Rear versus Front mounted snowblower

[check]

You nailed it right there.

THE most beautiful sight in the world....Evergreens loaded with snow. I call them "sugar coated."

Beautiful.:thumbsup:

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory! As well, the dealer is the same one where I originally bought my BX25, and he has been good to me. I also spoke to another supplier (toplinetrailers.com) who sells both, and he says he prefers the Kubota over the Pronovost hands down. Because he sells both, I saw his credibility as high, and so at the end of the day that decided it for me (although I was leaning towards the Kubota anyway).

As to the issue of front-mounted versus rear-mounted, I am even more confident of that decision, since (a) I want to use my FEL (with my new bxpanded.com bucket expander) for moving snow, (b) the rear-mount costs about 1/3 of what the front-mount costs, (c) the rear mount is HUGELY sturdier, (d) the front-mount puts too much stress on the front end relative to the rear-mount's effect on the rear of the tractor, and (e) it is apparently easier to turn with the rear-mount. And, since I am not going to be spending a huge amount of time using it, I don't mind looking backwards or getting a mirror or a rear camera when I blow snow.

Now, I just need some snow!

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory! As well, the dealer is the same one where I originally bought my BX25, and he has been good to me. I also spoke to another supplier (toplinetrailers.com) who sells both, and he says he prefers the Kubota over the Pronovost hands down. Because he sells both, I saw his credibility as high, and so at the end of the day that decided it for me (although I was leaning towards the Kubota anyway).

As to the issue of front-mounted versus rear-mounted, I am even more confident of that decision, since (a) I want to use my FEL (with my new bxpanded.com bucket expander) for moving snow, (b) the rear-mount costs about 1/3 of what the front-mount costs, (c) the rear mount is HUGELY sturdier, (d) the front-mount puts too much stress on the front end relative to the rear-mount's effect on the rear of the tractor, and (e) it is apparently easier to turn with the rear-mount. And, since I am not going to be spending a huge amount of time using it, I don't mind looking backwards or getting a mirror or a rear camera when I blow snow.

Now, I just need some snow!

Good for you.!!

Sounds like you did your homework and figured out that your decision is reflected by many others.

Good choice and best wishes with it's operation.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, too.

 

[crazyal]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I have no idea why they don't make a rear blower that can easily be converted to a front blower. There's not much difference yet so many people have to make the hard choice of "it's a 1/3 cheaper but I'll have to always look over my shouldner to use it".

I think you made the right choice for the reasons you talked about. It sounds like for the BX front end they had to lighten up the blower, not really a good thing. If you are not planning to blow snow on a regular basis then looking over your shoulder isn't as much of a problem. Then of course there's the extra cost, you really need to be able to justify the extra money or have plenty of extra money laying around.

 

[crazyal]

Or sitting in the hot tub catching big, fluffy snowflakes as they come down. And seeing all the evergreens loaded with snow....

I just can't get over the extra cost of the electricity for a hot tub. I did see a woodfired hot tub forsale but it was sold before I got a chance to get back when I had time to look at it. Wood fired made me think of a Lobster pot, lol.

 

[Rob-D]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I have no idea why they don't make a rear blower that can easily be converted to a front blower. There's not much difference yet so many people have to make the hard choice of "it's a 1/3 cheaper but I'll have to always look over my shouldner to use it".

I think you made the right choice for the reasons you talked about. It sounds like for the BX front end they had to lighten up the blower, not really a good thing. If you are not planning to blow snow on a regular basis then looking over your shoulder isn't as much of a problem. Then of course there's the extra cost, you really need to be able to justify the extra money or have plenty of extra money laying around.

Al,
The trouble is that the front blower runs off the mid PTO on most tractors that it's dedicated for like the 47 and 59" Deere's. Companies make front blowers that run off the rear PTO but they're expensive because you have drive shafts and gearing in the back to get front power. Worse you don't have the options of any other attachments when you use it.

Mid PTOs usually run around 2,000 or so rpms, much faster than rear ones at 540.

I've toyed with the idea of adapting a rear blower to a front one, for the difference in price it's almost worth it. I'd have to regear the system to run at the higher rpms. Don't know why no one has done it yet, I'm sure one of the talented guys around here will someday.

Rob

 

[leonz]

Hello Rob,

The Pronovost folks have a front P.T.O. three point hitch and gear box for the rear mounted PTO attachments with their Hardy Equipment brand.

 

[Rob-D]

Hello Rob,

The Pronovost folks have a front P.T.O. three point hitch and gear box for the rear mounted PTO attachments with their Hardy Equipment brand.

Thanks for the info Leon, I'll look into it.

Rob

 

[check]

I just can't get over the extra cost of the electricity for a hot tub. I did see a woodfired hot tub forsale but it was sold before I got a chance to get back when I had time to look at it. Wood fired made me think of a Lobster pot, lol.

No kidding - our hydro bill went up by $1,000 per year!:ashamed:

 

[Rob-D]

No kidding - our hydro bill went up by $1,000 per year!:ashamed:

Heat consumes trmendous amounts of energy.

 

[hawkeye08]

Not having a BX I don't know if it's the same or not but my GL is very easy to remove the blower (leaving the sub frame on the tractor) and connect up the fel. Maybe 10 minutes at most. For me I'm planning on getting a rear sander and didn't want to tie up the rear PTO.

I was thinking about a sander and blower (don't need one right now, just thinking on it) and decided that it would be cheaper and easier to mount the sander on the front (if its not too big) using a hydraulic motor instead of pto. It should not take too much... anyone use rear snowblower and front mounted sander?

