BX 15 is it enough

frank_f15 · Sep 30, 2005

A lot of things to consider, the rear blower is less$$$$ but it won't be fun driving backward for 800 ft for 2 passes . Now the front blower will cost more$$$ but easier to use, on the downside it will add a lot of weight to the front and make the back end light (even with the BB on) so u might need some with on the back + chains. just trying to help with all the things to consider. One other thing, with the land you have, i can NOT see you with out a FEL. you will find many uses for it

TrailHermit · Oct 1, 2005

When I was piecing options for my bx the loader was a must. If you use a wheelbarrow then you'll want it. There are numerous uses and then you'll even find new ones you would never have considered. It used to take me days to spread mulch with just a wheelbarrow; with the loader I can do it in a couple of hours. My newest use has been while cutting I'll come across a soccer ball or something similar sitting in the middle of the field. I can't always scoop it but if not I can easily push it out of the way saving myself from having to stop and get off the tractor. I use the loader almost as much as the mower.

I didn't realize the rear blower was about half the cost of the front ended model. I would strongly suggest adding the loader and the rear blower. For big snows you could use the loader to push some snow and avoid having to drive backwards -- seems like it might work. Thats what I would try but Jim and the others that have this kind of setup could probably tell you for sure.

JimMorrissey · Oct 1, 2005

A loader for snow removal is a waste of time, unless you absolutely have no other options, then it's better than a shovel /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

TrailHermit · Oct 1, 2005

Yes I'd have to agree with you on that -- using the loader as a shovel as a means to remove snow is not practical. This is also not at all what I was recommending or asking your opinion about. My recommendation for the FEL was for many other purposes. If its on your tractor though you can still make use of it. My question was a follow up to the point made about having to drive backwards while using a rear snow blower and a possible alternate approach. I guess I didn't explain it very clearly.

JimMorrissey · Oct 1, 2005

I'm just piping up to let Red know that a loader is not an option for snow removal. As you said, they're useful for 1000s of things other than moving dirt.

redharley · Oct 2, 2005

Thanks again for the input,after talking to the dealer and all of you good people here's what I think I'am looking at purchasing.BX1500,54"mmm,FEL,Front blade,42"RC.Since the loader is less than the front snow blower and if down the road I feel it's needed i will purchase a rear blower for a drift or maybe just bucket it out of the way with the loader,I have taken the tractor for a test drive and loved it.I am sure it will handle my mowing and snow plowing needs.As for the FEL and RC with the acres I have I can give them a try and let you folks know if they work out for me.I understand the 1500 is being discontinued after they are all sold this year,maybe the pricing will get even better in a another month or two? Thanks again Red

JimMorrissey · Oct 2, 2005

Red,

Good call on the front blade. That will take care of 90% of your snow moving needs. As you said, if you need to move big drifts you can put the loader on and take care of them. You're going to enjoy the loader.

Ask some other BX15 owners about chains. I think I heard somewhere on here that the clearance between the fender and the tire was too thin and chains beat the fender. Sheetmetal screws work well too.

Are you sure you don't want to jump up to the 18 or 23 since you're going whole hog anyway......

MikePA · Oct 2, 2005

I'm just piping up to let Red know that a loader is not an option for snow removal. 
No offense, Jim, but while this might be true in Vermont, it's not true everywhere. The FEL can be viewed as a front blade that doesn't angle (without turning the entire tractor). With moderate snows (6" - 8" or less) and on driveways that have places to dump the snow, they work fine.

For snows above 8", you're correct, they're better than a shovel, but you do spend a lot of time filling the bucket then dumping it somewhere. Additionally, you can run out of traction to push the snow, although this can be an issue with a front blade, too.

For areas of the country that are prone to frequent and/or heavy snows, a snow blower is the best solution. For areas of the country, like central PA where heavy/deep snow is not the norm, a FEL, can be cost effective.

Before I'd spend a couple thousand dollars on a 3ph snowblower, I'd certainly try using the FEL for a season. If it doesn't work well, takes too long, etc., then look for alternatives.

I went through the same decision process a few years ago and for me, here in south central PA, I couldn't justify the cost of a snow blower.

radair · Oct 2, 2005

Agree with Mike. I live in the snow belt of the White Mtns and still a FEL works well for me for snow removal. Granted, it is NOT the most efficient way to move snow, but for my small driveway (150' long), it's quicker and better than my 24" snowblower.

