BX25.1

[RAECOREP]

Hi, Long time reader, 1st time poster. I have a BX25 that I have been doing a few mods over the last year or so. I've made my own Bobcat style QA,fork assy.,and converted an old Bolens 48" blower on my own semi-qa mount. Also have built my own cab that has worked great these last 2 winters. I added a heater only to help with defrost,other than that it is warm enough even in Mn cold. Have replaced the seat with adjustable high back recliner/armrests that is 100% better than original! Raised the steering wheel 4", also a 100% better. I am in the middle building a modular-convertible grapple that will attach thru the QA base that is attached to FEL. Here are a few pics. Any ? let me know.

 

[RAECOREP]

A few more pics of mods.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Very nice work! Thanks for sharing.

 

[RAECOREP]

Thank you.

 

[Zick]

Welcome,

Nice work you've done there! Did you convert your bucket to work w/ the QA?

 

[RAECOREP]

Yes I did>

 

[600rider]

Very nice work! does the cab come off for summer? I would like to see more pics of the '68 firebird!!! Looks like a nice car!

 

[RAECOREP]

Yes, no need for it in summer. Firebird is the wife's toy. I'm only allowed to work on it, not drive it. HA HA!

 

[thirdroc17]

Nice cab!!

 

[RAECOREP]

Thank you.

 

[like2wheel]

Your mods are very practical, creative & inspiring.
Thanks & please stick around.

 

[cschulz]

How well does the snowblower work? Does it seem to have the right gear ratios? I may have to look for one......what was the model number of the snowblower? Like the cab and heater set up. What heater unit is it? Very nice work.
Also tht seat looks very comfy. What did it come from and does it work well having the rotation to spin and work the BH.
And last but not least is how did you go about raising the steering wheel? That is something that will be a must for me as I keep wrenching my knee to get out and around the wheel.
Chris

 

[RAECOREP]

Rotation is correct. It's a Bolens model 18148. It's big & heavy,about 500lbs, but I only paid $300.00 for it. I have almost that just in the pto shaft. The blower was in great shape, I believe by S# it's a 1982. Gear boxes are solid. I think think they are designed for 2400-2500 rpm's so close enough.I did add the 2 springs that came with it to limit down force to 125 lbs so steering was not affected. Heater is from JEGS performance-pretty cheap compared to other sellers of same heater. Because I take my cab off in summer I put quick disconnects on heater lines. they are hyd. QD's that are rated to 260 degrees.

 

[RAECOREP]

I misinterpreted your rotation question, Yes the seat has the same foot print of original.

 

[cschulz]

I misinterpreted your rotation question, Yes the seat has the same foot print of original.

What seat is it from and also how did you raise the steering wheel?

Chris

 

[RAECOREP]

The seat is generic. I bought it from 'SURPLUS CENTER' Item #1-3208 440 high back CORDURA $224. Steering wheel I used a scrap piece of 3"X1/4 Aluminum tube.
Used a jig saw to cut out the molded-in insert in bottom of wheel.Just make sure to cut as close to ID of the tube part of wheel as possible if that makes any sense. I ran a bolt thru the metal insert that was on steering shaft & threaded a nut on and tightened. Stuck what was left of showing threads in lathe and turned outside diameter of insert/plastic piece to fit in alum. tube. There is enough "meat" in an X pattern of this insert piece to drill & tap. On wheel end I slightly turned OD of alum. tube to fit in base of wheel where insert used to be.( it's just under 3") Same thing just drill & tap thru wheel. (used a rotary burr bit to clean up ID of wheel).

 

[AaronS]

Fantastic work! Thanks for sharing.