Go BottomDo people like 3pth snowblowers
 | Oliver
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 210 Massachusetts 
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2005-03-14 107977
Clearly a front blade won't work on my 7510. By next winter I will be living in my new house with a 500' gravel driveway. I have a 6' backblade and FEL which I have used to plow the driveway. I am thinking about a 5' rear snowblower. My concerns are three: First, how well will the blower work on a gravel drive? Second, for those who have one, how much of a pain is it to drive backwards? And third, I currently use a little 22" single-stage blower to clear the paved driveway of my current house. When the wind kicks up, it's no fun getting blasted with snow. Will a two-stage blower "ovepower" the wind or will I run the risk of getting hit with a significantly bigger stream of snow when the inevitable wind comes across the open meadow?
I'm set for this year, but thought that if I go the route of a blower I might do a little better buying at the end of a season rather than the beginning of one.
Thanks!
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| havoctec
Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 56 Minnesota
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2005-03-14 107980
First, wind will be an issue with any snowblower. No such thing a overpowering the wind. A cab is the best option for blowing snow.
Why won't a front blade work? A hydraulic angling blade would be the fastest way to clear 500' of drive.
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| Oliver
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 210 Massachusetts
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2005-03-14 107981
I love the idea of using a front blade, but I want to keep the loader on. I was hoping I could take the bucket off and put a 5' Curtis plow on the loader arms, but I think (and from the advice I have gotten from others) it will weigh too much (close to 500 pounds) and stick out far enough so that the tractor becomes front heavy. If other suggestions about attaching a plow to the loader arms are out there, I would love to know!
Of course, I could just sell the 7510 and buy an L series tractor... ....
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 | yooperpete
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1413 Northern Michigan 
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2005-03-14 107982
Consider getting a sheet of Lexan and mount it to your ROPS with U-bolts using a rubber grommet or washer mounted in 4 places. That will protect you from some of the snow. You can take it a little farther by getting a sheet wider and have it bent at a local fab shop to give it some sides as well to hide behind. Lexan is expensive, but much less than a cab if the cost of a cab is beyond your budget. (ie. you can cold bend Lexan on a brake and make nice 90 degree bends) ....
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 | DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ 
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2005-03-14 107999
In terms of blow back:
1)I have the front mount blower on a B7610, it does sit out further from the seat than on the BX or a garden tractor so you get a little less snow dust back. I think the rear blower would be closer to you and you might get more dust.
2) Since it is a two stage blower you can point the deflector down more so it is not going up high and catching the wind
3) Most important of all I bought a good pair of antifog ski googles, no more more biting snow in the eyes if I misscalulate the wind.
4) Check the wind direction and use the tractor accordingly.
I know someone that has the Curtis plow on a B2910 and really is not happy with it on a 600 foot drive with rough gravel. Doesn't float well, too heavy so it loses direction control easily. Makes a mess with gravel all over the place, needs to sand and salt because he cannot get a clean surface.
I chose to pave the drive and get the front blower and rear grader blade. When I have slushy conditions the grader blade is great, and for scraping compacted snow from tire treads it is fantastic. A rear grader blade alone would be poor but as a complement to a blower it is awesome. I did not have to sand or salt my drive the entire winter with this set up, a record for the hill I live on. ....
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| Oliver
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 210 Massachusetts
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2005-03-14 108000
I found a new Kubota 60" rear snowblower for $1995 -- the Kubota dealer said he's trying to get rid of them as the seaon is winding down. I'm not sure of the model -- I'm going to check it out next week.
I also found a used (private sale) Woods model number 5200 for $2000 -- used 3 times, in excellent shape, etc.
What are people's thoughts -- either of them seem like reaonable deals that I should pursue?
I also read soemwhere on this site (posted by Murf, maybe) that a 4 bladed fan is better than a three. How important is this?
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| DennisCTB
Join Date: Nov 1998 Posts: 2707 NorthWest NJ
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2005-03-14 108003
A 50" front mount 2750 with the subframe and quick attach is about $2500. This is a fairly lightweight blower though, more HD would cost more. I think a 60" would be more than you need for a 500 foot drive I have the 50" for 1500 feet by 10 foot, and I feel like I am looking for more to do..... like somebody elses drive ... Iam done so fast. Wider means heavier and harder to mount unless you realy need it.
I seem to remember people posting about $1500 for some rear mounts, not big three though. ....
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| mechanic1
Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Upstate NY
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2005-03-14 108006
I have the PUMA 64" 3pt snowblower. Bought it from local Mahindra dealer with my tractor (2615). Blower was under $1500. I use mine on 2 runner crush driveways by setting the shoes so the cutting edge is up about 3/4" off my garage floor. Haven't picked up a stone yet. I also made my own cab from angle and plexiglass for under $500. from Home Depot to keep the wind blown snow off me. It is a little hassle driving backwards sitting side saddle. As far as using a blade, I adapted an used 7 1/2' truck blade to my bucket with a turnbuckle on each side and a $15.00 come-along centered and straight blade the driveways when the snow isn't too bad. Takes about 10 min. to take on or off the bucket. ....
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