MASSEY 2360 SNOWBLOWER

[bobzap]

Hi All; I'm sure some of you might think this is a dumb question but here goes. When I snowblow with my 2310TLB I have a hard time getting the front end to go where I want it to. Do you know if the front end is too light with the backhoe attached or if I can get a front weight for the tractor or try chains or something?

 

[ChuckinNH]

When I had my BX I found that steering was better with the backhoe off. Because that weight is behind the rear axle, it transfers weight off the front end. Others have found the same thing. One guy experimented with a weight box, and found that it worked best with only some weight in it (not full). Chains on the front do help steering, but not all tractors have room for them. Wheelweights, or loaded rear tires would help too. Hope this helps.

 

[loulblades]

The backhoe, I think, would be too much weight to overcome with the snowblower. I believe your choices are to remove the backhoe or add some ballast to the front. Not really sure that chains would help the situation much.

BTW I finally used my blower last night for the first time this season. Had a rough time at first dealing with the wet semi frozen snow (kept clogging the chute) but once I got the speed coordinated, it was nothing but fun (I forgot just how far this thing throws the snow). This morning I did shear a bolt though . Have to finish blowing tonight.

 

[ray66v]

I have not used the 2360. But, I have used other front mounted blowers on other tractors. These tractors had no backhoe. Both at times, depending on how slippery it was, had little, or no steering while the blower was in the down position.
I am willing to bet, you will not completely eliminate the problem.

 

[DEWFPO]

I blow allot in the winter with my 2360, especially this year. The driveway that I plow is paved but has many dips and uneven slopes, not to mention it is a 12%, north facing grade. I don't have a BH on my 2300 but I rarely have trouble with the front end not going where I want. In fact, most of the time I blow in 2WD unless I can't get traction blowing on the upgrade.

I would guess the weight of the BH is undermining your steering ability quit a bit. As well, when I blow, I scrap right down to the pavement. I try not to leave any layer of snow behind that will turn to ice. And, make sure you have the hydraulic controller in the 'float ' position so the blower can move up and down with the surface, not the tractor.

DEWFPO

 

[loulblades]

I was going to mention the float but see I was beaten to it.

I don't have any problem steering when the system is in float but then again, I have loaded tires. The only time I can't steer is when I intentionally push the blower down to scrape some ice or reluctant snow or when the snow was pretty deep and wet.

But right now I am off to buy some shear bolts for the blower.

 

[DEWFPO]

Make sure they are indeed 'sheer' bolts and not regular grade 5 bolts that the dealer sold me at first. There are 2 different ones. 2 for the auger halves and 1 for the fan.

DEWFPO

 

[loulblades]

Grade 2, 5/16", 2-1/2" long (original was 2-1/4") and a nylon insert locknut (for the impeller, I never sheared the auger ones). Just bought 6 at the Depot cause somehow I manage to break at least 1 a year and now I will not be without (for awhile).

 

[DEWFPO]

The OE shear bolts have a chamfer cut around the circumference of the bolt. An intentional weak point. When I snapped one of the auger shear bolts I didn't even realize it until I noticed that I was pushing snow with the one side.

DEWFPO

 

[bobzap]

Thanks for the insight You guys really seem to know your stuff. This forum reminds of a bunch of old farmers (no insult intended, they are very wise men). I sometimes wish this site was more active but, it's wintertime and I'm sure it lights up like a christmas tree during the spring, summer and fall. I wish I could take my BH off but as yet I have no room to store it inside seperately. Next year for sure. About the filled tires, do they crush lawn areas bad when you run across them? BTW I also went to the MF dealer and bought 10 extra shear bolts but, I wish the parts guy had told me there is a seperate one for the fan.

 

[loulblades]

The OE shear bolts have a chamfer cut around the circumference of the bolt. An intentional weak point. When I snapped one of the auger shear bolts I didn't even realize it until I noticed that I was pushing snow with the one side.

DEWFPO

The OE shear bolts do have a chamfer cut which I managed to shear in the first 1/2 hour of operation of the new blower. When I went to the dealer to get a replacement, there were none in stock so he handed me a grade 2 bolt and told me if I needed more the local hardware store was right down the road. When I asked if they would work as well as the original, he gave me a funny look like I just arrived from some other planet.

So I have sheared a couple of the bolts I mentioned with no ill affect to the blower (except for me being out of commission) and now I have plenty of replacements.

Since you mentioned the auger shear bolt, I checked them after replacing the impeller shear bolt and all was good.

...About the filled tires, do they crush lawn areas bad when you run across them?...

What tires do you have? The loaded ag tires do have a tendency to leave their mark when mowing (which is what I have). I ended up buying a set of turf tires (not loaded) for the mowing season because my yard can get pretty soft at times. I did take my 2300 out of the mowing business though and was able to get a good trade on a riding mower with the MMM and the turf tires.

Come on snow.

 

[DEWFPO]

I'm running unfilled AG tires. The grass/soil I cut never has enough water in it to get mushy so even though the tires leave their mark on the flattend grass, within a few hours you can't tell. I need the aggressive AG tires to be able to snow plow and climb the slopes around here. I used to have a mowing tractor with turf tires and often I found myself spinning the tires on the slopes and it was useless to plow. I hardly ever have that trouble now with the AG tires.

DEWFPO

 

[bobzap]

Thanks again guys. I have the unfilled turf tires. I got those because of the lawn I have to cross to get to pending projects. So do most of you leave the BH off if you are not using it?

 

[tx2310]

I leave the BH off if I'm not using it so the 3 point is available plus no need to have the added weight bouncing around back there. And I like the R4 tires on mine for a good combo for turf and work. The local dealer now orders most of his 2300/2310s with R4s for that reason.

Doug