BXpanded snow plow?

[timswi]

None.

The blade is able to float w/o the loader in the float position, so the tractor doesn't lift its front wheels.



Gravel. No problems with tearing things up. There are a few spots on the drive that were much higher than the surrounding area that I hadn't taken care of this summer.... well they have been leveled now.

I don't consider that tearing up as I really DID want them leveled out.

To preven tearing up the gravel, put a machine belt on the cutting edge of the plow. I rides over the gravel without tearing it up..Doesn't cut through packed snow though...Also doesn't scratch paved driveways. I did this on both RTV's...Works great.

A potential option idea for the Bxpanded plow?

 

[jdonovan]

jdonovan,
Thanks for the info. One last question - what would you estimate is your install/removal time for the blade?

< 60 seconds.

If I really worked at at, and was on perfectly level ground perhaps 30 seconds.

The basic steps.

Drive up, hooking the cutting edge of the bucket onto snow plow frame.

Hook the chain binder to the bucket. Tighten chain that holds the plow frame to the bucket with the binder.

Attach plow lift chain to hook on the bucket.

Begin plowing snow.

Off is even quicker as there is no need to get anything aligned/tightened.

I like the idea of quick change between blade and FEL since I don't know in advance what snow conditions will require.

As do I. Which is why I went with the bxpanded unit. I'm going to try it out this winter as-is, but my feel is I may setup a 3rd function on my BX so I can have angle control from the seat. Its not hard to manually change the angle, but I feel that if it was easier to adjust the angle I would adjust it more as I worked rather than just leaving the blade at its current angle.

 

[acs55812]

For those that have a setup similar to this, overall how well does it work for you?

I ask because I did about the same thing with a $100 plow from a neighbor-----I secured it in the loader tight, with chains from each side back to the loader----used it less than an hour and gave up, snow would pack in between the blade and the loader causing the overall weight on the front to be such I couldn't get the back wheels to stay on the ground. I have used the bucket alone, with this blade setup and also used a rear blade---of those three I can't see that the front blade "in" the bucket is the way to go at all---it created alot of hassle for me.

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

For those that have a setup similar to this, overall how well does it work for you?

I ask because I did about the same thing with a $100 plow from a neighbor-----I secured it in the loader tight, with chains from each side back to the loader----used it less than an hour and gave up, snow would pack in between the blade and the loader causing the overall weight on the front to be such I couldn't get the back wheels to stay on the ground. I have used the bucket alone, with this blade setup and also used a rear blade---of those three I can't see that the front blade "in" the bucket is the way to go at all---it created alot of hassle for me.

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience.

I've no problem with my set up, although I do have loaded tires!!:thumbsup:

In deep snow I do get some snow in the bucket, but nothing I can't "shake" out with the bucket elevated and the plow blade curled down...

Also, plow id hard pinned into my bucket w/ 1" pins, Takes a slight shimmy to line up , pin and then go...No need to tighten chains...Also I got rid of the lift chain and have a piece of pipe in its place, pinned to keep the blade from "floating" I now use the FEL float function, and it works great...

 

[escavader]

For those that have a setup similar to this, overall how well does it work for you?

I ask because I did about the same thing with a $100 plow from a neighbor-----I secured it in the loader tight, with chains from each side back to the loader----used it less than an hour and gave up, snow would pack in between the blade and the loader causing the overall weight on the front to be such I couldn't get the back wheels to stay on the ground. I have used the bucket alone, with this blade setup and also used a rear blade---of those three I can't see that the front blade "in" the bucket is the way to go at all---it created alot of hassle for me.

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience.

IM HOOKING A BLADE TO MY BUCKET same way but mine doesnt angle ,its actualy going to be a snow pusher like you see at a parking lot etc .Idrive into it hook up the chains etc .It chatters some on gravel no matter the angle ,but ill solve that when i get the steel to make the two sidewings,im going to make shoes on it like a snowblower so i can adjust how agressive it is.
ALAN

 

[bellweather]

Based on the video on the BXpanded site, the changeover process appears to be fast and simple. One of my concerns has to do with the fact that the plow mounted to the loader is extended so far forward, thereby increasing the strain on the loader arms and linkage, especially with a lateral load. What did Archimedes say about a long enough lever? Still it appears to be an attractive alternative to having to remove the FEL. Again, I would love to hear from more folks with real world experience with the product, preferably owners from the snow belt states. I'd be more convinced if I saw someone using it to bust through one of those huge, dense, icy berms that the town snow-plow leaves in front of your driveway!

