Snow Anyone Have Experience With 59-inch Front Snow Blower?

[Vic_N]

I need to buy a snow blower for my new JD3520. I have about 800 feet of paved driveway. Can anyone tell me about their experience with the JD 59-inch front-mounted snow blower? I’d like to hear the pros and cons. And I’m especially interested in how difficult it is to install.Thanks.

Vic

 

[taz5king]

Well I have the JD5320 with a 59-inch snow blower and I love it. We have a drive that is about 350 feet by 36 feet wide and it just throws the snow off. The first time I attached the blower it took me some time. But I had no experience with tractors at all, so I had some trouble. But now I can have it on in well less than 10 mins. Once you get the A-frame thing lined up and attached it takes no time. The only two things I do not like about it, is there are 2 hydraulic hoses that stay on the tractor when not using the blower, and the sales man didn't really seem to know what to do with them when not using the blower. We got them to stay up out of the way, but I still keep a eye on them. The only other thing is when you have to crawl under the tractor to connect the rod from the PTO to the A-frame thing. But over all I love it, never slows down and plows through anything I have given it.

 

[755inNY]

Vic,

I have the 59" blower on my JD4310. The blower works great. I have no complaints or gripes (except a cab would be nice).

I also have the 72" mid mount mower. I remove the the MMM mounting brackets to install the blower hitch assembly. Even if I did not have to do the swap out for the MMM, I still would not leave the hitch assembly on the tractor. It would just catch on things during the rest of the season plus I would prefer not to have the PTO bearing (although sealed) out in the weather unnecessarly. Removing the hitch assembly also solves another member's issue regarding what to do with the hydraulic hoses. The hitch assembly is mounted with 3 bolts on either side and only takes 15 minutes or so to mount or dismount. The blower quick attaches to the hitch assembly.

Jeff

 

[Vic_N]

Taz5king & 755inNY,

Your comments are very helpful. A few more questions:

> Do you tend to install the blower once for the entire winter and not switch back and forth between it and the FEL? I guess I'm wondering about how to move a large snowbank every now and then. Will the blower do that job?

> Do I understand correctly that you need to remove the hitch assembly to re-install the FEL?

Thank you! I gotta get one of these things since winter will be here before we know it, unfortunately.

Vic

 

[755inNY]

Vic,

I never tried to put the FEL on in the winter. I was told that you could not use the FEL with the hitch in place but I did not test the information. We have all been told incorrect things in the past so it might work. The only thing I can think of that might interfere is the parking stand for the FEL. It might hit the hitch when it comes down to support the loader. The blower will move snow banks. I've seen my neighbor cut banks with a rear mounted blower after plowing large parking lots with a pick-up. The only thing that stopped it was a rolled up Sunday paper that sometimes got buried in the pile. No reason why the front mounted wouldn't work as well. But, if you are using the blower to clear snow, why would you have snow banks. That is one of the nice features of the blower. No snowbanks to fuss with later.

Where are you located in Upstate NY?

Jeff

 

[DrainPondDesign]

Hi Vic,

We too are planning to purchase a 59" blower for a 3320 and would like to piggy-back a few quesrtions on yours.

1, Is extra weight or chains in addition to the MFWD needed for traction?

2, Has anyone had problems with blower width versus rear tire width?

Drain Pond Design
Owls Head, NY
"Ice Box of the North"

 

[Neophyte]

I'm also pondering a 59SB for my 3320 and I had a few questions as well.

1. I forsee having to use the FEL now and then. How much time and effort are we talking about to remove the snowblower and A-frame in preparation for the FEL and vice versa? Is it a simple 10 minute job or is it longer and more complicated?

2. How do your raise and lower the snowblower? Is it controlled by the 3-point hitch height or is it hydraulic off of the Dual SCV for the FEL?

3. Is the chute control hydraulic? Again, is it off the Dual SCV for the FEL or do you need a 3rd SCV?

 

[755inNY]

Hi Vic,

We too are planning to purchase a 59" blower for a 3320 and would like to piggy-back a few quesrtions on yours.

1, Is extra weight or chains in addition to the MFWD needed for traction?

2, Has anyone had problems with blower width versus rear tire width?

Drain Pond Design
Owls Head, NY
"Ice Box of the North"

1. I have not needed chains on my 4310 but I do install the ballast box to offset the weight of the SB when it is raised off the ground. I do not have loaded tires. If you have loaded tires on your 3320 you should be OK without the ballast box.

2. The blower width is wider than the tire width on my 4310.

Jeff

 

[Neophyte]

I have always wanted a front mount snowblower but they are so expensive. I think the cost brand new is around $4000 to $4400. I have looked around for used but they are usually around $2500.

After reading this thread the other night, I decided to do a quick search for used snow blowers. I found a 59SB at a local dealer on consignment for $700. I was not planning to get a front mount snow blower this year but I could not pass it up for this price. It came with a mounting kit for a 955 so I will still need to purchase a mounting kit for my 3320, which could be around $1000. I'm hoping a dealer will give me a few bucks towards the 955 mouting kit. Overall, $1700 is easier to justify then $4000.

It was in OK condition but it will need some renovation (see attached). I will probably break it down, replace the rusted bolts, replace a few parts, sand blast it, repaint it, etc. I'm thinking about painting it JD Green instead of the JD Yellow. What's your vote, green or yellow?

I will post some more pictures sometime this weekend.

Does anyone out there have a picture of their 59SB mounted to a 3320? I'm curious to see some pictures of this setup.

If anyone would like to purchase the mounting kit off of this 59SB for a 955 tractor, send me a PM.
.

 

[jdbower]

What's your vote, green or yellow?

Hey, I can be useful on this thread - kind of! I vote green outside and yellow inside.