BX Snowblower Tips?

[Anonymous Poster]

I bought a BX2200 last June. Here in southeastern NY we're getting closer to the first snowfall of the year and my first use of the BX snowblower.

Does anyone have any tips or comments about switching over from the loader to the snowblower? Any problems?

Does anyone have any comments about their use of the snowblower? Do you put the control lever forward, into "float", and just let it ride the skid shoes?

Anybody using that electric chute adjuster?
Anybody using a cab to stay out of the blowing snow?

How's the 4wd on the BX2200 deal with snowy steep paved driveways (like mine)? Should I order four chains now, before I get stuck? I have a drive about 400' long with a 100' section in the middle that is probably 25-30 degrees steep. Will my BX "bar" tires (not the turfs) deal with that kind of slope without chains? The rear tires are calcium chloride loaded.

...thanks, Rich S.

 

[RobS]

Rich, I can only answer a couple of your questions based on my snowblower/little tractor. Cab: Wish I had at least a windshield, side curtains and a roof. Right now I bundle up like I'm conquering Everest... parka with hood, ski goggles, neck gaiter, long gloves over the sleeves and ski bibs with gaiters. Make sure those pockets are zipped/snapped shut! The snow goes everywhere when it's fluffy and the wind never seems to be consistent due to various obstructions. Try to plan your blowing session to go with the wind where you can. Traction: I suspect a 4X4 won't have trouble unless you get ice. My little tractor is rear drive and it's pretty marinal on my small hill. Won't even move on ice without chains. Hope this helps,

Rob

 

[GerryS]

I just removed the 60" mower deck from my BX2200,and installed the snowblower.Two main things,next time I'll use the loader to help me move the deck to it's winter storage spot.Also I won't try and save 5 min by trying to mount the quick hitch with the snowblower on it to the tractor.I did have trouble with the hydraulic lines,not seeing one mounted before mounting mine.I tried a couple of hose combinations,but the snowblower worked in reverse to the loader.I went back to the dealer and he explained the correct hose connections to me.Now the cylinder works correctly,but one of the lines coming from the quick hitch is in a big loop,if it was 18" shorter I would have not have had any problem.
I have the bar tires also,and I'd like to hear how you fare with yours plus if you get a cab let me know if it gets warm.I got to use the grass catcher this fall,and it does a good job.It picks up the pine cones,needles,and the oak and maple leaves.
The bx2200 is my first non gas 4wd tractor so I've had all the beginners ques.I like the machine,and so far its done a fine job. Jerry S

 

[msocko3]

Like Robs I only have experience with my garden tractor and it's 48" 2 stage snow blower, I however harbor a sick secret... I own a BX1800 that is at this time setting in the corner or the garage under a blanket until spring /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Anyway, I agree with Rob, you need to bundle up real good because you end up wearing almost as much snow as you blow, a cab would be a nice touch, just can't justify it for how much snow I blow at one time. I use a combination of float and down force on the blower depending on where I'm blowing snow, if I'm on my paved driveway then I use enough down force to make the front tire light, my garden tractor is hydro. If I'm going into the yard I either float the blower or raise it a touch until the ground gets good and frozen hard. Also planing is important (As stated by someone else, can't remember who) If you have fragile trees or shrubs, pillars with lights and other things that can be broken you want to direct your snow away from them, I have shrubs that bend and break easy and I have pillars with lights. As for usage of chains, I would assume the 4x4 should help, and should be fine on snow, on ice I'll bet given the grade of your driveway you will want chains. I know my 2 wheel drive garden tractor works great in snow, on ice it's a real pig, even with 50 lbs of weight on each tire, chains, and 100 pounds in a rear mounted weight box.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

It is December 14 as I write this and I suspect you have had a chance to use your snowblower. I know I sure have. I works great. I clear a 100' path from my barn to the main paved driveway. Even in "float" position the weight of the blower tends to want to grab a bit of turf if you are not careful. The shoes are not wide enough for soft sod. This morning the 8" snowfall was icy and quite heavy. Not wet, just heavy. My BX2200 worked pretty hard this morning. Snowblowing can consume more PTO horsepower than any other implement especially with wet or heavy snow. A little smoke was frequently seen and the back of the snowblower does get a little sooty after a few hours. The exhaust discharges directly against the back of the blower housing. I estimate the heavy snow discharged about 40' at 3/4 throttle. The float position does nicely for normal removal on hard surfaces. I also make a few paths to my wife's bird feeders. I am getting better at leaving the sod in place. I put some downward pressure on the blower when there are compressed tire tracks in the driveway. It removes the packed snow and tracks. My old JD used to ride up and over the tire tracks and it would get worse with each subsequent snowfall. The discharge chute direction is easily controlled manually. You certainly use it because the snow discharge can damage small shrubs and tree buds. I am very happy with my snowblower so far. It does attach with some difficulty, however.

