I see you're using the correct technique when driving backwards. I worked 30 years as a forklift operator for a large Canadian brewery. Safety rules required us to drive backwards as soon as we had a load on the forks, even if it was just an empty pallet. The trick to driving backwards long distances is to turn your whole body in the seat, not just your neck. By the way, you have a nice place that seems quiet.
I have had both. As far as function and comfort you can not beat a front mounted snowblower. The only pluses of a rear mount are interchangeability and less cost. The only thing I don't like about a front mounted snowblower is the effort to install it. I don't use a loader so it was a no brainer for me to have a front mounted blower. I also bought a JD 2025R with a cab this summer. Can not wait to blow snow without goggles, snowmobile suit, and frozen hands.
I have a heater and cab on my JD 2025R. Plow I have had and it ruins yard because I have to push snow onto lawn far enough to allow for more snow to come. Plow builds banks on edge of driveway and snow blower throws snow 25-40 ft away. I will stick with blower.
Great snowblow action. Yep, after hearing how much a front snow blower cost, I too would have opted for something much less expensive. Plus had you gotten the front snow blower, you would only use it for maybe 20-ish days out of a year. Hope things thaw out for you soon and you can focus on warm spring weather and warm weather chores. Enjoyed a full-watch, Kirk. Have a fine weekend. Don 👍🏽🙂
LOVE my pull snowblower, I've got a 68'' MK MArtin Meteor. Works absolutely the best if you live in the mountains that doesn't deal with tall drifts. Backing up is a pain in the neck.....literally. I have a 86'' hydraulic blade on the FEL. This combination work very well for my parameter. Open end rear facing works well for breaking new ground or high drift scenarios.
I purchase a rear blower for the same reasons you mention.The mirror is a good option that I will probably install on my BX. I'm also thinking of installing markers on the snowblower to help figuring out the its position in the rear mirror.
The rear mount is the best imo. I have a big blade on the front loader arms, and an old farm king blower on the back. Our driveway is 1/2 a mile long. We’re getting a new blower soon because the old one is hammered from Colorado winters. Good video!
Good evening Sir, I totaly agree with you Sir 😉👌👍 Very well informative video Sir 🧐👍 You snowblower and your tractor are working OUSTANDLINGLY VERY WELL SIr 😉👌👍🧐 Cheers 🍻
I think the rear blower is simpler (less parts to break) and a rear will handle more snow. Then you still have the bucket. I’ve had a 64” Blizzard blower on my B2710 Kubota for 20+ years now. Chiropractor visits optional.
I had the 2710 also for a few years. It was a nice little tractor. That machine served me well I handled a 20” snowfall with inverted on it. And was ok.
I have the same setup on my jd3046R. Our driveway is 900’ long. What I find works for me is pushing the snow first with the bucket down the driveway into a pile… spinning the tractor around and blowing the pile then spinning around again and pushing the next stretch of driveway into another pile and repeating that process. I find that eases the stress of long runs looking backwards.
So I think this rear mount is a great option, however, I have a bad neck. I have 3 rear view wireless cameras on my travel trailer with a 4th that has magnets that I can wire into my 7 way plug for power. The 7 inch screen allows for combinations of the cameras. I might try something like this with a larger screen if possible to limit the amount of time I would need to abuse my neck. I like your mirror idea greatly. I would limit my head turns to the critical times only, and maybe even add a 2nd mirror. Well done.
A L6060 with a front mounted blower is much better if you have a 1/2 mile driveway and live up in Maine. It might be more expensive, but it is more practical and better for many applications. Your points are great for when your primary concern is saving money.
Forgive me ignorance...I just don't understand why most professional snow contractors have rear mount blowers...is it simply for the savings or do they know something we don't?
I used to have a front mount snow blower on my 2032r, but quickly realized I didn’t enjoy the spring and fall routine and especially didn’t enjoy the fact my loader was out of commission. I ended up going to a snow pusher bucket and rear blade on my 3046r which is perfect. I will say, I would love to buy that exact snow blower for when we get a heavy snow fall or to blow a pile to a different location. I’ll say, the best decision I made was buying ski goggles to wear when blowing snow. You learn to play the wind, but having goggles on is a game changer for comfort! Nice property.
YES to goggles! Consider getting a ski helmet too. Keeps your head warm, protects the brain when you fall on the ice (been there done that), and mutes the sound of the tractor.
