Snow Equipment Buying/Pricing Snowblowers: FEL Mount vs Rear Pull

[John in the UP]

i have a "Quickattach" brand front snow blower with rear hydraulic powerpack. i think mine was in the $9,000 range when i purchased it 9 years ago. not sure what it cost now days. mine runs 79" wide, and runs at 15 GPM, 3,000 PSI.

for me personally, i could not use a rear push or pull. the main reason i have a front is due to having to move large amounts of snow that sheds off of my buildings. when the horse barn sheds, i have 5-6' tall piles of snow to move. cant possibly drive over it. my old tractor had a rear push blower, and it took up to 8 hours to clear this mess. with the new hydraulic blower its under an hour. I really think it all depends on the type of snow you encounter. also with me, my neck issues were getting real bad. the constant looking backwards was wrecking my neck. i was getting my neck actually locking up where i had difficulties turning my head.

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Well that's WAY more snow than we get here, I can understand why you chose the equipment you've got! I could see using the FEL mount to help out a couple of neighbors when the snow gets piled high, but I can't justify (to the CFO) spending that much coin for our use.

Thanks for the info and the pics.

 

[RickB]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/snow-removal/432848-front-blower-vs-rear.html?highlight=

A lengthy discussion less than a month old.

 

[airbiscuit]

Thanks airbiscuit.

I like the idea of not having to remove the loader like I do now. Installing/removing the loader really is a piece of cake - it only takes a few minutes either way, buy I sure cuss when installing the snowblower frame. Not too far from Iron River, typical snowfall is 5 to 8 in., worst I've experienced was about 12in. Deep drifts are not common but of course can happen.

Thanks for the video too, how much snow were you moving there - looks to be about 6 in.?

Thanks again.

That was 6 or 7" of snow. The blower runs very smooth and I have never had power or traction issues. I'd give Andrew a call at Iowa Farm Equipment (563 946-2121) a call and see what they can do for price.

 

[grsthegreat]

i actually have no issues with front clearances. i can work within a few inches of buildings, cars, etc. but thats because i get alot of use with it over the past 9 seasons. the only thing i am leery about is driving straight into a building. i cant tell where the augers are exactly. i keep meaning to add a flexible rod like my plow has...but i never get around to it. i had the same issues with my rear push blower. i could not tell where the auger was in relation to the building. the blower body blocks my view.

as for ballast, i have the rear hydraulic powerpack. it gives me great rear ballast when using either the plow or the blower. it takes me a few minutes to swap between plow, blower or loader bucket... and i mean maybe 2 minutes

 

[fishhead]

Thanks airbiscuit.

I like the idea of not having to remove the loader like I do now. Installing/removing the loader really is a piece of cake - it only takes a few minutes either way, buy I sure cuss when installing the snowblower frame. Not too far from Iron River, typical snowfall is 5 to 8 in., worst I've experienced was about 12in. Deep drifts are not common but of course can happen.

Thanks for the video too, how much snow were you moving there - looks to be about 6 in.?

Thanks again.

sounds like a pull blower could work well for you, the amount depth and length of the drifting being a caveat. Aa long as you can drive thru it you can blow it. Really deep short sections can be gotten by reversing into it with blower raised- very slow though

 

[airbiscuit]

"Really deep short sections can be gotten by reversing into it with blower raised- very slow though"

You can also skim the top off with the bucket.

 

[fishhead]

"Really deep short sections can be gotten by reversing into it with blower raised- very slow though"

You can also skim the top off with the bucket.

I believe that to be the case but have never actually tried- i haven't really had too much of an issue getting through the 2-3 ft that we might have on the ground.

 

[Keweenaw County Yooper]

Looking to upgrade my tractor (a JD 3720 cab w/ 59" snowblower) to a JD 4052 cab. The Deere/Frontier FEL mount is pricey in the $14k to $15k range. The tractor is going to be a tuff-enough sell to the CFO, but the SB2176 blower will likely make upgrade a deal breaker with the CFO...

Is anyone here using a rear pull like the Erskine 725RP? (link here: 3-Point PTO Rear Pull Snowblower | Snow Equipment | Snowblowers | Tractor Attachments | Erskine Attachments LLC). Any idea of price range for this unit ?

-OR-

Is anyone here using an FEL mount like the Erskine 73"? (link here: 22 Snowblower w/Hydraulic Power Unit | Snow Equipment | Snowblowers | Tractor Attachments | Erskine Attachments LLC). Any idea of price range for this unit vs the $14-15k for the Frontier?

Thanks for any comments...

John, This is what I use. I can switch to the loader bucket or front plow in less then 5 minutes. The cost is far less then the alternatives you have listed above. I can blow snow drifts or the snow that slides off my roof as high as I can lift the loader if I have to. If you ever get up to Keweenaw County I would be happy to show you how easy it is to hook and unhook and how good it blows snow. Although we haven't had very much this year only about 65" so far.
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[John in the UP]

John, This is what I use. I can switch to the loader bucket or front plow in less then 5 minutes. The cost is far less then the alternatives you have listed above. I can blow snow drifts or the snow that slides off my roof as high as I can lift the loader if I have to. If you ever get up to Keweenaw County I would be happy to show you how easy it is to hook and unhook and how good it blows snow. Although we haven't had very much this year only about 65" so far.
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Thanks Yooper.
Self powered blower? Is that a Kohler engine? What hp? Not out of the question but I haven't seen anything like that for sale. What brand is that, can't make out the name on top of the blower in pic #2. I get up your way two or three times a year, not usually in the winter though. If I should head your way in the next month or two I'll contact you here.

Thanks, John.

 

[airbiscuit]

There is Bercomac