JD 3320 versus Kubota 3030 for Snow Blowing

[stonecastle]

What's the difference between a single stage and two stage blower?

[VT-Rider]

Single stage has only the main auger - usually running a bit faster. There is usually a flat paddle built into its center that flings snow out the chute.

Dual stage has an auger that needs only pull snow to the middle and into a higher speed stage that drives it up the chute.

Single stage is much lower cost but also much less effective...

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by VT-Rider

Single stage has only the main auger - usually running a bit faster. There is usually a flat paddle built into its center that flings snow out the chute.

Dual stage has an auger that needs only pull snow to the middle and into a higher speed stage that drives it up the chute.

Single stage is much lower cost but also much less effective...

VT,

Yes and no about the effectiveness, though there is no doubt the single-stage is more cost effective. I've toyed with this concept ever since I paved our drive. With the beat up condition of my 46" single-stage, even after a complete rebuild, if I needed to replace it, what would I get? -- This is a great question! -- Currently, I'm thinking it would be the 2-stage. Why, well because I'm curious. But, it well may be that I would again go with the single-stage due to it's simplicity and performance in a wide variety of changing New England conditions.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by JDFANATIC

VT,

Yes and no about the effectiveness, though there is no doubt the single-stage is more cost effective. I've toyed with this concept ever since I paved our drive. With the beat up condition of my 46" single-stage, even after a complete rebuild, if I needed to replace it, what would I get? -- This is a great question! -- Currently, I'm thinking it would be the 2-stage. Why, well because I'm curious. But, it well may be that I would again go with the single-stage due to it's simplicity and performance in a wide variety of changing New England conditions.

Just how old is your single stage unit that it needs to be rebuilt?

For a two-stage unit...get one of these...
http://www.pronovost.qc.ca/snowblowers.html

or go with their budget line...
http://www.pronovost.qc.ca/puma.html

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

Just how old is your single stage unit that it needs to be rebuilt?

For a two-stage unit...get one of these...
http://www.pronovost.qc.ca/snowblowers.html

or go with their budget line...
http://www.pronovost.qc.ca/puma.html

14 seasons old. And for probably half, it was used on gravel. No matter how good you are at the joystick, you occasionally slip and the blower is magically transformed from snow relocator to machinegun. The rebuilding I refer to is the metal shell and auger. The mechanical components are as new.

I belive those Pronovost blowers are all 3PH models. Fine if you want to keep your chiropractor in business.

[munderhill]

Originally Posted by DreaminGreen

You can't stand (get off the seat) or the machine stops, you would have to bypass a seat switch. I realy would like to do that, but something is telling me I would regret it.

My brother must have done this to his as it did not stop when I used it last. Probably had to do it for use of the winch. The PTO has to be on and you need to leave the tractor to hitch up the logs and draw them in.

MU

[JDFANATIC]

Originally Posted by munderhill

My brother must have done this to his as it did not stop when I used it last. Probably had to do it for use of the winch. The PTO has to be on and you need to leave the tractor to hitch up the logs and draw them in.

MU

On Deere CUTs there also a seat switch bypass so you can run posthole diggers, chippers, and log splitters, etc. You just can't activate it when the seat is down.

[smfcpacfp]

I can't comment on the JD rigs, but I would imagine that their products are similar to mine.

I have the Kubota B3030 HDSC below. It has front and rear wipers blades and a rear window heater which is nice for snow blowing. It also has plenty of light for night blowing which I rather enjoy:

My driveway is gravel, and level (400' by 20'). We get from 150 to 350 inches of snow a year. The unit works great on gravel.

It isn't necessary to raise the skids as someone mentioned for use on gravel. What you do is to drive your 4WD truck SUV up and down the driveway before you first blow and then raise the blower every so slightly off of the ground when you first use it. After that the ground will likely be frozen with a slight layer of snow on the ground.

The other issue some mentioned is power - the more the better. In reality this is a non issue. My Kubota has 30 hp. My prior rig was a gas driven 10 hp unit which worked great 95% of the time. If the snow is deep and heavy , you simply drive slower and take a smaller cut with each pass. The advantage of a smaller tractor is that is more maneuverable, which can definitely be an advantage when blowing.

[JDBrian]

It isn't necessary to raise the skids as someone mentioned for use on gravel. What you do is to drive your 4WD truck SUV up and down the driveway before you first blow and then raise the blower every so slightly off of the ground when you first use it. After that the ground will likely be frozen with a slight layer of snow on the ground.

Hi

Thats a real nice rig you have. I have never seen a 3030 with cab. Sweet!
I notice you don't have a hill on your driveway. I have a moderate hill on mine and when the snow is heavy it can be a real heartbreaker. For me, I would never do what you describe and create a layer of ice on purpose. Even a thin layer of ice can cause traction problems when you are trying to push snow up hill. The hill on my driveway dosen't get much sun so that makes matters worse. I just got a 4wd tractor this year so that will improve things for me this year. I have a blade on my tractor and a walk behind blower that I use for really large snow falls. We mostly get frequent small snowfalls of 2 to 6 inches and the blade works best for me. I keep my blower shoes raised about 1 inch and then clean up with the blade afterwards.

