BX Snowblower or walk-behind?

[RayCo2]

I'm pondering getting a snow blower for this winter. My driveway is approximately 1,000 feet long, and has parts where it is a cattle chute, in that I cannot divert snow to either side because of embankments. I've been using the loader of my BX24 since I got it in 2007, and it's been ample. But, there are complications when the snow is deep, so I'm thinking about getting a snow blower to do the job more easily. My driveway has a steep incline and a steep decline, and it also has a circle in it, which is a little awkward to do with a FEL. I also often to my in-laws' driveway next door, which is another 1200 feet or so.

So, the question is, do I get a nice walk-behind snow blower (have my eyes on an Ariens Professional 28 Hydro Rapidtrak (can't post a link with a new account)) or put a snow blower on my BX? I'm leaning toward the walk-behind, because it's more maneuverable, so I assume, but I also like the increased efficiency to be found with having a snow blower on my tractor. Pros and cons?

Thanks

 

[BoylermanCT]

The answer depends a lot on where you live, and how much snow you get. You should add your location to your profile. Are you are thinking of a front mounted blower on the BX or rear mounted 3 point blower? The tractor blower will be faster overall, as it wider and ground speed should be faster, but probably a lot more expensive. Walk behind is more maneuverable and cheaper. If you have the money, I would go with the tractor.

I have a 7.5' plow on front and a 64" blower on the back. If it is up to 6" I use the plow. If over 6", the blower. And I have a 28" blower as backup in case the tractor is down for some reason.

 

[atitus74]

I can share my experience. For me time was the factor. I have an 800 foot driveway, paved, one part has an incline. Since I bought this house a few years ago I was using a similar size blower and it worked fine but my issue was TIME. Regardless of how much snow I'd have to make four passes at least to clear the driveway. If I occasionally had to help a neighbor ... yikes. This year when I got my BX1880 I opted to get the front 50' snow blower. I should be able to clear enough to get in and out with two (much faster hopefully) passes. My wife is a teacher and gets up early and when she has to leave, I need to be able to get it done quickly. It comes at a cost though. The snow blower was expensive and comes by default with only MANUAL controls for rotation and you have to get off the tractor to change the deflection angle. For me that wasn't going to work. Once you add in the hyraulic controls it was close to $4000 for the blower. Yeah I could have made it closer to $3000 with electric controls but when you are in that deep, might as well swim for the gold medal :laughing:

 

[CalG]

With 1000 feet to clear, A front mounted blower would be my ONLY option.

50 inches at a pass, down and back gets a car out. Cars don't need pristine, just clear enough!

Walking behind a blower for four passes at 6 in the morning just would not do. Well, maybe, if the walk behind were well situated, and had electric start. The neighbor has one and clears quite an area. Only using his B series tractor with blower when the snow gets deep.

My wife also teaches, and I need to be on the mountain by 7 all winter long. Tractor Blower is the way to go, even if you need to come back and finish up in the evening

 

[sd455dan]

Agree^^ ^ 1000 feet on a bad day with the snow blowing back in your face is no fun.

I do use a track drive walk behind blower , but only for trails to buildings / walk ways.

They have a place but imo long driveways are not it

 

[Howling]

I went from 30" walk behind to BX w/ front mounted blower couple years ago. Faster and easier to do driveway and paths around house. Only thing I miss about the walk behind is the heated grips.

With steep drive I suggest also getting a back blade. Front blower requires removal of FEL. In light storms (~1") the blower will act more like a plow.

Remember to not let rear tire chains get too close to wife's car.

 

[srossman]

Is the driveway paved or stone? I used a walk behind for several years on my stone driveway and I usually broke at least 1 shear pin each time due to sucking up a rock. I've got a 50" 3pt blower now on the back and it makes it so much easier.

 

[diesel85]

I have a nice Snapper walk-behind for those touch up/light snow days when a tractor is just overkill.

I have a 50" Braber on the back of my BX2200, and it was another one of those "best" investments. I don't look back on buying it. I absolutely love it. Does a heck of a job.

 

[Kubota 2350]

I had a front blower on my BX2350 and it worked great, I also have a walk behind snow blower, I'll take the tractor mounted blower any time over the walk behind.

 

[JWR]

The answer depends a lot on where you live, and how much snow you get. You should add your location to your profile. The tractor blower will be faster overall, as it wider and ground speed should be faster, but probably a lot more expensive. Walk behind is more maneuverable and cheaper. If you have the money, I would go with the tractor.

Agree with BoylermanCT. It depends... and only you know the terrain, the surface, how much snow you get how often, etc.

For my 2 cents worth, DO NOT remove the loader and buy the expensive and more complex front blower. I have far less to clear than you (vacation place in WV mountains) but I find that the loader is indispensable. Never be without it. If the snow is not a major storm I get by with just the loader and often a rear blade. It is a BIG advantage to be able to work "both ways" with a tool on both ends of the tractor. I find that true here at home too where I use a BX2200 but do not have very much snow ~ 3-4 times a year. If there is a big storm in the mountain location (worst cases are packed down accumulations, sometimes over 2 feet) then I put on the 60" rear mounted blower. I'm using a B2150 Kubota up there which has the wonderful feature of a creeper gear ideal for blowing heavy snow. With your BX, the hydrostatic should be great for blowing as well. Blower in back and loader up front is a pretty robust combo unless you have huge snows and huge removal demands. If that were true, you need twice the size tractor too. I see the walk-behind as nothing but a backup and something for sidewalks and special cases.

