DIY BCS snow blower weights

[ottawarob]

I love my 853 with a snow blower now that I've tuned up the carb on it, and put chains on the wheels, really throws the snow. I find I'm constantly having to put some upward pressure on the handle bars, I'd like to add some weight to the snow blower. I know BCS sells weight for them, but I'm in Canada, don't want to pay the shipping for it. Is this basically a heavy steel bar? There's a steel supplier near here, I could buy a 1.5" x 3" x 24" steel bar, paint it and bolt it on... the internet says that would be about 30 pounds. Bad idea?

What do you guys do to add weight to the front end of your snow blowers?

 

[WesKootenay]

EarthTools has an inexpensive system that attaches to the lug nuts - shipping shouldn't be that much?
Barbell Wheel-Weight Hangers for walk-behind tractors - YouTube

Also, I was recently looking at a post where a guy just attached a hook to the bars at the front of the engine and hung some old barbell weights on it - but I can't find it.

 

[aczlan]

EarthTools has an inexpensive system that attaches to the lug nuts - shipping shouldn't be that much?
Barbell Wheel-Weight Hangers for walk-behind tractors - YouTube

Also, I was recently looking at a post where a guy just attached a hook to the bars at the front of the engine and hung some old barbell weights on it - but I can't find it.

I think the OP is trying to add weight to the snowblower end so that it stays down on its own (it's currently too light and the engine/handlebars outweigh it), so weights on the wheels, or engine will not help achieve the desired results.

Aaron Z

 

[ottawarob]

I think the OP is trying to add weight to the snowblower end so that it stays down on its own (it's currently too light and the engine/handlebars outweigh it), so weights on the wheels, or engine will not help achieve the desired results.

Aaron Z

Correct! I already have the wheel weights. Problem is that the engine is a wee bit heavier than the attachment, my arms get super tired keeping the blower for riding up on the snow.

 

[WesKootenay]

Oops! Just re-read the OP.
Thanks.

 

[jbradley]

I understand your pain. I added extensions to my 948 (that has standard front weights that are a pia to remove), ultimately adding 2 3in extenstions plus 2 quick couplers (one extension had both the male & female quick couplers so that it could be easily added and removed). It had barely reached weight neutral and stuck pout way too far. I built a rack that I connected to the tow coupling that now has 50# of weight added, and could still stand to have some additional weight (my local Walmart is out of the freeweights that I need, so it will have to wait). See the attached pic.

 

[ottawarob]

I understand your pain. I added extensions to my 948 (that has standard front weights that are a pia to remove), ultimately adding 2 3in extenstions plus 2 quick couplers (one extension had both the male & female quick couplers so that it could be easily added and removed). It had barely reached weight neutral and stuck pout way too far. I built a rack that I connected to the tow coupling that now has 50# of weight added, and could still stand to have some additional weight (my local Walmart is out of the freeweights that I need, so it will have to wait). See the attached pic.View attachment 588467

This is fantastic, I was thinking of doing something similar with the trailer hitch, great to see someone else on the same track!

Interesting about the extensions. I was thinking about getting them, but was also worried about it making the unit stick out too far.

 

[ottawarob]

Overall if I had to do it again... I don't know, I might buy a dedicated snow blower instead of using the BCS, or save my pennies for a tractor with a blower. The air filter clogs up with ice, carb freezes up, weight distribution is funny, the whole unit is long. It sure hacks through snow when conditions are right, but a winter specific unit sure would be less grief.

While I won't likely do it, I'd love to try running my BCS with the air filter off for snow blowing. There's always some point where the motor gets stuck in the snow, and then I start losing power shortly thereafter, I'm guessing because the filter has frozen up.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had these plates laser cut for some crazy weight on the back of my Gravely which was un-useable. Me 200LBS had to hang on the handlebars to raise the front! I think I got even a few more plates before the weight was enough, then welded them into a block and painted it.

Some of the inner plates had a cut out to accomodate the sulky hitch.

 

[ottawarob]

View attachment 588476

I had these plates laser cut for some crazy weight on the back of my Gravely which was un-useable. Me 200LBS had to hang on the handlebars to raise the front! I think I got even a few more plates before the weight was enough, then welded them into a block and painted it.

Some of the inner plates had a cut out to accomodate the sulky hitch.

Holy cow, that thing is a beast!