 

[jdonovan]

One of my concerns has to do with the fact that the plow mounted to the loader is extended so far forward, thereby increasing the strain on the loader arms and linkage, especially with a lateral load.

I'd be more convinced if I saw someone using it to bust through one of those huge, dense, icy berms that the town snow-plow leaves in front of your driveway!

This is right here, the problem with any of these tools... you can choose to use them in poor ways.

If you set the plow at full angle, and run at max speed at a fairly solid icy snow pile you ARE going to bend and/or break things.

Just because you only have a hammer doesn't mean the world is made of nails. Use the right tool for the right job... not the tool you happen to have at the moment.

If you have something to clear that will overstress the plow/loader assembly it might be prudent to remove the blade and clear the monster ice/snow blocks with just the loader, and then put the blade back on for fine clean up.

 

[bellweather]

Agreed... Always best to use a tool within it's limits of performance, however often the difference between a good tool and a poor tool is that the good tool has been designed to withstand the expected stress of a normal work situation. So I guess the question is, what is normal as the term applies to snow removal?

 

[BXpanded]

Agreed... Always best to use a tool within it's limits of performance, however often the difference between a good tool and a poor tool is that the good tool has been designed to withstand the expected stress of a normal work situation. So I guess the question is, what is normal as the term applies to snow removal?

BW, I'm afraid I'm missing your point. Are you questioning whether or not the BXpanded blade is strong enough for normal use? It's a sturdy plow designed for compact and sub-compact tractors. It's not designed for a D-6 dozer, nor was it really intended to "bust through one of those huge, dense, icy berms that the town snow-plow leaves in front of your driveway!" (although, I guess the definition of huge could be anywhere from 12 inches tall to 6 feet tall).

Just because it's reasonably priced doesn't mean we cut corners. The moldboard is 11 gauge steel with a 3/8" thick edge. That's 58% thicker than the 14 gauge used on most homeowner and smaller commercial plows. Take a look at the big name truck plows and see how far up the ladder in cost you have to go to get those specs. The framework is square tubing rather than the typical angle iron.

One of the big advantages is the ability to drop the blade in a very few seconds, do what you need to do with the FEL bucket, then put the blade back on in just a few more seconds. The other big advantage is having a lot more money left in your pocket!

Sometimes you're better off having both the hammer and a wrench.
Harry

 

[bellweather]

Sorry if I sounded unjustly critical of your product. I think we're actually on the same page. It's the versatility and ease of use that appeal to me (as well as the reasonable cost). Like most anyone researching a product of interest, I was hoping to find out more about the product from actual owner/users, pros and cons. And while I have no doubt that the product itself is well built and of high quality, it would be good to know whether my BX22 FEL could withstand using the BXpanded plow under normal conditions. Normal probably not including charging full bore towards a massive ice berm, but able to get the job done under heavy snow conditions with minimal risk of damage to my tractor.

 

[BXpanded]

Hey BW, No problem! It gave me a reason to point out some stuff that most people don't know about our Snow Plow.

As for the effect on the loader, there are dozens, maybe hundreds of guys on TBN alone that are using bucket mounted plows. I've never seen a post where someone actually documented damaging the loader. There are guys that tell of their friend's cousin's wife's brother that destroyed six skid steers and a Payloader with a bucket mounted plow, but I personally have never seen evidence.

The side loads on the loader are limited by the lateral traction of the front wheels. If you have that "long enough lever", you just slide the tires sideways. If the lever's long enough, you could do it with one hand, but the load on the tractor and loader still can't be more than the tire traction. That lateral traction is pretty limited on a snowy, or at least wet surface. The loader probably withstands far greater side loads when you scoop up a bucket of dirt while turning. Yeah, I know the tire can be in a ditch.. It can be in the ditch when it's dry too. Still doesn't break the loader since most of the forces are in line with the tractor not across. Remember, you are pushing after all.

 

[chrisott]

George,

I was interested in how the BXpanded snow plow works because I miss the FEL in the winter when I put the Kubota blade on. I really am limited with what I can do with the tractor when the blade is on. While I can pile up snow with the blade, it is a lot of running at the snow bank while lifting the plow. I would much prefer to take a load with the FEL and move it out of the way. I hate it when I forget where the rock walls are under the snow!Thanks to JDonovan's posts on his experience with the BXpanded plow, I think I will save up for one of these for next winter.

