Snow Attachments BCS snow blower and BCS lawnmower performance??

MikeB2005 · Feb 26, 2005

Hi All,

This is my first post to TBN...

I am thinking of buying a BCS 852 tractor, with the 26" tiller, 38" mower and 24" snow blower.
I am looking for folks who have used the mower and snow blower to get some feedback on how well they work. I live in coastal New England, and we tend to get lots of heavy snow. If there is someone who has used the blower in "lead" snow, I'd love to hear from you. Also, I have not seen the mower, my dealer does not have any in stock for me to look at.

For what it's worth, I am planning to sell my three current machines and get the BCS setup. I am looking to simplify my maintenance situation.
My current machines are:
John Deere 4100 Hydro with loader, belly mower, bagger, landscape rake etc.
TroyBilt Horse Tiller (new last year)
Ariens 1028 snowblower (10 HP, 28" wide, 16" auger, 14" impeller).

Thanks,
Mike

jim_wilson · Feb 26, 2005

I never heard of a BCS before - took a quick look on Google and found some info that looks like it is a walk behind tractor? You said you wanted to simplify your maintainence problems - why not get rid of the separate snowblower and tiller and just get a snowblower and tiller for the JD 4100? If you don't need the loader on the tractor plus the bigger mower on the tractor the BCS makes some sense I guess. Sometimes having separate equipment makes sense - but I guess it depends on how you use it. Looks like getting the BCS unit would save you a significant amount of floor space over having the JD, the tiller and the snowblower - plus you would probably put some money back in your pocket by selling the other 3 and buying the BCS.

TimberXX · Feb 26, 2005

there is a pic somewhere of the 1 stage blower (search on TBN).... pretty impressive. the 38" deck doesnt move... only the spindles so the vacuum for the bagger isnt lost... looks like a nice machine... ive been looking at them for a while... who is your dealer? good luck

Boondox · Feb 26, 2005

Mike -- I tried the BCS route before making the switch to a Kubota. Can't remember the model, but it was one of the bigger units with a 16hp Vanguard engine. The unit was awesome, but with some limitations. The tiller was the best part of all. I have never seen a tiller -- stand alone or 3ph-- that could equal the BCS unit. Simply fantastic!

I didn't have the finish mower; mine was the 24" bushhog unit. It cut like a son of a gun in brush, but there were two problems. First was the fixed blade. Essentially a beefy mower blade. Unfortunately, it was not beefy enough to handle rocks or stumps, so I ended up replacing several blades (no sheer bolts) at $110 a pop. Also, the tractor really labored in high grass.

The snowblower was a mixed bag. Again, no sheer bolts came with it so the augers were twisted up like spaghetti when the unit uncountered a rock the size of a computer mouse! I simply couldn't believe the damage, nor the engineering that didn't use sheer bolts. When it worked, it was a piece of art. Single stage, but the power off that PTO threw the snow clear into the next county! But what eventually drove me to sell the BCS was the fact that nothing I did to the unit (changing tires, tried three different styles of chain) would give it enough traction to snowblow up even the gentlest slope. It just sat at the base of the driveway with the auger and tires spinning in unison...going nowhere fast.

So if you have flat ground and stay on top of the grass, go for it. If you live on a hill or tend to let the grass go a bit, see if your dealer would let you try it out first. Oh, another problem I had was there were no rubber grommets on the end of the cable guides, so if the tractor got wet the control cables would freeze inside the cable guides every winter. Nothing a coating of grease won't prevent, but one they freeze it was very difficult to thaw out and repair in the cold.

Pete

Darren · Feb 26, 2005

I suspect your problem was weight. Years ago my father had a 10 hp Bolens tractor that he rolled. I took the rear tires off and had them filled with lead oxide. Each tire weighed 150 lbs. after that. That extra 300 lbs made an amazing difference in the performance of that tractor and that was with turf tires.

I have a diesel Goldoni two wheel tractor and although I've never used it with a snowblower, the unit probably has enough weight to get traction on slopes. The tires seem to be about the same diameter as the old Bolens.

Do you recall how much your BCS weighed?

