Thinking Snow - not that far off

[abatis]

I am debating whether to get a Berco Snow thrower for my little John Deere 304X garden tractor versus a 3PT PTO snow thrower for my Bobcat CT235. The 3PT snow thrower seems kind of awkward but I would appreciate feedback by people that are using that set up or other ideas.

 

[VictorW]

3pt blowers work well and are cheaper than front mount. Fel stays on if you need it. You just have to look backwards. Bobcat has a front mount blower but it does cost more than a 3pt and you need a mid pto shaft. If you have tight spaces and not that much snow, the garden tractor would be better. If it's more open with heavy snows, the 3pt can clear a path pretty fast. I've used a back blade for many Winters. It works good until the piles get big and then the fel has to move them.

 

[kco]

I've ordered a MK Martin Meteor pull-type snowblower for my DK35 HST. I also looked at Lucknow and Erskine pull-type blowers. They are about $900 more than push-type 3 pt blowers but cheaper than front-mount blowers.

I have been using a rear blade to clear snow but it involves a lot of work pushing the snow in reverse to get it into the ditch. I'm sure the pull-type blower will work for my situation, and it will be much easier on my neck and back.

 

[abatis]

Thanks for the Martin idea. I don't think my CT235 has enough PTO hp for their smallest (35hp) unit.

 

[whiskywizard]

The rear-facing 3-pt blowers aren't bad to use. You kinda turn yourself a bit sideways in the seat so you're not craning your neck so much. Most of the time, you really only need to see the one edge of the blower clearly - the edge nearest the edge of the laneway. You know where the other edge will be!

And for those with hydrostatic transmissions, it's even easier to turn in the seat.

When I was a teenager I used an old Ford to blow snow. The owner mounted 2 big truck mirrors on the loader frame - just for the winter. Once you brushed the snow off them, it was easy to work in reverse.

 

[SSdoxie]

Only prblem I see with a pull type is you drive through or over the snow before blowing it. The 3pt, you are backing into it without driving on it first. How about a magnetic mounted battery operated rear view camera. I kknow of a dealer that sells these or about $250. Both camera and viewer are battery operated and magnetic mounted so no wires to connect and when not using it, take it off to keep it dry.

 

[WilliamBos]

Only prblem I see with a pull type is you drive through or over the snow before blowing it. The 3pt, you are backing into it without driving on it first. How about a magnetic mounted battery operated rear view camera. I kknow of a dealer that sells these or about $250. Both camera and viewer are battery operated and magnetic mounted so no wires to connect and when not using it, take it off to keep it dry.

That is not an issue at all. We did it for 30 years. Given the choice, I would go that route again in a second.

 

[two_bit_score]

Snow at all is just wishful thinking around my place.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I was toying with the mirror idea. Also toyed with the back up camera. The problem I saw with the camera is the fine flying snow dust created by blowing. At least with the mirrors you could just wipe them down with your mitt. Currently I do the turn in seat method.

 

[wallace]

I have the front mount blower in stock for your CT235 :licking: