Snowblower attachments?

[deepsnow]

DaveV. & anyother Loftness owners:
Ordered a Loftness 60" 3pt from my NH dealer last week. Any suggestions in addition to what the manufacture recommends for maintenance, stupid things not to do, smart things to do that will make life easier? Last seasons (an average) snowfall total by spring pushed snow "removal" time for ~1250ft of drive (24' wide in Nov.,10'by Apr) from 20min to couple hrs. Made purchasing the snowblower an easy decision.

 

[ans38]

Bob,
I own a NH TN65D with an 84" Erskine two stage snowblower that's a 3 point mount in the rear. Prior to this, I owned a Kubota L245DT that had a 48" two stage snow blower mounted up front, driven by an electric clutch vs. rear pto.

Overall, I prefer the rear mounted snowblower. The pros are:
1. It is cheaper than a front mounted unit.
2. It is easier by far to mount and remove.
3. Less maintenace and a much shorter drive shaft run.
4. A rear mount snowblower can be lifted higher (more ground clearance) with the 3 point draft arms than a front mount (requiring extra hardware on the front of the tractor) which will be nice if you are running over uneven ground.
5. A rear mount snowblower can leave you the option of still using a loader with your tractor.
6. The weight is on the rear of the tractor, where the heaviest loads should be used and is better for traction and road travel/stability.

Now the downside:
1. You'll be looking over your shoulder when you use the rear mount snowblower.
2. Maneuverability is somewhat diminished.
3. You can't use a 3 point scraper blade/box with the snowblower.
4. Usually takes a little more time to do a clean job of removing snow (but when you're playing with your tractor that isn't necessarily a penalty).

Overall, I like using the rear mounted 3 point snowblower set up I have now and prefer it to the front mounted models after having used both.
My 2 cents. Good luck, Bob. It comes down to what you want and need anyhow.

 

[bobnewjersey]

Thanks Jeff. Do you also have chains on your tires? I have ags on my TC40D, not industrials, with the NH tire weights. I'm hoping I can get away with this set-up in the snow. Is anyone running a similar set-up? Any problems?

 

[ans38]

Bob,
I haven't needed the tire chains. I have ag tires on my tractor too and I have rimgard or beetjuice in my rear tires for the extra ballast (for using a loader). The extra couple thousand pounds of added weight have been enough for me to not use chains. (so far).