Snow Is the backhoe too heavy for snow plowing

[Karl2]

The hoe would be great for rear-wheel traction! But, not so good for front wheel steering and control; especially on hills... You'll need chains on the front wheels just to keep the front end from wandering all over.

Many rear blowers are just as heavy as the hoe so dealing with finicky steering and symbolic front traction when blower is raised is a way of life for us snow jockeys. Front chains are a no-no on my tractor as JD says they can rip cables from the engine (that I believe), guess we have to live with this situation or use a really heavy snow bucket in front, factory bucket just won't cut it with that much weight in the back.

What I'm trying to say I guess is that one can still use the bucket for snow removal even with a heavy tail as long as they don't mind not having perfect steering control. If you push snow in a straight line then it's not much of a problem: lock differential and the tractor will move in a straight line.

 

[AKfish]

I haven't had a chance to look at the new 2720's. So, I don't know if they have the same front wheel clearance issues that current owner's of the 2520 series have posted about here on TBN.

My comment about chains on the front end were directed in that way -- I don't know if you could EVEN use them on the 2720 'cause many owner's of the 2520 can't..

That said; I use front chains on my current 110 and used front chains on my old, JD 970, too. I tore the rubber boot on the tie rod end on the 970 once -- so, I agree that you need to be advised that chains can cause damage to hydraulic lines, etc. Common sense, I believe.

Most times the front chains are needed for steering as I only use 4x4 when necessary. But the times when I need 4x4; those chains on the front are a godsend!!! (Nothing is worse than crawlin' around in deep snow gettin' wet and freezin' your fingers and gonads -- diggin' a tractor out!!)

AKfish

 

[d_guth]

Hi guys...welcome to 2009 !

Wes...this is my second winter with my 2520, I leave the hoe because I use the loader bucket. Works quite well actually....and yes Dirt has a good point.

If you leave the hoe on just be carefull and "look twice" when moving around that's all.

Cheers and best of luck.....must have a look to see what diff the new 2720 has....JD makes some good stuff.

 

[KubotaSam]

Leaving the back hoe on has one other great advantage. It is a great help if you ever get stuck. You can use the hoe to push or pull yourself out.

 

[billb3]

I just used my 2520 with FEL and BH to do my asphalt uphill driveway because my snowblower wouldn't start.

The BH was not any more "in the way" than it would have been without the snow.





I tore up more lawn than I would have liked to have, but that had nothing to do with the BH.


I also have a gravel driveway to do and I'll be getting the snowblower fixed asap, because the snowblower leaves much more of the driveway and lawn on the driveway and lawn.