B2320 front snowblower advice needed ...

[Baby Grand]

I have the BX2750D on my BX 25. You are correct in your list of all the things you need, at least for that model. I have no experience with the 51" so I can't comment on whether it's more heavy duty than the 50". I know the 50" throws a lot of snow and I wouldn't exactly call it flimsy.

View attachment 399801

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

rbarker - thanks for the feedback on the BX2750D & confirmation on the parts list. Makes the call to the dealership a lot less stressful, knowing the relative costs of both options before having "the talk".

The 2750D is an awesome snowblower. This will be my fifth winter with it. You can see it work here and here. I'm not sure the extra inch in width is worth $900.
The cons - The hand crank is a PITA, at least, on my BX25. It attaches to the joystick and I found that as I turned it, if I wasn't careful I would be raising and lowering the blower. I ended up holding the joystick steady with my left hand as I turned the crank with my right. This might not be such a major problem depending on your blowing situation but my layout required lots of adjustment. I ended up adding a hydraulic rotator.
Another problem, again, depending on your situation, are the skids. I blow exclusively on gravel and the skids were too small if the ground wasn't frozen and wouldn't stay in place if it was; they would allow the blower to pick up lots of rocks. I sheared 6 bolts the first winter. So I made larger skids that actually go under the cutting edge. This keeps the cutting edge 5/8" off the ground and now I might shear one bolt a year. You can see the rotator and skids in my tractor galley.
I thought I would need a ballast box full of weight but this made the front end light which hampered steering, so now I have no weight on the rear. I do use chains but only because of a hill I blow. Hope this helps.

dsmiley - thanks for the feedback about the hand crank. I'm tempted to go the hydraulic route, just because our driveway configuration is cramped and complicated and hydraulic controls seem to be a little easier to master while controlling the rest of the action. The skid information is very valuable to me and I'll be fabricating something similar, based on your experience. If I have to go out & deal with the snow, then let me deal with the snow, not fix machinery that's cold & wet and far from the toolbox. Thanks for showing the 2750D in action - that unit sure can move some snow! Your gallery photos were very helpful for me visualizing how the hydraulic & electric actuators & controls are configured. You really can't get that from the parts list and Kubota's website seems to be set up to outright discourage sales of snow blowers.

 

[rbarker]

dsmiley - thanks for the feedback about the hand crank. I'm tempted to go the hydraulic route, just because our driveway configuration is cramped and complicated and hydraulic controls seem to be a little easier to master while controlling the rest of the action. The skid information is very valuable to me and I'll be fabricating something similar, based on your experience. If I have to go out & deal with the snow, then let me deal with the snow, not fix machinery that's cold & wet and far from the toolbox.

Let me add that I have the Kubota factory electric chute rotator and while it does work it's pretty slow and doesn't inspire my confidence. If hydraulic is an option I would vote that way. Dsmiley is right about the feet not being that effective, even on pavement. I noticed today while getting the blower ready for installation that there is uneven wear on my scraper edge. And you couldn't be more right about dealing with the snow and not worrying about repairs in the cold, wet and usually dark. I had a run of bad luck with shear bolts one year and it made for some miserable nights.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Farmall45b]

I have a BX2750D on my 2008 B2320. The blower is pretty heavy duty, but there are some signs of strain from small rocks and ice chunks going through the blower. I clear about a dozen driveways each time is snows. It is my understanding that the 51" blower is very heavy duty. I can't imagine trying to operate a rear blower after having a front mount. I find the manual chute rotation to be easy and efficient to use. Don't by the Kubota deflector, you can build one for less that a $100 with a cylinder from Surplus Center. The deflector is the best improvement that I have made to my blower. No longer a need to stop the PTO and get off to adjust.

 

[Baby Grand]

Okay, so I'm a bit confused about how the hydraulic options are controlled. I get that raise & rotate can be accomplished through the loader joystick - but how do you control the deflector? Is there some kind of flow diverter valve to select between rotate & deflect, or would I need a 3rd function remote?

 

[dsmiley]

Okay, so I'm a bit confused about how the hydraulic options are controlled. I get that raise & rotate can be accomplished through the loader joystick - but how do you control the deflector? Is there some kind of flow diverter valve to select between rotate & deflect, or would I need a 3rd function remote?

The deflector would be an electric linear actuator with a double pole double throw switch (ON momentary-OFF-ON momentary). No hydraulics. See here.

 

[ericher69]

The deflector would be an electric linear actuator with a double pole double throw switch (ON momentary-OFF-ON momentary). No hydraulics. See here.

Actually there IS a factory option to get hydraulic chute deflector but about $700!

Here is my b2920 with 51" industrial blower.

http://youtu.be/BBf8zeEyJ2E

As you can see I do get very close to the black car with no issues.

Only broke 1 auger shear bolt over 5 winters of doing up to 35 residential drives per snow fall.

Never bogged down the engine with 51" blower and switched to 63" front blower with no power issues

http://youtu.be/Lf0whm0B_3Q

Hope this helps

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[Baby Grand]

Farmall45b - thanks for the encouragement toward the 51" HD blower - I'm starting to solidify my opinion that I need the extra beef, for my conditions.

ericher69 - Your 51" was moving plenty of snow, too, and good to see the 63" working on your machine - makes me think I'll be okay with the 51" on our lower powered B2320. I like the end plates you have on that rear blade - really reduces the spillage and lets you use a smaller angle. Should be fairly simple to knock something similar together for mine.