Snow Seeking Opinion - BX24 Snow handling Capability

[MIKEKUBOTA]

A friend of mine lives in northwestern New Jersey. He has a gravel driveway that is approximately 750 feet long and has a change in elevation of 300 feet. His house is located at the top of the "hill." It currently takes him about 4 hours to clear the snow using a heavy Troy Bilt blower (I don't know the size).

Question - would a BX24 outfitted with a front blade have sufficient horespower and weight to handle a worst case 12" wet snowfall? If not, what is the concensus concerning a more appropriate choice?

By the way, my buddy does not want to plow using a back blade - it would be too disconcerting blowing backwards downhill, and he also hesitates to use a tractor mounted blower as he would have the same concerns as he has with his present setup - damage to the augers from stones and other debris.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[LBrown59]

I can plow up to 14'' of snow with a 2 wheel drive garden tractor.
My 4 wheel drive kubota BX1500 puts a garden tractor to shame and my Kubota BX23 4 x4 is even more over kill.
I'd think the BX24 can handle it.
== L B ==.

A friend of mine lives in northwestern New Jersey. He has a gravel driveway that is approximately 750 feet long and has a change in elevation of 300 feet. His house is located at the top of the "hill." It currently takes him about 4 hours to clear the snow using a heavy Troy Bilt blower (I don't know the size).

Question - would a BX24 outfitted with a front blade have sufficient horespower and weight to handle a worst case 12" wet snowfall? If not, what is the concensus concerning a more appropriate choice?

By the way, my buddy does not want to plow using a back blade - it would be too disconcerting blowing backwards downhill, and he also hesitates to use a tractor mounted blower as he would have the same concerns as he has with his present setup - damage to the augers from stones and other debris.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[MIKEKUBOTA]

L B:

Do you think the elevation change (steep hill) is not an issue?

 

[lp333]

Do you think the elevation change (steep hill) is not an issue?

You should have no problems plowing downhill in 4WD mode. On an icy surface however, chains might be required while going uphill.

 

[gerford]

The bx 24 will have no problem plowing downhill. Plowing uphill, a couple of inches will stop it. I have 2 driveways in Colorado that are about 500 feet each and once I hit the uphill grade, the snow stops the bx23 dead. I run it up the hill and plow downhill and nothing stops it. Even a slight grade up slows it down a lot and a slight grade down makes it unstoppable. I have the bar tires with no chains.

 

[ByronBob]

I would only think he might need chains if he's going to have turf tires on the tractor.

Also, what other uses for the tractor will he have? It might come into play what the answers here might be.

 

[RayCo]

My driveway sounds identical to your friends. Actually, mine probably has less elevation change, but it's still pretty significant.

I've plowed 18" of wet snow with a 30-year-old garden tractor without much issue. Chains were necessary on the turf tires. One problem that I ran into was that where my driveway goes from flat to starting its upslope, the angle was too great for the plow that I was using lifted as maximum height. I had to back up through the unplowed snow while dragging the blade, but even doing this, it got through.

Here's are some pictures of what I was using. Wheel Horse D-180 Events This tractor is leaving my possession on Friday , and I'm still waiting for my first post-Kubota snowfall. EAGERLY

 

[MIKEKUBOTA]

My buddy is contemplating mowing, some tilling, and possibly cutting some trails.

 

[drtydeed]

my buddy does not want to plow using a back blade - it would be too disconcerting blowing backwards downhill

I have a bx23 with a 6 ft rear blade. You CAN plow with it facing forward! And it works great. Just face the blade forward (with it angled to the side) and DRIVE!

BTW, It plows uphill pretty darn good in that fashion as well.

 

[LBrown59]

My
I've plowed 18" of wet snow with a 30-year-old garden tractor without much issue. Chains were necessary on the turf tires.
Here's are some pictures of what I was using. Wheel Horse D-180 Events This tractor is leaving my possession on Friday , and I'm still waiting for my first post-Kubota snowfall. EAGERLY

If something like this will handle this it ought to be a piece of cake for A BX24.