How good/bad is the Frontier/JD SB1174P inverted blower?

[airbiscuit]

That looks like a $6k option for a UTV.

 

[leonz]

That is why mentioned it as a possibility, as it would allow him
to have a separable mounted single stage belt driven snow thrower
and still be able to use his loader and keep his weight box on the rear.

 

[sd455dan]

I'm running a Wifco Upshot 72" inverted (non-hybrid) blower on my Branson 3520 with a Western plow up front. After 10 years of backing up, the comfort and speed are fantastic. I have major drifting on the driveway, that the v-plow on the super duty can't get through. My strategy for the deep stuff (3 foot, 100 yards long) is to raise the plow 18 inches, and the blower 6 inches for the first pass. With all that weight and some aggressive chains on the back, it's not a problem to bust through. More pto horsepower would be nice, but it'll do it.

Same, one of my first tests was going through 22" of rained on and wind packed from 3 snow falls when the Wifo 84" Inverted was delivered.

As heavy as the Wifo's are, just lifting them a couple inches off the ground with the 3 point will give the tractor quite a bit of traction.

I am still impressed with the large Impeller and close clearance to housing and it's ability to Really throw the snow.

That Rammy is a sweet set up for someone that already owns a side by side, but after watching that video

I still would chose a tractor with an inverted blower. Was surprised on just how easy the side by side was stopped dead in it's tracks.

 

[leonz]

The Gravely side by side had no weight in the back and that is why
it lost traction even with 4 wheel drive dealing with old snow pack.

The major advantage for the RAMMY single stage snow throwers is the
snow throwers simplicity and ease of maintenance versus the 2 stage
units that have more parts.

The original IHC cub cadet, simplicity and wheel horse single stages we
had were as dumb as dirt and only needed single V belts.

 

[sd455dan]

Do I have enough clearance? Good question. Does any tractor? I won't know until I'm in the thick of it I suppose.

One thing I learned more than a half a hundred years ago when cleaned snow off of neighbors' driveways for about $1.50, regardless of how deep it was, is that it is often easier to shovel it 2x or even more than wait until the snow is done falling and deal with the whole 9 yards. I suspect there will be something of this to my new situation.

I've been learning about inverteds for a while now, in anticipation of what is coming. I think it is the way to go for me. Driving backwards 1500' then doing it again and then doing it at least one more time is not something I would enjoy.

I don't think there is a perfect answer to the best type of blower, but I'm fairly set on inverteds, but is this model by Frontier a good one? I know of one that is relatively cheap right now, and I need to make up my mind - with everyone's help.

You might be surprised How well the 3039 does with an Inverted.

I am sure over 2 feet of really wet snow would make extra work . I am a believer R1's are better for blowing snow and maintaining traction unless it is Ice underneath. I stopped to take a pic.
Have only had the inverted 2 years but have not been stuck yet.

What did the influencer not like about the Frontier model you are looking at?

 

[airbiscuit]

If it's the same video I saw, it was a commercial operator. He wanted more weight for his suburban customers who want a pristine scrape, and a replaceable cutting edge (not a welded on one) as he goes through 2 or 3 a year. He said the John Deere inverted was just fine for a homeowner and long drives. It was worth it to him to pay 3x the price for a commercial model.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

You should talk to the folks at Erskine attachments about a front mounted 2 stage snow blower that can be powered with the rear PTO using a gear box and PTO shafts under the tractor before you spend any money.

www.erskineattachments.com

DON’T waste your time. The power loss is amazing comparing PTO HP to HP. NH4835 vs JD4720 are both 56 at the shaft.
I had the same setup from Pronovost at work. They are not setting any speed records.
My personal Normand blower would eat it alive side by side.

 

[fishhead]

DON’T waste your time. The power loss is amazing comparing PTO HP to HP. NH4835 vs JD4720 are both 56 at the shaft.
I had the same setup from Pronovost at work. They are not setting any speed records.
My personal Normand blower would eat it alive side by side.

