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

[airbiscuit]

 

[Keweenaw County Yooper]

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.

John. It is made by Bercomac in Canada. It is the 66" blower, they make a 72" blower also. Mine has a 27hp. Kohler on it. This thing really works great and has been pretty much trouble free for the last 3 years I have been using it.View attachment IMG_0666.JPG

 

[fishhead]

John. It is made by Bercomac in Canada. It is the 66" blower, they make a 72" blower also. Mine has a 27hp. Kohler on it. This thing really works great and has been pretty much trouble free for the last 3 years I have been using it.View attachment 683059

what do those run?
i did a quick search and found something at 8K

 

[John in the UP]

what do those run?
i did a quick search and found something at 8K

The Bercomac site (Bercomac) lists the 72" model starting at $7794.00.

The MK Martin 78" rear pull at Beaver Valley (MKSB78PT Beaver Valley Supply) Starts at $4794.00, adding options to make similar to Erskine rear pull takes that price to $6373.00

The Erskine 725RP (78") at Durattach.com (78" Erskine Rear-Pull Snow Blower Model 725RP) starts at $8395.00, adding hydraulic chute rotation takes that price to $9090.00

The Erskine hydraulic blower (also at Durattach.com 79" Erskine 2 Snowblower & Hydraulic Power Unit Model HP15 / HP2 / HP24) with PTO driven power unit is similarly priced to the Frontier unit ~$14,000.00.

A lot to think about...
For my situation I'm leaning towards a rear pull. Probably could find a good deal on a used unit in the spring...
Thanks to everyone for their input so far, y'all have been very helpful.

-John

 

[metalbender]

What kind of clutch does the Berco use?

 

[Keweenaw County Yooper]

What kind of clutch does the Berco use?

It uses an electric belt tensioner that is controlled form the control box in my cab. Works great have never had any problems with mine and my belt is 3 years old. I replaced the belt 3 years ago when I do my yearly preventive maintenance in the fall. The old belt looked good but I changed it anyway.
Michael

 

[fishhead]

The Bercomac site (Bercomac) lists the 72" model starting at $7794.00.

The MK Martin 78" rear pull at Beaver Valley (MKSB78PT Beaver Valley Supply) Starts at $4794.00, adding options to make similar to Erskine rear pull takes that price to $6373.00

The Erskine 725RP (78") at Durattach.com (78" Erskine Rear-Pull Snow Blower Model 725RP) starts at $8395.00, adding hydraulic chute rotation takes that price to $9090.00

The Erskine hydraulic blower (also at Durattach.com 79" Erskine 2�2� Snowblower & Hydraulic Power Unit Model HP15 / HP2� / HP24) with PTO driven power unit is similarly priced to the Frontier unit ~$14,000.00.

A lot to think about...
For my situation I'm leaning towards a rear pull. Probably could find a good deal on a used unit in the spring...
Thanks to everyone for their input so far, y'all have been very helpful.

-John

John, the other avenue that might reopen to you come spring is to import your own from canada which is what i did, saving about 40+%.

If you don't have the tractor secured yet an additional option is that there are often used tractor /blower combos available off lease in eastern canada usually not very old but with a fair number of hours at what seem to be good prices. Depending of course on maintenance etc.
Too, check plowsite-there are listings occasionally

 

[metalbender]

Belt tensioner like an actuator pushing or pulling on an idler? Must be a substantial belt.

 

[PILOON]

Belt tensioner like an actuator pushing or pulling on an idler? Must be a substantial belt.

Tensioner is usually on the slack side of the loop.

 

[shooterdon]

I bought a FarmKing 74" inverted blower ($4000 on sale at my dealer) and so far it has worked well. I have never had to blow more than 12" and I have minimal drifts to deal with. Get 120" of snow a year so not as much snow as parts of the UP.

I came really close to getting the front mounted Berco unit but it was double the money...and then there is the issue with another motor to deal with.

I have an old back blade mounted to an adapter plate so I can plow or back drag as well as blow. Not perfect but nothing is.