Snowblower-Front or rear?

[KennedyDiesel]

kd, it is always recommended that the reservoir be located near the hydraulic motors on the implement for cooling purposes. So putting the resevoir on the Imatch is not recommended. I would find an area in which it can be bolted and easily removed low on the frame.

That doesn't seem to make sense to me. It should not matter where the reservoir is located, but maybe close to the pump for minimum suction line length.

I'm going to look at teh 3ph units too as maybe for the limited use I'd get from it this would be fine.

 

[smfcpacfp]

I have the front blower on my rig and it is great, but I don't need the FEL in the winter, plus I have to spend a fair amount of time snow blowing. It is a bit of a hassle to change to the FEL. I would get the rear blower if it just an occasional thing.

 

[andmfg]

My neighbor has a front mounted blower and the rear blade. In my opinion the disadvantages of this arrangement far outweigh any advantages. His biggest complaint is the half day required to hookup or remove the front mounted blower. The next problem is the fact that the rear blade has no downforce which is needed to remove compacted snow. The last problem is the loss of the FEL to move snow or drag the snow back on to the path to be blown away. I have a 4410 with the Lorenz 60 inch rear blower and a front end loader. In the winter I put on a Curtis fiberglas sunroof which has clear vinyl attached to both sides and the back. The bottom edge of the vinyl has a pouch into which a 3/8" long chain is placed to stabilize it. This partial enclosure and the hydraulic operated shoot on the blower takes care of 95% of the snow that can be blown back at the operator. It is almost as good as a cab which would be problem for me in the summer mowing around all my trees.

 

[turbo36]

My neighbor has a front mounted blower and the rear blade. In my opinion the disadvantages of this arrangement far outweigh any advantages. His biggest complaint is the half day required to hookup or remove the front mounted blower. The next problem is the fact that the rear blade has no down force which is needed to remove compacted snow. The last problem is the loss of the FEL to move snow or drag the snow back on to the path to be blown away. I have a 4410 with the Lorenz 60 inch rear blower and a front end loader. In the winter I put on a Curtis fiberglas sunroof which has clear vinyl attached to both sides and the back. The bottom edge of the vinyl has a pouch into which a 3/8" long chain is placed to stabilize it. This partial enclosure and the hydraulic operated shoot on the blower takes care of 95% of the snow that can be blown back at the operator. It is almost as good as a cab which would be problem for me in the summer mowing around all my trees.

I have used the front blower/rear plow set up for 14 years and found it to be faster then my neighbor's set up with the rear blower/ front loader. I can switch out the blower to the loader in 15-20 minutes and have never had a problem getting enough down force on the rear blade ( I did make a bracket to add suitcase weights but have never needed them).
Back when I was snowcross racing I used my 955 with front blower to build a track in the side yard that had an 8' high table top jump, I had no problem cutting the 4-5' banks and throwing the snow 40'. No need for a loader in my opinion.

 

[dsb5610]

KennedyDiesel,

I use a skid steer style blower on a Toolcat (18gpm @ 3000psi). I have a 66" Bobcat unit. These blowers are usually more expensive but work very well. Assuming your hydraulics lines from the pump would allow it you can operate the blower at any loader height. Raise the blower in the air to blow back snow banks. For the pasture runs I would raise the blower enough to miss any frozen manure patties.

Switching between the blower and other attachments only takes a minute or two and is very easy to do. I switch back and forth regularly.

Good luck,
dsb

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Thanks guys

On teh subject or rear blade down pressure, doesn't the front hitch allow down pressure on the blower/blade like the hitches on the Garden tractors? This scrapes very well on my 455, but again it's a bit small for my liking.

 

[turbo36]

Thanks guys

On teh subject or rear blade down pressure, doesn't the front hitch allow down pressure on the blower/blade like the hitches on the Garden tractors? This scrapes very well on my 455, but again it's a bit small for my liking.

Yes, you can float the blower or use down force. If you use too much down force you can lift the front wheels off the ground.

 

[JCB]

Yes, you can float the blower or use down force. If you use too much down force you can lift the front wheels off the ground.

Ditto what turbo said.