Short Chute Snow Blowers Y/N ?

[Rick Ferrucci 17]

Hello,

  I’ve been using 42” snow blade on my GT14 for the past four years, and it’s been okay, but I’d really like to upgrade to a snow blower if I score a decent deal that comes nearby me. I have a walk-behind snow blower as a back up, if I need it. 

  My question is, should I pretty much, just try to wait for a tall chute unit? or do short chute units do okay? Do short chutes clog up in deep snow that runs over the top? If so, do tall chutes have the same problem? With either unit, do I just need to go out before the snow gets deeper than the blower I use? Thank you for your input.

  Rick 

[Blackhood Bill 721]

Rick, I can't say anything about a tall chute but my short chute had no problems last winter. Didn't seem to clog to me .

[rjg854 11,893]

I used a short chute blower for a couple of years on an 8hp tractor.  The only time it clogged on me was when the snow was really slushy.  I had a 2 stage walk-behind that didn't like slushy snow either.  

[pfrederi 18,344]

Short chute or long do not give up your plow.  for most storms plows  are much quicker and less messy (no snow blowing back in your face)   My bBlower only comes out after 10-12 inch snow fall or after several small storms and I need to clear some of the piled up snow

[WHX?? 50,782]

Beg to differ Paul but just the opposite here.

I gave up on plowing years ago and I've plowed with it all, truck, tractor, ATV. Always had too much spring work undoing what the plows scarred up. Read piles of gravel and dirt that they displaced. Not only that if you don't push it back far enough you run out of room to push. Blowing elimatned all of that. 

I do realize every property is different but plowing just did not work well on mine. I am a die hard blower these days and want to lauch it at far as I can.

That said Rick the longs are much better than the shorts. The shorts while they do work on 10 HP or less can get get ripped right off the blower in slush or even heavy powder but I am running a 520.  Plus the fact the most if all shorts are cable turn which was not the best invention. 

The thing here on RS is guys got things pretty well tuned for them and their needs and they know what works for them. 

Let us know you have more ?? and 

[Ed Kennell 40,544]

Sorry Jimbo, I gotta vote with Paul on this one.   The sloppy wet snows we been getting just clog up the single stage blowers.    And yes, the plow rolls up some stones , but they are piled along the edge of the road and not thrown 30 feet back in the yards or bouncing off vinyl  siding and vehicles.     When the thaw starts, I plow the melting snow and stones back onto the road before they drop into the grass.

I agree the tall chute is more efficient than a short, allowing the snow to gain velocity before hitting the chute deflector resulting in less clogging.

Every situ is certainly different and the equipment selection debate will continue.  Blower vs plows, gear drive vs hydro, ags vs turfs, steel vs rubber chains, etc.

I am looking forward to plowing in the warm quiet heated cab on the 520 if we ever get any frozen rain.

  

[wallfish 17,516]

Plow or snow blower, both have their place with pros on cons to each. Limit the cons by having a dedicated tractor for both attachments and use the one which best fits the situation each time or even both. The plow does a nice quick clean up after blowing the deep stuff. The SS blower doesn't work well for 1 inch snow falls and the plow doesn't work as well for 12 inches.

Long live the plow blower debate!!!!!!

 If the wife gives you any hassle about having 2 tractors, buy her a snow shovel and install the mower deck.

[AHS 1,491]

The short shutes have a steel cord that is to swivel the shute....I’ve spent many times replacing the cord! The tall chute ha a gear to gear! Tall chute is by far superior to the short shute. In my honest opinion.

[SylvanLakeWH 27,599]

I use a plow with a small single stage walk behind for clean up and walks...

 

No maintenance on a plow...easy to mount / store...

 

Works for me.

 

 

 

[WHX?? 50,782]

10 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

sloppy wet snows we been getting just clog up the single stage blowers.

Agree 100 percent Ed...and most times the deuces as well. 

[WHX?? 50,782]

2 hours ago, wallfish said:

having a dedicated tractor for both attachments

Ok if you insist! 

[Tractorhead 9,098]

Thinkin also about a small single stage blower.

Not sure if it bring me any advance instead of Plow, but i want try,

otherwise i have the beast with FEL to remove the Snow.

 

But i think a small single stage Blower can be a good option.

 

 

 

Edited November 19, 2019 by Tractorhead

[Rick Ferrucci 17]

No doubt, two dedicated tractors for plowing and blowing, is the best way to go. Actually I think the snow blower is better for the machine because it doesn’t rely on brute strength to push, which has got to be easier on the tractor. A few years ago, when we had two back to back blizzards, even with a walk behind blower, I wondered where I was going to put this stuff. Now I push it back extra far, just in case.

  Thanks for the input. 

      Rick