RalphVa · Feb 26, 2005

I second the motion to get a snow blower and tiller for your JD 4100. I have a Gravely with snow blower, snow plow, sulky, cart, MacKissic shredder and rotary plow. I'm gradually replacing it with stuff on my JD 4010. The FEL has replaced the Gravely for snow work. A soil ripper, and I'm hoping, a couple of disc hillers will replace the rotary plow. I'll keep the cart, but the FEL serves for a lot of the cart work and more. I just moved 19.5 tons of gravel with just the FEL. Could have never done it with the Gravely cart without expiring first. Doing stuff with the JD is a whole lot easier on the body. The Gravely does the work but will beat you up doing it.

Only used the Gravely snow blower (an old square chuter in perfect condition) once, in about 7" of sleet. The plow wouldn't touch it. The snow blower just dug in and threw it away, a LONG way. Used chains on turf tires to push that heavy blower.

Haven't heard anything about BCS's snow thrower. A friend of mine uses a tiller and a furrow plow on his. He is in organica gardening to make a living at it. Only tills about 2 acres. So much of the stuff on a BCS appears to be a lot less heavy duty than the Gravely: the wheels themselves, the controls (all simple cables).

Ralph

MikeB2005 · Feb 26, 2005

Hi Ralph,

I've thought about adding a tiller/blower to the Deere, but truth be told, the whole unit is more machine than I need. I bought the Deere in anticipation of buying several acres and building a house on it. Well, we never did that. We are here to stay on our 3/4 acre. The machine has earned its keep reconfiguring my yard, digging out 60 yards of rocky NE clay/dirt/rock to level a site for my pool etc. I am pretty well done with reconfiguring my yard, so going forward I see myself with a 1 ton lawnmower and a FEL I won't be needing much. The TroyBilt Horse is a Piece of $hit. I believe the old models are as good as they say, but the new ones weigh about 120 lbs less than the old ones. That sucker just gets up and walks away on its tines, when I am tilling up compacted loam. The Ariens is a great snow mover, but is a brute.

So, I thought, why have 1-2 machines sitting each season when I can have one quality (similar quality to the Deere) machine that I run year round.

I figure I can sell the 3, get the BCS and all the attachments I could desire and still put a good chunk of change in the bank.

Mike

MikeB2005 · Feb 26, 2005

( Mike -- ... The tiller was the best part of all. I have never seen a tiller -- stand alone or 3ph-- that could equal the BCS unit. Simply fantastic!
)
Yes, I believe the BCS is probably one of the best tillers on the market. I don't have any concerns on that front.

(
The snowblower was a mixed bag. Again, no sheer bolts came with it so the augers were twisted up like spaghetti when the unit uncountered a rock the size of a computer mouse! I simply couldn't believe the damage, nor the engineering that didn't use sheer bolts.
)
Ouch! I've heard of people driving out the roll-pins and replacing them with brass bolts. I may have to look into this.

(
When it worked, it was a piece of art. Single stage, but the power off that PTO threw the snow clear into the next county!)
How'd it do in wet snow (lots of wet snow like 18")? That is my single biggest concern. I fear the machine moves too fast to handle heavy wet snow at full bore (18" high x 24" wide).

( But what eventually drove me to sell the BCS was the fact that nothing I did to the unit (changing tires, tried three different styles of chain) would give it enough traction to snowblow up even the gentlest slope. It just sat at the base of the driveway with the auger and tires spinning in unison...going nowhere fast.)
This is interesting. My dealer drove up to my house in a snowstorm this past Monday so that I could try it out in the snow. Unfortunately for me, the snow was really light (cottonball snow) so I could not evaluate its ability to deal with heavy wet snow. However, my driveway is uphill. I did not notice a traction problem. I didn't even engage the differential lock. It was a model 852 with the bar tread AG tires, no chains. My driveway rises about 3-4' in 60'.

( Oh, another problem I had was there were no rubber grommets on the end of the cable guides, so if the tractor got wet the control cables would freeze inside the cable guides every winter.)
This could really $uck. I had an old Ariens that would freeze up its throttle cable under the right conditions. You would have to turn off the fuel valve to stop it /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Thanks for all your insights Pete, I really appreciate it.

