Front Mount Vs Rear Mount Snowblowers - Which Is Best?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- When it comes to buying a snowblower for your tractor, you really want to consider whether a front mount snowblower or a rear mount snowblower is going to be best. There are benefits and drawbacks to each.
So which is best in the battle royale between front mounted tractor snowblowers, and those that mount to the 3 point hitch on the rear. Let's talk about it.
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I have driven forklifts for over 25 years for a Canadian brewer, who for safety reasons, demanded that we always roll backwards when moving a load, no matter the size of the load.
When the time came to choose between a front or rear snowblower, my decision wasn't difficult.
The memory of back pain and neck pain rapidly pushed my choice towards the frontal blower.
With the heated Curtis cab, it's almost a pleasure to FACE the snow.
Appeared at the top of my page, tractors aren’t usually my thing but I thought why not have a watch and help with the early view count, leave a like and comment and ended up staying for the good content!
Thanks for checking us out! Most of our content isn’t tractor stuff, but YT likes to push our tractor videos out! Hopefully you find our other videos useful.
@@TheMindfulHomestead i love the front mounts wich nice on the neck rear mounts make neck sore
@@jonathanorlando930 yeah my dealer here has k-connect, auto connected, quick attach and also front pto 3point hitch for front of the tractors wich is nice 4 options for front of the kubota tractors
We went through the same process of deciding what setup would work best for our property, TH-cam videos like yours and "A Ritter Bit Will Do" helped see the equipment in action. We tend to get 3-5" snowfalls regularly throughout winter and there's value in buying something that is ergonomically better. Thanks for posting, have a great day.
💥 Excellent video Jack! You explained all the pros and cons of each.
*Keep on tractoring!* 👍
im same vote i love front mounted attachments wich is nice
I love your videos ! I'm so glad that Morgan mentioned you in one of his farm meetings
Buddy you had a great day for it!
I done just got a BX23S with the same blower. Love it. 600 foot of paved driveway with a 90 degree turn and it has cut my snow clearing time to 1/3. 3 hours with quad and blade and Ariens blower is down to 1 hour including clearing up around 3 houses.
I also have a big beard though not as big as yours and I'm older so mine no longer matches the tractor!
I am happy that you spent a bit of time talking about pull type 3pt hitch snowblowers. They get completely overlooked by many tractor owners as they just don't know about them. It takes moment to wrap your head around driving over the snow you're about to clear with the snow blower. It's really a non issue. From a price stand point, they are in between the regular rear facing pto snowblowers and the front mount ones. One other benefit to them is that when using with an open station tractor you're less likely to get a face full of snow when it's windy out compared to a front mount snowblower. I've seen several youtube tractor channels use front mount snowblowers on sub compact tractors and also run a rear blade. That is quite an effective combination.
Am with u when it comes to front snow blowers, thanks for your time TMH.
Thankyou for this video. Solidified my decision on purchasing this tractor and snowblower!
Great info,didn’t realize the benefits of a rear one!
I have a front blower on my Massey 1720 (2360)and just love it. I ended up purchasing a cab with a heater because I often have to blow snow against the wind especially in in very cold temps.
I started with the front because my neck can hurts looking behind as shown.
When I was ready to buy a Kubota BX2380 a rear mount blower wasn’t even a consideration! I wanted a front mount blower and a rear blade. I also wanted a heavy duty blower and went with the Commercial blower. It’s just so much easier looking forward as you drive forward and blow snow. Even operating the joystick and the third function is so much easier when you face forward. I usually blow out snow for four neighbours and I couldn’t imagine doing it looking backwards. I enjoyed your video from Northern Ontario.
A little late to this party - but I have had both. Beyond the pain in the neck issue there is a visibility issue as well. When I had the rear blower, I left the bucket on to do "clean up" but I spent more time chasing the final bits. Initially it was a cost issue as the rear was less money than the front. After two years I had had enough and swapped the rear for a front and the best choice I ever made. Now I can see where I am going and have better control of where I place the snow and I have a rear blade on for clean ups and ballast. Now even if there isn't enough snow to blow I can "windrow it with the blade and then blow that away from the drive. I never end up with piles blocking line of sight at the end and I can get nice and close to the garage doors and other obstacles with the blade.
