front or rear mount snowbower

[donn12]

and is manual rotation okay? It seems like the fronts run about 1000 more. I have run the search and I am looking for more info as it applies to a new B series

 

[RalphVa]

Rear mount is a whole lot less expensive, plus I'd want my FEL available for areas where I can't find a good discharge point.

Don't know what you mean by manual rotation.

Ralph

 

[Hummer H1]

chute rotation maybe?

 

[WayneB]

and is manual rotation okay? It seems like the fronts run about 1000 more. I have run the search and I am looking for more info as it applies to a new B series

When I bought our snowblower I went through the same deal looking around and finally decided to buy a 3 pt hitch blower so I can have the FEL to use. For me it was the right thing to do as I have other task in the wintertime and use the bucket allot. Mainly for moving logs and cutting up fire wood.

With that said depending upon what you use the tractor for, the front mounted blowers are faster, easier on the body and if all you are doing is moving snow it will be best for you. You will still have snow banks, but they will be twenty or thirty feet away.

As for the rotation I added my own rotator to the chute and also have a linear actuator for controlling the tilt of the chute deflector. Manual controls work, but with the 3pt hitch blower it was a pain to reach back and turn the chute and to adjust the tilt I had to get off from the tractor.

 

[jas67]

I have a rear blower, and like having the FEL and blower mounted at the same time. The FEL is much more effective on the plow-packed snow/ice mess at the end of the driveway. Another thing to consider, is that rear-mounts are pretty universal, which means if you get a different tractor, your rear mount will work on that tractor, but the front-mount probably won't.

And, then there is the cost factor already mentioned. This cost factor is magnified by the fact that you are more likely to find a decent used rear blower if so inclined. I bought a 60" Woods SB60 for $800 used. I see used 50-60" rear blowers in the $700-$1200 price range quite frequently. I have yet to see a front-mount blower available for purchased used for my particular tractor (Kubota B7610, which uses the same front blower as a B7510 or B2410).

 

[Fritzy]

I have a B3030 Cab with a rear mount blower and the bucket in front. It works great for me, I do have a problem, the rear PTO only turns 540 RPM's. My old Kubota had a lever to switch the rear to 1100 RPM, the old girl worked a lot better. Does anyone know how to change the RPM on the rear PTO?
Thanks alot guys

 

[75H2]

Rear blower is less expensive but less convenient as you have to turn backwards to use it. Front is more convenient, but about double the price. There have also been supply issues recently with front mounted units. If you ordered now you may get it in August

 

[MossRoad]

You could always buy a Power Trac where all attachments are on the front and can be changed in 15 seconds without leaving the operator's seat (powered implements like a snow blower take 30 seconds longer because you have to get off and connect/disconnect some hoses).

Seriously, though, short of buying a new tractor, I think a blower on the front and a blade on the back would be a good setup for a "traditional" tractor. I just don't like turning around all the time to see what I'm doing.

 

[YotaBota]

Yep, I was going thru the same dilema earlier in the season. Those front mounted blowers are a crapload of money, but having the blower right there in front of you I think is the way to go. I didn't spend the money this year as I just bought a new tractor, MMM, tiller, grass catcher, back blade, and spent a ton. So next season I'll get the front blower. Since I bought the back blade at Christmas, I've spent some time learning how to use it in tandem with the FEL, and I've actually gotten to the point where I am wondering IF I should buy the snow blower......
It certainly could use a hydraulic toplink, and hydraulic 3 point adjustment though! Cause you're on and off making adjustments.
Good luck.

John

 

[smfcpacfp]

WayneB had it right, if you just snowblow in the winter, then you will want a front blower. I have no need for a FEL in the winter, anyway not enough to suffer the pain associated with a rear blower. We get 15 to 30 feet of snow a winter which means 20 to 40 snowblowing episodes a year for me.

If you buy a tractor with a cab, you will definitely want a hydraulic chute rotator. I live in the boonies with a 13 acre parcel so I don't need to worry about blowing snow into my neighbors yard, but I would still find a hydraulic chute deflector angle adjustment useful and will install one this summer.

The additional cost for a front blower on a B series (Kubota) tractor is about 27% for a total cost of about $6,100 (list) with all of the bells and whistles:

 

[WayneB]

WayneB had it right, if you just snowblow in the winter, then you will want a front blower. I have no need for a FEL in the winter, anyway not enough to suffer the pain associated with a rear blower. We get 15 to 30 feet of snow a winter which means 20 to 40 snowblowing episodes a year for me.

