Frontier 54" Snowblower - Bargain or Bust - Let's put it through the Torture Test!
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- Not all implements live up to the hype. I've previously owned two small tractor-mounted snowblowers. Both were deep disappointments. This will be strike #3 and I'm done if it doesn't work out.
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l bought a manual SB1154, and converted it to electric. l used a 4 inch actuator for the deflector, and for the rotating chute, l took out the crank rod, but l left the screw mechanism, put a small shaft to a Power Window motor, and for the switch, l used a switch off of a automobile Power Mirror, and plugged it into the 12 V outlet. Works fantastic ! The cost to convert was about $250. l wish l could send you photos of it....
Whow! Sooo good.
First of all - thanks for tuning in. Second - thank you for your comments. I'd love to see photos from all angles!
If you're willing to share, you can text them to me at 604-230-8051.
Again - huge thanks for sharing. Sounds like a terrific solution to manually adjusting the deflector.
Hey Howard! Great work in the snow! 16° F here in Southeastern Pennsylvania this morning. That's pretty cold for us Southerners, lol! We still cannot hold a candle to our tough Canadian brothers and sisters though! 🥶
And a hearty happy birthday to our friend Lenny from John and Beth all the way in southeastern Pennsylvania 🎉🎉🎉
Done! Thank you! Will definitely pass your wishes along.
Im doing some commercial work and bought an x350 with a 44 inch front mount. It actually works really well in most snow being 2wd chained up with weights. The thing is I want more! I just inquired about a 21 1025r with a loader and 1154 rear mount blower for 16k. Fingers crossed. My only concern is doing residential driveways with it having to drive backwards and all. JD does make a front mount 54 but they just dont seem very well made! This video blew me away with the performance of that thing! Great video!
Thanks for tuning in! Just watched your video short. Love it!
I don't mind the rear mount for what I do - but it's because I don't operate it more than a couple hours a week at most, and I really like having a front bucket.
I really debated getting a front mount. And after owning a rear mount - I hear what you are saying about the whole notion of driving backward when doing the amount of plowing that you'll probably do. A few decades back when I drove large forklifts for a living, most of which involved driving backward over uneven ground - it can take a toll on neck, shoulders back and more. For that reason alone, I'd probably go front mount with a rear mount blade that you can turn 180 degrees for clean up and corners.
What I really like is a rear mount blade (which I have on another tractor) for blading the snow into rows. That way I can get right down to the hard ground surface. Then I use the blower to get rid of the rows before doing a clean-up with the blade.
I think you could accomplish the same thing with a front blower, rear mount blade combo. You'd not have the bucket - but how often do you really need it would be the question.
thanks for the information and uploading the video. The hardened ice packs is exactly what we’re needing to get rid of. it looks like we will have no problem getting at it with this 54 inch snowblower.
Thanks again, from North Central Washington state.
Thanks for tuning in . . . That snowblower is truly a beast. I really wanted to put it thru the paces - but just knew I was at risk of having to replace the shear pin - but that never happened. A solid, solid unit. One of my better equipment investments to be sure.
North Central Washington State - wow - Coral and I love overnight camping in the Cascades. Did some glacier training there a few years back - and as luck would have it, we've taken a little break from work, and are hangin' out and are close to being neighbours, as we spend time just North of Seattle for the weekend.
Great review and video Howard. I have a 2025R with the SB1154 and it is very good, aligned with your experience. You made a good decision in my opinion. Very similar experiences for me with my usage here 2 hours northwest of Toronto. In fact, I traded a front blower I got with my tractor package for the Frontier because I wanted use and access to the loader and the blower all winter. That was a tough decision but the right one for me.
Right on! Thanks for being part of my journey and the Maple82 conversation Paul!
Good video. I'm seeing a lot of Frontier equipment that looks well designed and made.
Keep up the good work.
Dave (your neighbor to the south and WAAAYY east)
Thanks 👍 Appreciate you tuning in.
I've got their box blade, land plane and rake - all appropriately selected to fit the power of the 1025 and all of those have a lot of hours of use on them, but remain as fully functional as the day I bought them.
I have an SB1164 that I just picked up and after watching many Frontier blower videos I'm looking forward to using mine this winter. Those boys in Quebec sure no how to make a great snowblower. Mine is not on a tractor per say, but on the front of a truck which has a motor in the back to power the blower. I'm still enjoying what's left of summer and not in a rush for snow...lol. Well maybe just a little...lol. Great video and I look forward to checking out your channel. Cheers from Saskatchewan.
Oh Wow! Saskatchewan. Used to travel routinely to Saskatoon and Regina in my previous life. Great country. Happy snow blowing when we get to that time of year.
Never engage a power take off at high rpm’s. Do it at low rpms
Words to live by. Thank you for sharing the wisdom Dan. Much appreciated.
Fantastic job my friend
Thanks for sharing 🤝
Keep up the good work 🤝🤝
I’m your new supporter
Greetings from 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Thank you so much 👍 I appreciate you being part of the journey.
Snowblowers are like any piece of equipment, you get what you pay for!
If your willing to spend 4k on one.. there is some awesome ones out there for that kind of money
Thanks for tuning in. Just note that the $4k I reference is Canadian which is like what - $500 US? hahahahaha
@@howardkettner I know the feeling! I happen to be in eastern Canada and there are a lot of great snowblower manufacturers in Quebec & Ontario
Just saw your video, my question for you is... why didn't you go with the MK Martin snowblower instead. It has a five blade impeller as JD has only four. I'm on the fence yet between the JD and MK Martin..
Huge thanks for tuning in and subscribing. The reason I went JD is that we don't have (to the best of my knowledge) have an MK Martin dealer in this area, and from my experience local service and considerations are a top priority.
I have been loyal to JD since my first purchase 10 years ago. The local dealer where I previously lives and here is the same company, and they go out of their way on pricing, service, responsiveness, and more. My sales guy has been there for 20 years. He gives me tips on everything from great hiking trails to how to cook the best wilderness french friesl All of that transcends other considerations, and as I write this I realize that I don't take enough time to share that on my videos.
When something breaks - even if it's my fault, I get 'consideration' - if not financial, then in other favors - i.e. i picked up a seeder that was off-new by 6 hours this year for $10,000 under new cost. I sold a zero-turn mower that would have gotten $1,000 trade-in value for $3,500 again, as the result of a relationship bartered by the dealer. Those things are priceless.
Your message is a great reminder to me that I need to take a bit of time and share those elements of my journey.
Thank you! You made a difference for me today.
PS - LOVE your 2025R Video. Keep 'em coming. Just subscribed in anticipation of more. That is the small tractor I wish I'd bought. 1025 has it's advantages, but overall, a 2025, in retrospect would have been my better choice.
Hi Howard!!😀😀
The blower does a great job. It really would be nice if you had a blower on the front of the 1025 . My Lower back and neck are shot and it gives me lots of pain to run anything on the back of the tractor for any length of time.
Take care my friend!!😀😀 TTYL!!
Logger Al
Agreed Al - and I suspect that one day I will install a front mount for exactly the reason you suggest.
I'd looked into a front mount, but at that point the tractor is really committed to being a single use unit for the season - and if I hired out that would definitely be the way to go, but for what I do around here with the 1025, I'm wanting to keep it multi use as long as possible - particularly ease of hookup that the quick attach hitch affords.
Hope your week is terrific - and take care as well