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

 

[DonPA]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Hey, don't give me any credit for that That's the way Kubota uses the valve for it's implements. It's right in the owners manual...or perhaps it's in the quickhitch manual? Here's the deal:
1. BX2200 with FEL, remove loader, leave valve/arm on.
2. Buy a quickhitch kit. Comes with cylinder and MALE hitch.
3. Buy an implement(snowblade, blower, powerbroom,etc)and they all use come with the female receiver.

http://www.kubota.com/bxseriesimpl.cfm

go to the above link and scroll down to the dozer/snow blade. Notice the quickhitch and FEL control/arm still mounted on the BX

 

[RonR]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Wow, you are so correct! I'd seen those pics, but never paid any attention to it I guess. All my dealer showed me was how to remove it via the quick tach method.

So does the loader still stand on it's legs, or do you have to rig something else to remove it this way?

I guess you could run two remotes since you have two valves with your loader.

Ah, more to think about........ THANKS,
Ron

 

[sandyc]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Don-Great job! Better than 'bota.

Ron- With the cab I have, the valve and the "leg" that it is connected to, stay on the tractor. The FEL valve is located in the cab. The dealer welded a bar on the top pin so that it can be easily removed when dropping the fel and adding the blower and or blade.
I am not sure if you can see that clearly in the attached pic.

 

[sandyc]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Ron-check out the posts by bbell showing the hydraulics he added to his rear mount blower to turn the chute. I have been thinking about adding something like that to my front mount by using the two additional hydro hoses from the FEL valve. In that way the valve would control up or down as well as right or left movement of the deflector chute.
Just a thought.

 

[RonR]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

THANKS.

Your responses are what make this such a great site.

Ron

 

[DonPA]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

......I sure hope my dad doesn't see that cab on your BX. If he does, I know what I'll be building/converting next

Thats NICE!!

 

[sandyc]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Hey Don:

You can't see it from the picture but there are four spot lights-2 forward facing two rear facing. In addition there is atwo-speed heater behind the seat, a defroster blower and would you believe a windshield wiper. The heater behind the seat really keeps things warm.
At my advanced age I need all the help I can get when I am out in a snowstorm

I am waiting for my dealer to get in the upgrade alternator kit because when all the electric stuff is turned on I can deaden a battery in no time.

As a FYI, I am running loaded tires (calcium chloride) as well as 250 pounds of cement in the weight box attached to the tph.

 

[DonPA]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

VERY nice. We also have calcium in all 4 tires and our next project is a weightbox for the back. We have a drawbar mounted on our 3pth with a receiver since we pull our boats around with the BX. I want to leave that on but make a simple box out of stainless and fill it with some metal/cement and have some hooks that I can simply back up, pick it up and slide a couple of pins in to lock it in without removing the drawbar.

I promise that before 2004 is out, Dad will have a cab like yours

Thanks again for the help

 

[RebelYell]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Sandyc,
Concerning your attached pic. Is this what my garage could look like once I retire. Looks as if one could eat off the floor ,and the bottom of your MMM, and the snowblower, and the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I want my garage to look half that nice. I keep walkin' in it from time to time but nothin' ever changes. I am hoping the 2 racoons, living in the back, will get tired of the mess. I am envious. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif My problem is I have this %#$ retentive need to have the place clean and neat but the laziness of a couch potatoe. My split personalities tear me apart until I just don't worry about it except when I can't find things I know I have. I just moved into this place a year ago and have alot of space, problem is my junk is just spread out all over instead of one small garage as I used to have. I did finally clear a spot to park in, of course I had another motivator for that. It is the wifes spot. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif One would think my son would help and he does. He helps me junk it up more. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[sandyc]

Re: Progress on BX2200 & 2650 SnowBlower conversio

Hey Rebel:

You should see the "stuff" on the other side of my shop....I am retired but still do not find enough time to keep everything clean. I think I must have slipped and swept the floor up because it is usually covered in sawdust, dirt, gravel and whatever else the 'Bota and or my boat drag in. In winter everthing just gets thrown in the barn. The stairs go up to a loft storage area and you don't want to see the stuff my wife puts up there. Some day I can see my kids going thru this crap and asking themselves "what was he thinking?"...guess that is their problem......well off to get some seat time and plow a bit of snow!