I’d seen your video in the past somewhere. Just caught this one. Subscribed!!!
Good video! I think you did well, I like the way you think.
I decided on a pronovost rear pull for my 4060. I love it! Allows me to get right up to garage doors and other obstacles.
A super and well detailed video explaining pros and cons of front vs rear tractor snowblowers👍🚜. In my area we only get heavy (8"++) snows every 5-6 years when a snowblower is warranted, otherwise my front mounted plow can handle less than 8 inches of snow reasonably well and if it's less than 5" then it's much faster ⏩ too. So when the need comes up for using my rear PTO snowblower, it's go time to use my mirrors🪞🪞👍. Even then on long driveways, I only go up the middle with the snowblower which then sets me up to come back and plow both sides (much faster). Of course if it's a 18"++ snow then it's going to be allot more snowblower work which I may get once every 10-15 years in my area (Maryland USA). In the end, it's your use case that may best decide which way to go, oh and don't forget - you will get more popular in your neighborhood so you may end up doing more than just your property.👌
one last thing to add about being cocked around for rear operation, left hand on the wheel, your right hand will be on the rear hitch height control most of the time for fine adjustments, which is even less comfortable, plus using that same height controlling hand, to operate chute rotation and pitch. and your leg hitting the loader valve dumping the bucket (on b) while you are backing up lol
Love my rear mount for the power efficiency and simplicity. But if I ever develop neck trouble, I'm sure that my opinion will quickly change. Nice video!
Nothing beats a front mount snowblower for the homeowner. Nuff said!!!! I think if I only had a rear mount I wud get e camera.
Very Helpful. Thank you, still going through the process of what kind of tractor to buy.
So I'm your neighbor to the north in Maine. We too went with the front snowblower. I have a John Deere 1025R with cab, front snowblower, loader, rear blade, and drive over mowing deck. My driveway is about 150 feet long, 2 cars wide, and it opens up wider behind my house to where you could drive an average sized car in circles between the garage and house. We bought our house in 2011 because of the location, it's next to a lake and my parents own and live in the house next door, my grandparents own the house on the other side of them, and my uncle owns the house up on the hill behind us. It's great having a family compound of sorts, and for the the most part we all live our own lives and do not interfere or share much in the responsibilities as all of our properties are adjacent but separate. We chose the front mount for the same reason you stated, comfort. I voluntarily take care of all of our driveways with the tractor and if I had to do it all in reverse the task would be not pleasant. Currently it takes me about 90 minutes to do all the driveways maybe 2 hours in a heavier storm and I have a heated cab to enjoy my coffee in while I clear snow before work. Thanks for the video.
I’m also in maine! I’m in the same situation, how has it held up for you?
Well Sir, you made the "Right Move" for that sub-compact little Bx tractor. These little-rigs NEED all the help they can get. With the front mount you CAN place each "Flake" exactly were you need it to go. I would NOT Have a "front-mount"..... unless Sombody was PAYING Me 75$ PLUS an hour to RUN IT. Front mount, Rear-Reversed, Hydro-powered Are ALL CRAZY PRICED Rigs. Will get a 6-7 foot rig rear 3 point mount PTO powered One once l see TWO Feet at once. Thank you Sir for the Excelent vidio and happy safe tractoring. Best wishes with all your endeavours.
Good comparison. Something to think about.
Excellent video
My dirt/gravel driveway is half the length of yours, but you've convinced me to get a front mount.
Thanks.
Keep an eye out for tomorrows video, and the next after that. I get real into my “sometimes not so happy” feelings on the front mount.
Hi Jack,
I've got the same front blower on my B2601 but use a BB2560 box blade on the rear. I have a concrete apron in front of the garage, 20' of asphalt at the entrance of the driveway and about 10,000 sqft of gravel. After watching your videos as well as @GP Outdoors (and using Dads rear mount... which he later converted to a SSQA front mount) I chose the front mount to spare my neck and back. It used to take 7-10 hrs to clear the whole driveway with a 28" walk behind blower, now it takes less than 2!
The front blower and sub frame was expensive but it cost less than what it cost Dad to convert his from 3-point to SSQA with PTO driven hydraulic pump! My only regret is that I haven't been able to use it much this year... 3 times since it arrived in November 😥. Seems like last winter I was snowblowing EVERY Saturday which influenced my decision to get a tractor in the first place!
Oh well, I bought several attachments (rotary cutter, grapple, and pallet forks) to make the tractor useful year-round, maybe next winter will be "better"!
Domenic
Excellent video, very fair comparison. For me, my BX is 17 years old. I went rear mount because I wasn't sure if I could find the front mount and drive shaft kits anymore AND it limited my resale possibilities to only those that had my model of BX (and I have yet to see one here in 10 years). My 3pt mount can be sold to anyone. I am considering a backup camera, 1 for the ROPS and another that I can mount to either side for the upwind side drift cutter to monitor the auger and distance better. No neck issues yet, but maybe this will keep me using it a lot longer.
Front mount all the way 👍🏻, good video Jack!
Good video. Front mount snow blower no use to me. I need my loader. That’s the main reason I have a tractor. The best for me is a rear mount snow blower that you pull. Can’t live without a loader all enter
You can mount your blower and not remove your loader just run with your loader raised all the way. At least on newer kiotis
@@nickf8028 how does that allow you to use the loader?
What do you use your loader for in the winter?
@@noworriesmate5903 firewood, maple syrup, unloading my truck, etc.
Pretty decent comparison there bud. To each his own, whatever fits your needs. Both I think will do the job. U made a lotta good points though. I went with a rear blower cause I wanted the use of my loader. Swiveling around can be a pain though if u do it for too long. I have a John Deere 3039R with full cab and a 60” blower. It’s doing well so far, no real complaints from me other than JD maybe could have made the seat swivel to the side 😆 I just sit on the edge of the seat and sit sideways rather than twist my back. 🚜 Overall a great video though. Cheers, Chad.
Plus our green pedals are user friendly...
You gave all the good and bad points on both.
I learned to backup using side mirrors when I was in highschool. It's a skill that has served me well with trucks, campers, and tractors with 3pt snow throwers. I'm 67 and no way could be cranked around as you show. Also, I clear about half of what you clear. I like having the loader available to spread sand/stone and I like the rear pto horse power.
Good summary but a rear mou t does not necessarily mean chiropractor bills. Well done Jack.
You get what you pay for. Front mount for me on my BX25
I have a rear mount snow blower on a cab tractor, mirrors on both sides and one in the middle of the windshield, it’s just like backing up your pickup. No looking back all the time 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Without even seeing the video the thought of using a rear mounted snowblower makes my neck hurt already. Having grown up on a dairy farm taught me that.
Nice video. This is my thoughts I run a rear blower on my bx. Gravel drive with grade and 4000' long. Today in the field there is about two feet of snow. Even clearing the drive , the snow base builds up. With the rear unit i can slightly raise to add more weight to the rear tires and when the tires run off the base the bucket works great to push yourself out. Yes the neck can take a beating but for myself the walk back for the truck or come-along and chain is worse.
I have a rear mount blower on my BX25D and like it. The thing I like about it is I still have my bucket on. I find there is areas where I can’t get blower in and need my bucket to scape and scoop. Also we don’t get snow all the time and I do road work filling pot holes,etc. so I still can use tractor without having to remove blower and installing my front bucket. If looking back is an issue,you could mount mirrors to see behind you.
Rear blower,front loader is equipped with a snow pusher,
Also I have a cab and Mirrors so I don't have to look over my shoulder
We get to much snow for a front blower as the oil flow is not strong enough to handle the snow load
Great video as always. I have a 200-foot asphalt driveway. I went with a rear mount because I wanted to keep my bucket available for some finishing work. I would have considered a different approach if I had gravel. I am in my 50's and not too worried about looking backwards which seems to come up as a big negative. Yes, rear is cheaper as well which made a difference I bought the tractor last year and wanted to spend the money elsewhere.
