Front Mount Snowblower 62 or 72?

[jeffburton]

I am trying to finalize the purchase of a new tractor and a front mounted snowblower is very important to me. I have kind of settled on the L3540 (37/28 HP), but the snowblower recommended for it is 62". This does not cover the rear wheels, which I think is absurd. If that is the solution, I'll go elsewhere. I asked about the 72", but the dealer says it's too heavy, Kubota does not recommend it.

I'm wondering if that is really true. The Bobcat dealer is spec'ing a 72" front blower on a CT235 (35/26 HP), which has a little less horsepower than the L3540 .

I currently use a twelve year old 20HP JD with a 66" rear blower, which is WAY too big for the machine, and it works. So I guess I have a little experience with oversized snow removal equipment.

Anyone out there with real word experience on this?

 

[keyman1808]

If Kubota makes a 72" front mount blower I would say that its OK to use otherwise they wouldn't sell it. He may not stock it and might be trying to steer you towards a unitt he has in stock. I say check the Kubota website to see if its made.

 

[BeezFun]

Anyone out there with real word experience on this?

How much wider is the wheelbase than 62"? I agree it's better to have it cover your tracks, but after the first pass it doesn't matter as much. Also 72" will be harder to fit and handle in tighter places. I stopped using my FEL to plow the paddock with because I was doing too much damage to fence posts and other things. I ended up using my 36" walk behind snow thrower around all the edges to avoid all the damage. Not sure what you're plowing, if it's just an open driveway probably doesn't matter and bigger is better.

 

[jeffburton]

I will be using this to plow my driveway.

Kubota has a 72" front blower. They just don't recommend it for anything less than the 4240.

I measured the width on a 3540 at the dealer and it was 70".

 

[PHILIP8N]

It is not too heavy, the hydrailics on the sub-frame are designed to pick up both blowers. Kubota recommends the 62" snowblower due to the lower power of the L3540. As long as you are not blowing real high or heavy snow, you should be fine. If you do get into high or heavy snow, just slow down. Are you looking at HST+? This would match very well to snow blowing work. If you get the 72" and don't like it, let me know, I will buy it from you. Philip.

 

[jeffburton]

The dealer just called. His solution was to to put R4 tires on the tractor - which narrows the width down to just about the 62" blower (with extensions). I'm not happy with that solution as I want to mow my lawn with this machine.

 

[BeezFun]

The dealer just called. His solution was to to put R4 tires on the tractor - which narrows the width down to just about the 62" blower (with extensions). I'm not happy with that solution as I want to mow my lawn with this machine.

I agree that's not a good solution for what you're doing. I had a tractor with R4s and I couldn't use it at all to mow for a few days after it rained, and had to be really careful even when it was dry. I'd stick with the turfs and find a different snow thrower solution. If the turfs are really 70" wide, that's probably too big a difference from a 62" thrower. You're in WI, you get real snow.

 

[leonz]

I am trying to finalize the purchase of a new tractor and a front mounted snowblower is very important to me. I have kind of settled on the L3540 (37/28 HP), but the snowblower recommended for it is 62". This does not cover the rear wheels, which I think is absurd. If that is the solution, I'll go elsewhere. I asked about the 72", but the dealer says it's too heavy, Kubota does not recommend it.

I'm wondering if that is really true. The Bobcat dealer is spec'ing a 72" front blower on a CT235 (35/26 HP), which has a little less horsepower than the L3540 .

I currently use a twelve year old 20HP JD with a 66" rear blower, which is WAY too big for the machine, and it works. So I guess I have a little experience with oversized snow removal equipment.

Anyone out there with real word experience on this?

If it were me and I was being jerked around this way-


I would invest in a front hitch kit from Pronovost which will have the reversing gearbox to let you use the snow caster you have for your current mule on the Kubota or purchase a wider new snow caster-preferably a Pronovost snow caster.

All it amounts to is going slowly on the first pass in deep snow and then you can make half passes if desired. I was told my new snow caster was too big for the JD that I bought but I reminded of a salesman that I ran a 36 inch single stage on an old original 12 horse hydro IH cub cader with Zero issues in deep snow. PFFFT!!!!!!
_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[Ductape]

Just be firm that you want the turfs AND the 72" blower. As has already been mentioned..... if it is working too hard, just slow your ground speed. I would also want the blower as wide, or wider than the width of my rear tires. Tell your salesman I said so.

