Wishing I had a Snowblower for my BX

[proudestmonkey]

A couple of months ago, after a 5" snowfall, my dealer talked me out of buying a snowblower (nice guy when you think about that). He did say I'd probably end up with one eventually for really deep snow, but he wanted me to get used to using the rear blade/FEL combo first, to see if I really needed anything else. Good advice. Only problem: last weekend we got about a foot of snow, and now I am watching, literally as I write this post, snow accumulate at more than an inch per hour, and totals are supposed to range from 12-20 inches by tomorrow. No way I'll be able to move this around with my rear blade, and using my FEL as a shovel would take many hours. So, its back to the walk-behind snowblower.

I am going to go out soon though and push off the 5 inches we've gotten so far with the rear blade, but the additional 10-15 inches we will probably get will be too much for the rear blade, unless I plow 3 or 4 times.

I am also seeing why folks want a snowblower for avoiding bank problems. Our driveway includes a circle around an inner courtyard. Right now, the courtyard looks like a pie, with the banks forming the pie crust. I won't be able to push more snow up there with the rear blade--too high. I would be able to blow it onto the courtyard with a snowblower.

Well, I'll get by fine with what I have, but next year, I'll be getting a rear snowblower for sure.

 

[SeymourBota]

It might be a long shot, but I wonder if a local equipment rental firm or ag equipment dealer might have a 3ph blower that you could rent??

Backing up is a pain, but it would be much easier than a walk-behind.

 

[Spudgunner]

Until a few days ago we were experiencing a VERY dry winter; however, we've received 14"-18" of snow over the past few days. The initial drop was fairly wet but subsequent snowfalls have been pretty dry. This is the first year I've done a bit of commercial snow removal and I've been using both the BX2750 blower and the BX2763 blade. The blade is ALOT cheaper, multi-seasonal, and does a good job on both wet and dry snow. The blower, however, cannot be matched when the snow is moderate to dry in terms of moisture content. The blower is, IMO, easier on my BX23 than the blade as well.

In a nutshell, you might consider a front blade instead of a blower for your snow removal needs. It's cheaper (about $1100) and will get the job done unless you typically have LOTS of snow.

Interestingly, I've found the blade needs different shoes for use on unfrozen DG/gravel roads. They don't have enough bearing area to just "float and forget" the front blade without digging-in. At least on the roads in my area. If the surface is concrete, pavement, or well-frozen roadmix, the stock shoes perform nicely.

One of my neighbors has a nice Mahindra with a 3pt attached blower. I wouldn't even consider that type of blower unless I had very limited removal requirements. (But many folks like that setup; to each their own.) Another neighbor has an old Ford tractor with a rear blade. That setup does pretty well and is cheaper than the front-mount Kubota blade.

This is definitely one of those YMMV scenarios. Good luck with whatever you choose. BTW, if you go with a blower make sure you have extra shear bolts for both the auger(s) and fan.

 

[DannyD]

I dont have one, dont need one with the front loader..........and I can go forward with it.

 

[wippster]

The sales guy is right you can pickup older 3 pt rear blower for cheap in the off season. I picked up this JD84 inch for 400 at a local auction sale this past summer. No repairs just change the hydraulic nipples to pioneer brand and I was set. Alot of farmers sell off there old 6 and 7 foot unit for larger units.

 

[ccsial]

I am also seeing why folks want a snowblower for avoiding bank problems. Our driveway includes a circle around an inner courtyard. Right now, the courtyard looks like a pie, with the banks forming the pie crust. I won't be able to push more snow up there with the rear blade--too high. I would be able to blow it onto the courtyard with a snowblower.

Well, I'll get by fine with what I have, but next year, I'll be getting a rear snowblower for sure.

Nothing beats the blower for getting the snow way off to the side fast. My drive is lined by trees and the blower is terrific. I have no problem drivng in reverse. I have hydraulic angling of the chute which is really fast and there is no cranking.

I can blow fairly wet and heavy snow with my blower. When we get slush it will plug and I use the back blade and loader which I keep on the Ford for the winter. I blade it to one side and then use the loader to dump it over the edge into the woods. Very time consuming.

The main drawback of a blower is wind. I try to keep up wind of the snow but when it is real gusty I get a bit snow covered, but that makes me enjoy the hot coffee and fireplace that much more when I'm done.

 

[ByronBob]

I think as people have mentioned that the blower may or may not be a good choice compared to other set ups.

In your case you really have to think about how many times the snow piles up like this and how often would you use the blower in a normal situation.