I just moved to central Maine from Arizona and find my 2 stage walk behind snow blower is a bit much for my 71 year old body to handle. I, too, have a long driveway, over 200 feet, but it's gravel, and on a hill. I'm looking for suggestions from people like you with experience. Any info is welcomed. Thank you.
Interesting take. I run a rear blower on my BX. I find sitting sideways to the left, I can hit the rear part of the HST peddle quite easily with my right foot. Peronsally, I like the rear blower and keeping the loader on the front as I use both at every snow. Yes, you do have to crank around, with the rear blower, but I've not had an issue, but I guess I grew up with rear attachements, so it doesn't bother me. Nice video
Another awesome video!! I use a rear mount on my B, my dad uses a front on his BX. I think another advantage of front style is driving off the higher RPM mid PTO, greater throwing distance and processing. I can see the difference from my slower turning rear PTO, the snow will almost pulse through the chute. I do love rear style though, not as comfortable as front, but having the bucket during snow storms has been indispensable. Plus you can remove and reinstall rear blower in about 2 minutes.
If it spins faster it also uses more power. Wait till there's a heavy deep snow his might actually stall the tractor while your lower RPM keeps chugging along.
nice video. I have a Massey GC1715 with a FarmKing 60". It's great for me in northern wisconsin. As for driving backwards ...it was ok but my pedals are easier to manage than that of a bota. I actually put mirrors and can drive backwards down my drive and do a great job. I also made a step/ standing pad to stand like a sidecar with hand control levers I made. It made the job easy. I need the loader all year so it will never come off in winter. and with a quick hitch I can take that blower off in seconds. I went with a 60" because my front wheels will not stick in un cleared snow when turning. My pto HP is near 20 so the 60" is just perfect.
Ya front mount snow blowers are nice. All my garden tractors are front mount snow throwers. I have one rear mount. It doesn’t get used much. Hehe. But if that’s all I had, that’s what I’d use. I have wondered about mounting two mirrors on the tractor which would make it easier to see with out turning around. That would help.
I’m gonna run both!
Good video, I like my front mount for my John Deere. Only thing i dislike is that when you have a drift over 3ft it can be a real pain.
With rear mount there is many aftermarket companies that make them, and parts would be more available as to a front mount that is discontinued for that particular model tractor.
Rear mounts also have a bit more power, since the PTO shaft is much shorter than the shaft on a front mount.
Front mount will also need rear ballast.
Meteor Pull Type Snowblower forward pull snow blower. MK Martins pull type snowblowers connect to your tractors 3PH. The hitch facing design allows you to drive straight forward pulling the hitch instead of backing it into the snow. This means you no longer have to keep looking over your shoulder when blowing snow or drive into a cloud of blown snow. Since the blower follows the tractors path guiding it around objects is easy.
Bought on last winter. Works very well.
There's only one reason why you see so many used rear snow blowers for sale. It's not because they love them but because they are a pain in the neck. For that reason it adds value to front mount blowers. Like you said, those who switch never go back to a rear mount.
Another reason I bought the front mount is that the ag tires on my tractor don't grip very well uphill in reverse, even with chains. I have an 800' twisting uphill driveway here in Vermont and I can't even imagine trying to snowblow it in reverse in the middle of the night.
It is brutal to back up with these on a bend or any sort in general. Ask me how I know.
Great video, very well put and unbiased. Another thing to add to 3pt blowers is that if the front of your tractor isn’t properly ballasted they can get squirrelly pretty quick. If you run a plow on the front with the rear mount blower you can windrow the snow then use the blower for finishing.... same can be done with a front mount blower and rear blade but I find rear blades tend to cut more aggressively. For me the rear mount is the blower of choice but for what it’s worth, in your case I 100% agree the front mount is the right unit for your property. Again great video and your info is on point.
At the age I am, I can't twist and turn my body like in my youth, thanks to my military days. Convenience comes at a price or save money and be unhappy body wise.
I will be making my Craftsman snowplow adaptable to the K Connect in the next few months and turn it into a dozer blade. That was also a reason why I wanted front mount snowblower to begin with.
Clearly the best is an Omni-Mount
Just surround the Kubota in snowblowers.
I reckon you can get 8 on it and just blow all the snow, ever, forever.
