Ease of adding a front snowblower?

[xwild]

Looking at buying a used machine.. something in the Grand L lineup. 5240 or bigger and newer.

I want to end up with a front mount snowblower. Is there anything I have to look for on a used machine to know if I can add a blower? Since I won't be the only user (gf will also) I really like the looks of how easy the Kubota blower hooks up.

 

[Jchonline]

Mid PTO is a must, I believe you can get the kit even if it isnt installed on certain models. I also faintly recall someone saying to get theirs installed they had to split it open, but I cant remember the model. Just check to be sure.

Well I should say Mid PTO unless you plan on a hydraulic unit and a standalone pump on the 3PT....

 

[moship]

On the larger Grand L's the ROPS models do not come with the internal mid gear, so it becomes more difficult in adding mid-pto to it. The internal gear requires the tractor to be split.

On cab models the mid gear is already in place, so it is a simple bolt on process to add mid PTO.

The attachment below should make it clear which ones only need the cassette (external mid pto unit) and/or internal gear.

I've added a mid PTO to a Grand L that already had the internal gear before and it was a very simple job to do so.

 

[Bavarian]

Check out Zuidberg. They produce full front 3 point and PTO systems for different brands and models. Those are powered off the front pulley of the crankshaft.

 

[Tomtint]

I was looking at YouTube videos today and someone had modified a snowblower to mount on the front of a L3400.. it had a contraption on the rear pot that ran another gear below it ..then a shaft went to the front and another to the blower..very well thought out and far beyond my fabrication abilities. ..but obviously can be done.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I was looking at YouTube videos today and someone had modified a snowblower to mount on the front of a L3400.. it had a contraption on the rear pot that ran another gear below it ..then a shaft went to the front and another to the blower..very well thought out and far beyond my fabrication abilities. ..but obviously can be done.

You can buy a front blower already made up that way...

SR

 

[xwild]

On the larger Grand L's the ROPS models do not come with the internal mid gear, so it becomes more difficult in adding mid-pto to it. The internal gear requires the tractor to be split.

On cab models the mid gear is already in place, so it is a simple bolt on process to add mid PTO.

The attachment below should make it clear which ones only need the cassette (external mid pto unit) and/or internal gear.

I've added a mid PTO to a Grand L that already had the internal gear before and it was a very simple job to do so.

Thanks. I'm only looking at the HSTC versions (hydro w/ cab). Nice to know it's not to bad a retrofit.

 

[nybirdman]

The front snow-blower on a Grand L will require the factory sub-frame+the blower.I had a L3130 with the sub-frame+snow plow;requires the removal of the FEL.It will be expensive but a Cadillac system for sure.
FEL and sub-frame are fairly easy to remove/install if you have a flat/level area(concrete is best).

 

[xwild]

The front snow-blower on a Grand L will require the factory sub-frame+the blower.I had a L3130 with the sub-frame+snow plow;requires the removal of the FEL.It will be expensive but a Cadillac system for sure.
FEL and sub-frame are fairly easy to remove/install if you have a flat/level area(concrete is best).

Thanks. I know it's not the cheapest route, but I don't like to pay twice for what I should have just bought the first time. I can -occasionaly- find the tractor I'm looking for used, but not the blower or subframe. So trying to find out what to look for on the used market. If I don't find something by this summer, I'll probably end up just biting the bullet and getting a L5460 with all my wants and needs straight from the dealer.

 

[moship]

You have a couple options on the subframe as the Grand L40's accept both the old style (duckbill) subframe or the newer 4-pt system found on the Grand L60's. (Duckbill is what I call it... Not certain what Kubota calls it)

Older subframe found on Grand L30's and 40's (and what I have)
L2180-1 Quick Hitch
L2186 Driveline Kit (L4240, L4740, L5040, L5240, L5740 L4330, L4630, L5030)

The L2180 can be used on any size Grand L30/40's. It adjusts for length and height to fit all the different models and tire combinations. What is different is the Drivelne kit. When buying used it might be necessary to purchase a different driveshaft due to the length changes between models. They cost about $300. Changing the driveshaft was the only part needed to move the subframe from the L3130 to L4740.

The newer subframe released when the L60's came out can also be used, but is very expensive compared to the L2180 subframe.

L4554(A) ) K3 Auto-Hitch
OR
L4455(A) K1 Manual-Hitch

And
L4484 Driveline Kit (4cyl)

Completion Kit is also needed:
L4432 when using on L4554(A) Hitch
OR
L4431 when using on L4455(A) Hitch

Recommended:
L4456 Ground Pressure Relief

As you can see there are a number of items needed for the new style subframe.

Keep in mind a snowblower is needed with the subframe info listed above. Since you're focused on a cab model, the blower will require some way of rotating the chute (typically hydraulic) and some folks like to have the option of adjusting the chute deflector which can be electric or hydraulic. (I have hydraulic rotation and electric deflection on my blower)

Highly recommend you find a 6' blower as the 5' blower will not clear your tracks. I even added homemade extensions to my blower. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/390742-snowblower-wings-homemade.html?highlight=weld

Hope the info helps your cause.

 

[xwild]

You have a couple options on the subframe as the Grand L40's accept both the old style (duckbill) subframe or the newer 4-pt system found on the Grand L60's. (Duckbill is what I call it... Not certain what Kubota calls it)

Older subframe found on Grand L30's and 40's (and what I have)
L2180-1 Quick Hitch
L2186 Driveline Kit (L4240, L4740, L5040, L5240, L5740 L4330, L4630, L5030)

The L2180 can be used on any size Grand L30/40's. It adjusts for length and height to fit all the different models and tire combinations. What is different is the Drivelne kit. When buying used it might be necessary to purchase a different driveshaft due to the length changes between models. They cost about $300. Changing the driveshaft was the only part needed to move the subframe from the L3130 to L4740.

The newer subframe released when the L60's came out can also be used, but is very expensive compared to the L2180 subframe.

L4554(A) ) K3 Auto-Hitch
OR
L4455(A) K1 Manual-Hitch

And
L4484 Driveline Kit (4cyl)

Completion Kit is also needed:
L4432 when using on L4554(A) Hitch
OR
L4431 when using on L4455(A) Hitch

Recommended:
L4456 Ground Pressure Relief

As you can see there are a number of items needed for the new style subframe.

Keep in mind a snowblower is needed with the subframe info listed above. Since you're focused on a cab model, the blower will require some way of rotating the chute (typically hydraulic) and some folks like to have the option of adjusting the chute deflector which can be electric or hydraulic. (I have hydraulic rotation and electric deflection on my blower)

Highly recommend you find a 6' blower as the 5' blower will not clear your tracks. I even added homemade extensions to my blower. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/390742-snowblower-wings-homemade.html?highlight=weld

Hope the info helps your cause.

Awesome info. Thanks!

I'm definitely going with a 6' or bigger blower. 2 passes with the 6' should do our main driveway loop, rather than 3 that would be needed with a 5'.. Plus it will be quicker clearing the large area by the pole barn.

 

[Tomtint]

You can buy a front blower already made up that way...

SR

Really ? I did not know that, I thought that with all the different configurations it would be difficult to put one of those on the market. Brackets and shaft length would all be tractor specific

 

[Industrial Toys]

I suggested that an institutional customer of mine buy an L series, 40 or so HP. They think the tractor is weak and the front snowblower has been broken several times, with finally the gearbox requiring replacement. It's not that old. They aren't too impressed. I thought Kubota would be better than that, but maybe it's just geared at the homeowner market. So, I would be very carefull about buying a used blower.

In my way of thinking, if you keep oil in a snowblower gearbox, that thing should last a very long time. Underbuilt?

 

[moship]

Has the OP had any luck finding a suitable tractor and snowblower?

 

[xwild]

Has the OP had any luck finding a suitable tractor and snowblower?

I did not. I've got a new one on order as of a last week. L6060HSTC with FEL, Front 74" blower on the K1 Manual hitch, pallet forks, top-n-tilt, 3 rear remotes.. Bank account had a stroke, but it will recover.

 

[OrangeMuscle]

What exactly is the L4456 Ground Pressure Relief that is recommended? It is a couple thousand dollars for this feature, and I have no idea what it is and why it would only be "recommended"?

 

[Fallon]

What exactly is the L4456 Ground Pressure Relief that is recommended? It is a couple thousand dollars for this feature, and I have no idea what it is and why it would only be "recommended"?

I'd ASSUME it would be plumbing to make normal hydraulic valves function like 3pt valving. That way the blower wouldnt have down pressure & could float up if needed. Otherwise the blower could end up carying the weight of the tractor & digging into bumps on the ground.

 

[aczlan]

I'd ASSUME it would be plumbing to make normal hydraulic valves function like 3pt valving. That way the blower wouldnt have down pressure & could float up if needed. Otherwise the blower could end up carying the weight of the tractor & digging into bumps on the ground.

I would say probably not as they normally use same valve is a loader valve which already does that.
I suspect that what that does is put in a pressure relief so that if you don't have the blower in float and you started to go up a hill, it could relieve the pressure and let the blower lift up rather than chewing into the ground, or picking the front wheels up off of the ground.

Aaron Z

 

[moship]

Maybe xwild can purchase L4456 and let us know what it does.

Looking at the illustrated parts, there's not much to it. Major components include an 1.5L Accumulator, hydraulic block, 1/4" hydraulic hoses and wiring harness. See attachment.

 

[Fallon]

I would say probably not as they normally use same valve is a loader valve which already does that.
I suspect that what that does is put in a pressure relief so that if you don't have the blower in float and you started to go up a hill, it could relieve the pressure and let the blower lift up rather than chewing into the ground, or picking the front wheels up off of the ground.

Aaron Z

I think we are saying the same thing... Additional plumbing to make the existing hydraulics behave more like a 3pt.