lx2963 vs lx2980 snowblowers

[Fatfenders]

How time-consuming or challenging do you think it is to switch between FEL & snow setup? Is it something that you view as easily swappable mid-season or is this a, "on in the winter, off in the spring" seasonal swap?

Took me about 10 minutes to take the loader off and I've only watched it done once. Took about the same amount of time to put the sub-frame on after I had only watched it being removed. After I do each a couple times, I'd think closer to 5 minutes each. Haven't connected the snowblower yet, but other than having to route the hoses through a loop mounted on the tractor, it appears as easy as driving up to the forks or a bucket, picking them and latching.

When I connect the snowblower for real, I'll take some pictures to show how that works.. I'd say it is easily swappable mid season with the loader.


Where I'm pointing, is where the 2nd rod is installed when attaching the sub-frame. The large round post about 2" up and right of where I'm pointing, is where you hang the subframe prior to the any pin insertion. It's relatively easy to lift, just slide back and hang it on those posts.

Both rods are held in with a spring pin.

This is the 1st rod installed when hanging the sub-frame. The sub-frame is very well balanced and easily pivoted into position to slide the 1st rod in. I lifted it with a few fingers. Once this rod is in, the front (2nd) rod slides in without effort.

This is the ring all 4 hoses need to be routed through. This ring keeps hoses away from places where they could be pinched. It was easy to route the 2 hoses through it that control up/down of the sub-frrame.
The 2 hoses for the chute rotation will also route through this loop once the blower is mounted. That's where that loop gets a little tight, but 4 hoses do fit.

 

[MNVikingsGuy]

Thanks. How does the attachment to the mid-PTO go? Is it fidgety like a rear PTO or does it fit up more precisely?

 

[Fatfenders]

Thanks. How does the attachment to the mid-PTO go? Is it fidgety like a rear PTO or does it fit up more precisely?

The PTO shaft slides on a splined shaft on the sub-frame and has a collar that pulls back to for attachment to the mid-PTO. Since the blower is not attached at this point, the PTO shaft rotates freely to allow alignment of the splines between the shaft and the mid-PTO. Never had a tractor before, but I'd assume all PTO shafts, mid or rear attach the same way. Mine snapped in place easily just by giving it a rearward push.

 

[MNVikingsGuy]

The PTO shaft slides on a splined shaft on the sub-frame and has a collar that pulls back to for attachment to the mid-PTO. Since the blower is not attached at this point, the PTO shaft rotates freely to allow alignment of the splines between the shaft and the mid-PTO. Never had a tractor before, but I'd assume all PTO shafts, mid or rear attach the same way. Mine snapped in place easily just by giving it a rearward push.

Thanks for your helpful replies. I have a new LX3310 ROPS + commercial snowblower due at the end of October. I am glad to hear that mid-season switching will be simple/quick, as we have long winters and I don't want my tractor to become a dedicated snowblower.

 

[Fatfenders]

I just had the 2nd snowfall in 2 days in Northern WI. About 1" yesterday and 2" today. Ground is still warm (about 42 degrees) so melting is taking care of it so far... Soon, I'll need to connect that snowblower and put it to work.

 

[S-G-R]

GP Outdoors just put up a video this morning on hooking up the front blower some of you may find helpful.

 

[GP Outdoors]

GP Outdoors just put up a video this morning on hooking up the front blower some of you may find helpful.

Thanks Gallows! I have several videos after this one on the channel, including the final install and a few blowing some heavy wet snow. I found out my "K64-22" blower is in fact the LX2980 model referenced in the USA. Mine was made here in Canada but to the same specs. Happy New Year to all!

 

[Fatfenders]

Thanks Gallows! I have several videos after this one on the channel, including the final install and a few blowing some heavy wet snow. I found out my "K64-22" blower is in fact the LX2980 model referenced in the USA. Mine was made here in Canada but to the same specs. Happy New Year to all!

Hey Gordy,

Welcome to OTT. Love watching your videos! My setup ought to look pretty close to yours!

 

[Bob L.]

My LX2610 was ordered in June and delivered this past October. I wanted the LX2980 but was told it would not be available till 2021. The solution I was offered was the B2782B that is the residential version. The differences i see includes the older B2650 frame mount that works find on the LX. Chain drive vs gear and no horizontal supporting arm in the back of the blower. The chute comes with a hydraulic rotator but i had to add the electric actuator for the chute up/down motion. We had a 14” snow a couple of weeks ago and the B2782b moves snow on a gravel drive effortlessly. I did upgrade to the larger tires from the SU tractor version and attaching the blower mount assembly is a little more effort as the tractor sits a couple inches higher than stock. Otherwise very straightward blower installation. Just remember the correct hydraulic hose connections.

 

[GP Outdoors]

Hey Gordy,

Welcome to OTT. Love watching your videos! My setup ought to look pretty close to yours! View attachment 52953

LOL! It does! Your property looks beautiful in the background. Happy New Years!

 

[S-G-R]

Hey @GP Outdoors happy new year and welcome to OTT. Looking forward to seeing what you have coming up for 2021.

 

[rAzkid]

Could you tell me the diameters of the auger, impeller and chute of the LX2980?

 

[Fatfenders]

Could you tell me the diameters of the auger, impeller and chute of the LX2980?