In the snow belts (like myself) I couldn't argue about NOT having a blower. Then again in my case the driveway is 650 feet long with not as much as a shrub to block the wind.

I watched my neighbor with his snow fence and he had as much trouble as I do. But even in 18 inches of snow I wonder if my tractor would be enough. I did call in a plow and the farmer a time or 2 for help. But to spend X dollars on something you might use 1x every few winters may not be worth it. I wonder if this is why your dealer talked you out of it.

 

[Stoweski]

Hey Proud... Thought you were looking forward to pushing that snow around.

I've said this before but I'll say it again...
I have a driveway that is 1000 + feet on a hill with an additional 200' of turnaround. I used to use a simplicity 38" walk behind which did a very good job although I was absolutely dead when I got finished. It took about 1/2 hour to blow the driveway. After getting fed up with the blower and the fact that sometimes I had to go teach 100+ 12-13 yr old kids after I blew out the yard I decided for the tractor.
The simplicity was $2200. The front blower for my B7610 was $2400. My father now owns the simplicity (which he says blows snow to china) and I got the front blower for $200 (it's nice having a dad who likes toys). I contemplated the rear blower but figured I'd go all out and not have a stiff neck afterward.
As for the manual chute rotator and the manual deflector, I bought a linear actuator and a friend gave me a car door window motor. I also bought a set of switches for the dash on the tractor. I had a guy weld a bracket to mount the motor to chute as well as a shaft on the motor to connect to the rotator shaft. The actuator went on the side of the chute. This system works like a charm as I can put the snow right where I want it without getting too much on me. I don't feel I need a cab in part because I like the outdoors and because I can control the chute enough to adjust it for the 'wind factor'. $200 later I have all the controls in the world.

If I had to recommend a way to get rid of the snow I'd go with the front blower. Maybe a bit expensive at first but what a breeze to use.
We're expecting only 3"-6" of snow tonight then changing over to sleet and freezing rain... then possibly all rain by tomorrow afternoon. Here's to another day without kids!
Keith

 

[Bob_Young]

One other drawback to the snowblower:
You really should store it inside when not in use and that'll mean, for around 10 months out of the year, you'll be stumbling over it.

The blade, on the other hand, is useful all year long and can be dropped out in the bushes when not in use.

Like you, P-M, I'm trying to get by with FEL and blade. For the most part it's enough. Have only really needed a blower once so far this year but, like you, will probably end up with one.

One thing I've noticed; the feel, speed and ease with which I now use the loader and the blade have all increased dramatically since last fall. Can mere skill take the place of another implement?
Bob

 

[BlackforestBill]

I've been using the FEL and BB on a BX2200 to remove snow off my 300' drive, large parking area, and the drives of a number of neighbors since 2001. There are times I wish I had a blower, but it never stopped me from moving the snow very effectively with what I have.

I get drifts over 5 foot tall when the winds come with the snow. The drive is roadbase. Things work better when the base is froze, but that's not an all the time event. The snow fence down the drive covers about half of it very effectively. Keep it 40 feet from what you want to protect.

The trick is I DO NOT DIG with the FEL. I push. In the deep stuff push until you about stall, back out and push next to that. Keep at it until it's off to where you want it. I usually work about 3 bucket widths at a time. You'll be surprised how quickly you get the hang of it and how quickly you can move a lot of snow.

 

[Stef]

One other drawback to the snowblower:
You really should store it inside when not in use and that'll mean, for around 10 months out of the year, you'll be stumbling over it.

I store mine outside with a tarp over it. It's been 3 years since I bought it and it's in a very good shape.

 

[WayneB]

I do the same as Stef and store my snowblower on a pallet with a tarp over it. Only problem is bees and snakes! Always fine nest and a snake skin or two under the tarps.

With the snowblower it isn't too bad as it is cold and they are long gone, but with other things, well one takes his chances.

 

[Stoweski]

Since I don't have a stick built garage I store my tractor in a portable garage... $150 special from Harbor Freight. The blower fits neatly in the back of the garage on a pallet. I plan on using butchers wax on it after I touch up the paint to protect from rust as well as greasing it before storing it for the summer. My main concern is moisture from the humid weather which I'm hoping the butchers wax will prevent any rust
1/4" of ice currently... weathermen still can't forecast here. They originally called for 3"-6" of snow. No snow on the deck... I'm off to school... and I don't get to use the tractor today

Keith.

 

[ccsial]

An advantage to the rear blower is you can take it off in a couple of minutes if you want the rear blade for slush. You also have your loader available too.