For me I have back problems so the headache of putting it together is better than twisting my back just to plow the snow. Plus driving in reverse gets to be a hastle.
Pros and cons to both as you’ve made clear. I think region plays into it s’more then anything. I’m in New England and a front mount will easily handle anything we get. If I was north in Canada where they get more snow, I would chose a rear mount. I like taking my time and the Snow blowing doesn’t have to be a quick chore, I enjoy tractor time.
More THAN anything.
THAN for comparisons, THEN for time sequences.
Hey great channel as always.. when i was doing maple syrup..i did a drip pipe into my pan.. put sap higher then pan..use a small tube hose ..like iv hose and create a siphon to let it constantly pour in. Just n idea
Higher THAN pan.
THAN is for comparison, THEN is for time sequences.
I think the pull type rearhitch blower is the best. Front is also good but wind throws snow in to your face if you drive against it. You need to have cabin if you can't choose when to work. We don't have those rear hitch blower at all, those witch you have to go reverse. I think they are terrible. Occasional work only. I guess they are cheap to do and buy. But still amazed that they exist. Thanks for shearing.
My driveway is half a mile long, dirt and gravel, twisting and turning through the woods. The only tractor-mounted snowblower that works in this situation is a front-mount. If I had to drive backwards to clear snow I probably wouldn't be able to move my back or neck the next day.
Rear blower is better.
1/2 the cost of front blower
Better turning radius in reverse
Better traction
Better in deep snow (height control)
Allows you to keep loader on for piles
Still cheaper after the chiropractor bill? I think not!
Just your opinion. I have been running a front mount blower for 5 winters on my BX. Lots of snow this winter. Works like a champ. No need for the loader for piles, don't have any piles. I blow it all away.
One other point is if you have a cab or not. It is fairly easy to turn around when there is no cab but it is not so easy in a cab.
Front mount with a rear blade is the only way to go for me. I clear my driveway with the blower and then come back with the rear blade and can scrape down to the asphalt. Rear mount blowers are for the young folks. :-)
I'm not that old, but having to sit 1/2 way turned around in the seat and constantly looking backwards at an odd angle is not something I'd find to be comfortable at all, for any period of time. I'd rather skip the blower altogether at that point and just buy a blade that can mount to the loader or just use the loader/bucket. Do a few driveways one winter with a front blade or the loader/bucket take that money and buy the front mount blower LOL.
Go with bucket on front and blower on rear. Guaranteed the blower will fail you at least once or twice during the season and having the bucket will save you. Besides you will also have heavy ice chunks courtesy of the local municipal snow plow that you wouldn’t attempt to remove with your blower.
1. If you’re going to upgrade the tractor, sell the blower with it. It’s basically an option that enhances the sale. You won’t need the old blower.
2. Wholeheartedly prefer the front. Even if I have to remove the bucket. Much better position to sit and easier to work on the massive build up from county plows.
3. You should have four wheel drive if you’re using a front blower.
4. You forgot a critical fact: You still have the three point for other implements. Specifically blades or box blades. For example, my front mounted JD blower leaves a skim layer of snow on the asphalt. With the box blade attached, it scoops that up, and when full (which happens in about 150’) I just back up and blow that off and move on. Or, I can attach the blade and move it to the side, turn around at the end of the drive, and blow that line away coming back. Either way, the process is quick, available since I have the three point available, and makes for less salt use. It also adds weight to the rear of the tractor, and allows me to get within a few inches of garage doors.
BTW, my drive is 350’ long with a very large apron at the top.
Completely agree about power too.
Also, the best blowers are front mount that quick connects to your bucket arms. Usually on larger tractors. This, IMO, and having seen my friends in NH, is by far the best way to go…but you have to have the bigger tractor - his was a 70 horse, I believe.
Front mount allows you to attach a scraper blade on the backajllowing a clearer job.
i pick both double them up and do in half the time
Very good video. I think for a property the size of the one that you have you should have probably got a larger tractor. I have an L3901 for just 13 acres. I think you have much bigger property than me.
