BX1500...plow or blower?

coachgrd · Feb 16, 2004

Through the search option I have gathered that I am looking at around 6900.00 for a new BX1500. What I cannot find is price on a snow blower. Also, do any of you push snow with your BX 1500 rather than blow. I do know that blowers are not cheap and am wondering if I could get away with a plow...my guess is no as I live in Lake Effect snow country.

Thanks in advance for you help.
Gary

Henro · Feb 16, 2004

If we got a lot of snow the blower is the only way I would go. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I am sure someone who actually has a blower on a bx will chime in.

It sure looks to me like the blower is the tool of choice when a lot of snow is involved.

44trxfun · Feb 16, 2004

Coachgrd, without knowing anything about your specific situation (hint: fill out your profile or tell us more about your needs) I'll add that my (Kub/MF) dealer "pooh-poohed" the idea of putting a blower on the BX1500. Didn't think it would have the PTO HP to do the job well. I wasn't even considering the BX1500 so it wasn't a ploy to entice me to move up. I love my blower, but it's on a MF GC2300, quite similar to the BX2200. As for the plow quetion, I couldn't tell you, but if you're getting lake effect snow, you'll need a lot of room to pile it and a tractor capable of doing so. Good luck with your quest.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 17, 2004

Here you go

link

kevinj · Feb 17, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'll add that my (Kub/MF) dealer "pooh-poohed" the idea of putting a blower on the BX1500. Didn't think it would have the PTO HP to do the job well. )</font>

It is amazing how many people slam the bx1500 but will have a blower on a 14 hp garden tractor. The bx1500 is very capable with a snow blower. Sure the bx2200 has more horses but is snow removal your biggest job ???? Mine is lawn mowing and the bx1500 is a better lawn mower than a bx2200 for the average yard because it is 6" shorter making a very quick handling machine. I live in west Michigan and have blew tons of snow this winter with my bx1500. It does the job better and faster than I used to do with a truck and 7 1/2' blade.

44trxfun · Feb 17, 2004

Kevinj, excellent points. I was only passing on what my dealer said, but those of you with experience using the BX1500 for the task are the real experts!

boustany · Feb 17, 2004

If you get more than the occasional couple of inches, you want a blower unless you only have a short driveway or area to clear. Each time you plow snow, it piles up on each side and pretty soon you can't pile anymore. It you blow the snow, you spread it away and over a greater area, so you can pretty much deal with any snowfall.

A blade is great for dressing things up, or dealing with the odd drifting snow.

Using a blade or FEL to move a lot of snow can take an awful lot of time, and wear and tear on the tractor. My 3010 with a rear blower is a faster snow mover than my old 580C with a 6' bucket. And it makes a better job.

I am not directly familiar with the BX1500, but I suspect that if you get a 48" rear blower it'll handle it because the attachment would meet the weight and power requirements of the PTO and hitch.

I have a Deere 345 with an 18 hp gas engine and a belt driven 40" front thrower (single stage) and it works ok, except on real heavy wet snow, so a diesle with a PTO should work fine.

I have a lot of trouble with a rear mount because of my back, though.

RalphVa · Feb 17, 2004

That link that the Yankee fan produced is what I remembered. That was a 3 pt rear blower. If you have much snow, a front blower makes a lot of sense. I started off on this forum asking about a subCUT with blower and bush hog. Folks, through some Search research, steered me to an FEL and the bush hog. LOTS of them use an FEL for snow work.

However, if you REALLY get that lake effect snow, you can't beat a blower.

I've a Gravely with an old square chute snow blower (think the first one Gravely made). Had occasion to use it on 7" of sleet last winter. The snow plow wouldn't touch it, just rode up over it, or the tractor just wouldn't push it with chains. Heard same story from folks with those little snow throwers on it. They weren't heavy enough to dig down into it.

Well, my 12 hp Gravely dug right in and threw that stuff about 70' into the air. Had to watch if I got near the garage door opening or a window anywhere. It took the full 12 hp for the little 26-27" blower on that heavy stuff. Heard of Gravely folks using it on really deep snows that weren't so heavy.

I'd think the BX1500 should push and power a blower the same width (approx. 35-36") as it.

Ralph

cokeman · Feb 17, 2004

I just got a BX1500 and Lucknow 4 foot rear blower. I works extremely well. I bet it would even power a 5 foot blower. Nuff said!

kenta · Mar 7, 2004

I bought a Kubota B2910 with a Kubota B2782 front mounted snowblower.I can keep a 1/2 mile road open that hadn't been touch this winter till the tractor arrived 2 weeks ago. I was amazed what this workhorse could do. Many said it couldn't handle that much snow that was packed and 30 inches in places, but it did. With a Curtis Cab and 12 hours of labor I opened up the road. This is an amazing machine. For the size I am impressed. Hope this helps. Kenta