Brian

[Mayor]

Sounds like the blower on the front and a blade on the back will be the ticket. You will also have to buy a box blade for road repair this could be used on the back for snow as well as counter weight. Another option that JDFAN hinted is the 3 point blower. This can be used on many tractor so the cost is about half. This will then allow you to keep the FEL on the front to scrape ice and slush up if needed. Some kind of blade can be mounted on the FEL also as another option. I use a FEL and Box Blade to do mine but I have a small driveway. To many options to think about!

Front Blower (single) / Rear Blade
Front Blower (two stage) / Rear Blade
Front Blower (single) / Box Blade
Front Blower (two stage) / Box Blade
FEL (Bucket) / Rear Blower (single)
FEL (Bucket) / Rear Blower (two stage)
FEL (with front Blade) / Rear Blower (single)
FEL (with front Blade) / Rear Blower (two stage)
Front Blade / Rear Blower (single)
Front Blade / Rear Blower (two stage)

[Mayor]

Originally Posted by smfcpacfp

I can't comment on the JD rigs, but I would imagine that their products are similar to mine.

I have the Kubota B3030 HDSC below. It has front and rear wipers blades and a rear window heater which is nice for snow blowing. It also has plenty of light for night blowing which I rather enjoy:


My driveway is gravel, and level (400' by 20'). We get from 150 to 350 inches of snow a year. The unit works great on gravel.

It isn't necessary to raise the skids as someone mentioned for use on gravel. What you do is to drive your 4WD truck SUV up and down the driveway before you first blow and then raise the blower every so slightly off of the ground when you first use it. After that the ground will likely be frozen with a slight layer of snow on the ground.

The other issue some mentioned is power - the more the better. In reality this is a non issue. My Kubota has 30 hp. My prior rig was a gas driven 10 hp unit which worked great 95% of the time. If the snow is deep and heavy , you simply drive slower and take a smaller cut with each pass. The advantage of a smaller tractor is that is more maneuverable, which can definitely be an advantage when blowing.

Other then the color this is a great looking tractor!!! Someday I will have a set up like that.

[smfcpacfp]

Originally Posted by JDBrian

It isn't necessary to raise the skids as someone mentioned for use on gravel. What you do is to drive your 4WD truck SUV up and down the driveway before you first blow and then raise the blower every so slightly off of the ground when you first use it. After that the ground will likely be frozen with a slight layer of snow on the ground.

Hi

Thats a real nice rig you have. I have never seen a 3030 with cab. Sweet!
I notice you don't have a hill on your driveway. I have a moderate hill on mine and when the snow is heavy it can be a real heartbreaker. For me, I would never do what you describe and create a layer of ice on purpose. Even a thin layer of ice can cause traction problems when you are trying to push snow up hill. The hill on my driveway dosen't get much sun so that makes matters worse. I just got a 4wd tractor this year so that will improve things for me this year. I have a blade on my tractor and a walk behind blower that I use for really large snow falls. We mostly get frequent small snowfalls of 2 to 6 inches and the blade works best for me. I keep my blower shoes raised about 1 inch and then clean up with the blade afterwards.

Brian

It isn't a thin layer of ice that I create, but a thin layer of snow. It is very cold here in the winter usually, so we don't get much ice until the end of the season. I agree, I wouldn't want a thin layer of ice.

[PaulChristenson]

Originally Posted by JDFANATIC

14 seasons old. And for probably half, it was used on gravel. No matter how good you are at the joystick, you occasionally slip and the blower is magically transformed from snow relocator to machinegun. The rebuilding I refer to is the metal shell and auger. The mechanical components are as new.

I belive those Pronovost blowers are all 3PH models. Fine if you want to keep your chiropractor in business.

Well, when you farm...you are always twisted around checking on the haybine cutting a full swath...or making sure the tedder catching both windrows...or when you are creating windrows...you are making sure that you are picking up from the backside of the previous windrow while you create the next...or when baling making sure that you are not overwhelming the baler with large windrows...

And we haven't even got around to spraying or plowing/discing...

So turning a bit in the seat for little snowblowing is just a minor inconvience...

I have also found that once I set my 3ph snowblower, I'm good to go with my blowing......YMMV

[Team_Green]

If it was me i would do the front blower and the rear blade. Put ballast in the rear wheels and maybe chains if you feel you need them.

As for talking about winter its too close to be true. Its +6 tonight and tomorrow night is supposed to be +4.

[JD3520turbo]

I have a 3520, which has a little turbo on it, but is essentially the same as the 3320. I looked at Kubota when I bought it, but I liked the ergonomics of the JD, as well as hydraulic capacities, and Features. I like the two pedal hydro vs a heel-toe hydro. I like the cruise control and tilt wheel steering, and of course the little whistler under the hood, but basically the same or less money than the Kubota.