Agreed, a neighbor had that set-up on a 4066R and my pronovost rear pull on a 3720 would run circles around it.
OP- I've had a rear pull for 1o years now (I'm located near that TYM474 video) and it just plain rocks - I do have one of the pronovost commercial level blowers so i can't speak about the frontier.

 

[five_hole]

I'm considering this Frontier pull type blower and am very interested in the original question. Anyone who has experience with this blower, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TCowner]

I have the 1164P on my 2038R John Deere. With the lack of winter I only used it once when we got about 3 inches of snow so I have very limited experience with it. I liked the ability to back up to the garage and pull foward not leaving the "lump" of snow in front of the door.

I hope this coming winter I get to put it to a real test.

 

[Musdalen]

You might be surprised How well the 3039 does with an Inverted.

I am sure over 2 feet of really wet snow would make extra work . I am a believer R1's are better for blowing snow and maintaining traction unless it is Ice underneath. I stopped to take a pic.
Have only had the inverted 2 years but have not been stuck yet.

What did the influencer not like about the Frontier model you are looking at?

He was grousing about weight. Which might be a legit issue in some way, but I'm not wanting what he does. As mentioned by another, he wants a perfectly clean paved drive. I will live on gravel (as I do now). I'm a bit more pragmatic.

DON’T waste your time. The power loss is amazing comparing PTO HP to HP. NH4835 vs JD4720 are both 56 at the shaft.
I had the same setup from Pronovost at work. They are not setting any speed records.
My personal Normand blower would eat it alive side by side.

Well, your tractor is not really comparable to mine. What does your Normand cost? What makes it better?

I have been gone for about a month, in New Mexico and now have to make some decisions. The JD blower still looks like a decent option for me. I appreciate all the comments, and I will keep them in mind, but I think this coming week I will at least go look at this in person.

 

[sd455dan]

He was grousing about weight. Which might be a legit issue in some way, but I'm not wanting what he does. As mentioned by another, he wants a perfectly clean paved drive. I will live on gravel (as I do now). I'm a bit more pragmatic.






Well, your tractor is not really comparable to mine. What does your Normand cost? What makes it better?

I have been gone for about a month, in New Mexico and now have to make some decisions. The JD blower still looks like a decent option for me. I appreciate all the comments, and I will keep them in mind, but I think this coming week I will at least go look at this in person.

I think the Inverted's are great for long driveways.

2 passes on our U shaped drive- start at the road, drive around to the other road opening turn around and blow to the other entry way and the basic driveway is done.

We have a gravel drive also (3/4 minus packed down).

I am certain that it takes me less time than the old way I was doing it with front bucket and a box blade in reverse. Also convinced Blowing backwards with a standard blower ( because this tractor was used that way for several years) or forward with a front mount can end up with snow blowing back on the tractor and operator as well. With an Inverted the faster you go the less snow hangs around the operator and tractor.

The only other thing I would add is don't wait to the last minute to order a new blower. I ordered on August 1st and missed the first few snow falls. It was 100* that day and still was waiting when the snow was flying, that said it was worth the wait. This for built to order blowers, If it is in stock locally no worries.

 

[MMC]

These are all good posts about options. I will second the comfort and utility of a pull type (inverted) blower. After years of using a grader blade and loader snow blade, I found a used MK Martin Meteor 8 foot blower and had it shipped to Kentucky (we don't get that much snow now, but when we do, things shut down on many rural roads).

These folks are in Canada, but are very nice to talk with. I had to fix a couple of minor things - some idiot had run over something large...not the machine's fault at all. I am amazed no real damage was done and we fixed it quickly in the farm shop. Very substantial in its build in the large size I have.

