Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversion

[DonPA]

Thanks again Sandy for the photo. Blower is on and running. I'll post a few step by step photo's in case anyone else wants the info.

If you want more detail don't be afraid to contact me. I'm going to make sure everything runs right and then strip/sandblast/paint it for next winter.

This image is the blower when I picked it up. Notice the original factory mounts? I simple swapped them side for side and flipped them over...presto, quick hitch mounts!!

 

[DonPA]

Heres the parts necessary to make a female quickhitch receiver. Note missing the is the top plate with the slot. You'll see that in the next photo. This is simple HRS 3/16"thk.

 

[DonPA]

Next, I simply used the male quickhitch as a jig and clamped/welded the pieces on. Of course I just tack welded and make sure the fit was proper. You want to hold the slot just slightly off of home so you truly have an interference fit when you lock the hitch on using the handle on the quickhitch.

 

[DonPA]

Here's the hitch, all pieces welded and ready for paint. You'll see how I reused the factory mounts to the blower for whatever it used to fit I think a B7400? Again, I simply inverted them and swapped sides.

 

[DonPA]

This blower came with 2 drive shafts for midpto mounting. I had the shorten the front one 3 inches. The mid unit was a perfect fit. I removed all the factory brackets OFF the coupling shaft and turned it down to 2.320" so it would slide into the holes provided in the quickhitch mounting. This coupling/housing has 2 bearings, one each end with a simple "C" clip so I can still service the shaft/bearings. I was going to just scrap this piece and do it like the BX2200 factory coupling shaft(2 flange bearings)but I already had this and I felt comfortable with the life/serviceability of the unit. It works great!! After sliding the resized coupling in I just MIG welded it to the quickhitch.

 

[DonPA]

Heres what the coupling/shaft looked like when I got it. Should have showed this before the above post.

 

[DonPA]

Heres the finished deal. So far everything works great!!!

Sure could use a couple of feet of snow tho


Like I said, going to run it and then when we take it off for the spring we'll strip/blast/paint it.

 

[RonR]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Hi Don,

Your work looks GREAT.

A question for you about hydraulics though. Did you add a remote to your 2200?

If you take your FEL off, you lose the valve..... Just curious.

I'd like to add a remote to mine, but it's the same old story: $$$$$$ (lack of).

Take Care,
Ron

 

[DonPA]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Hey Thanks!!

If you have a FEL the valve/arm STAYS on the tractor when you remove the FEL...if I understand you correctly. Hence, the same valve that runs the FEL operates the front lift cylinder for the quickhitch. Our BX, which was purchased new, had an FEL and we bought the quick hitch and snowplow also.

My problem was finding a BX2200 snowblower..we even tried to get a new one!!! So I bought a 2650 and adapted it to the BX...and saved about $1250 bucks!!

 

[RonR]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Don,

Hadn't thought about what I think you did. (I had to go look at my 2200 in the garage).

If I disconnect the loader using the quick-tach pins, the valve goes off with the loader.

If I pulled the pivot pins holding the arms to the loader, then yes, the valve would stay on the tractor. I think that getting the loader on/off would be more work, but it would give me a remote to use.

Is my thinking correct? Anyone else doing it this way with their 2200?

To my knowledge, Don, you're the first person I've seen do this--or at least post here about it.

Hummmmmmmmm?

Ron