B2320 front snowblower advice needed ...

[Baby Grand]

We have a fairly new B2320HST and I'd like to get a front snow blower for it.
From the 2013 Whole Goods catalog, there are two blowers listed for this tractor, the B2781B (51") and the BX2750D (50").
The B2781B (51") $2900, while the BX2750D (50") lists for $1977.
So I'll go out on a limb and guess that the 51" is more heavily built than the 50".
Just wondering if it's really $900+ more heavily built?
From the list, it looks like I'm also going to need:
A Mid PTO Kit (not sure if this is already part of the tractor I have, or if I need to buy it). Tractor came with an FEL.
A Front Half PTO Shaft.
A QH Sub Frame.
and optionally:
A Chute Deflector and Rotator.
When I price this all out for the BX2750D (50") it comes out to a tad over (gulp) $4000, and that's the "cheap" one. I understand that quality and capability are not free, but would like to get an idea if they are really worth the additional cost.

If anybody has either of these blowers and can tell me if I've left anything out, or have advice on which to buy, I'd greatly appreciate the help! Even comments about what you like/dislike are welcome and would be very helpful to me.
Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[HEC]

If you don't mind backing up you can get a rear one much cheaper and will do the same job , plus you get to keep your fel on. After 25 years I got tired of the backing up deal and have gone with the front blower .I would call a local dealer if no reply's on the two different models for their input . You will need the blower , quick hitch and drive shaft , not cheap but sure is easier on the neck and back . I did get the chute rotator but not the deflector . With a no cab model you can get the hand crank rotator which should be fine .

 

[PILOON]

Save $$, get rear blower and add a back up camera if it bothers your neck.
Note (IMHO) that rear blowers are much better in close quarter situations due viewing angles and closeness are favorable. Like, think fork lift trucks.

I added a camera and it is great! Mounted it high on my cab so snow does not get it and the screen is dead center below the frt windshield.
My cost (from China)=$55.00

 

[sandyc]

Good Day:
I have the B2781A blower with a B2765A plow that I use with my B2620. I switch back and forth between either piece of equipment depending on depth, temperature (soft ground), and or slush type snow. I saw a new blower at the local dealer that was gear driven and supposedly heavy duty. Not sure if that is the "B" designation or not.
I have been satisfied with the way I can clear my 400' gravel/sand/rock drive. Switching between blower and plow is but a one minute operation. To switch to the FEL takes about 3-5 minutes....no big deal. I run loaded rear R4 tires and don't slip even on a slight hill that I have to plow.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[tpflyer]

I just bought the (new this year) front mounted BX5455HD 54" Kubota snowblower, subframe, electric chute deflector for my B2920 and it cost me $5,800. This model comes with the hydraulic chute rotator. It is most definitely heaver duty than the 50" or 51" model. I also bought a soft cab with tempered glass windshield and windshield wiper from Tractor Cab Depot. Got everything installed wired up and tested. I'm ready for Buffalo style snow this season. I put some pictures in the photos section.

 

[rbarker]

We have a fairly new B2320HST and I'd like to get a front snow blower for it. From the 2013 Whole Goods catalog, there are two blowers listed for this tractor, the B2781B (51") and the BX2750D (50"). The B2781B (51") $2900, while the BX2750D (50") lists for $1977. So I'll go out on a limb and guess that the 51" is more heavily built than the 50". Just wondering if it's really $900+ more heavily built? From the list, it looks like I'm also going to need: A Mid PTO Kit (not sure if this is already part of the tractor I have, or if I need to buy it). Tractor came with an FEL. A Front Half PTO Shaft. A QH Sub Frame. and optionally: A Chute Deflector and Rotator. When I price this all out for the BX2750D (50") it comes out to a tad over (gulp) $4000, and that's the "cheap" one. I understand that quality and capability are not free, but would like to get an idea if they are really worth the additional cost. If anybody has either of these blowers and can tell me if I've left anything out, or have advice on which to buy, I'd greatly appreciate the help! Even comments about what you like/dislike are welcome and would be very helpful to me. Thanks in advance, Jim

I have the BX2750D on my BX 25. You are correct in your list of all the things you need, at least for that model. I have no experience with the 51" so I can't comment on whether it's more heavy duty than the 50". I know the 50" throws a lot of snow and I wouldn't exactly call it flimsy.



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[dsmiley]

The 2750D is an awesome snowblower. This will be my fifth winter with it. You can see it work here and here. I'm not sure the extra inch in width is worth $900.
The cons - The hand crank is a PITA, at least, on my BX25. It attaches to the joystick and I found that as I turned it, if I wasn't careful I would be raising and lowering the blower. I ended up holding the joystick steady with my left hand as I turned the crank with my right. This might not be such a major problem depending on your blowing situation but my layout required lots of adjustment. I ended up adding a hydraulic rotator.
Another problem, again, depending on your situation, are the skids. I blow exclusively on gravel and the skids were too small if the ground wasn't frozen and wouldn't stay in place if it was; they would allow the blower to pick up lots of rocks. I sheared 6 bolts the first winter. So I made larger skids that actually go under the cutting edge. This keeps the cutting edge 5/8" off the ground and now I might shear one bolt a year. You can see the rotator and skids in my tractor galley.
I thought I would need a ballast box full of weight but this made the front end light which hampered steering, so now I have no weight on the rear. I do use chains but only because of a hill I blow. Hope this helps.

 

[Baby Grand]

If you don't mind backing up you can get a rear one much cheaper and will do the same job , plus you get to keep your fel on. After 25 years I got tired of the backing up deal and have gone with the front blower .I would call a local dealer if no reply's on the two different models for their input . You will need the blower , quick hitch and drive shaft , not cheap but sure is easier on the neck and back . I did get the chute rotator but not the deflector . With a no cab model you can get the hand crank rotator which should be fine .

Thanks for the information, HEC. I sort of balked at the front mount after comparing cost with rear mount - however - this blower will also be used by The Plant Manager if I'm away on business and she has made it clear that backing up is not in her playbook, at least not for snow clearing. I think this is a weird, Twilight Zone situation, where I am being told to spend more money on tractor gear than I'm comfortable doing, but I'm tempted not to push back too much.

Save $$, get rear blower and add a back up camera if it bothers your neck.

Note (IMHO) that rear blowers are much better in close quarter situations due viewing angles and closeness are favorable. Like, think fork lift trucks.

I added a camera and it is great! Mounted it high on my cab so snow does not get it and the screen is dead center below the frt windshield.
My cost (from China)=$55.00

Thanks, PILOON. I had thought about getting a rear blower for the L3240, but The Plant Manager won't operate my machine - something about the size being just out of her comfort zone. Also, I have a degenerative back condition that gets aggravated by turning around to see behind me for long periods. My present snow removal team is the L3240 with rear blade & FEL, which has allowed me to clear some pretty impressive snow accumulations. I'd like to keep this setup ready to go for conditions that the blower is not really good for. We are at the end of a dead end street, with no cul-de-sac, and the town plow has nowhere to put the snow from up the street than all around the entrance to our driveway. He does try hard to keep it to the sides, so I don't curse him, but give him a thumbs up whenever I see him. I'm pretty sure he knows that's my thumb I'm raising? After a point, though, snow removal becomes a major task as I run out of nearby places to put the stuff.

I will keep the backup camera in mind, though, as that sounds like a great help for all sorts of work, including brush hogging, tilling, rear blading, box blading, and especially using folks on the 3pt to move pallets of firewood! Thanks for that idea.

 

[Paystar]

Good Day:
I have the B2781A blower with a B2765A plow that I use with my B2620. I switch back and forth between either piece of equipment depending on depth, temperature (soft ground), and or slush type snow. I saw a new blower at the local dealer that was gear driven and supposedly heavy duty. Not sure if that is the "B" designation or not.
I have been satisfied with the way I can clear my 400' gravel/sand/rock drive. Switching between blower and plow is but a one minute operation. To switch to the FEL takes about 3-5 minutes....no big deal. I run loaded rear R4 tires and don't slip even on a slight hill that I have to plow.

Good luck and enjoy!

I have a rear blower on my B2620 because I use my fel so often.....but now you have me wondering about your 5 minute switch......how does it work on the B2620 model? Do you have to remove the whole front quick hitch setup to use the fel? I always thought there was clearance issues?

 

[Baby Grand]

Good Day:
I have the B2781A blower with a B2765A plow that I use with my B2620. I switch back and forth between either piece of equipment depending on depth, temperature (soft ground), and or slush type snow. I saw a new blower at the local dealer that was gear driven and supposedly heavy duty. Not sure if that is the "B" designation or not.
I have been satisfied with the way I can clear my 400' gravel/sand/rock drive. Switching between blower and plow is but a one minute operation. To switch to the FEL takes about 3-5 minutes....no big deal. I run loaded rear R4 tires and don't slip even on a slight hill that I have to plow.

Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks, sandyc - I guess if I already have the quick hitch for the front blower, then getting the plow makes it that much more versatile with a huge bump in cost. I love the way TBN finds new ways to spend my cash! But, to be fair, all this gear is helping this aging body to keep up with a work load that would have crushed me when I was younger. No regrets, here. Good to know traction is okay with that weight out front. Our B's tires are unloaded R1s, so I think a little rear ballast may be in order. Maybe a small rear blade.

I just bought the (new this year) front mounted BX5455HD 54" Kubota snowblower, subframe, electric chute deflector for my B2920 and it cost me $5,800. This model comes with the hydraulic chute rotator. It is most definitely heaver duty than the 50" or 51" model. I also bought a soft cab with tempered glass windshield and windshield wiper from Tractor Cab Depot. Got everything installed wired up and tested. I'm ready for Buffalo style snow this season. I put some pictures in the photos section.

Thanks for the information, tpflyer. So there's a third front blower out there? Oh boy. I like the idea of getting the heavier blower (B2781B), even though it's more expensive. It'll be used on grassed over driveway, gravel driveway and asphalt driveway, as well as to clear whatever the town plow leaves in front of the drive, out on the street. So heavy duty is starting to sound like a requirement, for me. I'm not sure that the 54" cut width of the BX5455HD is a plus, for me. I suspect I'll be pushing it with the B2320's power & a 51" blower, as it is.