Bercomac SSQA snowblower experiences

[oakhilltop]

I've found that chains on this slope is a mixed bag. Sometimes they are great, other times they just spin. My driveway is paved. The first "tractor" we got was an Ariens garden tractor, with mower, snowblower, wheel weights, weight box and chains. That was a big purchase for us at that time. It was delivered set up for snow but are driveway was clear of snow that day. I just had to go try it out, and drove down the driveway. On the way up, the chains just started spinning and I had a helluva time getting it back up the hill. I think most can imagine the "what have I done!!!" moment that I had. We had that over 20 years and there were times when I had to stop half way up, walk up to the house and get my wife. She'd climb onto the weight box and jump up and down to get some traction. Must've looked pretty funny and we were much younger then.

The JD 2305 with the 47" blower works great. I'm just wondering if I should be counting on a 20 year old tractor in a couple of years. We want to stay in this house as long as we are physically able to do so. My wife often says that the driveway keeps us young.

 

[LouNY]

Our JD is 16 years old and as I said, in the winter, we need it to work. Other times of the year, it's ok if it takes some time to do a repair. I'm thinking that time can take its toll on o-rings, seals, etc an even though the 2305 has been very reliable so far, I might start seeing more issues. I'm trying to figure out if I'm being foolish about that but just don't have the experience with tractors. Plus, I would like to have a little more lift capacity etc.

I was not aware of the front pto systems. Thanks for the links. I wonder how long it takes to attach and remove the pto part of it.

The pto and front 3 point that I'd be thinking about are not "removable" routinely.

 

[LouNY]

I've found that chains on this slope is a mixed bag. Sometimes they are great, other times they just spin. My driveway is paved. The first "tractor" we got was an Ariens garden tractor, with mower, snowblower, wheel weights, weight box and chains. That was a big purchase for us at that time. It was delivered set up for snow but are driveway was clear of snow that day. I just had to go try it out, and drove down the driveway. On the way up, the chains just started spinning and I had a helluva time getting it back up the hill. I think most can imagine the "what have I done!!!" moment that I had. We had that over 20 years and there were times when I had to stop half way up, walk up to the house and get my wife. She'd climb onto the weight box and jump up and down to get some traction. Must've looked pretty funny and we were much younger then.

The JD 2305 with the 47" blower works great. I'm just wondering if I should be counting on a 20 year old tractor in a couple of years. We want to stay in this house as long as we are physically able to do so. My wife often says that the driveway keeps us young.

Standard "ladder" type chains are not a high traction device especially on a clean paved driveway.

 

[leonz]

I've found that chains on this slope is a mixed bag. Sometimes they are great, other times they just spin. My driveway is paved. The first "tractor" we got was an Ariens garden tractor, with mower, snowblower, wheel weights, weight box and chains. That was a big purchase for us at that time. It was delivered set up for snow but are driveway was clear of snow that day. I just had to go try it out, and drove down the driveway. On the way up, the chains just started spinning and I had a helluva time getting it back up the hill. I think most can imagine the "what have I done!!!" moment that I had. We had that over 20 years and there were times when I had to stop half way up, walk up to the house and get my wife. She'd climb onto the weight box and jump up and down to get some traction. Must've looked pretty funny and we were much younger then.

The JD 2305 with the 47" blower works great. I'm just wondering if I should be counting on a 20 year old tractor in a couple of years. We want to stay in this house as long as we are physically able to do so. My wife often says that the driveway keeps us young.

The small motorized 2 stage snow blowers have a lot of shiny metal that is too
thin and the drive components are not simple in design and construction
compared to the RAMMY single stage 155 snow blowers which use a simple
V belt drive and slip clutch with a Briggs and Stratton snow service engine.
There are a lot of them being used to clear snow in Europe using ATV's and
RTV's and there are lots of videos of them being used to clear snow on Youtube.

If your worried about the mule ask how much it would cost to have a
new indirect injection fuel pump, transmission charge pump, gaskets,
PTO seals and rear wheel seals installed before you make a decision as
they have to split it.

If you have the R-4 tires you should have them loaded and also invest in
V-bar chains to replace the current ones and have V bar chains for the
front tires as well.

Are you using the 2305 in 4 wheel drive when clearing snow?

From what I have read the 2305 with its cast aluminum rear axle is a weak
point.