Blade or blower for a B7800

[Shantycoke]

I have a B7800, and would either like to get a front blade or a snowblower for it. Just wondering if any of you folks have opinions about any of the aftermarket brands and how much they cost. The ones I've checked out are pretty expensive, but would probable be worth the money if they deliver.

 

[ronjhall]

I have a blade on my B2910 (same tractor as B7800 with added features). If you are dealing with less than 2' of snow and a place to push snow a blade is great. A blower is the best way to remove snow if depth is great or no place to push. Mine is a Curtis 6'6" blade. Cost in 2000 was about $1200.

 

[rpoage]

If you live somewhere that they measure snow in feet the blower is most likely the only way to go if you got the $$$. After years of blowing snow in New England and now in PA with a conventional snow blower I can say that a cab of some sort is a must have for blowing snow. The only thing more annoying that a face full of frozen snow is a hour with a face full of frozen snow.

This is going to be my first year with a BX and a blade but for me it seems like the reasonable solution. Besides the fact that I'm into multi tasking and the blade plays in the dirt a whole lot better that a snow blower.

 

[Taiser]

Blower is best overall, but a blade can be useful, depends on the amount of snow and how much room you have (as mentioned above). I'd need a blower!

 

[canoetrpr]

Interesting discussion..

I have a L3400 with a blower... and I'm acutally thinking I don't like my blower much and might have preferred a front blade.

Around my parts we have been getting less and less snow in recent years. It is rare to get more than a foot or so within 12 hours. There will probably be a year where we get a real dump and I'll be happy with the blower then.

Here's my problem with the blower. A blower does not create snow banks. My land is quite open. The drive way is exposed (I need more trees!). The result is that I blow my snow and because I have no banks, it blows back in the driveway!

The solution I am going to adopt is that I am purchasing a Woods rear blade that I will use initially in the season to build up some snow banks - at least a foot or so before I start using the blower. I might just keep the RB hooked up as it is mostly less than 8" of snow that I have to clear before I am out clearing again. I might just hook up the blower when we get a real dump.

Also, I find that a blade is just 'cleaner'. You get down to the gravel / asphalt better and no clumps are left around. I like the look of a nice cleared dirveway.

 

[canoetrpr]

Ron - how does your front blade hook onto the loader? Does it use a skidsteer QA.

Taiser and I need to swap implements!

I do have to point out that I like having the bucket on by loader during the winter. I do use my tractor for other things from time to time. But with a QA, it would not make a difference. If I were to do it over, I'd probably get a front blade.

 

[hazmat]

Interesting discussion..

I...Here's my problem with the blower. A blower does not create snow banks. My land is quite open. The drive way is exposed (I need more trees!). The result is that I blow my snow and because I have no banks, it blows back in the driveway!

The solution I am going to adopt is that I am purchasing a Woods rear blade that I will use initially in the season to build up some snow banks - at least a foot or so before I start using the blower. I might just keep the RB hooked up as it is mostly less than 8" of snow that I have to clear before I am out clearing again. I might just hook up the blower when we get a real dump.

....

Bad idea - you'll get more drifting in the drive with the snow banks built up. Take a look at a snow fence - you'll see snow piled up on both sides. Your banks would need to be far away from your drive to be effective.

 

[hazmat]

I have a B7800, and would either like to get a front blade or a snowblower for it. Just wondering if any of you folks have opinions about any of the aftermarket brands and how much they cost. The ones I've checked out are pretty expensive, but would probable be worth the money if they deliver.

Generally speaking for lighter weight higher HP machines, the blower is the better choice. I'd consider the B7800 as "heavy lightweight" tractort. It looks like Ron has had good success with the blade.

I haven't yet used my front blower on my B3030. On my old TC18 I started with a rear blade, but the snow would push the tractor aside if I tried to widrow it. I ended up buying a 4' rear blower, much better.

 

[Tig]

Canoetrpr, I agree with Hazmat. A 4' snow fence raised 6" off the ground set back 100 to 140' from your road may fix things. At least from what I have read. From 30+ years of personal experience with snow and wind, snow banks will just encourage the snow to stay on your road. That's a lesson I first learned as a teenager with a shovel and good intentions

 

[canoetrpr]

Gentlemen - I thank you for your thoughts on this. Good think we chatted before I went and did something silly like trading my blower for a front blade!