 

[JimP]

I ran a Kubota 2782 (63 inch) front blower on a much smaller, less powerful Kubota 2410. The 3540 should handle a 72 inch blower in most conditions. Worst case is slow down for the first pass.

 

[arsenix2001]

I have a 72 inch woods 3 point on order and thier tech dept said it would handle it fine, may have to reduce ground speed in deep snow. Chains for traction. Go for the 72

 

[kebdvm]

I have the Kubota 72 in front mounted blower on a L3240. Just have to adjust speed according to conditions. The HST makes this easy. My tractor has the R4 tires on it and the 63 inch blower would not cover the tires so I went with the 72 inch blower.

 

[moship]

JeffBurton,

I heard the same general arguement about using the 62" snow blower on a L3130 and had the same issue about wanting to cover the tracks. In the end I went with a 72" unit and I'm very satisfied with it. I'm also glad I didn't listen to the local dealer.

No it is not too heavy for the tractor.

If you search my user name you can read about my adventure earlier this year when I purchased and installed a used snow blower.

 

[rpraymond]

I've had my 3430 with a 72" blower for about five years now. Never had a problem with too much snow. If you watch the video it's from last spring's storm. The snow was about as deep, wet and heavy as it's going to get around these parts and I just took my time and cleared it. Sorry about the sideways view. I shot the video with my phone and can't seem to straighten it out but you'll be able to see the progress.

Kubota - YouTube

 

[tony binkowski]

jeff, call value implement in baldwin, Wi. talk to mike brenner, he should work it all out for you, if not let me know, i live near spring valley and i know people who can!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thx, tony

 

[crazyal]

Get it with the 72" blower. It's not too heavy nor will you be lacking power an unable to use it. I have the 4240 with the front blower and rarely do I rev the motor up past 2000 rpm.

For example last spring we got a good dumping of wet spring snow. It was about 2" higher than the blower. You would think that this would be a real test of the engine HP, you'd be wrong. If I drove too fast I would just start pushing the snow. If I rev'd the motor up it would throw the snow an extra 10' feet or so and allow me to move slightly faster (very small difference in speed).

The simple fact is that the impeller can only fit so much snow. It's the limiting factor. All the extra HP in the world is not going to change that fact. So unless the 62" blower has a much smaller impeller you'll be fine and it looks like RAD uses the same size impeller.

My guess is Kubota is just using RAD's recommended HP ratings to size the blower. RAD is saying that it's 74" rear blowers recommended HP range is 30 to 45 while the 3540 has only 28 (with HST). But those numbers are a guideline for the worse case condition.

Even with my 4240 I have had dumpings of snow where I drive forward then stop while the blower clears itself out then move forward again. Like I said, only so much snow can go through the blower in a given amount of time when it's turning at speed.

 

[alaskakubota]

Get it with the 72" blower. It's not too heavy nor will you be lacking power an unable to use it. I have the 4240 with the front blower and rarely do I rev the motor up past 2000 rpm.

For example last spring we got a good dumping of wet spring snow. It was about 2" higher than the blower. You would think that this would be a real test of the engine HP, you'd be wrong. If I drove too fast I would just start pushing the snow. If I rev'd the motor up it would throw the snow an extra 10' feet or so and allow me to move slightly faster (very small difference in speed).

The simple fact is that the impeller can only fit so much snow. It's the limiting factor. All the extra HP in the world is not going to change that fact. So unless the 62" blower has a much smaller impeller you'll be fine and it looks like RAD uses the same size impeller.

My guess is Kubota is just using RAD's recommended HP ratings to size the blower. RAD is saying that it's 74" rear blowers recommended HP range is 30 to 45 while the 3540 has only 28 (with HST). But those numbers are a guideline for the worse case condition.

Even with my 4240 I have had dumpings of snow where I drive forward then stop while the blower clears itself out then move forward again. Like I said, only so much snow can go through the blower in a given amount of time when it's turning at speed.

You are spot on. I was blowing snow last year with the new tractor and the blower couldnt keep up, and all 50 somethign hp werent working. The blower works fine.

 

[JoeL4330]

I believe the bigger blower will work just fine and is what you want ...as long as your tractor is HST ...otherwise, if you can't fit a creeper gear, be prepared for clutch replacement(s), usually at the worst possible time.

 

[jeffburton]

I want to thank everyone who helped me with this, both on this thread and in private messages. With all of your assistance, I was able to make the case to the salesman, and after reviewing it, he acknowledged that you all are right.

To his credit, he was humble about it, and we are moving forward.

 

[rpraymond]

That's what we're here for:thumbsup: