Snow Is the backhoe too heavy for snow plowing

[2720wes]

This will be my first winter using a tractor(2720) and front plow(54") for snow removal. I would like to keep the backhoe on the tractor, it won't be in the way for plowing but I'm wondering if it'll be to much weight on the back end plowing up hill. I have a hilly gravel driveway and our snows are usually under 6" but we can get some big ones, 22".

Any advice would be greatly appriciated

Thanks
Wes

 

[dirtworksequip]

That 54 inch blade isn't going to be much weight on the front with the backhoe on the rear. Do this simple test..........get on the steepest part of your driveway with the tractor headed up hill. Now back up as fast as you can and stop. If the front end comes off the ground, ask yourself if you want to maybe be in this same situation with ice or snow on the driveway. Take the hoe off and you won't have to worry about the front staying on the ground or the tail swing from the how crunching into something when you busy thinking about plowing snow.

Sincerely, Dirt

 

[ray66v]

Having the B/H on the tractor when plowing flat land, is a wonderful thing. on a hill, I could not tell you.

 

[ChuckinNH]

I left the backhoe on my BX while moving snow with the loader. Though my driveway is pretty level, I noticed more lack of steering control than I would have liked. Taking the backhoe off resulted in a more balanced machine for that purpose. Your 2720 is larger than my BX was, but the backhoe is probably a bit heavier too.

 

[joes_427_vette]

The bradco 611 backhoe on my TC 55 is quite heavy. I left it on as it provided tremendous traction advantages on snow and ice. I didn't even attach the front weights as everything seemed to work out fine. I have a 300' winding steep grade drive. My final passes are done going down the hill. Ultimately its your decision. Good luck.

* I'm a believer in counterweights.

 

[AKfish]

The hoe would be great for rear-wheel traction! But, not so good for front wheel steering and control; especially on hills... You'll need chains on the front wheels just to keep the front end from wandering all over.

And of course; as Dirt mentioned -- it does hang out there quite a ways! If your hills are long and gradual and aren't too steep and short (like a road ditch) you might be just fine.

Just gotta remember --- when it's dark and snowing hard --- how much room you'll need to keep from bashing into something just outside of your line of sight and where your rear light doesn't shine!

AKfish

 

[Runner]

This might be an instance where filling the front tires would help. Not sure you could get enough weight on there to do any good, but better than nothing.

Doesn't look like there's any way to put front weights on along with the blade. I was kicking around the idea of leaving the loader frame on and figuring out a way to lock it in the half-raised position, so it wouldn't leak down when you switched the hoses out for the blade. Maybe clamp a piece of pipe over one/both hyd. pistons?

Probably more trouble than just taking off the hoe...

 

[LBrown59]

I leave the BH on my BX23 when using it to move dirt;so why would moving snow be any different
?

 

[rtm038]

I leave the BH on my BX23 when using it to move dirt;so why would moving snow be any different
?

Because on the JD machines, in order to mount/pin the 54" snow plow assembly to the tractor's frame, you have to remove the loader. When you remove the loader and leave the 800 pound BH on the machine, it makes the machine "rear heavy". Basically its the opposite effect of using the front loader without any adding ballast on the rear to offset the weight you're lifting with the bucket.

 

[Deadman]

Don't ram it into the garage, house, or cars....