Auger 16", impeller 21" and chute is 8" x 6". Dimensions are approximate, but close enough.

 

[Fatfenders]

LOL! It does! Your property looks beautiful in the background. Happy New Years!

I'm located on a small lake in Northern WI, surrounded by other lakes. I guess we sort of think alike... Just moved here from the Southern part of the state in June 2020. Really like it here. Keep up the good work on the videos my friend! We're still hoping for more snow. Only about 1/3 of what fell here last year.

My place from 150' in the air. The edge of the lake is in the lower right, just out of view.

Mike

 

[Hobbit Habits]

Hello Fat Fenders.... Hobbit Habits here and brand new to the forum! A couple of questions for you (the 2nd for any forum member that happens to know). 1st question: can you give me a clue as to where in Northern WI you reside? I am curious because I have 40 acres including a cabin, studio, and wooded acreage near Seeley, WI. (North of Hayward about 8 miles.) Bought my LX2610 from Bar-H implement in Stone Lake. Now to the technical 2nd question: I am getting an LX2963 Residential front mount snowblower (to use next year now I guess)... do you know the added weight to the tractor of the blower and sub-frame? If not for the 2963, do you happen to know how much your commercial version of the 64" blower and subframe weighs?

 

[Fatfenders]

Hello Fat Fenders.... Hobbit Habits here and brand new to the forum! A couple of questions for you (the 2nd for any forum member that happens to know). 1st question: can you give me a clue as to where in Northern WI you reside? I am curious because I have 40 acres including a cabin, studio, and wooded acreage near Seeley, WI. (North of Hayward about 8 miles.) Bought my LX2610 from Bar-H implement in Stone Lake. Now to the technical 2nd question: I am getting an LX2963 Residential front mount snowblower (to use next year now I guess)... do you know the added weight to the tractor of the blower and sub-frame? If not for the 2963, do you happen to know how much your commercial version of the 64" blower and subframe weighs?

First off, welcome to the Forum. Lots of great information here. Another good source for videos is GP Outdoors on YouTube. Gordy has done a great job of posting videos of not only operation of his LX2610 and various attachments, but also maintenance.

I'm in Tomahawk, about 2 hours SW from Seeley.

As for specs..
The LX2980 64" commercial blower weighs 535 lbs.
The LX2940 Subframe and 4-point hitch does not have a weight spec'd. One end needs to be lifted by hand to hook to the tractor and I'd say that lift is 75-80 lbs. The whole subframe weighs maybe 120lbs?

I do not have specs for the LX2963 blower.

 

[Hobbit Habits]

First off, welcome to the Forum. Lots of great information here. Another good source for videos is GP Outdoors on YouTube. Gordy has done a great job of posting videos of not only operation of his LX2610 and various attachments, but also maintenance.

I'm in Tomahawk, about 2 hours SW from Seeley.

As for specs..
The LX2980 64" commercial blower weighs 535 lbs.
The LX2940 Subframe and 4-point hitch does not have a weight spec'd. One end needs to be lifted by hand to hook to the tractor and I'd say that lift is 75-80 lbs. The whole subframe weighs maybe 120lbs?

I do not have specs for the LX2963 blower.

Thank you very much for the quick reply! Yes... I have been a fan of GP Outdoors on YouTube since I started seriously looking for my tractor purchase several months ago. I would say it was Gordy's videos that pushed me more aggressively toward the LX2610. (I think he should be on Kubota's payroll quite frankly.) Anyway, thanks for the welcome and the information... much appreciated! Tractor-on!!

 

[Wilburforce]

Hi there, new user here. I am ordering in a new LX2610 and am looking to get the commercial grade snowblower for it. However, when I request it (LX2980 - or in Canada it's called the K64-22-7CF), my dealer says it's "too much" for the LX2610 and says the residential blower will be fine. Can anyone comment on whether or not the commercial blower is actually reasonable on the LX2610? Thanks in advance!

 

[Fatfenders]

Hi there, new user here. I am ordering in a new LX2610 and am looking to get the commercial grade snowblower for it. However, when I request it (LX2980 - or in Canada it's called the K64-22-7CF), my dealer says it's "too much" for the LX2610 and says the residential blower will be fine. Can anyone comment on whether or not the commercial blower is actually reasonable on the LX2610? Thanks in advance!

Find a new dealer. Stating the LX2980 is too much for the LX2610 is just hogwash. If it wasn't compatible with the LX2610, Kubota wouldn't offer it as an option. Period.

I bought my LX2610 tractor for commercial snow blowing of residential driveways. Last winter was my first with the tractor and the 64" blower works great. Obviously with any snowblower, ground speed needs to be adjusted for snow conditions. At no time did I feel my blower was too much for my tractor. Would I like more HP at times, of course, but the LX2610 handles it just fine.

Tell your dealer you WANT the LX2980 if that is what you can afford and desire. Walk away if he won't play along. Ever watch Gordy from GP Outdoors on YouTube? He's in Canada and has the LX2610 with the KF64 Canadian Blower. If the link doesn't work, go to GP Outdoors and look at video #342.

 

[jkrez]

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If anyone wants any detailed pictures of the blower or subframe, let me know! On the photo of the front of the blower, I placed my hat there for reference of that monster chute.

I have that blower and you can fit your head in the chute. LOL