bh as weight for winter snow removal

DannyD · Nov 20, 2004

is this safe guys? As you know I have a bx 23, with all the trimmin's, I am wondering if I should put the hoe on for the winter as a counterweight to the fel. If in fact we do have a heavier winter than last, may need more than what I did with the 2200 last year.

thanks

Danny

frank_f15 · Nov 20, 2004

WELL IT WILL ADD WEIGHT! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif but might be a tad unwieldy(?) if you have to work in close quarters.

gsxr1100 · Nov 20, 2004

Safe, yes and more then enought weight. As Frank said it can be a ______ in tight spaces.

I did not use any weight last year and we had a few stores with over 18" and worked perfect on my Bx22. Just kept the FEL close to ground and used 4x4 at times. But my yard is as flat as a pool table.

I might make a blast box about of the (4) 5-gallon buckets I have full of lead! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif If I need a winter project.

Junkman · Nov 20, 2004

The back hoe will do a lot of damage quickly if you back into something. Personally, I would use the Kubota weight box and fill it with 500 pounds. I have 650 in mine, much more than recommended, but it has never been a problem for my machine. Last winter, I could climb snow mountains with my tractor and just about set it upright. The weight box also acts as a safety stop if you need. Just drop it on the ground and the tractor stops moving usually. I think that mine was about $250, but that was over a year ago and I might be mistaken on the price.

DannyD · Nov 20, 2004

You gave me an idea, thanks Junk

I have a carryall, put some feet on it, weight in it, and I have a weight box that as you say I can stop the motion of the tractor, should it get funny acting.

As usual, you guys have the best ideas ever.

Varmintmist · Nov 22, 2004

Be careful climbing those snow mountains. The mall near where I grew up lost a hoe that way. He climbed up the nice packed sides, got to the top, and the whole mess went right down into the softer middle.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Havent heard of anyone doing it recently but its a "hold my beer and watch this" kinda thing so its bound to happen again.

Junkman · Nov 22, 2004

I will have to look for those pictures, but my mountain wasn't that high...

dbelisle · Nov 23, 2004

I moved snow with and without the hoe on. There is no question it improves traction. But like plowing with it off . I put a 3PT six foot blade on the back for added weight and use that also .

Dave in NH

needtobuildmore · Nov 28, 2004

One thing that the replies aren't mentioning is that having the hoe on for the winter allows a person to get un-stuck relatively easily. This has come in handy for me several times in past winters, especially the time that I accidentally dropped the tractor (Kubota L3000DT) in the ditch sideways. All I had to do was to lift the rear end up with the rams, plant the hoe, retract the rams & use the rotating of the hoe to swing the rear end of the tractor to high ground.

The only down side I have seen was getting the hoe off in the spring. The pins seemed to rust in pretty good over the winter, so lube the heck out of them.

My 2 cents...