Man, you NEED a "Power-Adjustable" Chute. I would have "At Least" some "home-made" Ropes,pulleys,cables,hand crankshaft or SOMETHING to Control that Chute 's ROTATION & DEFLECTION...should only cost about 10 Bucks & some "Ingenuity ". Thank you Sir for the Excelent vidio and happy safe tractoring. Best wishes with all your endeavours.
I have the Grand L6060 and I must say, your video just made me feel so much better about choosing a front mounted blower. Also glad I got a cab too. It takes me less than 10 minutes to switch back to my loader. As far as the cost? Well, work harder and pay for the things you want in life I guess 🤷🏻♂️
This winter just out of curiosity I mounted a two inch PVC pipe to the cutting edge of my blower, it turned out to be a great test, now my blower does not pick up the gravel anymore. I have a video of it scheduled for the 25th.
I also think this is the best option for you, although you have a long driveway. The inverted snowblower is rather for frequent snow removal where you don't let much snow accumulate, especially those guys in town clearing driveways one after the other in the whole neighborhood. As for the two eves that face each other. I've learned that making mistakes means you made decisions and/or actual work. When you never make mistakes, that is usually because you don't accomplish much! Thanks!
Her in Norway we mostly use inverted snow blower and its just bullshit that you can't blow deep snow with it the deepest I have cleared is about 80 cm of snow no problem at all
Good points. Years ago I put an electric motor to turn my chute. I think it was a power window motor from a junk yard. Of course if i was loaded a second cab tractor with a front blower
I’ve been running the same set up for about 15 years. Your analysis is 100% accurate. The pros outweigh the cons. I sit sort of sideways in the seat and get my foot on the hst pedal just right. It’s not THAT bad. The worst is the blowing snow. I’ve considered a piece of lexan in the rops to block some of it. I’ve also learned that a small adjustment on the discharge chute can make a big difference as well depending which way the wind is blowing. Great video.
I never thought of a piece plastic or something on the rops you might have something there. Your spot on with the blowing snow, someday it would be great to have a cab tractor with some heat and coffee. I also try to “practice” looking over the other shoulder but it’s hard all my controls are on the one side.
I spend, 1-2 hrs a week on average blowing snow. Swiveling around to navigate a back mounted snow blower is a reasonable solution for me. However, if I were a snow removal guy, blowing snow for hours at a time, I think I would find the rear mounted blower to be too uncomfortable and would look at some other solution, probably an inverter
@@backinthewoods2022 I feel Yamaha. I used a 12 hp John Deere garden tractor and Yamaha 4 wheeler for years. Now I'd love a 50 hp with a grapple and no cab to leave my tree winch on for firewood.
I just picked up a used model like yours I can't wait for snow I was getting tired of pushing snow with a blade first time one came up in my price range
I have a similar setup on my kubota but I also have an 8 foot blade on the FEL. This way I’m usually driving forward and can plow the snow into a berm. Then just back up and blow it all away.
You just gave me a good idea. We have a lot of snow this year where I can’t tell where the ditch is on my drive. I’ve been taking my back blade and trying to push the piles on the side farther back but it’s so much it just falls back and if I do it with the blower I have to get close to the edge and have gotten sucked in a couple times. I can just adjust the blade to pull the snow back into the middle of the drive then switch back to the blower.👍
I use a rear blade on my L4600 because we just dont get enough snow to justify anything more. But I have a walk-behind snowblower thats 2.5 feet wide. Actually - I have 2 identical ones. I have toyed with the idea of strapping both of them to the front loader bucket and making a chute the funnels the snow to them and then pushing that, lol. Be funny to see in action.
How do these handle sticks and rocks? My driveway seems to always have rocks and limbs that fall and I can’t see every stick in the snow. Wondered how often you have the pia of having to replace a shear pin?
I’d really like an inverted blower but they are really expensive and my cabin can easily have over 3 feet of snow that needs to be cleared. The inverted blowers will do pretty deep snow if you can back into it. The big rear tires will usually climb 2+ feet then you drop the blower and drive back out. Just keep taking bites like that. If I was in a situation where I could keep up with it and not let it get 5’ deep then the inverted would be perfect. I currently use my loader and a box blade which actually works better than I could have expected. It removes the snow down to the pavement even though I have to drive over it which makes me confident that an inverted will too.
