BX1860 - First snow season in Buffalo hills

[bradleyb]

Hey folks,

Last year I asked for and received great advice concerning my decision/convincing of wife to by a BX1860. I did buy this sucker in March, just in time to do one snow blower test run.

This was a tiny little 1" snowfall. I'm in the Boston hills, which are south of Buffalo. I saw another posting earlier from someone who must be a neighbor, at least to some extent.

Anyhow... I've got the 2750D front-mount snow blower and no rear or wheel weights yet. I've also got the turf tires, FWIW.

I understand that I'll probably find myself needing weight in the back of this machine. The wheel weights will cost a total of $150, whereas the ballast box is $189 or so.

Are there other options that will do the job and are close in price? My driveway is about 175', with a couple minor hills.

Does someone have a similar situation (mucho snow, long driveway) who can tell me if weight is really needed?

thanks!

 

[radioman]

more weight the better. Do you have ANY 3 pt implements? Its would add some weight. before I added rimguard to mine, I used a 4 ft rear blade and hung ALL the chains I had in the shop looped on the rear blade for extra weight and it works. The first time I needed the chains, it was a pain to unravel, so I ended up with liquid ballast on tires.

By the way, I have rimguard (liquid ballast) in my BX and it makes all the difference in the world. You definitely want to add some sort of weight in rear. If you are going uphill with blower lifted up, you could be slipping no matter what tire type you have unless you have chains on.

 

[Bota Bum]

I have a 2360 with turfs. I loaded the rear tires with rimguard. I have the loader and a Woods rear blade. The main chore for the machine is mowing lawn.

In hindsight, I wish I went with the ballest box, rather than loading the tires. For grass cutting, I think the machine is too heavy as the yard has wheel marks after cutting. With the ballest box, you can attach when needed and still keep a somewhat light machine for mowing by dropping the box. Wheel weights, seem a hassel to take off and on.

The 189 is a good price for the BB. My dealer wants 211, on sale. Search to forum for ways to load the BB, that, will cost a little extra for cement/pipes.

Edit - tracks in lawn...this is my first summer cutting with the BX...and it has been wet wet wet...

 

[keyman1808]

I'm getting a caryy all from TSC and I will put sand and ice melt on it. The weight of the sand and icemelt (200-300 lbs) me and the carry all should be enough. I was leaving the BH on but it was a PITA running back to the garage to get the sand and ice melt so now I will just carry it with me

 

[SeymourBota]

chain up with 2-links!!!!

 

[bradleyb]

Thanks all.

I don't have any 3PH implements currently, although even without the need for weight I would like to have something to hold the side bars steady while mowing, etc.

The dealer is actually telling me that the ballast box sells for $240, and that wheel weights are 50lbs each and sell for a total of $100.

This particular salesman has a BX1500 from several years ago, and tells me that he has no problems whatsoever with a front blower, so I'm still not sure what to think about that.

 

[MattJ]

I don't think you'ld need the ballast unless you have crazy hills. We had our BX1830 in rochester and plowed with the front end loader and did pretty well with nothing and turf tires. When the snow got really deep we put the tiller on for ballast but we were pushing, you are blowing.

 

[billsh96]

I have the same tractor & blower. Three hundred foot uphill driveway. The rear wheel weights do just fine, I have never had a problem. I leave them on year round.

 

[bp fick]

My 1860 was a terrific snow fighter. Loved it.

The wheel weights, which wouldn't seem like much, made all the difference. The weight is at the lowest spot and at the traction spot. A weight box is a nice counter balance to the blower, as would an inexpensive, little 5' rear blade just to back up and pull out a spot. :thumbsup:

 

[legbuh]

I have a 4 foot box blade from TSC that I use as my "ballast" when using the FEL. It also works good for numerous jobs around the yard, and even in winter worked nice for scraping the driveway.

This winter though I have a 51" rear mount blower coming. I was easily talked out of the front mount by the dealer.