 

[proudestmonkey]

I dont have one, dont need one with the front loader..........and I can go forward with it.

From the pic, it looks like you might live in a residential neighborhood. If I did, I'd just use the walk-behind snowblower for really heavy snows, and wouldn't even use the tractor. I live out in the country, though, with a driveway to the shed that has two hills, and a driveway to the road with a roundabout, a hill, a nearly 180 degree curve. Total distance is probably 1500 feet or more. So, a walk behind is not really practical, and more to the point, neither is my 48" FEL--it would take less time to use the walk behind blower than the FEL with the amount of drive I am trying to clear.

 

[proudestmonkey]

One other drawback to the snowblower:
You really should store it inside when not in use and that'll mean, for around 10 months out of the year, you'll be stumbling over it.

The blade, on the other hand, is useful all year long and can be dropped out in the bushes when not in use.

Like you, P-M, I'm trying to get by with FEL and blade. For the most part it's enough. Have only really needed a blower once so far this year but, like you, will probably end up with one.

One thing I've noticed; the feel, speed and ease with which I now use the loader and the blade have all increased dramatically since last fall. Can mere skill take the place of another implement?
Bob

I am (on most days) exactly where you are, Bob. Except once or twice a year, I don't need a snowblower for my tractor. I also use the rear blade during warmer weather for slope and path sculpting (trying to make my little piece of heaven look like a state park).

I also think there's a learning curve that I am still climbing, and I am seeing the benefits. In fact, yesterday, I managed to clear out 7" of pretty heavy stuff just using the rear blade and then in a few places the FEL. I used the FEL mostly to push piles that I had built pushing snow from last weekend's foot of snow. I am also getting used to the idea that I want to use the FEL as little as possible, because I have quite a few different levels of incline on my gravel driveway and the FEL tends to grab a lot more gravel than I intend, and getting the level correct for the incline is difficult, especially when snowdrifts mislead you on the incline.

 

[proudestmonkey]

Hey Proud... Thought you were looking forward to pushing that snow around.

Keith

I was, and am, looking forward to sitting on the tractor to push snow around. That doesn't mean its easy, though.

I also have to consider how this is affecting my lower back. I end up having to adjust the rear blade quite a bit to get the angle right, which means jostling it around in the ice and snow so I can adjust the top link. The blade weighs 250. Once I get the hang of things, I am guessing I'll hit a "sweet spot" with the blade and won't need to move it around as much.

 

[Jay_T]

My JRW 55 Was $800 used ,but in good shape during the summer. It also has an electric rotator. It does a good job.
The neck thing has never been much of an issue with hydrostatic drive.
And like the others I'm sure if you find it does not fit your program you can resell it. Mine just gets the chain oiled the motor covered and put in the woods for the summer.

That being said most of the time I use the blade on the front because it is faster. But when things get deep / or just too much for the blade the blower does a good job.

 

[safetyman]

I'm just south of the Twin Cities in MN and have a new B7800 in the garage with only a FEL. I was Christmas morning excited about both the snowfalls we've gotten and the chance to use the new rig. I live in housing development so space to put snow is limited-right now I win the contest for biggest pile of snow in the yard. My Kubota is going to our farm in SE MN which has had over 40" of snow in the last week-so after reading your post it sounds like I should start putting my nickles away for a snow blower.

 

[Stef]

Total distance is probably 1500 feet or more. So, a walk behind is not really practical, and more to the point, neither is my 48" FEL--it would take less time to use the walk behind blower than the FEL with the amount of drive I am trying to clear.

1500 feet... you'd need a front snowblower.

IMHO working on a tractor isn't just a question of getting the job done (unless it's your job all year long). Fun is also important. Sometimes it's ok to spend a bit more money to get the right implement and have fun with it. That way you'll always be looking forward to work with your tractor and your implements. It makes happier people. You know, Proud, you could clear your driveway with a small shovel (it could be done), but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be a happy man, living in fear of the next snowfall. If one is happy to clear his driveway with a blade, it's great too, that's the goal. If you have the chance to try a snowblower on your tractor, do so. Afterward you'll be in a good position to compare what is best suited for your needs (I mean to get the job done AND to be happy doing it).

There IS a problem with what I said: If you really like your winter setup and there's no snow to play with... well, you'll be a bit sad. I've waited 3 years to get a winter like this one (1 big snowfall and another one is coming my way this afternoon). I had so much fun with the last snowfall. I used the tractor for 2 days and a half (2 full diesel tanks burned, around 20 hours of seat time: daylight or not).