Mike Berube

MikeB2005 · Feb 26, 2005

( I never heard of a BCS before - took a quick look on Google and found some info that looks like it is a walk behind tractor? You said you wanted to simplify your maintainence problems - why not get rid of the separate snowblower and tiller and just get a snowblower and tiller for the JD 4100?)
Hi Jim, see my response above for the rationale here Response in this thread

( Looks like getting the BCS unit would save you a significant amount of floor space over having the JD, the tiller and the snowblower - plus you would probably put some money back in your pocket by selling the other 3 and buying the BCS.)
Bingo on that one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks for taking the time to pitch in here,
Mike

MikeB2005 · Feb 26, 2005

( there is a pic somewhere of the 1 stage blower (search on TBN).... pretty impressive. )
Is it the pic posted by Dave__in__CT? If it is then yeah, pretty impressive. I am concerned about heavy wet snow (which we get a lot of around here). My Ariens will handle anything but can make me work as hard as it is working sometimes /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
( who is your dealer?)
BCS Shop in Harvard, MA (John Wilhelm)
( good luck )
Thanks,

Mike

Solo · Feb 27, 2005

Mike
Have you looked at the BCS Earth Tools site, www.earthtoolsbcs.com and the BCS site, www.bcs-america.com . I see they make a set of tracks for the BCS.
Solo

Boondox · Feb 27, 2005

( How'd it do in wet snow (lots of wet snow like 18")? That is my single biggest concern. )

Mike -- I bought the blower late in the season, so never got to try it on the dry fluffy stuff. This was wet heavy stuff. You know the type that turns to liquid in mid-afternoon then refreezes at night if you don't move it? On the straight and level section that little BCS must have thrown it thirty feet...and that was with the deflector horizontal! With the deflector up my wife would beat me with a broom for throwing snow on her blueberry patch clear across the yard!

It was just at the base of the driveway where I had problems with the slope. It was a very gentle slope, maybe a foot gained over fifty feet, but with the afternoon sun it would get really slick. Dragging the BCS back to level ground with the ATV got really old.

I liked the BCS. It was a rock solid little machine. But the characteristics of my property made it marginal. Sounds like you don't have those same issues. So go for it...and fix those shortcomings if the BCS engineers haven't already done so in the newer models. Install sheer bolts, available at any tractor store. And I bought a dozen little rubber nipples at the Honda dealer that fit over the cable guide ends just fine.

Pete

MikeB2005 · Feb 27, 2005

Hi Pete,

Thanks again for your insights. Glad to hear the BCS handles the wet stuff well.

You said you picked up 12 rubber nipples at the Honda dealer. I assume this was a Honda power equipment dealer? What machine are they intended for (so I know what to ask for)?

I am looking forward to spring so I can sell my Deere. It has been a wonderful machine and done LOTS of work for me, but I don't really need it anymore and it will be good to get my money back out of the machine. The BCS look like just what I want now. Small, manouverable, tough as nails, built like a farm tractor (well it is, just a small 2 wheel one), with lots of useful rugged attachments.

Thanks again Pete,
Mike

Boondox · Feb 27, 2005

It was a motorcycle dealer, but I'm not sure which model ended up being a fit. I just took one of the guides in (they were all the same) and asked them to find a match. Hope this helps. Pete

MikeB2005 · Feb 28, 2005

Thanks, I had not thought of taking a cable from the machine to match up at the dealer. Thanks for the idea.

Mike

TimberXX · Feb 28, 2005

if you dont mind me askin how much was the quote you got from the BCS Shop? how much off list?

MikeB2005 · Feb 28, 2005

No, I don't mind you asking at all. However, I have not requested a formal quote yet from him. His prices are a bit higher than say earth tools, but I don't have to pay shipping from Kentucky to NH and John is local for me.

His prices are on the web at BCS Shop Price List

What are you looking at buying?

Mike

TimberXX · Feb 28, 2005

i am also looking at an 852 with the 38" mower and 28" blower, and maybe a generator head and tiller later... i plan a purchase in about 7 months... I was wondering if the BCS shop went below MSRP