BX2750 Front Mount Snowblower - Can a BX1500 handle it?

[Oldironken]

Thanks again to everyone for you support in my other thread about buying a used BX1500. i pretty comfortable with what to look for and hopefully i'll be able to get a look at it this weekend.

One thing driving this purchase it being able to run a 50" front mount snowblower with it, i found a complete used BX2750 setup that i would pursue pretty quickly.

Has anyone had experience with this setup?
How did the BX1500 do?
Can it handle 12" or more of snow?

I know that more HP is always better than less, i'm not expecting a speed demon.

I just don't want to make a mistake and but too small a tractor, since a snowblower is an important reason for getting it in the first place.

Thanks again,

Ken

 

[uglyboywith11fingers]

Ken, I don't think you would have a problem. The great thing about the HST, with low range, is that you can go as slow as you need to when you get into deeper snow.
when the snow is only 5 or six inches deep, your machine will barely notice.
make sure that the pto shaft included with the blower is the right one for your tractor. Later BX models, like the BX2350 or later, require a different pto shaft.

Pete

P.S. here's a list of what's required for different BX models:

TRACTOR SNOWBLOWER REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
FRONT MOUNT SNOWBLOWERS
BX22/BX23 BX2750/A/C/D BX2751 quick hitch BX2752 mid PTO
BX24/BX25 BX2750/A/C/D BX2751 quick hitch BX2753 mid PTO
BX1800/BX2200 BX2750/A/C/D BX2751 quick hitch BX1830/BX2230 BX2015A valve BX2752 mid PTO
BX1850/BX1860 BX2750/A BX2751 quick hitch BX2314 valve BX2752 mid PTO BX2755 support bracket kit
BX1850/BX1860 BX2750C/D BX2751 quick hitch BX2314 valve BX2752 mid PTO
BX2350/BX2360/BX2660 BX2750/A BX2751 quick hitch BX2324 valve BX2753 mid PTO BX2755 support bracket kit
BX2350/BX2360/BX2660 BX2750C/D BX2751 quick hitch BX2324 valve BX2753 mid PTO
BX1500 BX2750A/C/D BX2711 quick hitch BX2712 mid PTO BX1612 valve
BX23 BX2755HD BX2751 quick hitch BX2752 mid PTO
BX24/BX25 BX2755HD BX2751 quick hitch BX2753 mid PTO
BX2200/BX2230 BX2755HD BX2751 quick hitch BX2015A valve BX2752 mid PTO
BX2350/BX2360/BX2660 BX2755HD BX2751 quick hitch BX2324 valve BX2753 mid PTO BX2755 support bracket kit
BX2350/BX2360/BX2660 BX2755HD BX2751 quick hitch BX2324 valve BX2753 mid PTO

 

[thirdroc17]

You'll be going really slow because of lack of horsepower. If you had gears instead of the power robbing HST, you'd fair a little better. Just look at the rated PTO horsepwer vs gross horsepower of gear drives vs HST drive. The tractor is burning a lot of fuel for nothing.

I run the same blower with a BX2670, and really wish I had gear drive instead of wasting so much horsepower just to pump oil. Not to mention the HST is hotter than heck in summer when mowing.

 

[Oldironken]

Thank you, that's good information to consider. The allure of having more hp is always there and it will be part of my decision making process on what tractor to buy.

 

[rbarker]

You'll be going really slow because of lack of horsepower. If you had gears instead of the power robbing HST, you'd fair a little better. Just look at the rated PTO horsepwer vs gross horsepower of gear drives vs HST drive. The tractor is burning a lot of fuel for nothing. I run the same blower with a BX2670, and really wish I had gear drive instead of wasting so much horsepower just to pump oil. Not to mention the HST is hotter than heck in summer when mowing.

The tractor is going to need a hydro pump perform any useful functions such as raise and lower attachments and loaders. Then there is the power steering which I find quite handy. Personally I find the hydro's ability to easily vary speed and reverse direction more than offsets the drain on horsepower. I have always run out of traction before running out of horsepower for my applications. Fuel economy has never been an issue for me either at 1/3 to 1/2 gallon per hour.

I do agree that the 1500 might have to work pretty hard with that blower, though.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[dragoneggs]

My guess is that you will be traction limited more than anything. Might need to buy some chains for the rears.

