Buying Advice Newbie buying B2320, B2620, B2920 for Snow Blowing...needs advice.

[stimpee]

As I mentioned in my post above yours, please make sure you thoroughly understand the operation of the PTO on the 2620/2920 to make sure there are no surprises. That limitation is one of the reasons that I ended up deciding to pony up the extra cash for the 3030 over the 2920 (among other details, and size).

 

[John1133]

Thanks for the heads up on the potential PTO issue. Since I will be using the tractor for personal snow removal and not commercially, it won't be a big problem if I can't run both the mid and rear PTOs at the same time. In other words spread sand at the back while blowing snow up front. Still it's a good point and something I'll take into consideration. Thanks again for your comments! John

 

[stimpee]

Thanks for the heads up on the potential PTO issue. Since I will be using the tractor for personal snow removal and not commercially, it won't be a big problem if I can't run both the mid and rear PTOs at the same time. In other words spread sand at the back while blowing snow up front. Still it's a good point and something I'll take into consideration. Thanks again for your comments! John

I fear that you are misunderstanding the reality of the situation. The issue is not that you cannot run them simultaneously. The issue is that you cannot run the mid pto by itself. If the mid pto is on, then the rear pto is on also, and at nearly 2x the normal rear pto rotation speed.

So if you are blowing snow, then you are also spreading sand/salt at a very high speed! Or you ar at a minimum heating it up a whole lot!

I would see your only option being blowing the snow with nothing mounted on the 3 point, and then when you are done, hooking up your spreader and then running rear pto only (which it does have the ability to do) to spread.

Not sure if it is a big deal, but personally it was a limitation that I chose not to live with.

Steve

 

[John1133]

You're absolutely correct.....I didn't fully understand. Thanks for the explanation. I will look into it more closely now. Can't thank you enough for your expertise and generosity. John

 

[jcaledon]

John,

Stimpee is right about the rear PTO - you can't run the mid without also running the rear PTO at the same time - although you can run the rear on its own. In other words there are three settings, 1. mid (2500 rpm) rear (940 rpm) together, 2. neither, and 3. rear (540 rpm) on its own. That was one of the things I didn't like about the B2620 that I just got delivered (from B.E. Larkin in Gormley) versus the John Deere 2320. But I can't see why you couldn't just remove the PTO shaft, versus removing the entire spreader. I just finished installing my Herd M-96 (which I painted orange to match the Kubota - looks good!), and the shaft, which I had to shorten, can be easily disconnected from the tractor. Its not ideal, but it can be made to work quite easily. Having said that, I'm not sure you would need to do this - how hot would the spreader get if the PTO were running while you were blowing snow on a cold Canadian day in the middle of January? I think this would be more of a pain if you were to use the spreader for fertilizer and seed during the summer like I'm planning to do. I plan on taking the spreader off when I'm finished with it, rather than leaving it on when I'm cutting the grass. This is definitely and advantage the B2630, and B3030, not to mention the green machines, have over the new B. But as I'm sure you have determined the new B is a very strong package.

I was initially very intimidated by the size of the B2620 (I was used to a garden tractor - you can see my thread on this topic) but have since gotten used to it. I have a very steep hill to mow, and the B2620 did it in mid range at full speed (and its not broken in yet), with power to spare. At 6.5 mph, the mid range speed is as fast as I'm comfortable driving on hills with the 300 lb plus mower deck going. I don't think that you would have any problems with the power of the B2620. If you've got a lot of wet heavy snow, all you'll have to do is leave it in low if you run out of power - but I doubt that you'll have to do that very often if ever. Its a great machine. The ergonomics are fantastic. The fit and finish are terrific. I have put 5.5 hours on my machine, and have only used a little more than a quarter tank of diesel! Good luck with your purchase.

 

[John1133]

jcaledon.....Once again I spend most of my time just thanking everyone for their thoughtfull input, like yours. It sounds like the PTO issue is not perfect but can be overcome with some thought. Thanks again, John

 

[easygo]

John,
If you end up with the 2620 I would say go the route of disconnecting the PTO shaft while blowing snow and just secure it somehow out of the way. That spreader will add a lot of very useful weight for traction. Chains are great but the added weight will make it even better.
As far as considering the smaller tractor I would say don't even worry about it. It is a lot more capable than some people make it out to be. You will have a lot of fun and your wife or other family members will make jokes about it.
I have a B7510 with 21hp and it continues to surprise me what I can do with it.

 

[John1133]

Easygo, How difficult is it to disconnect the rear PTO shaft? Sounds like it might be a good solution to my PTO issue if it's quick and easy. Thanks for your advice! I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the 2620 which will be 1000 percent better that what I've been doing the job with for the past few years. Cheers John

 

[easygo]

John,

It isn't hard to disconnect the REAR pto shaft at all. (It's much more of a pain to do the same with the mid-shaft) It is the reconnecting that can be a little more of a challenge. It may take a couple-three minutes to shut off engine, get off tractor, find proper position for the shaft and reconnect, make sure it is secure. I don't think it is that big of a deal, but some people might. Add to that the weather you will be doing that in. You could be out there in minus 15-20 with a big coat and heavy gloves, trying to do the same operation. May be the dealer would hook up a spreader on a 2620 and you can try to hook up the shaft before you commit to buying. Also try to figure out if there is a SAFE AND SECURE way to tie it out of the way if you are going this route. I have not done such thing myself. The original idea was in a post before mine.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the 2620 which will be 1000 percent better that what I've been doing the job with for the past few years."

I know what you mean by that. I used to use an ATV for the chores around the house until I figured out that it was not the way to go.

 

[ByronBob]

I can only offer that a BX2230 with a 23hp engine can easily handle a 51" snowblower and throw it a long way into the yard. If your primary use for the tractor is snowblowing then consider something a little bigger.

I find Kubota does an admirable job matching up unit accessories to the model they offer you.