thanks for sharing....been thinking about buying a blower...I have a 1 1/2 mile drive on a hill with several curves....not sure that I could deal with backing up or backing down to blow the snow
I’m 65 and I have the same set up My seat is just big enough to kinda side saddle sit and I blow my whole property we have hoses so my job is 3 hrs long after a good snow dress for success
I came to the same conclusions as you. I live in Montana and use my loader on my open station Kubota L3560 all winter to move firewood with the bucket and other things with the pallet forks. On long stretches of straight road I engage the cruise control but I also swivel my seat when in reverse. Your trees along your driveway aren't as big as mine and I turn my back to the shute as I've picked up gravel that bounces off my trees at times. I tilt my shute down a bit so it blows the snow about 20 feet so that I end up wearing less of the snow. I also wear a hooded raincoat and ski googles because the snow doesn't stick to it.
I should play with the chute angle see if that helps with the blowing snow I too wear goggles when the wind is blowing good Some days wish I had a closed cab
@@backinthewoods2022 I hear ya' about at times wishing I had bought mine with a cab, but I spend a lot more time doing tree work in the summer in the woods and I know I'd beat the crap out of a cab.
@@mttrapper yeah me too getting in and out all the time would probably be a pain to would be nice in the winter to have coffee and the radio and heat going I’d start blowing the road off
It was -36º F here this morning. No, not wind chill minus 36º, -36º. It's warmed all the way up to -22ºF. So, yeah, a heated cab, coffee in my cup holder, and tunes would be great! I have about a foot or so of new snow on my road. My neighbor called and asked me to clear his road and parking are for Xmas guests arriving. I told him he doesn't have enough money to get me out today and that I'll do it tomorrow when the high is forecasted to be +18º.
A big problem with an inverted is blowing snow between two buildings. You always have to blow off to one side. Can't blow it into your path. You'd always need to clean up the last row with a bucket.
Can’t those pull types blow forwards over the tractor? If not, you could also just turn off the pto and use it as a box puller between the buildings. Or just blow it down to one side to the back if there’s room.
Find a used front mount, they are hard to find but they're out there. I just barely picked up a used front mount kubota snowblower for $1,000. Pro-tip: look in the spring/summer, not the fall/winter. Rear mounted is an ok compromise but if money were no object, i think we'd all choose front mount with a cab hands down.
I actually just got another tractor used with a front mount and cab. Now I have the best of both worlds and Iam waiting for winter again to try this thing out.
I can go from the loader to the front mount blower in 10 minutes. I would think about a 3 point blower plus I’m old and have a hard time turning in the seat
I never got to the cost factor. The ability to use bucket or forks all winter decided it. You don’t need hydraulics to adjust shoot. Kubota sells an electric shoot turning unit. I mounted switches on right rear fender because I turn to the right to watch where I am going.
Yeah definitely for you i can see the versatility aspect. For me though, im doing roads for about 5 hours every snow. So rear mount is completely out of the question lol. Also, little tidbit. If you're like me and need front mount. Either go self contained ( not possible without a proper wheel loader really ) or go hydraulic powered. Do not go PTO front mount. I know a few that own those. Yes more direct power, less price. But if you deal with a lot of snow. It WILL break. Shear pins or shafts. I have a neighbor with a front mount PRO blower. And every single winter he is down 2-5 times. Even completely ripped a shaft to pieces. This is not a problem on the rear mounts because the shafts are much shorter. But his shaft goes from the center of the tractor to the front mount. But these issues don't exist with a hydraulic blower, the hydraulic fluid is your shear pin. 25 years of use, and my blower has only had an auger bearing fail. That could happen to anyone. Especially after what i put it through. Lol
Are you familiar with the Messick videos? I think they did one about how hydraulic front mount are not all there cracked up to be but I think there in like Indiana so they dont have the experience northerns do. I’ll take my advice from someone like yourself👍 I would love someday to have a front mount with a cab just have to win the lottery first
@@backinthewoods2022 That's funny you should say that because after I watched your video the messick's video popped up in my feed haha. I will say I can see where they're coming from, because they are referring to tractors that use the onboard hydraulic system. And 100% that does not transfer enough power. The tractor I have is an 80 horse tractor, with a PTO driven hydraulic pump with about a 50 gallon tank on the back. And it uses 1 1/2 hydraulic lines. The fluid is a little old right now but with new fluid I should be getting about 60 or so horsepower to the blower. It is 8 ft 6 in with a 2ft cut. So even with fairly large snowfalls I can easily throw at 80 ft. And yes you will need to win the lottery haha In 1998 it was about 120,000 haha
The argument about driving over the snow with an inverted snowblower is moot because the snow is only packed down for about 10 seconds until the blower scrapes it up and clears it away. As long as your tractor can drive through the snow it's not a big deal. Hopefully you can keep up with the snow fall so you don't have to worry about driving over it. I would argue that the inverted is the best way to go, because you're driving forward, won't get covered in snow like a rear mount 3pt snowblower. Granted there is more cost, but I think the inverted nicely fills the gap between rear mount and front mount tractor snow blowers.