I prefer 3 point blowers. Where I live I can have 4 foot drifts or more. I use the loader to claw them down. Couldn't go though that with a front mount.
i guess first requirement for front mounted snow blower is 4x4 tractor. Rear wheels without equipment are barely loaded and if you put additonal weight before front axle, it will just spin rear wheels. Or is needed to add additonal weight beyound real wheels.
With the rear mount you have all the functions up/down left/right and deflector. And the ability to have a loader with a pusher blade. The less time running the blower the less maintenance cost. Hand down rear mount all day.
Giving you have the relatively inexpensive dual hydraulic remote kit.
What would you recommend for steep icy driveways in northern California?
Does either version offer, advantages or disadvantage is when dealing with ice conditions
Rear mount, you could always sit reverse cowgirl on the hood lol
Some hoods would dent
Haha you obviously played on pedal tractors as a kid.
The other thing was pack sap with snow..but not too much otherwise sap freezes in large clean plasic garbage can and you cant move the garbage can as a block of solid ice
in my area its like a 2 3k diffrence f or r blower rear is around 2.5k and f 5k plusbut yes lenth of driveway makes wourld of diffrence.
I have a rear blower on my Kubota L series and a front blower on my BX25. The rear blower works perfectly but the turning around in the seat is painfully hard on the neck and back. However having the front end loader available is great. I use that to finish off a job or if the city plow dumps large chunks of broken ice into the driveway. These large ice chunks easily bust shear pins so scooping the mess rather than blowing it is preferable. The front blower on my smaller tractor is wonderful and easy on the neck. But again it is limited where the snow is laced with large chunks of ice. Once a shear pin breaks your tractor is useless. If a shear pin breaks on my L series I can still finish the job with my front loader.
Regarding snowblower types and systems, this was comprehensive. As to rear vs front mount, I personally Like to turn and basically sit sideways... I find it more comfortable than just sitting in the seat actually and i feel there's less sideways torque on the snowblower since it's pivoting on the fixed rear wheels. For larger guys, maybe a couple fewer beer nuts and you might find it easier to shift around sit sdie-saddle and look behind. I will say that if you only have one Long run of a driveway... okay, why not just face forward. But for average yard clearing and any sort of tight quarters, i like the rear style... it's compact, quick, efficient, you already have the hitch/lift mechanism and it's a universal design. Heck, i've even thought about adapting one to my ride-on (belt-drive) which only ever come with front-mount snowblowers 🤷
Really nice video. I am still torn. With mirrors I can see the rear mount being less of a pain. Someone else suggested a rear camera set up. I wonder how well this would work with snow blowing everywhere?
Its fine if you only use it when its light out. The camera should be able to see as well as you can if you can mount it in a cab where it wont get covered with snow. At night it will be useless the lights will cause the night vision on the camera to white/black out.
always have a little bag with the right wrenches/sockets and numerous shear pins at the ready. It will happen and the quicker you can get the broken pin replaced the better. After storms it is not uncommon for pieces of garbage cans, plastic bags, plastic, snow fencing, rope or could be anything to lie under a drift waiting to get into your auger.
You can’t rely on mirrors to drive backwards with a rear mount. The swirling snow will make the mirrors useless.
An inverted rear mounted is useless for residential purposes. You never be able to get into close spaces. There are only used for long highway type jobs.
Jack I looked on my Craigslist and couldn’t find a rear mount or front mount lol. After this month though....
May you please let me know how high the snowblower can loft off the ground? I have a steep part of my driveway that goes down to the shop and i am hoping it raises up 16-18 inches or higher from the ground. Please advise. Thanks!
The other advantage to a front mount is you get get hydraulic turn for your chute because your not using it for the loader the curl function usually is used for the chute control.
The other advantage for rear mount is if you get stuck with a front mount your gonna be going and getting something to pull you out where if you have your loader you can usually just pull yourself out using the loader. Being able to use your bucket and not having to swap back and forth is the main advantage to a rear so if your tractor does nothing but blow snow in the winter def go front. I use mine for everything so the loader might as well be welded on I only take it off to mow ditches because it does alter the center of gravity.
You forgot the fact that with the front you can put down pressure or leave on float.
