Snow blowing

ottawarob · Dec 16, 2017

Finally fired up my BCS snow blower. The reviews are correct, it really canons snow away, good fun! I found engaging the diff lock is really useful to avoid wheel spin. I could really use wheel weights and/or chains, the machine definitely wants to float and the snow isn't even that deep yet.

cmyoung2 · Dec 16, 2017

I use foam filled tires, barbell type weights, and a cut down set of old car chains for snow. Makes a big difference. Have used duals in the past, cut one , not foamed, last year and haven't replaced it yet. Not real sure it helped a lot in snow, did help on steep slopes mowing.

ottawarob · Dec 18, 2017

Man, I know that weighting tractors is a standard thing but it's incredible it's needed, given how heavy these machines are already!

I am slowly building a battery holder to run some lights on my BCS for snow blowing (plan on using the towing mount as a bracket for it). I think I'll try to make it heavy duty for a bit of extra weight.

Ford850 · Dec 18, 2017

I've never had much of an issue with the blower floating unless there was a solid (frozen) layer of snow below a fresh layer. I do have the quick coupler on mine which helps by extending the blower out farther and giving it more leverage (weight). Do you have a quick coupler?
I do tend to lower the handlebars and pull up slightly to get a clean scrape on concrete, so maybe I am naturally pulling up a bit when on unpaved areas too.

ottawarob · Dec 18, 2017

Ford850 said:
I've never had much of an issue with the blower floating unless there was a solid (frozen) layer of snow below a fresh layer. I do have the quick coupler on mine which helps by extending the blower out farther and giving it more leverage (weight). Do you have a quick coupler?
I do tend to lower the handlebars and pull up slightly to get a clean scrape on concrete, so maybe I am naturally pulling up a bit when on unpaved areas too.

I do have the quick coupler. Good snow going on today, I'm going to go out for round 2 in a bit. ATV ran out of gas so it's all on the blower today.

Do you guys lower the pressure in your tires at all? I know from winter fat biking this can help with traction and float a lot. Mine are still at summer pressure.

Ford850 · Dec 18, 2017

I don't lower the pressure at all, because the tires will spin on the rims and tear out the valve stem. Again. My tires are so stiff they could be run with no air and you couldn't tell.

ottawarob · Dec 18, 2017

Ford850 said:
I don't lower the pressure at all, because the tires will spin on the rims and tear out the valve stem. Again. My tires are so stiff they could be run with no air and you couldn't tell.

I don't think I've ever done that with a well seated tire, hadn't even considered it a possibility! Another thing to consider...

Ford850 · Dec 18, 2017

ottawarob said:
I don't think I've ever done that with a well seated tire, hadn't even considered it a possibility! Another thing to consider...

Mine has tubed tires, and since they are stiff they will spin easily on the rims if not inflated properly. First time I spun one and ripped the stem off the tube was when it was in a remote spot, naturally. It was fairly new and I didn't realize the tire had low pressure. Live and learn.

ottawarob · Dec 18, 2017

Took it out and made some paths for furniture movers coming tomorrow. It is a joy to use, and once it gets going it doesn't usually get stuck, even without any extra weight, etc. Fires out black walnuts pretty impressively.