Not if you need to deal with a foot or more at once, it all just depends on what your situation is. I can’t always plow with the storm so the inverted to me isn’t the best plan. Plus where I’m at, a lot of times it’s a wet snow that packs when you drive over it so, I’ll keep using the rear mount blower like I have for the last 40 years…. ✌️
Yes. Pull type rear blower is best. You see where are going and all the snow isn't in your face. Driving over snow is a broblem only in unexperienced mind. Unless amount of snow is something senseless. Nobody in europe buys those back/neck twisters.
I live in Central NY, and use a 15 inch tall rear blade for general plowing, of snows up to a foot deep, and scraping to prevent hard pack buildup, with a 72 inch loader bucket to break through 3 foot drifts , deep snow/ first pass pushing, and both making and moving piles. Doable, but slow. Moving the driveway/roadside windrow of snow from the blade, further back to make more snow storage space is lots of back and forth work with the loader, if the piles freeze. Although the rear blade offsets, if the pile has really frozen, it just shoves the 45 hp tractor sideways. So Im always pushing fresh snow piles back with the rear blade, after the driveway is plowed, to make more storage space, for the next snowfall. I used to plow everything out with a walk behind blower. It was a 4 to 6 hour task, but there were no roadside piles to double or triple handle. It now takes only 1 to 1.5 hours with the tractor. A significant improvement, but you dont generate any body heat on an open station tractor, like you do walking and maneuvering the 30 inch walk behind snow blower. ( A cab tractor is too tall for the barn.) Im considering a used 3 pt blower to move the windrows, or bust through the deep drifts. Hook up, and back down the line, and the pile is quickly spread up to 25 feet away, as a large wide hump of snow, that melts faster in spring, instead of a loader built pile that is 8 feet tall and 25 feet long, at winters end. After 3 winters using the tractor, Ive reduced the amount of gravel that ends up in the piles and in the grass, but the blower might make things quite a bit faster, and I could also readily help the neighbors, if we get really dumped on. Buffalo got 6 ft of snow in one storm early this winter. We have gotten 18 to 24 inch snowfalls, but not in the last few years. Theres nothing like a blower to " move snow quickly".
I would never consider having a snow blower like this here in Norway we are almost only using inverted snow blower and it's no problem driving over the snow I clear the snow when it's around 40 cm we get about 2 meters snow in the season and when I drive between buildings I direct the snow shoot between the blower and the tractor I really don't understand why inverted snow blowers are that expensive in the us in Norway its the cheapest I bought a used tractor in order to get a cab it's a old 1993 model john deere but it works perfectly that way I can stay warm and comfy
Here's a stupid question from a dumb Southerner. Regarding the driveway, have you seen the big rollers "they" make that are filled with concrete? They are intended to be pulled behind a tractor or whatever. They are made for packing down dirt or gravel. Why would it be a bad idea to pull one of those up and down the driveway, packing the snow down? With the snow packed down, you would have no problem driving vehicles on top of the snowpack, right? Yes, it would take forever for the snow to melt in the Spring, but why would that be a problem? Again, sorry to be an ignoramus - I'm sure there are good reasons why that's a bad idea. Can you please let me know what they are?
Obviously you don't live where there is snow??? First reason it would never work... Most important reason if it did work.. you would never get up your driveway come spring.... It would be so full of soft spots and potholes in hard patches you would never make it
It would not take very long and you would have a tall precarious rounded driveway and the ditch would swallow your vehicle and probably flip you tractor on its side. The packer snow would become ice and the shoulder would be slopped with no rim for error. I don’t think your tractor would be able to pull a roller because of no traction and during some types of snowfalls the snow would continue to stick to itself making it impossible to pull. I’m Wisconsin here it snows for six months sometimes into April.
@@backinthewoods2022 Thanks for taking the time to reply to me! If you were to run that experiment, I bet it would get a lot of views and comments. I'm confident that it would turn out as you said. Thanks for the interesting content!
