Recommend a snowblower

[VT Vince]

ok you kioti gurus, can anyone please recommend a front or rear snowblower for my CK35 HST. This is my first winter in VT and I'll be needing one quick.
Any info on manufacturer, pricing etc.,and any indifference you may have as to front vs rear will be much appreciated. Oh yeah, I'll be needing chains also, so please recommend a good source for these also. Me thinks dealers don't always give one the best advice and pricing, so I would like to hear from you good gentleman. Thanks

 

[Steve_Miller]

Your dealer is probably the best one to offer a snowblower whatever line he sells. If you trusted him enough to buy a tractor, then the blower should be a breeze. There are not a ton of differences between blowers, just the bells and whistles. If you want it for commercial use that's a different story. My first one twenty some years ago was a Lucknow. When I moved up in size I found a Meteor. I only had 3PH blowers as I didn't want to loose the FEL when snow removing. Front blowers are much easier on the neck but usually much more expensive. I've never had chains on my tractors and get along fine. I have 1600' driveway and have adapted a 6' plow to a skid steer mount on the FEL and built a wing for the side. There are dozens of blowers out there and I'm sure a lot will chime in with there brands the same as I have. I don't think you are going to find too many negatives on any blowers. Probably in therange of 1 to 2 thousand bucks will get you a half decent one.

Steve

 

[George2615]

I too have only owned 3 pt. blowers and it is mainly due to cost. Front mount blowers do cost more than rear mount. A front mount saves you from sitting sideways while backing up and is less strain on your neck and back.

 

[PILOON]

1- be sure to buy minimum 6-12 wider than your tires.
2- go for the larger paddle or blower versions
3- go for 4 bladed blower paddle (moves snow out faster than 3 blades)
4- try to avoid versions that have a 'gear box' between the augers and in front of the blower paddles.

Front VS rear? have had both, prefer rear with a front blade.
The sore neck thing is nothing but precision work with a rear beats front hands down.
The cab is more valuable than front blower IMHO!

Puma & Pronovost are good brands.(made in Canada EH!)

 

[ToadHill]

I've found that when using my rear blower, a 75" Meteor on my DK35, that the platform of the tractor is large enough to stand on and look to the rear. But I guess that won't work for you with HST. I agree with the other posters, I like the rear blower so I can keep the bucket mounted plow I have to clean up when the snowfall is light.

Front plow and rear blower sure makes the tractor long though. My drive is on a fairly steep incline and I've not had to use chains with the rear tires loaded.

 

[Patches]

I just picked up a Blizzard, B74, for my 3054xs.I'm in hopes that it won't overload the 24 pto hp. I think I'll be able to find a gear that will support the blower, probably one of the four in low range. The unit seems well built; large 4 blade second stage, heavily built auger, and it too is built in Canada, eh

 

[JDeerekid]

Just curious does kioti even make a front snowblower?

I would get the rear blower anyways because I like the use of the loader or front blade also. Also they are much cheaper. Make sure it is at least 4-6inches wider than your tires and has a 4 blade fan. This will tell you for the most part it wil keep up with reasonable snowfall a little faster. I would aslo shop around there are alot of brands out there and this time of year there are also alot of barely used one for sale. Good luck

 

[Gator6x4]

For some serious snow moving with a Kioti view the u-tube link below.

YouTube - Bob & Wiley Kioti clean the driveway

 

[JDeerekid]

For some serious snow moving with a Kioti view the u-tube link below.

YouTube - Bob & Wiley Kioti clean the driveway

I ment a factory blower. I know Erksine makes a nice aftermarket blower.

 

[kcook]

For some serious snow moving with a Kioti view the u-tube link below.

YouTube - Bob & Wiley Kioti clean the driveway

I ALL MOST would like it to snow Oh wait, still working on getting a tractor. Great Video!

KC

 

[VT Vince]

thanks all you gents for the helpful replies! Me thinks it's going to be another long snowy winter in VT.
ps. nice video

 

[JoelD]

For some serious snow moving with a Kioti view the u-tube link below.

YouTube - Bob & Wiley Kioti clean the driveway

When I was a kid we'd shovel a driveway like that, with one hand, using a beach sand shovel, on our hands and knees, all before school.

I've seen this video a couple of times a while back, great video, great machine, could not imagine using a rear mount for that distance.

I'm gonna try to a bucket mount plow of some sort or a quick attache set up of some sort.

Send pics when you get your blower.

Good luck,
Joel

 

[joe48]

I've found that when using my rear blower, a 75" Meteor on my DK35, that the platform of the tractor is large enough to stand on and look to the rear. But I guess that won't work for you with HST. I agree with the other posters, I like the rear blower so I can keep the bucket mounted plow I have to clean up when the snowfall is light.

Front plow and rear blower sure makes the tractor long though. My drive is on a fairly steep incline and I've not had to use chains with the rear tires loaded.

I run a 5ft SMYTH on my CK20HST, when running longer streches I stand up and face back, don't have any problem with the HST peddle.
As for size with aCK35 you can handle a 5,6,or 7ft depending on snow conditions. If you get a bigger one , slow down or cut a smaller swath. I also run a 7ft rear blade until it gets too deep then the SB comes out. I have an old 4.5ft v plow on the loader for the neighborhood sidewalks. I have a 7ft Meyers truck plow that I got for 0 $. Haven't needed it bad enough to fab up a mount.
The omly problem I have with the big RB is that even with weights and loaded tires in wet snow I turn sideways before I run out of HP or traction.
Hope that helps.

 

[jaybrad]

4- try to avoid versions that have a 'gear box' between the augers and in front of the blower paddles.

My snowblower doesn't have one of these, but I was wondering why you said to avoid one with the gear box thing in front of the paddles?

Also interested if there are any issues with the chain drive that is beside the auger?

Thanks,
Jay