If you are in a frequent deep snow location (or deal with packed down accumulations often) you are going to be into a set of chains before long. Clearance is tough in the rear. Front chains are not seen that much but I feel they avoid getting stuck while being MUCH cheaper and easier to put on.

 

[dodge man]

I had a walk behind blower before I bought my BX. I use a rear blade and an end loader. I sold the blower because I never used it. My driveway is about 600 feet long. Have you tried a rear blade? I will say unless the snow is really deep, say over 12", the rear blade and/or end loader is quicker. It all depends on how much snow you get. A rear blower is a lot cheaper but if you use it a lot front mount would be the easiest on your neck.

 

[atitus74]

I borrowed neighbor's 4wd truck with a plow on it and while it was effective I was never very happy with where the snow ended up. While sure I could use the loader to move the snow afterward, its less effective at reducing the time I spend on snow management. I feel like the blower lets me get the snow in an out-of-the-way place on the first pass. In my head I am now curious if I would have to completely remove the front hitch in order to use the loader ... yeah I would have to unhook the hydraulic but it might just tag along for the ride. I'll have to try it and see.

 

[diesel85]

I'm with JWR on his idea. That's why I bought a rear mount and leave the FEL on. It is so awesome to relocate snow, then turn around and blow it in another area. I do this a lot of time when I do bank cutting at the shoulders of my drive to the roadway. Very handy.

 

[Howling]

I borrowed neighbor's 4wd truck with a plow on it and while it was effective I was never very happy with where the snow ended up. While sure I could use the loader to move the snow afterward, its less effective at reducing the time I spend on snow management. I feel like the blower lets me get the snow in an out-of-the-way place on the first pass. In my head I am now curious if I would have to completely remove the front hitch in order to use the loader ... yeah I would have to unhook the hydraulic but it might just tag along for the ride. I'll have to try it and see.

On my BX2370-1 the loader does hit the quick hitch keeping the bucket from going flat of the ground. The BX1800 loader is different. See if your dealer has a quick hitch and see if interferes with the loader.

 

[atitus74]

I have the quick hitch already, if I get a few mins in the next day or two I'll throw it on there with the loader and see what happens. FYI I have the pin on bucket not skid steer quick attach so that might buy me a few inches.

 

[sandyc]

I’m 75 and fell on the ice last winter......broken wrist....
Guess what I use....a front mount blower ....and remember to wear my ice spikes.

 

[justoldjoe]

Our drive is also 1000', 900 gravel and 100 paved. I purchased a blower for the bx 2360 when I purchased it about 5 years ago and have no regrets. I did find the rotating chute control poorly designed from kubota and found a12v high torque low rpm (50) motor off of ebay. That adapted rather easily. Our driveway has a number of turns and varies from through the pine trees to about 500' which has only minimum trees on either side so the wind direction does vary. I do also have a B7200 with a rear mount woods 52" which just stays put for the heavy snow. After years of using a plow or walk behind, the front snowblower on the BX is dependable and does the job even in heavy snow.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

RayCo,

I have a 54 blower on my BX and it痴 AMAZING! I used my FEL for 1 Winter and would be hard pressed to think of a less efficient way to move snow! I then bought 60 Rear Mount Blower and that was a PIA.

I have a 500 paved driveway here in Massachusetts and I gotta tell ya Front Mount Blower is the way to go!! I am SO glad I spent the cash on the RIGHT tool for the job! I have a soft side cab from Original Tractor Cab and that too is great.
I have Hydraulic rotation and electric tilt, if I recall correctly it was about $4K, another $1k for the cab.

My property prevents me from having a cabbed tractor for summer mowing.

I think I have pics and Vids if you are interested, just PM me

Cheers,
BN

P

 

[check]

I have a 54 inch rear mount blower on my BX 25, and it is really quite amazing. It will blow through anything, and while I get a bit of a sore neck looking back, I do appreciate having the FEL on the front for windrows at the entrance to my driveway and what not. I do appreciate however, that there is a big debate between front mount and rear mount blowers. I still want to get a camera so that I don’t have to look back when I am blowing.

 

[robertm]

Last thing I want to do is hijack this thread, but I bought a rear Kubota 51" blower for my B2620 four years ago. It was never used. When I bought my current BX2670, I cut the shaft so it'd be ready, and it's STILL never been used. After four years of collecting Midwest dust, It's on Craigslist.
I struggle now trying to figure out what I need. I have been looking for a used front QH-mounted blade, but a dealer said it's a pain to take off/put on if I need the front-end loader to move snow piled up by the blade. I had the FEL-mounted blade, and after two seasons, I had enough. That was a waste on the BX.
If money was no object, I'd have both the front blower and blade, but $5,500 outlay for two implements that get used only a few times a month for barely four months in Illinois, is not gonna happen.
To the OP, I'd say, get the front blower if you receive real snow. To walk that yardage, is crazy, and you're only getting older.