How miserable is it to use a rear mount snowblower on an open station tractor?

rjblum · Jul 2, 2008

If anyone has experience with using a rear mount snowblower on an open station tractor...I would like to know what I can expect. Just how bad is it?

I've narrowed my tractor choice down to a smaller cab tractor, or a larger open station. In both cases I would choose a rear mount snow thrower for snow removal here in WI.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

kennyd · Jul 2, 2008

I would like to know what I can expect.

A sore neck and back, and covered in snow when the wind changes direction faster than you can rotate the chute!

studor · Jul 2, 2008

Beats shovelling

-- there are nicer ways to do it but I blow out about a five hundred yard laneway that way and my back and neck don't get sore but I do get wet occasionally when I misjudge the wind

You do find a comfortable position after a while and a set of insulated coveralls and a hood are just good fashion sense

For light snowfalls I just put the rear blade on and take a trip down and back on the lane. The heavier stuff needs the blower.

escavader · Jul 2, 2008

Consider when you purchase the tractor ,whether or not you can set sideways on the seat comfortably and run the HST PETAL WITH YOUR left FOOT.Then your only turning your head sideways ,not twisting way around.Ican run my BX comfortably this way.Irun a 8000 lb JCB forklift at work,having two large stacks of lumber on it i have to travel backwards all the time.Isit facing the right door,run the pedals with my left foot,and only have to turn my head slightly to see where im going.Iheard that some new hollands seats turn slightly,dont know if its true.
How bought a peice of plexi on the rops?
ALAN

Ductape · Jul 2, 2008

Man...... i can't wait to snowblow my driveway in my boxers and a tanktop this winter ! With some good rock'n roll crankin !!

escavader · Jul 2, 2008

Icant wait to try out my new cab and blower too.Still got some painting,install the glass,and hook up a rear remote for the chute control.Its summer and i got bigger fish to fry right now

ALAN

Dyer retired · Jul 2, 2008

kennyd said:
A sore neck and back, and covered in snow when the wind changes direction faster than you can rotate the chute!

kennyd,

The wind never changes.....it's always blowing snow in your face, ha! For some reason, if there is no wind, the snow comes back and hits me in the face anyway. I have an old RefridgeWear suit that I pull the hood up on, put on a mouth and neck mask (made for wearing under snowmobile helmets,) and a pair of ski goggles.....it's like snowblowing in a cocoon and pretty comfortable. The suit is 40 years old now and is not so water resistant as it once was, so I may have to buy a new suit this year. I also have a blade on the back of my tractor that I push the smaller snow amounts with and use the blower to throw the piles into the woods. Dyer, retired

scesnick · Jul 2, 2008

I do it every year. I have a 2.5 mile driveway up over a mountain that i have to keep clear. I usually use my Yamaha Rhino or Case backhoe. ( both have cabs) But 1.2 miles of that is through a wooded section so places to put the snow runs out in a hurry. When that happens I break out the blower. I have a Yanmar 2000BD and I usually sit on the hood looking backwards with the steering wheel between my legs. It saves my neck from hurting and it is also warm...
You have to watch the way the wind blows that is for sure or you will be covered. But, if you dress right and wear a pair of goggles you should be alright...

rjblum · Jul 3, 2008

"I usually sit on the hood looking backwards with the steering wheel between my legs."

Anybody else wanna see a picture of that? I know I do! You guys are going to scare me right into buying a cab tractor. Sheesh!

canoetrpr · Jul 3, 2008

I wear squash goggles, and a ski mask type thing that covers much of my face and good clothing. This makes it tolerable - primarily because I am out playing with my tractor.

What machines are you considering?

If I had to do it again, I'd get a cab. At 50 or so hrs a year - I can't justify it trading it but doing it from scratch - a cab it would be.

Tell us about the rest of the machines and your application so that we can give you more thoughts on your tradeoffs.