I don't who makes the Frontier for Deere, but if spec'd right it should be fine (unless you are going to attack 6 foot drifts). Make sure to get a cab operated electric or hydraulic chute rotator - these things will shoot gravel like buckshot for forty feet or more...aim well. You might also ask if Frontier has composite/plastic skids available for use on "tender" pavements.

But, if you are going to do it, now is the time for used or new buys on these things... Good luck.

 

[Musdalen]

I agree the time is NOW. There is one on a lot for sale.

The shoot and deflector are both hydro activated from the seat, so that's a plus.

I don't have a cab . May have to do something about that eventually. But not now.

 

[MMC]

I agree the time is NOW. There is one on a lot for sale.

The shoot and deflector are both hydro activated from the seat, so that's a plus.

I don't have a cab . May have to do something about that eventually. But not now.

They may have a crank you can use manually from your seat...but darned if I'm leaning back toward that grinding auger to use it LOL. Still, since you are on an open station tractor, you will like the fact you can quickly aim the chute away from winds that are trying to make you into a snowman... But keep that seatbelt on at all times on the open station.

 

[sd455dan]

I agree the time is NOW. There is one on a lot for sale.

The shoot and deflector are both hydro activated from the seat, so that's a plus.

I don't have a cab . May have to do something about that eventually. But not now.

No cab either, That sure would be NICE, but do have the stock sun shade/ROPS

 

[Musdalen]

No cab either, That sure would be NICE, but do have the stock sun shade/ROPS

Watch for my thread next summer on the best 3rd party cabs.

 

[TCowner]

These are all good posts about options. I will second the comfort and utility of a pull type (inverted) blower. After years of using a grader blade and loader snow blade, I found a used MK Martin Meteor 8 foot blower and had it shipped to Kentucky (we don't get that much snow now, but when we do, things shut down on many rural roads).

These folks are in Canada, but are very nice to talk with. I had to fix a couple of minor things - some idiot had run over something large...not the machine's fault at all. I am amazed no real damage was done and we fixed it quickly in the farm shop. Very substantial in its build in the large size I have.

I don't who makes the Frontier for Deere, but if spec'd right it should be fine (unless you are going to attack 6 foot drifts). Make sure to get a cab operated electric or hydraulic chute rotator - these things will shoot gravel like buckshot for forty feet or more...aim well. You might also ask if Frontier has composite/plastic skids available for use on "tender" pavements.

But, if you are going to do it, now is the time for used or new buys on these things... Good luck.

Radtech, a Canadian manufacturer, makes the blowers for John Deere (Frontier). I have the inverted 64P on my 2038R.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

He was grousing about weight. Which might be a legit issue in some way, but I'm not wanting what he does. As mentioned by another, he wants a perfectly clean paved drive. I will live on gravel (as I do now). I'm a bit more pragmatic.






Well, your tractor is not really comparable to mine. What does your Normand cost? What makes it better?

I have been gone for about a month, in New Mexico and now have to make some decisions. The JD blower still looks like a decent option for me. I appreciate all the comments, and I will keep them in mind, but I think this coming week I will at least go look at this in person.

I paid 10k for it with hydro rotational chute and deflector.
I added hydro cylinders on the rear scraper and custom machined an AR 500 steel insert for it. It came with a non marking plastic one.

You missed my point of the hydro pump running 1:4 off the PTO shaft really isn’t that good of an option. Less HP is only going to compound the issue but you do you.

I only ran the hydro unit for 20 years and the Normand for I think 8 for direct experience.

 

[Musdalen]

I paid 10k for it with hydro rotational chute and deflector.
I added hydro cylinders on the rear scraper and custom machined an AR 500 steel insert for it. It came with a non marking plastic one.

You missed my point of the hydro pump running 1:4 off the PTO shaft really isn’t that good of an option. Less HP is only going to compound the issue but you do you.

I only ran the hydro unit for 20 years and the Normand for I think 8 for direct experience.

Almost 2x more $.

And yes, I do miss the hydro pump running 1:4 etc. Care to explain?