Snowblowers

[Kubbruce]

I have L3010HST, I'm looing for anyones opinion on front verses rear mont snowblowers. I am going to one or the other before next winter and would value anyones thoughts on which one they have and like. Thanks....Bruce

 

[RobS]

Bruce, there have been some pretty lengthy threads on this topic in the past. You might try searching. I'll summarize what I remember...

The front mount blowers are very expensive (versus only slightly expensive for the rear mount). Front mounts are tractor specific and only available from the tractor manufacturer. If you ever trade tractors, you may have to get a new blower too. With a front mount you loose the FEL capability while the blower is on. Rear mount blowers are made by a number of aftermarket manufacturers and are standard Cat 1 so they'll fit any of our tractors. They are cheaper and you can keep the FEL on for those tasks.

All that said, the biggie for me is driving forwards or backwards. I have a front mount on my lawn tractor and will probably put one on my compact when we move. I prefer moving forward and the changeover from blower to FEL on my tractor is just a couple of minutes. I'll probably keep a rear blade on for ballast and lighter snows (still moving forward though).

It boils down to cost, FEL and which way you like to go /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bill_in_MI]

RobS has pretty much hit the points I would consider. I have a rear mount. I can get my clearing done in less than 1 hour. That's about as much driving backwards as I can take. If it were any longer I would seriously think about a front mount. So, you may want to try and estimate the time factor as well in your decision.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Bruce , I, too, have been looking into the purchase of a snowblower before another snow season arrives. The most popular blower in this area seems to be the meteor, which is a 3pt unit. However, I am more impressed with the Lorenz, which is also a 3pt unit. I talked with a customer service rep at Lorenz and was told that they have a front mount kit that will drive the same blower from the rear pto. So, if I were to purchase the Lorenz for 3pt and decided that driving backwards for a prolonged period of time became too uncomfortable , then I could buy the kit and not have to buy a different blower. They do not make these kits for every tractor but they have one for a L3010. I have a L3410 and there is a kit available. The specs for the Lorenz are superior to those of the Meteor, but so is the price. ($2500 vs $1400).

 

[runeare]

I have a front mount blower on my B2150 and it is alittle more than a few minute job to install. First you have to remove the loader and then the sub frame. Although I purchased this directly from the dealer I can't help but think that he sold and installed the wrong hook up and I have a hard time believeing that Kubota intended for the complete loader along with sub frame to be removed?? Anyone out there have a front mount on a B2150 w/loader that has to go through all this. Although I have a 600' driveway plus I think it might be easier to go for a 3pt or switch tractors. I see JD has a nice setup.

 

[emery]

I too am looking to buy a blower and if anyone in NewEngland has a used 5' rear mount for sale, please get in touch.
In considering front vs rear I decided that being able to use the FEL as well as the rear trailer hitch were reason enough to go with the rear unit.

 

[EdDekker]

Contrary to the dealers advise I purchased a Kubota front mount snowblower with my B2400. It was difficult to install and remove (I also had purchased a loader with the tractor).

The first winter I owned the tractor I discovered how useful the Loader was in the winter, switching between the blower and loader. The second winter I never mounted the snow blower – plowing the driveway with the loader. The third winter I purchased a three point snowblower.

My front mount snowblower is now in a shed at Chappell Tractor (Milford NH) on consignment waiting for someone who wants a Front mount snowblower.

The front mount snowblower was an expensive mistake for me.



Ed

 

[Kubbruce]

Thank you all for the good information. Now I have a whole summer to think about it!

 

[Pks]

dekker,

When mounting the front mount snow blower, was it necessary to remove the loader subframe?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I have a B7500 with a front mount snowblower - it has its own subframe which
basically bolts onto the loader subframe. On the B7500, you therefore do not
have to remove the loader subframe to mount the actual snowblower.

The subframe for the snowblower only has to be removed for the mid-mount mower.