B2650 or other B's front snowblower mount compatibility with MMM & FEL

[sheepfarmer]

I am needing to replace my old Ingersoll which mows and snowblows. I covet a cab for winter so have been looking at B2650's, and not getting clear answers from dealers about best way to go to plan ahead if I want to eventually mow as well as snowblow. And to plan way ahead, if I need to sell it, to make it FEL ready for a future owner (I have an FEL on the 3560 so don't need one).

It is the subframe and/or "transmission reinforcement kit" that I am not clear on. There are lots of pictures on the forum of these tractors with both the MMM and an FEL. If you go to "build my tractor" on the Kubota website and choose snowblower, it pops up a box and asks you to choose either a loader package or a transmission reinforcement kit. The website will allow me to add a mower deck with no further items than the transmission reinforcement kit already selected. But I am not clear at all as to what you need to support the deck. It seemed logical to me to put the loader subframe on and then add the pieces to run the snow blower, but I can't find out what is compatible with what, or even pictures of all these parts.

Is there anyone out there with a front snowblower that has firsthand experience as to how big a hassle it is to switch back and forth to a MMM? And what is the most sensible way to get all the subframe strengthening pieces in there?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanks!

 

[KeithG]

I cannot answer you question directly, I can only give you information based on my front mounted snowblower equipment. The mounting frame for my B2710 snowblower goes from the front of the tractor to just behind the FEL mount. The drive shaft for the blower angles up from there to the mid PTO. I would think at the very least the drive shaft would need to be removed for the MMM. But I guess the thing I wanted to mention was that it is real easy and quick to disconnect the snowblower frame, remove one pin and loosen the the front locking block and the front lifts right off and then the whole thing just drops away. Hope this helps...

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thanks Keith, that sounds encouraging.

 

[ItBmine]

I hope you get the answers you are looking for Sheepfarmer. You've always been pretty helpful giving information on the L60 series here.

I have the old B20 series with a rear blower, so I'm not much help.

What I can offer though is I was looking for an answer to a question that I had conflicting opinions on from different salespeople and I sent an email to Kubota and they were quick to respond with all the info I was in need of.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thanks Itbemine, I am thinking from our respective signature pictures that we are feeling the nip in the air and thinking snow can't be far away

I am getting the impression that putting a loader subframe on without buying the loader is not favored by any dealers, perhaps they are ordered as sets, and it would cost too much. I think it would be stronger, but may not need the strength as long as I don't run the snowblower into any brick walls...

 

[ItBmine]

Well if I get to my dealer before you get an answer I'll let you know.

I did a build and price on a B2650 a while back set up just for a front blower tractor, but I don't remember seeing any of that.

If we can believe the Farmers Almanac, they say it is supposed to be a bad winter this year? I know we got rain last Saturday that washed out a few highways.

 

[sheepfarmer]

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=5

If we can believe the Farmers Almanac, they say it is supposed to be a bad winter this year? I know we got rain last Saturday that washed out a few highways.

See above cheery forecast from NOAA...but that said I just saw an article in Science that said some other weather feature, some westerly stratospheric winds switching to easterlies, that has always been reliable has done something totally weird and so now all the long range forecasts are in doubt. My theory is Michigan has got off easy this year compared to the rest of the country, so to make things fair we'll have a bad winter.

 

[NEPA Guy]

I don't know if this is much help. The front end is pointing right.

This is the frame I need to attach underneath the 2650 for my snowblower. It also acts as a QA for my snowplow. I need to remove this to attach the FEL.

I can only assume you need to remove it as well to attach a MMM.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thanks Nepa Guy, that gives me some idea of the size. Doesn't look too bad to get on and off.

 

[Dexter]

This might help. if link doesn't work search for kubota whole goods lists all attachments and what may be needed with them.

http://http://www.kanequip.com/assets/StateContracts/Kubota-B-Series-March-2015.pdf

 

[Toohipsi]

I know this isnt info regarding snowblower mounting on a B2650, but I just had the third function valve installed and got the Kubota B2673 hydraulically operated plow.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Nice rig!


Since original post I have found that it is possible to switch back and forth from FEL to MMM to snowblower. It remains to be seen how easy it is

 

[conropl]

I have a B2320 with the mid mount mower and front mount blower - I assume it is similar to what you are looking at. I also came from an Ingersoll for mowing and blowing. The B2320 is way easier to switch over... no way I would want to go back to the Ingersoll.

The frame that NEPAL Guy posted is fairly heavy, but is easy enough to remove... disconnect the mid-PTO shaft, pull pin to slide mounting rod out, unscrew clamp to allow the frame to be lifted off. This frame is used to lift and lower the blower.

With the frame on, the snow blower connects to the end of the frame by driving up and lower/raise the frame hydraulically to line up with the blower reciever (I put a 2x4 under the blower receiver to lift it up to make lining it up easier). There is a quick connect lever that makes it easy to pull it all together and lock the blower on.

The blower and frame must come off to connect the mower.

The mower is even easier to mount. It comes with ramps to drive over the mower. Then there is a lever up front to pull the front mount in place to quickly connect the front of the mower with a single pin. Then lower the center mount with the 3 point hitch lever and connect two pins (one each side). Then connect the mid-PTO shaft and you are done.

If I was to guess... I would say the blower takes 10 minutes or less to attach (5 minutes to remove), and the mower takes 5-10 minutes. Assuming everything is out and in good shape.

Hope that helps, and was not to confusing (I am not sure how to explain without pictures, but it is late and to dark for that).

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thanks conropl, that is a helpful comparison. Switching the stuff around on the Ingersoll is a PITA, so easier than that would be really great. I've seen the mower on and off, thanks to eipo, but have not yet seen the blower that goes on the current B series. I should be careful not to hurt the Ingersoll's feelings, it runs well still, and is doing ok hauling a leaf vac around, considering it is at least 20 years old. Not its fault it doesn't have power steering, 4wd, or a decent turning radius

 

[conropl]

My Ingersoll 4020 lasted me over 20 years and I sold it in working condition for a pretty good price. But towards the end, I began to hate that thing. Getting the blower hooked up was just a pain. From what I can tell from pictures I have seen, the blower mounting for what you are looking at and mine are the same. Relative to the Ingersoll, it should be a piece of cake.

If you buy one, a couple of things to keep in mind (you probably already know most of this):
- Get the tires loaded. It really helps. I have gone through a lot of snow w/o chains or weights, and haven't had any problems. I really thought I would need chains, but my dealer talked me out of it... he was right, and they are expensive.
- My dealer said the turf tires are actually better in snow and ice. That is what I did, and it does seem to work well.
- The Ingersoll blower is a single stage blower...the Kubota is a two stage. You are going to really like the 2 stage. The 2 stage lets you throw farther so the banks stay shorter... which keeps the drifts smaller.
- The blower will not bog down as easily as the Ingersoll, and it floats better. My Ingersoll Blower did not float well at all... I was constantly adjusting it up and down to keep from picking up rocks (not anymore... I don't touch it)
- My dealer installed a hydraulic motor to the shoot rotation. I hated the manual rotation on the Ingersoll, but this hydraulic rotation is really nice.
- The blower in combination with a back blade mounted to the 3 point hitch is a great snow removal combination, plus the added weight helps. After-market blades are fairly cheap.
- Compared to the Ingersoll... the power steering is really nice. I thought it was something I did not care about until I had it. It really helps with mowing (especially when you are trimming in tight around something).
- No more belts... ya-hoo
- Keep a bag of shear bolts on hand for the blower. Two sizes... one for the auger and one for the impeller. This blower does not like stones. Although that is probably more of a problem with my drive than it is a blower issue. I keep my blower adjusted up quit high and it does well on my rocky drive.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Yes I am really looking forward to power steering! My Ingersoll is a 4018. Wonder how many are still around? Heard the company is defunct and parts may get hard to find.

Thanks for your insights!