 

[msocko3]

It's good to see someone is having fun in the snow on their Kubota. I was talking to a guy that bought a BX this summer, he ordered a blower 1st week of November, the dealer doesn't expect to get it until Feb. It looks like attachements are as hard to get as the tractors were earlier this year.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Just another observation on the BX snowblower. I have been blowing snow for 15 years with a JD 112 10hp. Aside from the severe power deficiency, the 112 required wheel weights and chains to get the job done. On asphalt, the chains were almost useless if there was any ice. The BX with 4x drive has been great. No wheel slip so far in wet, dry, or icy snow. Has worked fine going up my paved incline with no wheel slip where the 112 would only blow snow coming down the incline. Can't wait for a genuine 36" snowfall so see what the BX can really do. I use the Kubota engine block heater for about an hour in real cold weather and it is a lot easier on the engine. No glow plugs necessary after 30-45 minutes. I'm starting to feel sorry for you guys that have to put your tractors away for the winter.

 

[Thomas]

Jeff,
Sounds like your having way to much fun,/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gifbut I do hope you get the chance to see what your BX can really do. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Nobody ever really puts there tractor a way for winter,just less seat time thats all. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here in southeastern British Columbia we've been getting a good dose of the white stuff lately, about 3ft so far. Well I have to say I am totally impressed with the performance of the snowblower on my BX2200. This is the 4th tractor/snowblower unit I have owned and can't help but think how far I have come from the old 10hp cub cadet and single stage snowthrower which I started with that was great for making snow sausages but that was about it.
I've also owned a L245DT with a hydralic driven loader mounted 5ft blower which was great but without power steering it could be a bit of a bear and the gear drive wasen't idealy suited to heavy snow and required some clutch riding in low gear when attacking a big pile. The little BX in low range has tremendous drive wheel torque at slow speeds and gives precise control to the feed rate of the snow. With it's small size and added quickness of the hydro trans I can have my yard and drive cleaned even quicker than the larger old L245. As far as the distance it will send the snow flying, it beats anything else I have ever seen. In dense, dry snow it sent the fountain of snow flying over 80ft at full throttle. My neighbors have been telling me that it throws snow too far and I don't need to throw it that far, they're a bit jealous. I've found that like mowing, half to three quarter throttle works great and is much quieter. It is nice to have the extra power available when I need show off though. hehehe
I also have the electric chute rotator which is little more than a power window motor from a car coupled to the chute rotator in place of the hand crank. My only complaint is that is pretty slow turning and needs to be thawed out if it gets a bit of ice built up. I think a hydralic set up would have been be much better especially since there are the live extra hoses from the loader tilt right there ready to go. My advice for now is save the $300 and go with the crank. There is a power chute deflector adjuster available this might be handy if you need to control the throwing distance and don't want to leave the tractor seat.

 

[RockfromVT]

Hey, I just bought a BX-25 with the 50" Snow Blower and had the Cyclinder installed to spin the chute with hydraulics and the electric Add-on to raise and lower it from the seat.
I used a Toro 17-44HXL Lawn Tractor for 10 years. It mowed in the summer and carried a Bercomac 42" Dual Stage Blower all winter. Worked great but I needed a change. This Kubota is "SWEET" The only thing I was disappointed about in comparison to my Toro was the fact that where I live in Bridport, VT, I have a dirt driveway about 250' long and lots of ups and downs from the concrete slab in front of my work shop, etc. I was constantly raising and lowering the blower to avoid carrying and digging. Other than that it was outstanding.
Just before I finished, it changed to sleet and turned everything to ice in a matter of minutes. Never spun a tire. (in 4 wheel) I bought chains for the back yesterday just in case but can see they won't be needed.
I did just call the Dealer and asked about floating. He told me on the BX-25 that the controller can be put in Float Mode by pushing it forward until it clicks and locks in place. I went out and tried it and it did. NOW THAT THE JOB IS DONE! There will be more snow though for testing. This was our first blowable snowfall of the year. He said the float works great for backdragging with the bucket as well. Been there already....wish I knew it then. As far as a cab is concerned, I always wore coveralls and nice gloves with my Toro and was always warm. We get wind 350 days a year where I live on Lake Champlain. I did buy the sunshade for my Kubota and it did keep the snow off me and the sleet, which was nice. As far as the snow blowing on you, the other guy said it exactly right....blow with the wind and keep the chute low and you can do the job and never get any snow on you at all. Takes a few times before you will find the best pattern for your property and then you will know when to turn the chute and when to raise or lower it. Would I spend the extra cash to get the electric chute adjuster and hydraulic chute spinner if I had to do it again? ABSOLUTELY! Good investment.
A cab would be nice to have but they are beyond ugly and would never want to make my new tractor look like something covered in lawn bags!
Enjoy your new machine. I've only had mine a few weeks and haven't found anything I dislike about it. Glad I went with Kubota.
I've been saying I'm going to post some photos but haven't done it yet. I'll get that done soon.
-Rock-