 

[thirdroc17]

The tractor is going to need a hydro pump perform any useful functions such as raise and lower attachments and loaders. Then there is the power steering which I find quite handy. Personally I find the hydro's ability to easily vary speed and reverse direction more than offsets the drain on horsepower. I have always run out of traction before running out of horsepower for my applications. Fuel economy has never been an issue for me either at 1/3 to 1/2 gallon per hour.

I do agree that the 1500 might have to work pretty hard with that blower, though.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Typically, the subcompact tractors seldom work with ground engaging attachments, the bulk of their horsepower is used through the PTO shaft. Thus, the percentage of their power actually applied to the rear wheels is a non-issue.

Personally, I'd rather have the power available to run the implements, not to push oil around. Gear drive tractors still have the power steering, hydraulic lift, and all that good stuff, but they aren't wasting near as much horsepower to make heat in the hydro. Like I said, look at the horsepower ratings at various points. Hydros are very inefficient. Diesels are supposed to be so efficient, but when I replaced a old flat head gas engined tractor, with a modern diesel engine tractor, I find I'm using the same amount of fuel as I always did. The added efficiency of the diesel is wasted running the hydro.

Let's not forget on tractors available either way, the gear drive is also more affordable, with more PTO horsepower from the same engine. For those who have money to waste, good for them, but I'd much rather have a more efficient, more affordable tractor. But, people like gizmos, not simple efficiency. To the point where affordable efficiency is scarce.

 

[motownbrowne]

Typically, the subcompact tractors seldom work with ground engaging attachments, the bulk of their horsepower is used through the PTO shaft. Thus, the percentage of their power actually applied to the rear wheels is a non-issue.

Personally, I'd rather have the power available to run the implements, not to push oil around. Gear drive tractors still have the power steering, hydraulic lift, and all that good stuff, but they aren't wasting near as much horsepower to make heat in the hydro. Like I said, look at the horsepower ratings at various points. Hydros are very inefficient. Diesels are supposed to be so efficient, but when I replaced a old flat head gas engined tractor, with a modern diesel engine tractor, I find I'm using the same amount of fuel as I always did. The added efficiency of the diesel is wasted running the hydro.

Let's not forget on tractors available either way, the gear drive is also more affordable, with more PTO horsepower from the same engine. For those who have money to waste, good for them, but I'd much rather have a more efficient, more affordable tractor. But, people like gizmos, not simple efficiency. To the point where affordable efficiency is scarce.

You make some good points. I would argue that the beauty of the HST in this situation is that while you may be slower because of energy loss to the tranny, you have the benefit of being able to infinitely vary your speed. With a HST, the OP has a broader range of implement sizes that he can use because he has a broader range of ground speeds at which to use them. You say that the bx1500 would do better if it had gears, but isn't it possible that the lowest gear would still be too fast in deep heavy snow? What then? With a hydro, you just slow down a little to let the engine stay at PTO RPM.

But, I tell you what... Since you feel you are wasting your efficiency with the hydro, using the same amount of fuel as you always did (not to mention that the fuel costs more than gas), I'll make you a deal. I'll trade you a 1949 Ford 8n for your BX. I'll even deliver it. PM me for my phone number so we can arrange the trade.

 

[thirdroc17]

You make some good points. I would argue that the beauty of the HST in this situation is that while you may be slower because of energy loss to the tranny, you have the benefit of being able to infinitely vary your speed. With a HST, the OP has a broader range of implement sizes that he can use because he has a broader range of ground speeds at which to use them. You say that the bx1500 would do better if it had gears, but isn't it possible that the lowest gear would still be too fast in deep heavy snow? What then? With a hydro, you just slow down a little to let the engine stay at PTO RPM.

But, I tell you what... Since you feel you are wasting your efficiency with the hydro, using the same amount of fuel as you always did (not to mention that the fuel costs more than gas), I'll make you a deal. I'll trade you a 1949 Ford 8n for your BX. I'll even deliver it. PM me for my phone number so we can arrange the trade.

Thanks, but I'll pass. :laughing: I just wish I could afford to go with a different brand that does offer gears. Unfortunately, those choices are limited because everyone has bought into "Gotta have gizmos" idea. Gizmos matter, real world performance doesn't to most.

 

[varmint]

I would second the power loss issue, but I also would argue that, having had a gear drive tractor and a HST tractors, for back and forth stuff, like loader work, the HST is soooo much nicer and quicker. If you are just going ahead, like in mowing, plowing long stretches or whatever, then gear drive is fine. Stop, go, back up... another matter.