Snowblower 3 pt Snowblowers?

[Stonewall]

I have an 18HP MF compact and think I want to put a snowblower on the 3 pt this winter (hoping we will actually have a winter). The 6X2 trans will only allow working in Low R but I can live with that if it gets the job done. Does anyone have any input on 3 pt snowblowers? I have lit from Loftness and seen Woods on the web but the Woods dealer near me (60 miles) is clueless about the "snowshooters" but can order it for me. I'm thinking that a 4' unit is about all my wallet and tractor can handle right now.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have the Puma 54 inch unit(http://www.pronovost.qc.ca/indexa.html)
on my Kubota BX2200, got in May 2002, for $1000.00, have not used it yet. I looked around it was the best deal I could find. This is a good time of year to shop for snow blowers. Got mine in Mass and I am in NJ, 5 hour ride ( was in the area on business), but figured I saved about $250-$300. I looked at the following: JRW- $1100, Farm King $1200, Norman $1400, Meteor $1300, all in the 54 inch range. Check out www.sweettractor.com, Ken has the Farm King model, but more then I listed. I purchased a First Choice tiller from Ken in March, the transaction went very well. I called around to dealers in NY, VT, PA, and MASS, where ever they get a lot of snow. Some were sold out, some did not have the size I was looking for, some were not interested in dealing with me because I was from NJ! All are made in Canada as far as I know.

 

[Justaplain]

That tractor, in that gear will handle 10" with a 5' blower. Don't get one narrower than your widest wheel track. bcs

 

[Stonewall]

The outside track on the R1s is 43" so the 48" will work just fine on that score. Thanks for the operational load info. however, it's not the 10" regular doses that we get that are my concern (the Subaru will push 10" of snow), I need something to dig out of the 20" - 24" dumps that can come along when the weather people say "the storm isn't going to amount to anything". Thanks for your reply!

 

[DVerbarg]

Stonewall,

The Loftness 3pt snowblowers are very nice units. Have a 72" unit on a TC40D. Have read various notes here on TBN about shear bolts consistently breaking on other brands but have only had to replace the shear bolts once when I picked up a pressed concrete paver with the snowblower. Love the Loftness unit.

 

[Rowski]

I've been eye-balling these units for some time. They make them from 3' to 10' widths.

I need something to supplement our snowplowing business that can handle large amounts of snow, heavy wet snow, and hard (iced) snowbanks. These units are expensive, but look to be very well built. I got the free video and it is pretty impressive. They test these units in sand, gravel and water.

link to <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fairmfg.com/3wilddog1.htm>Fair Mfg.</A>

 

[Stonewall]

I am leaning towards the Loftness. You gotta admire a company that tests snowblowers with dirt, gravel and iced in pallets! That's real world experience talking.

 

[EFC]

We are a rep for Fair blowers Price is $2500 from us for the 48" model. These are serious units and are desinged to cut through heavy snowcrete. Havent had a warrenty problem to date. There biggest advantage is that they dont clog up on single stage clutch tractors like a dual stage blower.

www.efcconstruction.com

 

[Rowski]

I must say the video Fair sent me about the blowers is pretty amazing. These blowers have impressed me the most out of any other that I have seen. I looked at your web site, do you just keep the 48" on hand or do you have other sizes? I'm thinking of mounting one on the front using the rear PTO, do you have any experience with this?

I did at one time find a blower similar to the Fair (single stage dual impeller. I think the name was Wild Cat or something. Looked nice to but not as nice as the Fair.

Thanks

 

[EFC]

Fair has discontinued production of any model smaller than 7'. They told me (this will make you laugh) that there is no market for the smaller models because of the limited amount of smaller tractors on the market. I absolutely think that might be true in SD but not out here in the west. Small tractors are the trend and these blowers are awesome. I bought quite a few of them so I will have stock for awhile. Fair promises to keep making parts for the 4' indefinitely. But to my knowledge I don’t know of anybody who has ever needed a part. I sell generic dual stage blowers also but they don’t even compare. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif