I am seriously considering buying a B2710HST with a loader and a snowblower. My decision is coming down to a front vs. a rear snowblower. I'm a newbie with tractors so please bear with my stupid questions. My dealer tells me that to have a front mounted snowblower, it will take me 4+ hours to switch between the snowblower and loader. They use completely different mounts and I would have to switch the mounts when switching implements. Ouch! Does anybody do this? My other option is a rear snowblower but the thought of having to backup for snowblowing does not appeal to me. The primary use of the tractor would be snow removal in the winter althought I have enough to do with 12 1/2 acres to keep it busy in the summer. During snow removal, I'd like to keep the option of using the loader for moving mounds of snow when I'm not using the snowblower. Four hours to switch is not reasonable. How much of a PIA is backing for snowblowing for people? For what its worth, I live in the mountains of northern Utah and snow removal for me is a major undertaking! I have what would amount to 500+ feet of asphault that's between 15 and 30 feet wide to keep clear.
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B2710HST - Loaders and Snowblowers
- Thread starter DRFoster
- Start date
- Views: 6146
Vernon
Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2000
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- Canada
- Tractor
- 2wd 6300 w/cab, 6310 4wd w/cab and 640SL loader, 920 mower, 709 rotary cutter, Farmi JL 601 winch, JD 456 round baler, 752 tedder, 74 and 75 ground driven rakes w/dual position hitch
I don't think it would be worth having to spend 4 hours changing loade to snowblower and back. I would go with the rear mounted snowblower. You might want to consider getting a larger tractor also. with the amount of driveway you need to clear it would be worth it I think.
I've been going between this B2710 configuration, a JD 4300 and a Bobcat 751 skid steer (all with loader and snowblower). The B2710 and Bobcat are fairly equal, price wise. My nearest JD dealer really wants a premium price on his 4300 HST's (about $3000 higher than the lowest I've seen mentioned) whereas my Kubota dealer is within $100 of the lowest price I've seen mentioned. I've pretty much eliminated the skid steer from consideration. Size wise, would the JD 4300 be better for snowblowing, the B2710 or something like an L3010? In the archives, I've seen several people mention that the B2710 was more than adequate for this purpose. The JD appeals to me because the dealer promises that I can swap the loader with the snowblower in under 15 minutes. I'd really prefer having a blower on the front, not the back. That's one thing in the skid steer's favor. They're really easy to switch implements on.
Vernon
Member
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2000
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- Canada
- Tractor
- 2wd 6300 w/cab, 6310 4wd w/cab and 640SL loader, 920 mower, 709 rotary cutter, Farmi JL 601 winch, JD 456 round baler, 752 tedder, 74 and 75 ground driven rakes w/dual position hitch
the tractors you have mentioned would be quite good at moving snow but you have a lot of driveway to clear. What kind of snow do you get the most? Is it wet or dry snow? The skid steer would work good but if you have a lot of grass to mow I don't think it would be a good choice. Have you given any thought to the L4310 w/cab. The tractor is larger and you wood have more power plus the cab woul;d keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
reslaire
New member
I have the 2710 with FL (401) and the 63" front mounted snowblower (can't remember the number). All of these are Kubota. There is a sub-frame associated with the FL and the SB. They do not interfere with each other. However, the SB sub-frame does require that the "nose mount" part of the frame for the mid-mount mower be removed (takes about 15 minutes and I doubt you will be needing the mower while needing the SB!). The SB sub-frame is very heavy but relatively easy to mount once you know how it goes (maybe an hour). The SB sub-frame is hydraulically actuated for up and down movement of the SB (so you are not always dragging the SB over the ground). The action is controlled via the FL valve (make sure you get the correct one when getting the FL). The SB sub-frame does stick out in the front beyond the tractor about a foot when the SB is not mounted (you just can't get as close to things as you would otherwise) and ground clearance is reduced. As I said, the SB sub-frame does not interfere with FL operation.
Now, to answer your original question - it takes me about 5 minutes to demount the FL and about 5 minutes to mount the SB. The mounting of the SB requires you to drive the SB sub-frame mount (male) into a socket (female) on the SB, flip the retain latch, attach the safety clip, connect the hoses (2), and connect the mid PTO drive shaft. Alignment may cause you to take a few minutes more, but, with practice, you should be able to do it in a few minutes. Come summer time, off goes the SB sub-frame and back on goes the mower sub-frame. Works real good! I got the 63" model because it covers the width of my R4s and then some.
I had a B1750 for about 10 years and moved snow with the FL and rear blade. I spent a lot of time twisted around on the tractor while using the blade. I didn't care for it. The availability of a front mounted SB on the 2710 was one (!) rationale for upgrading (the 1750 was a great tractor). The front mounted SB can utilize the float function, and it works great! There is also a crank that comes back to the driver's position for adjusting the direction of the snow throw (not the angle, that is manually set). There are options for hydraulically or electrically repostioning the throw, but for $800, I can do it manually!
I have thrown dry and wet snow. No matter, it flies. Maximum snow depth has been around 10" (I have only had it about a season and it wasn't much of a season). However, I did try it out on a snow bank about 3' high and the SB didn't much care - just had to go slowly.
As you can probably tell, I like my snowblower! The combination works extremely well with the 2710. Oh, yes, the there are other attachments you can put on the sub-frame if you like (rotating brush, for example).
Cost for the snowblower and sub-frame is around $3000, which is more than you will pay for a rear mounted unit. Your choice.
I hope this helps.
Bob.
Now, to answer your original question - it takes me about 5 minutes to demount the FL and about 5 minutes to mount the SB. The mounting of the SB requires you to drive the SB sub-frame mount (male) into a socket (female) on the SB, flip the retain latch, attach the safety clip, connect the hoses (2), and connect the mid PTO drive shaft. Alignment may cause you to take a few minutes more, but, with practice, you should be able to do it in a few minutes. Come summer time, off goes the SB sub-frame and back on goes the mower sub-frame. Works real good! I got the 63" model because it covers the width of my R4s and then some.
I had a B1750 for about 10 years and moved snow with the FL and rear blade. I spent a lot of time twisted around on the tractor while using the blade. I didn't care for it. The availability of a front mounted SB on the 2710 was one (!) rationale for upgrading (the 1750 was a great tractor). The front mounted SB can utilize the float function, and it works great! There is also a crank that comes back to the driver's position for adjusting the direction of the snow throw (not the angle, that is manually set). There are options for hydraulically or electrically repostioning the throw, but for $800, I can do it manually!
I have thrown dry and wet snow. No matter, it flies. Maximum snow depth has been around 10" (I have only had it about a season and it wasn't much of a season). However, I did try it out on a snow bank about 3' high and the SB didn't much care - just had to go slowly.
As you can probably tell, I like my snowblower! The combination works extremely well with the 2710. Oh, yes, the there are other attachments you can put on the sub-frame if you like (rotating brush, for example).
Cost for the snowblower and sub-frame is around $3000, which is more than you will pay for a rear mounted unit. Your choice.
I hope this helps.
Bob.
Reslaire,
Thanks for the information. I'm going armed with it back to my dealer. According to him, the FL sub-frame and the SB sub-frame can't be on the machine at the same time. You must remove one to mount the other and hence the 4+ hours (I don't plan on using my tractor for mowing so the mower mount is not an issue.)
Do you know whether your dealer had to make any modifications to either the FL or SB sub-frames to get them to coexist? In my shopping, I talked with a JD dealer about a 4300 HSX. He made a comment to me about having to do some modifications to their FL and/or SB sub-frames (I don't remember the details) to allow an easy swap between the FL and SB.
I'd appreciate if you could post your SB model number as well. I'm going to be buying a B2710HST in the next day or two. The last remaining issue I have is with the front vs. rear snowblower. I prefer front and I'll go with it so long as I can swap between the FL and SB in 10-15 minutes. Based on the 401 in your original message, I'm assuming that you are refering to a Kubota LA401 front loader, correct?
Thanks for the information. I'm going armed with it back to my dealer. According to him, the FL sub-frame and the SB sub-frame can't be on the machine at the same time. You must remove one to mount the other and hence the 4+ hours (I don't plan on using my tractor for mowing so the mower mount is not an issue.)
Do you know whether your dealer had to make any modifications to either the FL or SB sub-frames to get them to coexist? In my shopping, I talked with a JD dealer about a 4300 HSX. He made a comment to me about having to do some modifications to their FL and/or SB sub-frames (I don't remember the details) to allow an easy swap between the FL and SB.
I'd appreciate if you could post your SB model number as well. I'm going to be buying a B2710HST in the next day or two. The last remaining issue I have is with the front vs. rear snowblower. I prefer front and I'll go with it so long as I can swap between the FL and SB in 10-15 minutes. Based on the 401 in your original message, I'm assuming that you are refering to a Kubota LA401 front loader, correct?
I have a Kubota B7100 with a rear mount snowblower. Our driveway/parking area is 12' x 400'. When I first got the tractor I thought that driving backwards to blow snow would be "a pain in the neck" but I was surprised that it is not as bad as it sounds. If I had my preference I would go for a front mounted unit, but the rear model works great. I am purchasing a front loader now and I think that being able to have both the blower and loader on at the same time will be a plus. I also have to say that the Kubota is a very nice piece of equipment, both dependable and durable. Good luck with your purchase.
reslaire
New member
There were absolutely NO modifications to the FL frame, as I had the tractor and the dealer had no opportunity to do any (I also had the tractor a couple of months before ordering the SB). It is possible that there might be a requirement to do something different on SB sub-frame in order to accomodate the FL sub-frame. But, if there were, it is transparent to me. I picked up the SB and sub-frame from the dealer, and he knew I had the FL, so he may have followed any special instructions for assembling the SB sub-frame when used in conjunction with a FL. The SB and sub-frame were all assembled for me when I picked them up. I will have a look at the instructions to see if there is anything about use with a FL. When I ordered the SB, I asked (multiple times) about any compatibility issues with FL or mid-mount mower deck. My internet research and dealer all said the same thing, small problem with mower; otherwise, no problem. And that is the way it is.
Yes, I have the LA401 FL.
I am at work and will have to have a look at the SB this evening. However, I can't promise that I will remember to do it! I will be out in the pole barn (I am stacking firewood), but ............
Bob.
Yes, I have the LA401 FL.
I am at work and will have to have a look at the SB this evening. However, I can't promise that I will remember to do it! I will be out in the pole barn (I am stacking firewood), but ............
Bob.
reslaire
New member
OK, here is the info from the manuals on the snowblower.
B2772 (snowblower - 63")
B2771 (snowblower - 51")
B2761 (sub-frame)
B2516 (electrical chute deflector)
B2515A (electrical chute rotation)
B2773 (chute)
B2774 (hydraulic chute rotation)
B2573 (3pt hitch kit for mouning on rear)
A look at the instructions for the sub-frame revealed that there are some spacers which are not used if the FL sub-frame and grill guard are mounted.
As you can see, neither instructions nor experience coincide with what your dealer has told you.
I hope this is of help.
Bob.
B2772 (snowblower - 63")
B2771 (snowblower - 51")
B2761 (sub-frame)
B2516 (electrical chute deflector)
B2515A (electrical chute rotation)
B2773 (chute)
B2774 (hydraulic chute rotation)
B2573 (3pt hitch kit for mouning on rear)
A look at the instructions for the sub-frame revealed that there are some spacers which are not used if the FL sub-frame and grill guard are mounted.
As you can see, neither instructions nor experience coincide with what your dealer has told you.
I hope this is of help.
Bob.