I'd rather have the front mount snow blower, much easier to work with and you don't have to kink your neck looking behind you to run a rear mount. The front mount costs more of course but in the long run its an easier setup to work with as its out in front of you and you drive forward normally as you would with other implements or attachments. The downfall to a front mount is the cost of the added components (quick hitch, PTO shaft, etc.), however once you have the mount you now can add other implements that utilize that mount and PTO.
Having the front mount blower allows you to install a rear blade to complement the blower.
Hi, in the near future will be buying a tractor and blower and I've guessing what size of engine should I be looking for. Also should I be looking for tractor with a cab, I've had a stroke and need advice.
,
I just purchased the BX2380. Waiting on delivery!!! Wondering where u got the lights on ROPS from? Kubota brand or aftermarket? Thanks
The front mount might save on your chiropractor bill 🤣🤣
Rear mount frees up your loader. Front blower shears pins easier. Kubota trundle pedal makes it so u can set sideways and not kink your neck as bad. Rear mounts are easier to hook up and are cheaper.
OK, my machine is a bit larger, but figured some input is appreciated.
I have a 1968 Ford 5000. 67hp Class 2 3-point.
I run an inverted (pull type) rear mount. This mounts on the 3-point, but the "business" end faces forward. You remove snow facing and driving forward.
First, once you get much over a foot of snow, you end up having to run the machine really slow as you just can't feed the snow slow enough for the augers and fan to move it. Even with really big blowers, road speed is very slow in deep snow. Sure, the hydrostatic drive does this, but older machines or larger machines that are not all that old might not have this. So, you are going to have to go out and take care of snow several times when you get massive storms. This is pretty much a given regardless of your size and implement, so a blower over a plow or big over small does not matter quite as much as you might think. A smaller machine might need an 8" removal where larger can wait for 12" or so. But other than this small difference, you don't gain much.
Blowers are better than plows. Not on the first storm, but when you are on storm #3+ and you find you can't push snow back with a blade anymore. We used to have a plow and in many winters, I'd have to go out and cut back the plow berm to make room for the next storm. I don't know about you, but using a walk-behind blower on a plow berm that extends down a LONG driveway (mine is 1/4 mile, so you are talking 1/2 mile of berm cutting) you can be out there for hours. It typically took me 3 hours to cut back the plow berm. With a blower, you go slower, but it's the same job each time.
Front mount blowers always seem to get the wind to blow snow into my face. Rear blower might also be blown, but I'm not facing it. When you are out in a major storm doing your mid-storm cleanup, not having that blower load thrown right into your face is something you appreciate.
Front mount blowers can make intersections harder. You have more length and that snow chute potentially hiding cross traffic. This isn't a huge deal until the snow banks on the corner of your driveway begin to really pile up. With the rear blower, I have a better view when entering another right of way.
I can drop the rear blower near a garage door which leaves very little to clean up. I back up to the door (the only time I'm looking over my shoulder), set the blower down, and then drive away to clear. Some of the newer designs called "Cyclone" that have the fan mounted high and forward of the augers can even get closer to the door, but these models are for large tractors and cost upwards of $10k. For my work, having to shovel 18" strip in front of the garage isn't all that hard. And typically I use the walk-behind on my way to clear the front walk, so it's no big deal.
The real bonus is when I'm clearing that long driveway. I can clearly see the side markers or the road contour because there is no blowing snow in front of me.
My driveway is gravel, so catching a plow blade was common. You'd end up with bounce marks or divots. I've seen front blowers do something similar. With the rear drag, it doesn't seem to bite in as much and I can carefully angle the blower with the top link so that I avoid scooping rocks.
Rear blowers clean up after you drive over the snow. This does require you have the clearance, but that is the only issue. The implements are heavy enough to scrape any packed snow. In fact, I've been amazed at how well my blower has dislodged and broken up icy surfaces that even the walk-behind can't bite.
My particular blower is 7' wide and weighs 1000 lbs. Clearing the main 1/4 mile driveway, the bulk of the 3 houses it serves, the mailbox area, and cutting back the sides of the main road for 100+ yards in each direction (helps to keep our section of road nice and wide) takes just under an hour for a typical 8-12" storm.
