worked fairly well except for wet heavy snow. I think having only three impellers doesn't help, which is why I vowed to graduate to four with the next one. Thought I'd get to try it out today, but we only got a mere dusting.

===RUT===

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think having only three impellers doesn't help, which is why I vowed to graduate to four with the next one. Thought I'd get to try it out today, but we only got a mere dusting.

3 Impellers = Less Volume of snow (compared to 4)
Larger Diameter Fan = Snow gets thrown further

Having 12 impellers on your blower wouldnt make the snow go any further...Distance is a direct relationship to fan tip speed.

 

[HSSC]

Well.....the 74" Puma is Very different then the 72" Puma...
Was your dealer talking about Puma's? That price is more in line to what a "real" Pronovost goes for... By "Real" I mean the Group I versions... Pronovost Snowblowers

If I woulda gotten a Pronovost blower it would have been between the P-720 or the P-720-74

I ended up talking to a dealer in California and I'm sure I got the link from the Puma's/Pronovost web site. I was aware that the Puma was a bit different version of their snowblower but I was not trying to make a live with the snowblower, only trying to keep the roads clear in the event of a major storm which happens about every 5 to 10 years. What I have learned about snow removal................ Is to send it some place out of the way, is the best way, as the plow can't always find a place to put it. This is an average snow event. Most are less but some are truly eventful. As like about 4 or 5 years ago when we recived 2 feet a day for 4 days and then the wind blew.................. I wasn't really smile...ling then, I didn't have the Toys/Tool's to get the job done like I do now, only the plow and a 8hp snowblower and a family with the will to fight.

 

[Malvern]

Rut,

These blower can be mounted to the front as shown in the manual, I wonder if I did that using the mid PTO with a rated rpm of 2100 how much better that would work. If its all about tip speed going from 540 to 2100 rpm then were talking.

What do you think.

Malvern

 

[rut3556]

Mal,

Does the term "hand grenade" mean anything to you?

Rut,

These blower can be mounted to the front as shown in the manual, I wonder if I did that using the mid PTO with a rated rpm of 2100 how much better that would work. If its all about tip speed going from 540 to 2100 rpm then were talking.

What do you think.

Malvern

 

[Malvern]

Rut,

I agree this would be trouble.

Thanks a bunch,

Malvern