Summer time... so I'm thinking snowblowers;)

[couchsachraga]

I'm seriously considering moving my 1 ton dump with plow on, as it doesn't get too much use these days, and putting a snowblower on my Deere 4520. A bit overkill for my and our neighbors driveways, but I have the 4520 and right now it just sits all winter. It has a cab, and extra hydraulic outlets.... I'm in upstate NY on the outskirts of the Adirondacks.

So, my question - I've been admiring the inverted (rear-pull) snowblowers and what folks have said about them, but looking at the price it seems it may be comparable to putting a front hitch on my 4520 and then putting a blower on that (with a shaft drive from the rear, not the $$$ hydraulic drive). Have any of you looked at both of those options, and what did you decide, and why?

Thank you for any and all opinions!

 

[nybirdman]

A front snow plow and a rear blade may work and be less expensive than a snow blower.All depends how much snow you get.

 

[Piston]

A rear blower will be considerably more maneuverable than a front mount if that is a consideration. Otherwise the only disadvantage to the front blower is you lose the FEL. If your tractor sits all winter and you don't use it, then that wouldn't seem to matter much.

Personally, I'd go with an inverted, but it really seems to come down to personal preference.