Inverted rear pull blowers are NOT cheap. But if you have a significant area to clear and have to do it often, that cost tends to not matter as much. Careful shopping got me the 1968 tractor for $6k and the slightly used Pronovost INV-80 blower for $4k. For $10k I have the perfect snow removal tool. The tractor also grades the driveway and I use it to move logs around before cutting firewood.
From the content presented, great as always Jack, it doesn't appear that you touched on the inverted 3 point hitch snowblower. The big minus with them is that you are driving over the snow you are going to be snow blowing but Courtney at Good Works Tractors covered it pretty well and that doesn't seem to be a big deal. No, I don't own a tractor, yet, just presenting another viewpoint. Personally I think the front mount snowblower is the king but my driveway (75 feet long and two cars wide) would be ideal for an inverted 3PH snowblower. My garage is at the end of the driveway and that would allow me to drop the blower right in front of the garage, similar to a rear blade.
Courtney finally got to see the abilities of the Inverted.
Until you have spent time on these machines it is normal to have the feeling about going over the snow first. But first hand I can tell you that it isn’t an issue in almost every case. They are a game changer.
I would love to find someone local to me with a 1000ft or longer driveway and get a video “side by side in use comparison.”
Had both - rear mount stinks tired of being turned around in the seat. Front mount and rear blade is the way to go. With quick attach I can easily put on my bucket if I need to move or stack piles.
I added a pair of Mudds Customs mirrors to the FEL arm mounts and I use them most of the time. Running a rear mount rear drive frontier on Deere 1023. I need the FEL for some of the snow removal
I would totally agree.I am getting so that my head doesn't turn like it used to. It seems nothing wants to work like it used to, with me anyway.
Run an inverted the best way to go that way you can use the loader if needed. You just drove forward and it blows the snow. Never an issue live in ottawa Canada tons of snow and no issues
Do the snow blowers tend to shoot rocks? Break windows?
Interesting but I see you are sold on front mount. Well I am the very opposite. I have a rear mount and have used it this whole winter so far. Oh I must say I am thrifty (cheap) anyway I really like having the bucket on all winter as well. However I do not switch around in the seat, (yes hard on your neck and spine. I actually stand with one foot for controls and the other with knee on the seat. Dangerous, you may say, could be if going full speed but I drive in low and have not had one scary moment. I did put mirrors on side of loader as well so sometimes I just sit, facing forward and use mirrors to see behind. That also works great. My driveway is about 800 ft long as well with a large parking area as well. I have not regretted my purchase at all. I am also 75 yrs old and that is not an issue either. Front may be better for you but I really like the loader and use it all the time as well. Anyway what ever you do try it at the dealer. Remember this would be much harder than ever without the Kubota controls. Anyway to each there own ... keep smiling Dean
To each THEIR own. :)
Dear MH
Just purchased by Kubota this fall and found your videos very helpful....no rear view mirror so is it possible to mount a wireless backup camera...what would work best?
Thanks
Cameras will be constantly blurred by snow and moisture.
how many inches of snow do you think the tractor/blower could handle?
I live in Finland and i have never seen a reverse driven snowblower
I had a rear, it sucks. Now I have a front and a back blade.
Front mount is almost always better for the operator. There is a reason most commercial finish mowing or snow clearing is done while going forward.
Loader mounted plow to windrow the snow then rear blower to move the snow off the road
That might work in a suburban area. On our 800’ driveway, with trees and fences on either side. No way.
I went from rear mount to front mount on both my tractors. Would not go back. added a rear blade to the rear which works great. When I had the rear mount I was sitting with the wife and said you know when I die ours kids are going to spend my money . so i am going to enjoy it while I am alive and buy a front mount blower. She did not disagree. Note I also with with a heated and AC cab to boot
Nice! I always say that you can’t take it with you!
That heated and air-conditioned cab is gonna make you soft though. Ha ha
at mine age I need to have it soft. LOL
Mmmmmm Maple syrup!
There was a genius here in YT who posted a video of himself a few years ago. He had installed an inverted blower…at the front of his tractor. It didn’t make any sense, it was hilarious. Sadly, this video is now gone.