By the way, the Kubota blade requires a frame which is an additional cost. The cost of both the frame and blade may be more than the BXpanded snow plow. I bought mine in 2006 but there has been too much time in between for me to remember accurately what I paid for both. Sorry.

Chris

 

[GeorgeKG]

Thanks for the thoughts.

For reference, I was quoted $1107 for the 50" manual Kubota blade. I assume, but didn't ask specifically, that price includes the mounting frame. It certainly should be included at that price.

Have you found any use for the Kubota blade besides pushing snow?

George,

I was interested in how the BXpanded snow plow works because I miss the FEL in the winter when I put the Kubota blade on. I really am limited with what I can do with the tractor when the blade is on. While I can pile up snow with the blade, it is a lot of running at the snow bank while lifting the plow. I would much prefer to take a load with the FEL and move it out of the way. I hate it when I forget where the rock walls are under the snow!Thanks to JDonovan's posts on his experience with the BXpanded plow, I think I will save up for one of these for next winter.

By the way, the Kubota blade requires a frame which is an additional cost. The cost of both the frame and blade may be more than the BXpanded snow plow. I bought mine in 2006 but there has been too much time in between for me to remember accurately what I paid for both. Sorry.

Chris

 

[RoyJackson]

I like the BXpanded blade...don't own one, yet, but I'm considering it.
If I lived in Utah or someplace that averaged snow accumulation in the feet, I'd go for another solution.
But for around these parts (south central PA), that BXpanded plow looks to be a relatively low cost solution (assuming one has a degree of common sense when they're operating the equipment) for those occasional snows.

 

[CHDinCT]

Thanks for the thoughts.

For reference, I was quoted $1107 for the 50" manual Kubota blade. I assume, but didn't ask specifically, that price includes the mounting frame. It certainly should be included at that price.

Have you found any use for the Kubota blade besides pushing snow?

That price would include the blade and quick hitch. And it's 54" wide. Bought a lightly used blade with new quick hitch from Messicks last year for something over $900, then converted it to hydraulic angle for another $150-$175. Don't recall the exact numbers. Here's a link to the thread if anyone's interested. The Kubota 60" 4-way blade with QH is north of $2K IIRC.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/155390-bx-54-blade-hydro-angle.html

 

[jdonovan]

So we've got snow coming today, so I hooked up the blade last night, in the dark. As I hopped off the tractor I looked at my watch and said, I wonder how much time it really takes to do this....

The answer 38 seconds from off the seat to back on the seat with the blade ready to go.

I before hooking up I did swap the binder hook to the other hole on the bucket clamp and the chain is MUCH tighter now. I should have no problem with pushing the blade sideways.

Harry, in fairness to you, UPS did beat up the boxes a bit and there were no directions in the box with the plow. It seems that it can only go on one way, so I just put it together with out the directions. But some of the fine adjustment notes like the 2nd hole on the bucket clamp would be missed without the directions.

 

[k0ua]

So we've got snow coming today, so I hooked up the blade last night, in the dark. As I hopped off the tractor I looked at my watch and said, I wonder how much time it really takes to do this....

The answer 38 seconds from off the seat to back on the seat with the blade ready to go.

I before hooking up I did swap the binder hook to the other hole on the bucket clamp and the chain is MUCH tighter now. I should have no problem with pushing the blade sideways.

Harry, in fairness to you, UPS did beat up the boxes a bit and there were no directions in the box with the plow. It seems that it can only go on one way, so I just put it together with out the directions. But some of the fine adjustment notes like the 2nd hole on the bucket clamp would be missed without the directions.

Is there any way you can post some "action" shots, as in before and after, ? Several of us have quite a bit of interest in this I think.
James K0UA

 

[jdonovan]

Is there any way you can post some "action" shots, as in before and after, ? Several of us have quite a bit of interest in this I think.

Sure... let me know what kinda shots you want to see.

I'm note sure how much action 3" of snow will give us, but I'll do what I can.

 

[k0ua]

Understand, you might not have enough snow to really test it out, but anything in the way of photo's would be appreciated.
Thanks
James K0UA

 

[jdonovan]

1" of snow last night.

I could get you a pic of the plow sitting on the drive, but didn't figure that was going to be all that exciting for you.

So the wait for more snow goes on.