If you buy a tractor with a cab, you will definitely want a hydraulic chute rotator. I live in the boonies with a 13 acre parcel so I don't need to worry about blowing snow into my neighbors yard, but I would still find a hydraulic chute deflector angle adjustment useful and will install one this summer.

The additional cost for a front blower on a B series (Kubota) tractor is about 27% for a total cost of about $6,100 (list) with all of the bells and whistles:

Just curious to know if most of the snow lake effect? You don't really need a snowblower what you need is tickets south! (LOL)

As for the chute deflector on mine I went out and bought a 12 VDC linear actuator and with a double pull double throw momentary switch it is up and running. Works great and even though the actuator cost around $75 plus shipping it was a cheap way out for me.

 

[RoyJackson]

donn12 doesn't tell us where he's from or how regularly he gets snow...or how long his drive (or area to plow) is.
So there's no real good way to provide good advice and many of us are reacting to a couple of really major, but infrequent, snow events.

So, if donn12 wants good advice, he'll want to provide a bit more information...

 

[gordyy]

I blow a lot of snow for other people in town I have always thought the front blower was the way to go, then after I bought one with my tractor and the blower is not stong enough for the tractor (am waiting they are supposed to make an all new design next year and will replace it) I had to buy another for this year bought a 30-40 yr old Mckee 3 pt All I can say is I love the loader being available it scrapes concrete much better than the blower, and you can use it to bust out and chop up road grader droppings

now I really need to change my lil avitar

 

[etcallhome]

Front blower , No way in ---- would I ever consider a rear blower..
This is my needs,,, If you are doing your drive ,once in a while a neighbors,
rear may do ..Yes a lower cost with rear....
I lucked out when I bought my used FB this past fall

 

[smfcpacfp]

Just curious to know if most of the snow lake effect? You don't really need a snowblower what you need is tickets south! (LOL)

As for the chute deflector on mine I went out and bought a 12 VDC linear actuator and with a double pull double throw momentary switch it is up and running. Works great and even though the actuator cost around $75 plus shipping it was a cheap way out for me.

95% of our snow is lake effect. Starting on Sunday thru Tuesday we had 21" of snow that was the size of table salt grains, yet it was in the mid 20's so the snow was dry, but dense. I snow blowed on Monday and Tuesday. Most local schools were closed on Tuesday and the mail wasn't delivered. If you looked at the weather channel, it showed most of Michigan was pretty clear, except for the south shore of Lake Superior.

I am not comitted to the hydraulic chute activator. The hydraulic units costs close to $1,000 (just for the kit), so $75 sounds pretty good. Did you mount the switch to the joystick shaft?

 

[WayneB]

95% of our snow is lake effect. Starting on Sunday thru Tuesday we had 21" of snow that was the size of table salt grains, yet it was in the mid 20's so the snow was dry, but dense. I snow blowed on Monday and Tuesday. Most local schools were closed on Tuesday and the mail wasn't delivered. If you looked at the weather channel, it showed most of Michigan was pretty clear, except for the south shore of Lake Superior.

I am not comitted to the hydraulic chute activator. The hydraulic units costs close to $1,000 (just for the kit), so $75 sounds pretty good. Did you mount the switch to the joystick shaft?

Hi Steve,

Growing up in New York I know a little about that lake effect snow. Makes for a long wait for spring to come, but we certainly enjoyed it once it arrived.

I actually mounted the switch inside a small water resistant box and it is mounted to the back wall next to the rotator switch. I have sent you an email with additional information. Let me know what you think. Tried sending it to your email address Steve and it got kicked back so I have sent you a PM. Wayne
Wayne

 

[Fritzy]

WayneB how fast PRM do you turn your rear mount Blower?

 

[skywaterbanjo]

After 3 years of moving snow with the FEL and rear blade, I bit the bullet and bought a front mount B2782 blower for my B7800. The blower has been fantastic and saved me many, many hours of moving snow. My biggest issue with the FEL/blade was having a place to put the snow. We've had a couple of 'slightly' more snow than normal winters but not by much. The blower puts the snow out of the way. I have a dirt/gravel driveway (~450 ft) and I have to be a bit careful the first snow after a melt.

I don't have a cab and have both the hyd rotator and electric chute deflector. I'm glad I have both of them.

I, personally, would never have a rear mount SB. I got so tired of driving backwards all the time with the blade. No more sore neck. That was the main factor driving me to the front mount SB.

 

[WayneB]

WayneB how fast PRM do you turn your rear mount Blower?

It is a 540 RPM unit and I run it at that. I have a friend that told me I could run it at the higher ROM, but I would never do that, just to fast for the snowblower.