 

[hawkeye08]

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory! As well, the dealer is the same one where I originally bought my BX25, and he has been good to me. I also spoke to another supplier (toplinetrailers.com) who sells both, and he says he prefers the Kubota over the Pronovost hands down. Because he sells both, I saw his credibility as high, and so at the end of the day that decided it for me (although I was leaning towards the Kubota anyway).

As to the issue of front-mounted versus rear-mounted, I am even more confident of that decision, since (a) I want to use my FEL (with my new bxpanded.com bucket expander) for moving snow, (b) the rear-mount costs about 1/3 of what the front-mount costs, (c) the rear mount is HUGELY sturdier, (d) the front-mount puts too much stress on the front end relative to the rear-mount's effect on the rear of the tractor, and (e) it is apparently easier to turn with the rear-mount. And, since I am not going to be spending a huge amount of time using it, I don't mind looking backwards or getting a mirror or a rear camera when I blow snow.

Now, I just need some snow!

Excellent, homework done, test to come. let us know how it works out (if you ever get snow)...

 

[Jay4200]

OK, so here are photos of the Pronovost Lynx 52 versus the Kubota B2789 (51"), and they both look very sturdy but the Kubota is about $600 cheaper after tax. (Both with manual chute rotation - just ignore the hydraulics on the Kubota photo - it was the only one I could find.)

So the question for me is, whose is better for a weekend cottager like me (thus minimal long-term wear and tear), and if the Pronovost is better, by how much? (I.e., is it enough to justify $600 more money for the Pronovost, which I could maybe use instead to buy the hydraulic chute rotator for the Kubota?)

I am also planning to have a look at the Pronovost myself (once I find someone close by with and in-stock model), which will also tell me a lot.

Out of those two, I like the looks of the Kubota better - looks like a stronger design in the area of the hitch mount.

There seems to be a big following of Pronovost blowers on this site, and I have no personal experience with them. However, since blower designs are all pretty much the same, quality can be rough-estimated by looking at weight...heavier is better, and Pronovost blowers are some of the lightest made in a given size class.

JayC

 

[Jay4200]

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52.

<snip>

Now, I just need some snow!

Guess I posted too late...

Did you get chains yet? You'll probably need them. I just ordered a 4-wheel set for my L4200 from tirechain.com yesterday.

JayC

 

[ElDorado]

Michigan Iron posts on here with knowledgeable answers to many questions. I know he has a rear blower which is front mounted. Looks pretty cool to me.

I have a slipped disk in my neck a can not image using a rear blower, no way, no how. Front is the way for me.

 

[Rob-D]

Michigan Iron posts on here with knowledgeable answers to many questions. I know he has a rear blower which is front mounted. Looks pretty cool to me.

I have a slipped disk in my neck a can not image using a rear blower, no way, no how. Front is the way for me.

ElDorado,
I just looked on their site and they have a rear pump to run the blower. That's the problem, manufacturers have to make universal systems. They don't have the liberty of an OEM. The down side of it is cost, that's not a cheap front blower, simply because of the extra parts.

If you buy a front blower from Kubota or Deere you get one designed to work with their mid PTO or whatever, so it has to be a better deal unless you have a dedicated snow machine and don't want other attachments on it.

Rob

 

[fredhargis]

Yes indeed...

Anyway, I decided to get the Kubota B2789 rear mount blower for my BX25 instead of the Pronovost Lynx 52. Besides the good deals right now from Kobota (about $1750 U.S. when you add the manual chute rotator), it just seems to be the most sturdy and reliable (made in Quebec, where supposedly all the good blowers are), and comes already painted orange from the factory!

I must have really overpaid for mine....bought back in April it was $2340 US along with the other stuff and the tractor. I guess I need to tell my dealer he really gouged me on the blower OH, well...live and learn:thumbsup:

 

[jwatt51]

I just got a BX 2750d snowblower for my BX25. The reason I got a front mount is because my back screws up when I have to turn around.If it wasn't for that I would have thought of a rear mount.I ended up paying $3200 for mine from a dealer in NH.

 

[jwatt51]

On my pics I posted with the BX2750 snowblower,that price included the mid pto kit and the front quick hitch.

 

[crazyal]

Al,
The trouble is that the front blower runs off the mid PTO on most tractors that it's dedicated for like the 47 and 59" Deere's. Companies make front blowers that run off the rear PTO but they're expensive because you have drive shafts and gearing in the back to get front power. Worse you don't have the options of any other attachments when you use it.

Mid PTOs usually run around 2,000 or so rpms, much faster than rear ones at 540.

I've toyed with the idea of adapting a rear blower to a front one, for the difference in price it's almost worth it. I'd have to regear the system to run at the higher rpms. Don't know why no one has done it yet, I'm sure one of the talented guys around here will someday.

Rob

My Kubota has a subframe that can be used to power several attachments like a sweeper or the blower. It wouldn't be hard to attach a plow to it. I haven't looked closely but it looks like there's a gear box that mounts to the tractor's mid PTO that reduces the speed from 2000 down to I guess 540 as well as change the direction of the PTO from down to facing forward. I'll take a second look tonight but I thought the second stage was directly connected to the PTO shaft, no gear reduction, on the blower.

 

[check]

I must have really overpaid for mine....bought back in April it was $2340 US along with the other stuff and the tractor. I guess I need to tell my dealer he really gouged me on the blower OH, well...live and learn:thumbsup:

I think a lot of this stuff is actually coming down in price, plus there is a Fall incentive of $350 or so on now, and maybe paying cash instead of a "no interest" deal brings it down further yet.