I too cannot justify the cost of a tractor-mounted blower, and even with a few 12" to 18" storms, the FEL was quick enough and fun to use. In fact, sometimes I look around and try to figure out what else I can push around because I'm done too soon.

redharley · Oct 2, 2005

Jim, I just can't justify another $2500 to $3000 for the 18 or the 22,since when i started out I just wanted to replace my 27 year old lawn tractor.after I got looking around for a Good One the pricing was so close I decided I should make the jump and get a few extra's that should prove useful.If it mows the lawn and plows snow I'll be happy the rest will be a bonus, Thanks Red

JimMorrissey · Oct 3, 2005

Mike,

Not every snow in Vermont is over 8 inches. Some years we gets tons of snow, others we don't. We gets lots of snows 8" or less. I've quite familiar with the 3-5" snows. My recommendation for a blower is based on his stated conditions. It is NOT a blanket comment for anybody that deals with snow in the winter.

A loader is effect if you're talking about a standard, say 50-100' driveway and it's paved. Yes, it will do the job for light snowfall areas and is "cost effect" in many southern areas; I agree with you there. However, he's talking about maintaining over 800' of gravel driveway! A loader IMO is not the solution here. I've done over 1000 feet with a BX for two winters and can tell you it's going to take far longer, he will be frustrated and the results in the spring will be noticeable.....lots of gravel will be on the edges of his drive. With non-frozen ground or lightly frozen the cutting edge of a loader digs into soft wet gravel and the road edges easily making a big mess over 800 feet. So if he can't scrape, then the snow can build up, then it gets compacted from cars and tractors driving over it over time. The compacted snow then turns to ice when weather warms and cools at night.

It appeared to me that he's looking for help on what the best options are, not what's the least expensive. Again, a loader is not what I would recommend for an 800' driveway, but that's just my opinion.

LBrown59 · Oct 3, 2005

(
opti

Definitely consider a loader. * They are invaluable and I can't imagine a tractor without one.

)
 * I didn't know they made loaders without tractors.LOL

JimMorrissey · Oct 3, 2005

If you read the original post, he does not have a 150' driveway. He has an 800' gravel driveway and a loader is not an option IMO. I'm not talking about general snow removal here, I'm referring to the original poster questions.

LBrown59 · Oct 3, 2005

( One other thing, with the land you have, i can NOT see you with out a FEL. you will find many uses for it )

I have 297 hours on my bx23.
Probably 60 to 75 percent of those hours came from using the FEL.

JimMorrissey · Oct 3, 2005

Got cha.....The 15 will be a workhorse.

LBrown59 · Oct 3, 2005

here's what I think I'am looking at purchasing.BX1500,54"mmm,FEL, Front blade ,42"RC. 
*************
 This will probably do more for snow plowing than you may realize.
For many many many years I used a 1966 2 wheel drive Bolens 8.25 horse power Garden Tractor with a 48'' wide manual lift front blade to clear snow from my 3 or 4 hundred foot slag driveway.
I've removed several 10 to 14 inch snow falls with that rig.

JimMorrissey · Oct 3, 2005

I agree. The front blade will be very effective. He can get the blower later if he deems necessary. Not sure how much drifting he'll have to deal with. The blade will get a nice clean surface without digging up too much gravel.

radair · Oct 3, 2005

( If you read the original post, he does not have a 150' driveway. He has an 800' gravel driveway and a loader is not an option IMO. I'm not talking about general snow removal here, I'm referring to the original poster questions.)

I'll agree with you there, but you also stated "A loader for snow removal is a waste of time, unless you absolutely have no other options, then it's better than a shovel ", which sounds like a pretty general statement. My point was only that for SOME applications (not necessarily Red's 800' driveway in PA), a loader will work just fine.

LBrown59 · Oct 3, 2005

( I agree. The front blade will be very effective. He can get the blower later if he deems necessary. Not sure how much drifting he'll have to deal with. The blade will get a nice clean surface without digging up too much gravel. )

************
If my old Bolens handled this then it should be a piece of cake for a BX 1500 which is a lot more tractor than the Bolens.